Christopher Hess, CFP®, CPA/PFS

Family Wealth Strategist | Partner

  • What path led you to wealth management?

I started my college experience intending to major in computer programming. My thoughts changed while I was living in Brazil for a service mission, where I gained a true love of building relationships and helping individuals. Wealth management gives me a forum to build lasting relationships and help people with issues that are important in their lives. I still love computers, but they’re not as personable.

  • What has been your most rewarding career experience?

I’ve had many great career experiences such as earning my professional designations and working with amazing people, but probably the most rewarding has been helping to create TFO Phoenix. We’ve worked hard to try to build long-term, lasting relationships with our clients, and that has been very rewarding.

  • What do you enjoy most about your role at TFO Phoenix?

Building relationships with the families and organizations that I serve. I feel great joy in helping people that I truly care about take steps toward their financial and familial goals.

  • What personal accomplishments are you most proud of?

My relationship with my beautiful, talented and caring wife. Most people ask me how I got so lucky, and I quite frankly don’t know. We’ve been able build our family with five wonderful children and they make everything else that I do in life worth the effort.

  • Why should families connect wealth and purpose?

The better question is: Why wouldn’t they? It just makes sense to thoughtfully plan around the resources that can help you achieve your goals and objectives, whatever they may be.

  • Education and accreditations

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)/Personal Financial Specialist (PFS)
Series 65 License
M.S., Accounting, Brigham Young University
B.A., Accounting, Brigham Young University

  • What are some of your biggest influences?

My parents and grandparents. They instilled in me discipline, honesty, responsibility, diligence, ethics and the value of hard work. My parents also taught me the importance of treating others kindly and with respect.

  • What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in life?

Treat others as you would like to be treated, and always remember who and what is important in life. Don’t sweat the small stuff.