Certified Tax Service, Inc. (Chicago)

Name: Certified Tax Service, Inc.
Address: 737 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611
Telephone: 312-337-1040

Certified Tax Service, Inc. is a large advisory firm based in Chicago. It manages $280.14 million of regulatory assets for 730 client accounts. It has been registered with the SEC as an adviser since 2004 and has operated in the jurisdictions of California, Florida, Illinois, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Certified Tax Service provides financial planning services, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, and selection of other advisers. It prepares financial plans for more than 25 clients. On top of advisory services, the firm doesn't engage in other business activities.

Certified Tax Service: assets under management

The assets under management (AUM) of Certified Tax Service, Inc. is $280.14 million, all of which is managed in discretionary accounts. The firm's AUM has grown by 53% since the beginning of its operation, and the company doesn't manage any assets belonging to foreign clients.

The firm manages $280.14 million in discretionary accounts. On average, the discretionary accounts where all decisions are made on behalf of the client hold $383.75 thousand each.

Investments

The firm invests in investment and business development companies the most. They account for 91% of the total AUM. The second-largest asset type is cash and cash equivalents, which make up 6% of the firm’s portfolio. Investments in exchange traded securities form 3% of the total invested assets.

Fees & Commissions

The advisory firm has several streams of revenue. Clients pay Certified Tax Service, Inc. for their services and products based on a percentage of assets under management, hourly charges, and fixed fees. Compensation based on assets under management promotes a long-term relationship between a client and the adviser and helps align mutual interests. These fees don’t include brokerage commissions, interest, taxes, and other account expenses.

What kind of clients Todd Wayne Much serves?

The firm provides services to individuals and high net worth individuals. The largest group of clients of Todd Wayne Much is high net worth individuals with 86 clients and $227.31 million of assets under management. Among the 4 most similar advisory firms, Certified Tax Service has the 2nd lowest percentage of high net worth individuals out of all clients.

The amount of regulatory assets under management is $280.14 million for 222 clients that can include trusts, estates, and 401(k) plans and IRAs of individuals and their family members. None of the firm’s clients are foreign persons or businesses.

Certified Tax Service doesn't advise any private funds.

Careers at Certified Tax Service, Inc.

The company employs 7 people that are either part- or full-time employees. 57 percent of the employees work as investment advisers or researchers. 4 employees are registered as investment adviser representatives with the state securities authorities.

There isn’t anyone with the role of looking for and bringing in new clients on behalf of the firm. The firm doesn’t compensate employees in addition to the salary for bringing in new clients. Employees don’t receive compensation from other entities for client referrals.

Todd Wayne Much has been acting as President since 1 Aug 1981. Jonathon Corey Much joined the executive team most recently as the Vice President.

Direct owners and executive officers

Name	Entity	Date acquired	Ownership	Employer ID
Todd Wayne Much	President	1 Aug 1981	50% - 75%	712126
Charles Anthony Marien	Executive vice president / chief compliance officer	1 Oct 1984	25% - 50%	1391828
Christopher Todd Much	Vice president	1 Oct 2005	Other	4693343
Jonathon Corey Much	Vice president	1 Oct 2010	Other	5871153
Christopher Todd Much	Vice president	1 Oct 2013	Other	4693343
Jonathon Corey Much	Vice president	1 Jun 2015	Other	5871153

Based in Chicago

The principal office where Certified Tax Service, Inc. performs its advisory services is located at 737 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, which is also the mailing address of the firm. It doesn’t run an office outside of the United States.

You can reach the main office by calling the phone number 312-337-1040 or by fax 312-337-9862. The normal business hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm on Monday - Friday. You can find more information about the New York firm at ctsfinancialgroup.com.