Barbara Attardo, AEP®, CFP®

Partner

Boston

Client Advisory

Biography

Barbara is a Partner in the Boston office. She is a member of the firm’s Wealth Management practice and has over 30 years of experience servicing the complex needs of high and ultra-high net worth individuals and families. Barbara is skilled in providing objective, comprehensive financial planning, and investment management services.

Prior to joining Cerity Partners, Barbara was a Partner at Daintree Advisors, which she joined in 2011. In her roles as Senior Client Advisor and Senior Wealth Strategist, Barbara worked with clients to build, enjoy, preserve, and transfer wealth consistent with their goals. Additionally, as a member of Daintree’s Divorce Consulting Practice, Barbara compassionately assisted individuals and couples to successfully navigate the financial challenges of divorce.

Before Daintree Advisors, Barbara was a Senior Vice President and Senior Financial Planner at Wells Fargo Private Bank (and its predecessor Wachovia Wealth Management). Previously, Barbara was a Partner at Tofias PC and Director of Tofias Financial Advisors LP, where she provided fee-only financial planning and investment management.

Barbara and her husband Frank have three grown sons. Barbara is an avid reader, has a green thumb, and enjoys cycling, hiking, and pickleball.

Education

  • B.A. in Mathematics from Boston College

Highlights

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
  • Accredited Estate Planner
  • Member of Phi Beta Kappa
  • Past board member of the Boston Estate Planning Council and the Financial Planning Association of Massachusetts
  • She has been published, quoted, and featured in various publications

Q & A

Q:

What inspired you to pursue your career in financial management?

I have a Math degree and I love numbers. I also love people. I love the intersection of numbers, people and money. This is a wonderful career where you are challenged intellectually, and you have the privilege of impacting people’s emotional and financial well being. Clients share their innermost goals, joys and fears and ask you to put all the pieces of their puzzle together in the best way possible for them and their families.

Why is your work important, especially today?

My specialty passion is financial planning. It’s extremely important, now more than ever, because it takes an increasing level of time and expertise to navigate one’s road to financial success. Choices are getting more complex and better decisions need to be made to be prepared for one’s future. There are very few built-in safety nets like there were in years past, plus people are much more mobile in their careers. People need someone that they can trust and who will educate them on their options.

What should your clients know the most about you?

That I am here for them and willing and able to assist them any way I can while looking out for their best interest.

What kind of clients work best for you?

So many, but to name a few: 1) Smart, successful people that want someone to put their financial house in order and guide them going forward 2) People contemplating retirement and want someone to figure out what’s possible and to co-create a roadmap for an awesome retirement 3) Women. I love to educate and empower women to allow them to make the best decisions possible for themselves and their families.

What differentiates Cerity Partners from other firms in our space?

All colleagues share a passion and have the experience and knowledge necessary to serve our clients with excellence. We are all committed to enhancing the financial lives of our clients, as well as their peace of mind.

What do you do in your personal life that helps you help your clients?

I experience the world as my clients do. I have family, friends, goals and fears, good days and bad. I am able to share my knowledge, my successes, and my failures. I have empathy for my clients and what they are going through and I want to help them.

How would you describe your best day doing what you do?

In the morning I’d meet with the team and go over the agenda, the underlining message(s) we want to share with the client, and how everyone will contribute. After the meeting, have a nice lunch. In the afternoon, work on a challenging client situation and collaborate with another colleague. Reach out to a few clients regarding follow-up items and to let them know I am thinking of them. Finally, I’d finish the day off by mentoring one of my junior colleagues.

What does the world need now more than anything?

Respect, understanding and unity. The situation in the United States is very painful and downright scary at times. We need to find a way to come together for the good of all of us.

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By clicking “Submit”, you acknowledge that we collect your name, email address and phone number to respond to your inquiries and provide you information about our products and services in accordance with our Privacy Policy. If you are a California resident, please see our CCPA Notice to California Residents.