That's Good Advice

By Jill Von Wedel
Gwinnett Business Journal
September 2007

Sanders Financial Management grabs top magazine honors
For the third year, Norcross-based Sanders Financial Management has been named a Top Wealth Manager by Wealth Manager Magazine (formerly Bloomberg). Only 465 financial companies nationwide are chosen for the honor.

"We were very pleased because we were still a fairly new firm and it was a huge honor to make it into a national report," CEO Emily Sanders says.

The criteria for the recognition are: Managing assets at a minimum of $50 million; being a registered investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and more than 50 percent of the client base must consist of individuals of high net worth as defined by the SEC.

Sanders Financial Management was founded in 1994 when Sanders was on sabbatical from BellSouth Corp. as assistant treasurer, managing $1 billion in funds.

"It started out small, as it was just me at first," Sanders says. "I had been an executive in large corporation and had to get used to doing every job myself - I bought supplies and answered the phone and invested portfolios. It was challenging to wear so many different hats, but I got to develop it the way I thought it should be developed. I learned from the ground up."

After being based in Dunwoody for the company's first seven years, Sanders moved the business to Gwinnett in 2001 to be closer to the county's emerging affluent client base - the market on which the company centers its focus.

"We manage those who have $300,000 to $1 million in investable assets," Sanders says. "They're not high net worth, but close to it. They're often ignored by other advisors that are limiting their practices to $2 million or more. It squeezes out a lot of upper middle-class families that would like to have a personal relationship with an advisor but think they're too small."

The firm provides planning for education, retirement, estates, small business, philanthropic and taxes. The company also offers a full range of services for individuals and families.

Another key to success, according to Sanders, is the advisory board they've had for the last seven years.

"They've given invaluable expertise to our firm," she says. "We're managing $150 million in assets right now. They've put us in touch with global business markets. We have clients all over the country and in foreign countries."

Sanders Financial also boasts closer attention for investors. "Our client-to-staff ratio is 20 to one," she says. "It allows us to be more able to customize portfolios, and to give more individualized attention."

At a glance:
Sanders Financial Management
HQ: 4725 Peachtree Corners Circle, Norcross 30092
Number of employees: 9
Awards: Wealth Management Magazine's Top Wealth Manager; National Women Business Owners Corporation Women Business Enterprise certification; Turknett Leadership Character Award.