P. J. DiNuzzo CPA, PFS™, MBA, MSTx
P. J. DiNuzzo is the Founder, President, Chief Investment Officer (CIO), Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), and Director of Business Development for DiNuzzo Private Wealth, Inc., d/b/a DiNuzzo Wealth Management, d/b/a DiNuzzo Family Office, d/b/a DiNuzzo Middle-Market Family Office, d/b/a DiNuzzo Emerging Wealth (“DPW”) which has operated as an SEC Registered Investment Advisory Firm since 1989 and currently manages $1.012 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2024. P. J. has devoted his entire professional career to indexing/efficient market theory, retirement planning and educating the public regarding their benefits. He was approved as one of the first 100 Advisors in the United States with Index Research/Development Leader and Institutional Mutual Fund Manager, Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) in the early 1990’s. DPW was one of the first few hundred fee-only firms in the U.S. in the late 1980s and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 500 firms in the country by multiple national publications. Under P. J.’s leadership, DPW has been recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work”, on numerous occasions, by the Pittsburgh Business Times.
P. J. has been awarded the prestigious multi-year designation as a FIVE STAR Wealth Manager. The award is given to wealth managers in Pittsburgh and across the U.S. who satisfy key client criteria and score the highest in overall client satisfaction.
P. J. has earned the distinguished Personal Financial Specialist (PFS™) designation. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), a national professional organization of CPA professionals grants the PFS credential only to certified public accountants with a significant personal financial planning education and experience. Candidates must meet six necessary requirements including an arduous technical exam and a peer review of their ability to demonstrate significant experience in a wide range of comprehensive personal financial planning disciplines.
P. J. has appeared and been interviewed on numerous occasions regarding Strategic Asset Allocation, Portfolio Diversification, Indexing, Rebalancing, and Retirement Income Planning on various Television and Radio programs including: OPRAH & Friends with Jean Chatzky on XM Radio, CNBC- TV Power Lunch, KDKA-TV2 Sunday Business Page with Jon Delano, The Lange Money Hour radio show with Jim Lange, and The Street.com TV.
P. J. has also been interviewed and quoted on a number of occasions regarding Strategic Asset Allocation, Portfolio Diversification, Indexing, Rebalancing, and Retirement Income Planning in various national, regional, and local Magazines including: Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Retirement Planning, MarketWatch from Dow Jones, Morningstar, SmartMoney, BusinessWeek, Investment Advisor, Financial Planning, NAPFA Advisor, The Wall Street Transcript, Wealth Management Exchange, Wealth Manager, Bottom Line Personal, IARFC, and Private Wealth magazine.
He has also been interviewed and quoted on numerous occasions regarding Strategic Asset Allocation, Portfolio Diversification, Indexing, Rebalancing, and Retirement Income Planning in various national, regional, and local Newspapers including: The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, Reuters, Bankrate.com, CBS News, YAHOO! Finance, Pittsburgh Post–Gazette, Chicago Sun – Times, FT.com Financial Times, Smart Money Select.com, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, St. Louis Dispatch, Chicago Board Options Exchange, Investment News, Pittsburgh Business Times, The Sharon Herald, The Christian Monitor, The Beaver County Times, Pittsburgh Tribune Review, The Mutual Fund Wire.com, Gulf News – the United Arab Emirates (UAE), TMC.net, Comcast.net Finance, Rydex Investments, Free Real Time.com, Individual.com, Lockheed Federal Credit Union, Invest n Retire, ABC – TV9 WCPO.com, Fort Worth Star Telegram, KYPost.com, Wealth Manager, Jim Prevor’s Perishable Pundit, Reading Eagle, The Toledo Blade, Horsesmouth, DemocraticUnderground.com, The Community Investment Network, Daily Herald, Scripps News, The Modesto Bee, Hitched, Prime, El Paso times.com, Paladin Advisor, Advisor Max, Denverpost.com, Oswego Daily News, The Dollar Stretcher, Financial Advisor, The Ledger, Post-Gazette.now, The Columbus Dispatch, Savannah Morning News, and Hampton Roads News Channel.
