A student in professional attire listens attentively while networking with a financial advisor during the Future Advisor Conference.
Students and industry professionals connect during the Future Advisor Conference, an event bridging academic talent with financial advising careers.

Future Advisors Conference

A conference for the next generation of financial advisors

The Future Advisors Conference gives wealth management and financial planning students the chance to interact with industry advisors and participate in a financial planning challenge with real-world implications.

Hosted in partnership with Schwab Advisor Services and the Charles Schwab Foundation, this unique conference is designed to address the critical need for new talent in the industry, fostering connections and providing essential knowledge to both seasoned professionals and aspiring advisors.

How the conference competition works

A group of undergraduate students in business attire attentively listen to an industry advisor during a networking session at the Future Advisor Conference.

Eligibility

Teams consist of 2-4 undergraduates from the same institution. Multiple teams are allowed. Faculty and industry advisors are encouraged. Schwab Advisor Services provides industry advisor recommendations.

Three undergraduate women dressed in professional attire smile together at the Future Advisor Conference.

Timeline

Submissions are due Dec. 8 by 8 a.m. Selected teams are notified by Dec. 11. Presentations to a panel of judges occur on Jan. 21. Winners announced at close of the Finance Advisors Conference on Jan 22.

A student in business attire writes notes in a spiral notebook during a session at the Future Advisor Conference.

Financial plan & presentation

The written financial plan should detail client profile & goals; financial analysis; recommendations (e.g., investment strategies, risk management); implementation plan; and appendices. PowerPoint presentation should summarize the plan in 10 minutes.

A judge in a navy suit attentively reviews a participant's financial plan during the Future Advisor Conference.

Evaluation criteria

Technical accuracy (30%): Correctness and thoroughness. Client-centric approach (25%): Plan aligns with client goals, values and risk tolerance. Creativity & innovation (15%): Effective solutions proposed. Presentation skills (20%): clarity, organization and persuasiveness. Professionalism (10%): professionalism in the plan, presentation and interaction with judges.

A student in a navy suit reviews a professionally designed financial report featuring charts, graphs, and behavioral finance insights.

Software & AI use

You can use software such as MoneyGuidePro or eMoney to enhance the professionalism of your financial plans. Incorporating software-generated analyses and visual aids can strengthen your presentations. You can also use original artificial intelligence content to enhance your financial analysis, forecasting and strategy development.

Two students in suits smile while holding a plaque awarded for winning the 2025 Student Challenge at the Future Advisor Conference.

Awards

Winners are recognized at the end of the second day of the conference. Each member of the winning team receives CFP prep – The Dalton Review ($1,595 value per person). Complimentary Financial Advisors Conference registration is also provided for each student from the teams qualified for the in-person round.

A motivational speaker addresses students from a stage at the Future Advisor Conference, gesturing with one hand during a talk.
Students are inspired to take action and sign up for the Future Advisor Conference, where real-world financial planning meets transformative learning.

Sign up to compete

Submit a written financial plan based on the provided case study. On the front-page list student names, faculty advisor, industry advisor(s) and school affiliation. Do not include any other team-identifying information following the first page. Submit by Dec. 8 at 8 a.m. with the subject line “FAC Financial Planning Challenge submission.”

Student challenge

Each year, student participants are given a realistic challenge to use during the advising conference competition. Information is shared with participants in advance to guide their planning and presentation during the challenge.

Developed by Gillen Manos, AllGen Financial

Meet your new clients, Beth (03/25/95) and Donald (08/27/97) Gorrie. Beth was born in Cedar Key, Florida and left to attend UF when she was 18, which is where she met Donald. Beth and Donald have been married for eight years and have two children, Ava (08/03/18) and Bradley (05/06/21). Their youngest child, Susan, is expected to be born in January of 2026. They live in Tampa, Florida where Donald was born and raised. Beth and Donald had a bad experience with another financial planning firm, Sunshine Capital and Asset Management, in Tampa, and are wary about the financial industry. They heard about you through a friend and are giving you a chance because of that. 

Donald owns a small HVAC business from which he takes $120,000 per year in distributions. Donald has one partner, Greg, with whom he started the business seven years ago as a general partnership (They each own 50%). The two have five employees. Recently, Donald’s company finished a job for a local business park and cleared a one-time profit of $125,000. Donald and Greg each took $50,000 and split the rest amongst their employees as a bonus. However, even if they land similar jobs in future, Donald does not want to take any more bonuses. They barely finished the most recent job on time, and Donald and Greg decided to take the next five years and invest in the business as much as possible. They want to establish a proper succession plan, a retirement plan for employees (until now Donald has just been maxing out his IRA), and finish up some deferred maintenance on their equipment. 

