Adaptation – Perfectly Integrated

The Development and Milestones of the CPA Alliance with Paul Saganey and John Pastore Jr. [Episode 61]

By perfectlyintegrated | October 30, 2025

What does it take to grow from a few accounting firm relationships to a nationwide network of more than 250 CPA partners? Vision, perseverance, and a true belief in collaboration.

In this episode, host Matt Ackermann sits down with Paul Saganey, Founder and CEO of Integrated Partners, and John Pastore Jr., Wealth Advisor and Vice President of Integrated Partners, to unpack the story behind the firm’s renowned CPA Alliance and the lessons learned along the way.

They discuss:

How the CPA Alliance began and evolved
Designing a model that CPAs and advisors truly value
Building partnerships that drive growth and client success
Developing a team of experts and a culture where everyone thrives
Brand protection
The importance of problem-solving, and meaningful relationships
And so much more!

Hear how good times, uncertain times, a group of great humans, and the power of partnership developed the CPA Alliance and Integrated Partners into what it is today.

“We truly have yet to meet the people who will determine the future success of the company.” – Paul Saganey via his friend Elle

Connect With Matt Ackermann:

Connect with Paul Saganey

Connect with John Pastore Jr.

About our Guests

Paul Saganey

With over three decades in financial services, Paul transformed his vision of modern wealth management into reality. As the founder of Integrated Partners, he leads a nationwide RIA featuring 220+ entrepreneurial advisors and groundbreaking partnerships with 250+ accounting firms through the innovative Integrated CPA Alliance Program.

His journey through the financial services industry has given him unique insights into what makes advisory practices thrive. This comprehensive perspective drove him to establish Integrated Partners in 1996, pioneering a fee-based planning approach that puts relationships at the heart of wealth management.

At Integrated Partners, they’ve developed cutting-edge solutions like the Lifetime Income Model, The Business Owner Solution, and the Integrated Family Office, serving high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families with elite services. Their success stems from a simple truth: building great practices requires exceptional people and seamless collaboration.

One of his greatest passions is mentoring advisors, helping them unlock efficiencies and build the practices of their dreams. When he’s not coaching the next generation of financial leaders, you’ll find him cheering on the Tennessee Titan’s with his family— he and his wife Jamie are proud parents of Dan, the Titan’s Vice President of Player Personnel, and blessed grandparents to three wonderful grandchildren.

John Pastore Jr.

As a Private Wealth Advisor with over 25 years of industry experience, he specializes in partnering with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and business owners, seamlessly integrating his Family Focused Office model into their broader wealth management strategy. His practice is dedicated to helping clients build and expand their financial future, delivering a first-class experience at every step.

John is a founding member of Integrated Financial Partners (Integrated) and developed their industry-recognized Professional Partner Program, a dynamic co-source model that partners financial advisors with CPAs, Attorneys and Property & Casualty professionals. Today, over 250 professionals nationwide are successfully partnering with Integrated.

As Private Wealth Advisor and fiduciary in an advisory role:

He provides a full suite of wealth management services, including estate planning, business owner strategies, retirement planning, investment, and risk management. As an independent advisor, he puts needs first, acting solely in the best interests of his clients, recommending only those solutions that best align with their goals, values, and vision. Serving as a dedicated partner on their wealth journey, he’s often their first call for life’s most exciting and important financial decisions.

As Executive Vice President:

He oversees Integrated’s Professional Partner Program and consults with CPA and law firms as they integrate wealth management and financial planning services into their core offerings. His collaborative approach makes Integrated the partner of choice for professionals who value their independence while recognizing the importance of being surrounded by a talented team.

Disclosure:

Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Integrated Partners, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.

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The Right Technology For The Job With Joel Bruckenstein (Ep.32)

By perfectlyintegrated | April 13, 2022

Technology like Zoom has become a staple in the workplace. While it may have been difficult for some, finding and understanding beneficial technology for each task allows advisors to adapt to client demand in the modern world.

In this episode, Matt Ackermann is joined by president of T3 Technology and T3 advisor conference producer, Joel Bruckenstein. Joel shares his expertise in technology, finding the right software and understanding the tools to use in reaching different goals.

