Tom Alf, CFA, CFP®
Mendota Heights, Minnesota Financial Planner

Tom got his start in accounting and business as a CPA, controller and CFO before he moved into financial planning. He found the corporate world wasn't a good fit for him and decided to pursue financial planning at the Carlson School of Management. "A career in the corporate world didn't speak to my need to work with people and feel like I was helping. What I wanted to do was to try and educate people and improve their position in life. Owning my own firm allows me to shape my work according to my values so I knew I could help people in the way I would want someone to help me – with trust and knowledge." When the firm was founded, Tom chose the name Clerestory because financial planning, like architecture, is an equally analytical and creative process. He felt that as a financial planner he needed to have an enlightened view and find a higher vantage point in order to identify key challenges and opportunities for his clients. Tom and his wife live in St. Paul and are enjoying their empty nester status while their two children, recent college graduates, are pursuing their own careers. Being active is important to them and they stay active by biking, rollerblading and swimming. Now that the children are launched, Tom is trying to talk his wife into another dog – we'll keep you posted on his progress! Education B.S., Accountancy, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois Professional Credentials Certified Public Accountant Certified Financial Planner Certified Divorce Financial Analyst Professional Associations Financial Planning Association Collaborative Law Institute National Association of Personal Financial Advisors Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants National Association of Tax Professionals

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