P. J. is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), Estate Planning Council (EPC) of Pittsburgh, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), the AICPA’s National CPA Financial Planning Insights Panel, The National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP), Financial Educators Network (FEN), and the Pittsburgh Society of Investment Professionals (PSIP).
P. J. chose football in lieu of a Major League Baseball offer from the Houston Astros to play with their Class A Team, as he attended and played football at Indiana University under Head Coach Lee Corso in the “Big Ten” (Bloomington, Indiana) and also at the University of Pittsburgh under Head Coach Jackie Sherrill. He later received his BS in Business Administration from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA. His graduate studies culminated in an MBA (Masters in Business Administration) from the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh and an MSTx (Masters of Science in Tax Law) from Robert Morris University at the downtown Pittsburgh Campus. P. J. received his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation from the State of Delaware.
P. J. serves as a Finance Council Board Member for St. Blaise Church; and is a member of the Department of Finance Advisory Board for Robert Morris University. He is a volunteer and supports Habitat for Humanity, Red Door Program for the homeless, and commitment to his churches in Midland and Pittsburgh’s Southside. He previously was a member of the Investment Committee on the Endowment Board for Valley Care Associates, a non-profit organization providing adult day care, home safety consulting, and physical modifications for the elderly in Allegheny and Beaver Counties; and served on the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Pittsburgh, as a member of their Programs Committee (Food, Clothing, Shelter, Healthcare); he also served on the Board of Directors and volunteered for The Hope House and The Center, both of which are located in Midland, Pennsylvania supporting the women and youth of the community. He is a lifelong resident of the Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania area. He devoted over 12 years to helping and assisting numerous young men in Pittsburgh’s inner–city and surrounding areas by supporting and coaching over 1,000 basketball games at the AAU, elementary, middle school, junior high, and high school levels attempting to teach and instill in them teamwork, trust, structure, discipline, and hard work. Professionally, he is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Pittsburgh.
The Five Star Wealth Manager award is issued by Five Star Professional (FSP). Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Self-completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 1,818 Pittsburgh-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 233 (13% of candidates) were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: # Considered, # Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period. 2022: 1779, 252, 14%, 6/1/22, 9/27/21 - 3/25/22; 2021: 1814, 234, 13%, 6/1/21, 9/7/20 - 4/23/21; 2020: 1886, 224, 12%, 6/1/20, 9/16/19 - 4/10/20; 2019: 1667, 251, 15%, 6/1/19, 9/17/18 - 4/12/19; 2018: 1653, 227, 14%, 6/1/18, 9/28/17 - 4/17/18; 2017: 1133, 277, 24%, 6/1/17, 9/27/16 - 4/11/17; 2016: 1064, 423, 40%, 5/1/16, 10/7/15 - 4/19/16; 2015: 1494, 442, 30%, 6/1/15, 10/7/14 - 4/19/15; 2014: 1721, 458, 27%, 6/1/14, 10/7/13 - 4/19/14; 2013: 1777, 545, 31%, 6/1/13, 10/7/12 - 4/19/13; 2012: 1863, 493, 26%, 6/1/12, 10/7/11 - 4/19/12. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria-required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as an RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP's consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP's consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client's experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria-considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager's future performance. Wealth Managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients' assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. For more information visit https://www.fivestarprofessional.com/.
Michael V. DiNuzzo CFP®, ChFC®, AIF®, MSFP
Michael V. DiNuzzo is the Senior Vice President (SVP), Principal, and Risk Management Team Leader of DiNuzzo Private Wealth, Inc., d/b/a DiNuzzo Wealth Management which has operated as an SEC Registered Investment Advisor since 1989 and currently manages $1.012 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2024. Michael (Mike) joined DiNuzzo Wealth Management in 2007 serving in the Financial Planning department as an intern until 2010 when he joined the firm full-time and was promoted to Financial Wellness LifeCoach.