Joel discusses:

How the pandemic changed the perspective and use of technology
The two types of advisors in adapting to technology
Why education on technology is important for advisors
How to evaluate the proper software for your uses
And more

Connect With Joel Bruckenstein:

Connect With Matt Ackermann:

About Our Guest:

Joel P. Bruckenstein, CFP®, is an internationally recognized expert on applied technology for financial professionals and Publisher of Technology Tools for Today (T3) — formerly Virtual Office News, now dubbed the T3 Tech Hub.

He is also the producer of the annual T3 Advisor Conference, the premier technology conference for independent financial advisors, as well as the T3 Enterprise Conference, an annual gathering of top executives from independent broker/dealers and large RIAs. He also hosts other technology summits in partnership with thought leaders in the financial services industry (e.g., Brian Hamburger of MarketCounsel) and his own by-invitation-only fintech summit every summer. In 2020, Bruckenstein will produce for the first time a new one-day intensive called T3 Cyber University.

Bruckenstein has for more than twenty years advised financial service firms of all sizes on improving their technologies, processes and workflows.

Disclosure:

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Integrated Partners, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.

Joel Bruckenstein is the president of T3 Technology and is a separate entity and not affiliated with Integrated Partners and LPL Financial.

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The Evolution Of Client Communication With Carol Anderson and Andree Peterson (Ep.31)

By perfectlyintegrated | March 30, 2022

With technology’s constant evolution, the number of ways financial advisors can provide efficient and comprehensive advice increases through the tools we now have access to.

In this episode, Matt Ackermann is joined by the FPA Carol Anderson, President of MQ Research And Education, and Andree Peterson, Chief Implementation Officer at Integrated Partners. They reveal how communication has evolved thanks to technology and the impact this has on client comprehension regarding their own financial and retirement plans.

Carol and Andree discuss:

Different types of communication methods
How a difference in knowledge impacts communication and understanding
The pandemics impact on technology acceptance
What the future holds for client advisor communication
And more

Connect With Carol Anderson:

Connect With Andree Peterson:

Andree Peterson

Connect With Matt Ackermann:

About Our Guests:

Carol:

Carol Anderson is the founder and President of MQ Research & Education™ . She has an M.S. in Consumer Economics & Family Resource Management and a diverse background in business, education, and financial services. Since 1989, Carol has focused on the issues of financial planning education, retirement preparation, life planning, and productive aging. As a researcher, writer, and consultant, Carol has worked with a broad range of companies and non-profit organizations in designing studies, conducting analyses, and compiling research reports. In addition, Carol has written articles, developed publications, and designed educational tools, materials, and training workshops. She is a member of the Financial Planning Association,Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education, and Financial Therapy Association. When not working, Carol enjoys spending time with her family and pets, gardening, and hiking.

Andree:

Andree Peterson helps create successful referral relationships between CPAs and advisors through The Integrated CPA Alliance. This program has been in place since the inception of the firm and her role includes supporting its growth and evolution. They now proudly call over 127 CPA firms their trusted resources – they know they can count on Integrateds’ advisors to deliver for their clients, and vice-versa. It is perhaps the most sought-after growth driver at the firm, among many.

She takes great pride in my ability to effectively transition advisors to Integrated, creating a smooth process for all involved. Their partner firms have made an important decision by choosing Integrated Partners. Having managed the transition of over 160 advisors and 50,000+ client accounts, Andree has witnessed first-hand how crucial it is to maintain discipline, apply a strong process and ensure that she is with the new team members every step of the way as they come aboard.

This may be a business decision, but it is also highly personal. Andree find ways to solve complex problems quickly, and ways to meet the needs of individual clients while maintaining efficiency, all the while keeping in mind the emotional side of a transition.

Disclosure:

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Integrated Partners, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.

The Integrated CPA Alliance is not affiliated with LPL Financial.

Carol Anderson is President of MQ Research and Education and is a separate entity and not affiliated with Integrated Partners and LPL Financial.

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