One of the best ways to choose a career is by gaining first-hand experience. Even if we start in one career and then decide it’s not what we want to do with our lives, that choice can lead us to where we’re meant to be. That’s my story at least.
My career started in accounting, and while I realized it wasn’t what I wanted to do long-term, my experience in that profession opened my eyes to how many people needed the help I could offer. It was this firsthand experience of working with clients who weren’t getting their financial needs met that led me to make a career shift. I decided to become a financial advisor so I could help fill that role for people who wanted help navigating their financial journey and planning for the future.
Starting My Career
After graduating college with an accounting degree, I worked for various accounting firms but soon found the work to be unsatisfying. As I worked with clients, I looked at their brokerage statements and realized their financial advisors weren’t making them money, and I knew they deserved better service. I also knew that I had the skills and passion to help them. So I decided to become a financial advisor.
I started working in the financial industry full-time in 1996 for New England Financial. While I was happy with my career change and enjoyed the work, I knew I could do even more if I wasn’t linked to one company. That led me to become an independent advisor with LPL Financial in 2003. However, life threw another curveball when my father got sick about 6 years ago. I stepped in to help his CPA business, working with his tax-return clients since I have a background in accounting. Once my father passed last year, I decided it was time to move forward with starting my firm so I could get back to doing what I enjoy and do best: helping clients thrive financially.
Branching Out
With this goal in mind, I started Key Wealth Management in January 2022. In my current role as founder and financial advisor, I bring over 20 years of experience in the financial industry, along with my background as an accountant, to better serve my pre-retiree and retiree clients’ needs. I enjoy helping them find ways to save for retirement and save on taxes, and I go the extra mile to find better ways of investing their assets so they can get better returns. I love working with clients on a personal level, getting to know them and their goals, and creating a financial plan that will help them live the life they dream of and have worked so hard for.
Why I Love What I Do
One of the most fulfilling parts of my job is seeing happy clients. I work hard in my profession because I take pride in serving my clients well. When they’re happy, I’m happy. I love when clients take my advice and appreciate how I have helped them. That’s when I know I have done my job well.
Take the Next Step
With all of life’s stresses, planning for the future can often get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. But when you partner with a qualified professional to help manage your finances, you can worry less and focus on the things that matter most. At Key Wealth Management, we are committed to you, the client, and everything we do is for your success.
If you’ve already started planning for the future or have yet to put strategies in place, we can help you pursue your goals faster. Schedule an introductory appointment by reaching out to us at todd@keywealthmgt.com or (724) 934-9196. We look forward to working with you!
About Todd
Todd Stepke is the founder and a financial advisor at Key Wealth Management, an independent financial firm committed to putting its clients first and building long-lasting relationships that carry them through life’s ups and downs. With over 25 years of experience in the financial industry, Todd provides his pre-retiree and retiree clients with customized solutions and a personal touch—getting to know their goals, needs, concerns, and life situations to build plans that help them pursue their ideal futures. Todd is known for going the extra mile and educating his clients, simplifying the complicated so they can make empowered and informed decisions.
Todd obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Duquesne University. Spending many years as an accountant, he continually saw that his clients were not being served well by their financial advisors. Todd now blends his vast tax knowledge with his passion for seeing his clients thrive financially. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Kandace, biking, gardening, fishing, perusing estate sales, and trying his hand at new recipes (especially baking). To learn more about Todd, connect with him on LinkedIn.
Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advice offered through Key Wealth Management, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.