Mike has been awarded the prestigious multi-year designation as a FIVE STAR Wealth Manager. The award is given to wealth managers in Pittsburgh and across the U.S. who satisfy key client criteria and score the highest in overall client satisfaction.
Mike’s objective was to join a firm that uses a ‘team’ approach in making recommendations to solve for what lies in the best interest of its clients. Mike firmly believes that investment philosophy, world class research, disciplined asset allocation models, and especially fiduciary responsibility are necessary for a successful client relationship. Mike continuously demonstrates the critical elements for client satisfaction and success in the fields of Wealth and Risk Management.
Mike received his BA (Bachelor of Arts Degree) from Duquesne University and is a member of the Duquesne University Alumni Association. In 2016, Mike successfully completed his Master of Science Degree in Financial Planning (MSFP) from Bentley University in Boston, MA.
In addition, Mike has held his Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation through The American College of Financial Services since 2013. ChFC® is a financial planning designation conferred by The American College. Candidates must meet education, experience, examination, and continuing ethical requirements. Candidates must have at least three years of experience in the financial industry, or an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited university and two years of experience in the financial industry. Candidates are required to take nine academic courses each followed by an exam.
Michael has earned the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional CFP® designation granted by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. in 2013. The CFP® certification is a voluntary certification. No federal or state law or regulation requires financial planners to hold CFP® certification. CFP® professionals have met CFP Board’s high standards for education, examination, experience, and ethics. You may find out more information about the CFP® certification at www.cfp.net.
In 2014, Mike was awarded the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) Designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies™, the standards-setting body for fi360. The AIF® Designation certifies that the recipient has demonstrated specialized knowledge of fiduciary standards of care and their application to the investment management process. To receive the AIF® Designation, the individual must meet prerequisite criteria based on a combination of education, relevant industry experience, and/or ongoing professional development, complete a training program, successfully pass a comprehensive, closed‐book final examination under the supervision of a proctor and agree to abide by the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards. In order to maintain the AIF® Designation, the individual must annually attest to the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards and accrue and report a minimum of six hours of continuing education. The Designation is administered by the Center for Fiduciary Studies, the certification division of Fi360 that is responsible for ongoing management of the program.
Fi360 is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board for the AIF® Designation, making it one of few independently accredited designations recognized by FINRA.
Mike is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).
Mike has been interviewed and quoted in the U.S. News & World Report and The Huffington Post (both articles may be accessed on our website under "In the News"), as well as, USA Today, Yahoo! News, MarketWatch, Investor’s Business Daily, Bankrate and Private Wealth magazine.
The Five Star Wealth Manager award is issued by Five Star Professional (FSP). Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Self-completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 1,818 Pittsburgh-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 233 (13% of candidates) were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: # Considered, # Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period. 2022: 1779, 252, 14%, 6/1/22, 9/27/21 - 3/25/22; 2021: 1814, 234, 13%, 6/1/21, 9/7/20 - 4/23/21; 2020: 1886, 224, 12%, 6/1/20, 9/16/19 - 4/10/20; 2019: 1667, 251, 15%, 6/1/19, 9/17/18 - 4/12/19; 2018: 1653, 227, 14%, 6/1/18, 9/28/17 - 4/17/18; 2017: 1133, 277, 24%, 6/1/17, 9/27/16 - 4/11/17; 2016: 1064, 423, 40%, 5/1/16, 10/7/15 - 4/19/16; 2015: 1494, 442, 30%, 6/1/15, 10/7/14 - 4/19/15; 2014: 1721, 458, 27%, 6/1/14, 10/7/13 - 4/19/14; 2013: 1777, 545, 31%, 6/1/13, 10/7/12 - 4/19/13; 2012: 1863, 493, 26%, 6/1/12, 10/7/11 - 4/19/12. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria-required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as an RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP's consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP's consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client's experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria-considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager's future performance. Wealth Managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients' assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. For more information visit https://www.fivestarprofessional.com/.