Beth has been a full-time homemaker and mother since Ava was born in 2018. She occasionally helps Donald with bookkeeping, but she spends most of her time homeschooling their children. Bradley, now four years old, was diagnosed at age two with mild spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy, likely caused by a lack of oxygen during birth. While cognitively strong and sociable, Bradley has limited motor function on his right side. He walks independently but wears an orthotic brace and continues to receive physical therapy several times per week. Beth and Donald are committed to giving Bradley the fullest possible life but worry about the long-term costs of therapy, assistive equipment, and possibly specialized private schooling. His needs aren’t overwhelming, but they are persistent, and the Gorries feel unprepared for the financial and legal aspects of planning for his future. They’ve heard of programs they might be able to use to fund private schooling for their children but aren’t sure where to start. They are happy to keep homeschooling until at least middle school, so they’d like to take the time to research what private school options exist in Tampa and what they might cost. 

The Gorries also aren’t committed to sending their children to college. They see it as a possibility but also want to be prepared if their kids want to attend trade school, get a technical education, or start their own business. They are willing to start saving so that they can help their children get started after high school, but they don’t want to limit their options too much. 

Beth’s grandmother passed away six years ago and left her and Donald her childhood home in Cedar Key, along with a $150,000 mortgage on the property. It was worth about $175,000 at the 

time. The home is structurally sound but cosmetically shabby and outdated. The mortgage has about 20 years remaining with a monthly payment of $950 at a 4.5% interest rate. Currently, the property is generating just enough income to cover expenses and is roughly breaking even each year. Donald has spoken to a real estate agent in the area and determined that they could sell the home as is for $210,000. Alternatively, they could renovate the home for $35,000 in order to boost the sale price to approximately $315,000. If they wished to keep the home, either for the income or for sentimental reasons, they could invest an extra $10,000 to convert it into a short-term rental. They estimate that this renovation would increase the revenue from the house and allow for an annual profit of $8,000. 

The Gorries’ all-in annual living expenses for 2024 were approximately $85,000. They prepared a summary of income and expenses for you to review. Donald and Beth don’t have any life insurance and getting some is one of their top priorities. Donald knows that the family couldn’t function if either parent were to pass away, but so far life insurance just hasn’t been something he wants to think about. He’s heard of all kinds of different life insurance products, even ones that might help his kids save for college, but he’s really not sure what to pick and is worried about getting ripped off. Donald provides health insurance for the family through a small group plan he set up through his business, with the company covering half the $1,800 monthly premium. The plan is HSA-eligible and covers major expenses, but they still pay several thousand dollars out of pocket each year. They don’t have any money accumulated in their HSA right now since they used it for Bradley’s birth and therapy expenses. They’d love to lower those costs, if possible, but it’s not a top priority. 

Donald’s IRA currently has a balance of $70,000, with most of the balance invested in S&P 500 no-load index funds and the rest in some stocks he found interesting. Donald knows he needs to invest for his family’s future, but never really understood the markets. He doesn’t want to invest in anything too complex going forward, or pay high fees, but he is willing to take advice on expanding outside of just the S&P. Donald and Beth have a moderate risk tolerance. He plans to work until at least 62, and maybe later depending on how much work he is still doing in the business. Beth has no plans to go back to work until after their kids are grown up, although she is willing to help out around the business part-time if needed. Neither of them has much faith in Social Security. Beth is also worried about their estate plan. They had the basic documents done the year after they were married but haven’t updated things since they had kids. 

Donald and Beth both grew up loving the outdoors and want to instill that same love in their children. In a few years, they would like to start taking trips every year or two to the National Parks. Beth in particular wants to visit the Channel Islands in California and go kayaking in the sea caves. 

Donald and Beth have rented for their entire marriage so far. They get along very well with their landlord and don’t anticipate having to move anytime soon. Their rent goes up every few years, but stays mostly in line with inflation. They are very cautious about buying a home before they are ready, and don’t want to stretch their budget. They do eventually want to buy and would prefer a 15-year fixed rate mortgage that doesn’t exceed 30% of their income. Because they do 

not typically borrow money, they want some advice on getting a manually underwritten mortgage. 

Beth drives a 2016 Toyota Sienna and Donald has a 2018 Honda Accord. Beth’s Sienna has 80,000 miles on it, while Donald’s Accord has 60,000 miles. They are happy with their cars but would like to be able to pay cash whenever it is eventually time to upgrade. 

