A brief introduction:

Hello Everyone! My name is Aaron Nuti.

I entered the financial services sector as an entry-level investment operations associate just after finishing college, handling the usual suspects like account opening and closing, performance calculations, reconciliations, and ad hoc projects. After 2.5 years in operations, I made the switch to client-facing Portfolio Management for individuals and families within the same firm. As a portfolio manager, it was my job to learn about the client’s end goals and assess whether the investments they were considering would help them get there. My job was to help clients achieve their financial goals by investing in various vehicles, including mutual funds, exchange traded funds, separately managed accounts, stocks, bonds, and alternative investments. After about six years as a portfolio manager, I transitioned within the industry to become a wealth advisor. For the past twelve years, I have been a wealth advisor helping clients get the results they want by providing integrated solutions. Investments and investment planning, cash flow and retirement planning, insurance adequacy, philanthropic objectives, and plans for education, estate, and compensation are all part of the comprehensive set of solutions provided.

A thirst for knowledge is also part of my backstory. Throughout my career and in every role I have held, I’ve been aware of the need to improve my skills, broaden my knowledge, and adapt to the changing nature of my field. To better serve my clients, I pursued and obtained the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), and Financial Data Professional (FDP) designations.

Why did I take up the FDP challenge?

Data, data science, and the associated techniques are becoming increasingly important to understand in any field due to the data explosion. Information can be used as a source of knowledge, understanding, and even competitive advantage.  Learning the language of data and data science can help you make better data-drive decisions, work better with your data team, communicate more effectively, and possibly align your strategies even better. A firm grasp of the principles and techniques necessary to effectively utilize data to benefit customers, workers, and the business is essential.

What is great about FDP:

Learning everything in the FDP curriculum has challenged me to expand my mind in fascinating ways. It has helped to keep my interest in learning alive and well. Mastery of the material also motivates me to consider what comes next, what and how I should be focusing my attention, and what information I need to offer the most effective solutions to real-world problems and make a positive difference in people's lives.

The FDP certification has pushed me to consider issues from different angles. By expanding my horizons, I am better able to analyze a situation from all angles, consider the potential outcomes of my actions beyond the first order, and arrive at a more well-informed decision. Whether the results are good or bad, it does not matter. It encouraged me to keep striving to see beyond the horizon, rather than focusing on what lies immediately in front of me.

The FDP Institute is a group of people who share your commitment to learning and your desire to find effective ways to address problems. Being involved in the group makes you want to improve yourself and your work, encourages you to try new things and be creative (qualities not typically associated with the financial sector), and provides a forum for open communication and teamwork.

My advice for aspiring industry professionals:

Keep an open mind, a flexible attitude, and an insatiable hunger for knowledge. The industry is constantly changing, and with that comes the opportunity to learn something fascinating. In general, the industry is experiencing a period of great optimism.

About Aaron Nuti, CFA, CAIA, CFP, FDP

Aaron is a Wealth Advisor for Fairport Wealth (Hightower Advisors) and provides guidance and education that empowers clients and their families to make confident financial decisions while helping them feel more at ease about their financial position in life.

Country of Residence: United States

Education: John Carroll University, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) Major: Finance, Year 2001 and Master’s in Business Administration, Year 2002

Certifications: Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Financial Data Professional (FDP)

Professional Honors: AdvisorHub 2023 Top 100 Advisors to Watch