Jacob R. Potts CFP®, ChFC®, AIF®
Jacob R. Potts is a Vice President, Financial Wellness LifeCoach, and Trade Team Leader at DiNuzzo Private Wealth, Inc., d/b/a DiNuzzo Wealth Management which has operated as an SEC Registered Investment Advisory Firm since 1989 and currently manages $1.012 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2024. Jacob has been associated with the firm since 2012 when he job-shadowed for his senior project. He later was an intern for the firm while attending Robert Morris University, and joined the firm full-time in December 2015 after graduation as Client Service Advisor. He became a Financial Wellness LifeCoach in August 2016, and shortly thereafter in January 2017, achieved the position of Portfolio Management Team Manager (Trade Team Leader).
Jacob has been awarded the prestigious designation as a FIVE STAR Wealth Manager. The award is given to wealth managers in Pittsburgh and across the U.S. who satisfy key client criteria and score the highest in overall client satisfaction.
Jacob is a graduate of Robert Morris University and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree in finance graduating Magna Cum Laude.
Jacob earned the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional CFP® designation granted by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. in August 2019. The CFP® certification is a voluntary certification. No federal or state law or regulation requires financial planners to hold CFP® certification. CFP® professionals have met CFP Board’s high standards for education, examination, experience, and ethics. You may find out more information about the CFP® certification at www.cfp.net.
Jacob achieved his Chartered Financial Consultant® or ChFC® designation through The American College of Financial Services in April 2019. ChFC® is a financial planning designation conferred by The American College. Candidates must meet education, experience, examination, and continuing ethical requirements. Candidates must have at least three years of experience in the financial industry, or an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited university and two years of experience in the financial industry. Candidates are required to take nine academic courses each followed by an exam.
Additionally, in April 2019, Jacob was awarded the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies™, the standards-setting body for fi360. The AIF® Designation certifies that the recipient has demonstrated specialized knowledge of fiduciary standards of care and their application to the investment management process. To receive the AIF® Designation, the individual must meet prerequisite criteria based on a combination of education, relevant industry experience, and/or ongoing professional development, complete a training program, successfully pass a comprehensive, closed‐book final examination under the supervision of a proctor and agree to abide by the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards. In order to maintain the AIF® Designation, the individual must annually attest to the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards and accrue and report a minimum of six hours of continuing education. The Designation is administered by the Center for Fiduciary Studies, the certification division of Fi360 that is responsible for ongoing management of the program.
Fi360 is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board for the AIF® Designation, making it one of few independently accredited designations recognized by FINRA.
Jacob is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).
Jacob was born and raised in New Brighton, PA and maintains a busy lifestyle by being a PIAA official umpiring baseball games, bodybuilding, hiking, and golfing when weather permits.
The Five Star Wealth Manager award is issued by Five Star Professional (FSP). Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Self-completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 1,818 Pittsburgh-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 233 (13% of candidates) were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: # Considered, # Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period. 2022: 1779, 252, 14%, 6/1/22, 9/27/21 - 3/25/22; 2021: 1814, 234, 13%, 6/1/21, 9/7/20 - 4/23/21; 2020: 1886, 224, 12%, 6/1/20, 9/16/19 - 4/10/20; 2019: 1667, 251, 15%, 6/1/19, 9/17/18 - 4/12/19; 2018: 1653, 227, 14%, 6/1/18, 9/28/17 - 4/17/18; 2017: 1133, 277, 24%, 6/1/17, 9/27/16 - 4/11/17; 2016: 1064, 423, 40%, 5/1/16, 10/7/15 - 4/19/16; 2015: 1494, 442, 30%, 6/1/15, 10/7/14 - 4/19/15; 2014: 1721, 458, 27%, 6/1/14, 10/7/13 - 4/19/14; 2013: 1777, 545, 31%, 6/1/13, 10/7/12 - 4/19/13; 2012: 1863, 493, 26%, 6/1/12, 10/7/11 - 4/19/12. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria-required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as an RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP's consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP's consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client's experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria-considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager's future performance. Wealth Managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients' assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. For more information visit https://www.fivestarprofessional.com/.