Total assets

AssetDonaldBethJointTotal
Checking account$5,276
Savings account$14,947
Total accounts$22,434$22,434
Donald’s IRA$69,537
Total retirement$69,537$69,537
Cedar Key rental$210,000
Total real estate$210,000$210,000
2016 Toyota Sienna$9,155
2018 Honda Accord$12,356
Total automobiles$12,356$9,155$21,511
Total assets$323,482

Total liability

LiabilityDougSusanJointTotal
0000
Total liabilities$0

Net worth

$323,482

IRA allocation

SPZX: 75%

NVDA: 8%

MSFT: 7%

AAPL: 6%

AMZN: 4%

Insurance

  1. Health insurance: high deductible HSA plan: $900/month
  2. Car insurance (Donald): $120/month, $1,000 deductible, 100/100/300 coverage
  3. Car insurance (Beth): $140/month, $1,000 deductible, 100/100/300 coverage
  4. Donald receives a 70% disability insurance policy paid fully as a employee benefit

Budget

  • Rent: $2,200
  • Utilities and internet: $375
  • Groceries and household: $1,100
  • Transportation: $550
  • Health insurance premium: $900
  • Healthcare (out-of-pocket): $550
  • Bradley’s therapy needs: $400
  • Kids’ needs and activities: $350
  • Dining and entertainment: $200
  • Travel fund: $150
  • Car insurance (Donald): $120
  • Car insurance (Beth): $140

Need to know more about the conference?

Need assistance with the entry? Have questions about the rules or challenge data? Conference organizers are here to help you.

Contact information

Helene Hale
Finance Professional Development Program
Email Helene
352-846-4705

Connor Birch
Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration – Wealth Management, University of Florida | 2026
Email Connor
561-373-1455

Wednesday, January 22nd

  • 1:00pm // Student Cchallenge | Heavener Hall
  • 5:30 – 7:30pm // Reception | Bull Gator Deck at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

Thursday, January 23rd

  • 8:00am // Registration | Reitz Union Grand Ballroom
  • 8:00 – 8:45am // Welcome breakfast
  • 8:45 – 9:10am // Opening remarks
  • 9:10 – 10:00am // Opening keynote
    • Building the Next Generation of Advisors
      • Philip Palaveev, Ensemble Practice
  • 10:10 – 11:00am // Schwab breakout sessions
    • Advisors – How Human Emotions and Behavior Influences Investment Choices and Strategy
      • Mike Savage, Schwab Asset Management
    • Students – NextGen Talks: Career Pathways
      • Moderated by Sherri Trombley, Charles Schwab
      • Panelists: Kathy Anez (Certified Financial Group), Marc Milic (Douglas C. Lane & Associates), Kevin Caldwell (Golden Road Advisors)
  • 11:30 – 12:30pm // Lunch keynote
    • State of the Economy / Behind the Markets
      • Kenny Polcari, SlateStone Wealth
  • 12:45 – 1:00pm // CFP Bboard updates
  • 1:10 – 2:00pm // Applying AI in financial planning
    • Sheri Fitts
  • 2:10 – 3:00pm // Growing future advisors pPanel
    • Moderated by Eric Sande, Charles Schwab
    • Panelists: Chad Slaughter (Mercer Advisors), Paul Roldan (AllGen), Ann Convington (CovingtonAlsina)
  • 3:10 – 4:00pm // Closing keynote
    • Sit to Rise
      • Patric Young
  • 4:00 – 4:30pm // Closing remarks
    • Challenge winners announced

Professional headshot of Philip Palaveev, smiling in a blue blazer and light blue dress shirt against a light gray background.

Philip Palaveev
Owner and CEO/Ensemble Practice

Kenny Polcari, wearing a white dress shirt and dark blazer, stands in front of a softly lit modern background with a confident expression.

Kenny Polcari
Chief Market Strategist, SlateStone Wealth

Patric Young, wearing a University of Florida polo and white cap, smiles while seated in a wheelchair during a public event surrounded by Gators fans.

Patric Young
Center (former), Florida Gators Basketball

Sheri Fitts smiles confidently in a brown leather jacket and gold top, standing outdoors with soft sunlight and greenery in the background.

Sheri Fitts
Founder/CEO, Sheri Fitts & Co.

Michael Savage, wearing a blue checked blazer and red tie, smiles in a professional headshot set against a softly lit background.

Michael Savage
Managing Director, Charles Schwab