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Clark Financial Planning
Cathy Clark's Clark Financial Planning manages $1.2B for physicians and business owners from Birmingham, using a retainer model and multi-asset strategy.
Clark Financial Planning
Cathy Clark started Clark Financial Planning in 1990 in Birmingham, Alabama, after spending a decade at Merrill Lynch. The firm was built around comprehensive financial planning for high-earning doctors and entrepreneurs, a niche she identified from personal experience as the daughter of a physician. By 2020, the firm reported over $1.2 billion in assets under management across roughly 800 client households (per Birmingham Business Journal, 2020). The firm's investment strategy blends passive index funds with active fixed-income and private credit allocations, alongside direct real estate holdings—primarily medical office buildings and multifamily properties in the Southeast. Clark Financial Planning also provides tax preparation and estate planning through an in-house team of CPAs and attorneys. The firm describes its approach as 'goal-based' rather than benchmark-relative, using a low-cost, tax-efficient portfolio structure that tilts toward municipal bonds and dividend-paying equities. Clark Financial Planning employs roughly 25 professionals across its Birmingham headquarters, with satellite advisors covering Nashville and Atlanta. Mark Clark, Cathy's son, serves as Chief Investment Officer and oversees the firm's asset-allocation committee. The firm does not operate a separate philanthropic foundation but advises clients on donor-advised funds and charitable trusts through partnerships with national custodians. In October 2023, the firm launched a digital client portal aimed at providing real-time net-worth tracking and tax-document archiving. What distinguishes Clark Financial Planning from larger RIAs is its refusal to accept contingency or commission-based compensation. The firm operates entirely on a flat annual retainer—a percentage of net worth capped at $30,000—eliminating product-based incentives. This structure, combined with a multi-generational succession plan, positions the firm as a long-term steward rather than a transaction-driven advisory shop.
General information
Firm type
Multi Family Office
Year founded
1990
AUM
$1.2B (per Birmingham Business Journal, 2020)
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Birmingham
Corporate office
Birmingham, AL, United States
Principals
Cathy Clark
Founder and President
Mark Clark
Chief Investment Officer
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Clark Financial Planning?
Mark Clark, Cathy Clark's son, serves as Chief Investment Officer and heads the asset-allocation committee. The firm's investment policy is reviewed quarterly by a three-person committee that includes Cathy Clark and a senior advisor. No single person dictates moves; the committee votes on shifts after reviewing third-party research from Morningstar and BlackRock (per the firm's ADV, 2022).
How does Clark Financial Planning source proprietary deal flow?
The firm does not engage in venture capital or private equity through a fund structure. However, it sources direct real estate deals—mostly medical office buildings and multifamily—through its network of long-standing client relationships and local brokerages in Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia. Deals are offered to subsets of accredited clients on a case-by-case basis (per Birmingham Business Journal, 2020).
Is Clark Financial Planning structured as a single family office or an RIA?
It is structured as a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, operating as a multi-family office. Cathy Clark is the sole owner through Clark Wealth Management LLC. The firm does not operate as a single-family office and serves roughly 800 unrelated client households (per SEC ADV filing, 2022).
Does Clark Financial Planning participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
The firm allocates client assets to both public mutual funds/ETFs and direct real estate investments. It does not commit to traditional private equity or hedge fund vehicles on behalf of clients. The 'direct' label applies to real estate syndications and private credit notes that the firm evaluates and recommends individually (per the firm's ADV, 2022).
What investment stages does Clark Financial Planning typically target?
The firm does not invest in venture-stage or early-stage companies. Its focus is on publicly traded equities and fixed-income instruments, with selective exposure to private credit (floating-rate notes, direct lending to mid-size Southeast companies) and stabilized real estate. The typical investment horizon is 5 to 10 years, matching client retirement timelines (per the firm's investment policy, 2022).
Which sectors does Clark Financial Planning explicitly avoid?
The firm does not invest in cryptocurrencies, commodities, or derivatives for speculative purposes. It also avoids early-stage venture capital, biopharma research, and any asset class involving leverage beyond margin accounts. The stated rationale is to preserve capital and minimize complexity for client portfolios (per the firm's ADV, 2022).
How is Clark Financial Planning related to Clark Wealth Management?
Clark Wealth Management LLC is the legal entity registered with state and federal regulators, operating under the trade name 'Clark Financial Planning.' There are no separate entities, subsidiaries, or affiliated companies. Cathy Clark is the sole principal of both the legal entity and the trade name (per SEC ADV filing, 2022).
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