Leslie D. Taylor-Neumann CFP®, ChFC®, AIF®
Leslie D. Taylor-Neumann has been a Financial Wellness LifeCoach since July of 2017 at DiNuzzo Private Wealth, Inc. d/b/a DiNuzzo Wealth Management (DPW) which has operated as an SEC Registered Investment Advisory firm since 1989 and currently manages $1.012 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2024. Leslie joined the DPW team as an intern in May of 2015. In June of 2016, she was hired full-time as a Client Service Advisor, and in July of 2017 Leslie earned the Financial Wellness LifeCoach position. Leslie currently has the role of Wealth Planning Team Leader and assists our Financial Wellness LifeCoaches in building each of their client’s DiNuzzo Financial Wellness LifePlan™.
Additionally, Leslie has been awarded the prestigious designation as a FIVE STAR Wealth Manager. The award is given to wealth managers in Pittsburgh and across the U.S. who satisfy key client criteria and score the highest in overall client satisfaction.
In 2016, Leslie graduated from Robert Morris University (RMU) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in Finance. At RMU, she was the President of the Financial Management Association and the Outdoor Adventure Club. During her senior year, she served as a mentor for freshman in the RMU Adventure Program.
Leslie earned the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional CFP® designation granted by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. in April 2021. The CFP® certification is a voluntary certification. No federal or state law or regulation requires financial planners to hold CFP® certification. CFP® professionals have met CFP Board’s high standards for education, examination, experience, and ethics. You may find out more information about the CFP® certification at www.cfp.net.
Leslie achieved her Chartered Financial Consultant® or ChFC® designation through The American College of Financial Services in September 2020. ChFC® is a financial planning designation conferred by The American College. Candidates must meet education, experience, examination, and continuing ethical requirements. Candidates must have at least three years of experience in the financial industry, or an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited university and two years of experience in the financial industry. Candidates are required to take nine academic courses each followed by an exam.
Additionally, in December 2020, Leslie was awarded the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies™, the standards-setting body for fi360. The AIF® Designation certifies that the recipient has demonstrated specialized knowledge of fiduciary standards of care and their application to the investment management process. To receive the AIF® Designation, the individual must meet prerequisite criteria based on a combination of education, relevant industry experience, and/or ongoing professional development, complete a training program, successfully pass a comprehensive, closed‐book final examination under the supervision of a proctor and agree to abide by the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards. In order to maintain the AIF® Designation, the individual must annually attest to the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards and accrue and report a minimum of six hours of continuing education. The Designation is administered by the Center for Fiduciary Studies, the certification division of Fi360 that is responsible for ongoing management of the program.
Fi360 is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board for the AIF® Designation, making it one of few independently accredited designations recognized by FINRA.
Leslie is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).
Leslie was born in Cumberland, Maryland and was raised in Bedford, Pennsylvania. She spends her free time practicing yoga, snowboarding and enjoying outdoor sports with her husband, Daniel. Leslie and Daniel were married in December of 2017, they reside in Cumberland, Maryland. Leslie states her family as her biggest support system.
The Five Star Wealth Manager award is issued by Five Star Professional (FSP). Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Self-completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 1,818 Pittsburgh-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 233 (13% of candidates) were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: # Considered, # Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period. 2022: 1779, 252, 14%, 6/1/22, 9/27/21 - 3/25/22; 2021: 1814, 234, 13%, 6/1/21, 9/7/20 - 4/23/21; 2020: 1886, 224, 12%, 6/1/20, 9/16/19 - 4/10/20; 2019: 1667, 251, 15%, 6/1/19, 9/17/18 - 4/12/19; 2018: 1653, 227, 14%, 6/1/18, 9/28/17 - 4/17/18; 2017: 1133, 277, 24%, 6/1/17, 9/27/16 - 4/11/17; 2016: 1064, 423, 40%, 5/1/16, 10/7/15 - 4/19/16; 2015: 1494, 442, 30%, 6/1/15, 10/7/14 - 4/19/15; 2014: 1721, 458, 27%, 6/1/14, 10/7/13 - 4/19/14; 2013: 1777, 545, 31%, 6/1/13, 10/7/12 - 4/19/13; 2012: 1863, 493, 26%, 6/1/12, 10/7/11 - 4/19/12. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria-required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as an RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP's consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP's consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client's experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria-considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager's future performance. Wealth Managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients' assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. For more information visit https://www.fivestarprofessional.com/.
Kenneth M. McDaniel EA, AIF®, MS
Kenneth M. McDaniel is an Enrolled Agent (EA), Tax Team Leader, and Financial Wellness LifeCoach at DiNuzzo Private Wealth, Inc., d/b/a DiNuzzo Wealth Management which has operated as an SEC Registered Investment Advisory firm since 1989 and currently manages $1.012 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2024. Ken joined the firm in October of 2019, with the objective of joining a “Fee Only” Wealth Management firm that was focused on offering their clients sound, objective investment, DiNuzzo Financial Wellness LifePlan™ and tax planning under a fiduciary standard. In February of 2020, Kenneth became certified as a Financial Wellness LifeCoach.
Additionally, Ken has been awarded the prestigious designation as a FIVE STAR Wealth Manager. The award is given to wealth managers in Pittsburgh and across the U.S. who satisfy key client criteria and score the highest in overall client satisfaction.
An enrolled agent is a person who has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service by either passing a three-part comprehensive IRS test covering individual and business tax returns, or through experience as a former IRS employee, plus passed an IRS background check. Enrolled agent status is the highest credential the IRS awards. Individuals who obtain this elite status must adhere to ethical standards and complete 72 hours of continuing education courses every three years.
Enrolled agents, like attorneys and certified public accountants (CPAs), have unlimited practice rights. This means they are unrestricted as to which taxpayers they can represent, what types of tax matters they can handle, and which IRS offices they can represent their clients’ interests before. Learn more about enrolled agents in https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/pcir230.pdf.
In February 2021, Ken was awarded the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies™, the standards-setting body for fi360. The AIF® Designation certifies that the recipient has demonstrated specialized knowledge of fiduciary standards of care and their application to the investment management process. To receive the AIF® Designation, the individual must meet prerequisite criteria based on a combination of education, relevant industry experience, and/or ongoing professional development, complete a training program, successfully pass a comprehensive, closed‐book final examination under the supervision of a proctor and agree to abide by the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards. In order to maintain the AIF® Designation, the individual must annually attest to the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards and accrue and report a minimum of six hours of continuing education. The Designation is administered by the Center for Fiduciary Studies, the certification division of Fi360 that is responsible for ongoing management of the program.
Fi360 is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board for the AIF® Designation, making it one of few independently accredited designations recognized by FINRA.
Ken brings 30+ years of leadership experience in his background. Along with his Enrolled Agent designation, Ken has completed his Accounting Studies at the College of DuPage, qualifying him to sit for the Certified Public Accountancy, (CPA) examinations. Ken also has earned an Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts from Lewis University and a Master of Science (MS) from Duquesne University.
Ken is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).
Ken resides in Center Township with his spouse Marie. In his spare time Ken is a Patched PIAA baseball umpire and participates in umpiring baseball games. Ken also volunteers with the Diocese of Pittsburgh, is a physical fitness enthusiast and enjoys the challenge of 5k runs.