Expert Credentials. Elevated Service.
When it comes to managing your wealth, expertise matters. Our team holds industry-leading designations that uphold the highest standards in financial planning, investment management, and wealth preservation. These credentials reflect our deep knowledge, ongoing professional development, and rigorous training—empowering us to provide sophisticated strategies and guidance so you can navigate your financial future with confidence.
ChFC® - Chartered Financial Consultant®
What it is:
A ChFC® indicates successful completion of nine financial courses and practical experience. Topics covered include estate planning and employee benefits planning.
Why it’s important:
A Chartered Financial Consultant® has not only completed educational courses but also possesses practical experience in key topics such as estate planning, employee benefits planning, asset protection planning, income tax planning, and more. This enables us to provide reliable financial advice to clients from a comprehensive approach.
RICP® - Retirement Income Certified Professional®
What it is:
The RICP® designation is a formal recognition of specialized expertise in retirement income planning.
Why it’s important:
A RICP® has the deep, specialized expertise to help retirees and near-retirees use the assets they have accumulated for retirement sustainably. They have extensive knowledge of utilizing Social Security, creating financial action plans for long-term care and healthcare needs, securing housing, and planning for income taxes, legacies, and distributions, among other essential retirement considerations. Earning this designation requires 3 years of experience, over 180 hours of study, and, on average, it takes one year to complete. Only 7.5% of financial advisors have earned the RICP® designation.
CLU® - Chartered Life Underwriter®
What it is:
The CLU® designation indicates specialization and in-depth knowledge in life insurance and estate planning.
Why it’s important:
Our clients face a broad range of risks and financial situations. The CLU® designation provides us with expertise in the practical, legal, and ethical aspects of life insurance and estate planning to approach our clients’ unique situations.
Master’s Degree in Finance, MBA
What it is:
A Master’s Degree in Finance is an advanced academic program that typically requires one to two years of full-time study. It covers core areas such as investment analysis, corporate finance, financial markets, risk management, and quantitative methods. The program also emphasizes the use of data-driven decision-making and financial modeling.
Why it’s important:
A Master’s Degree in Finance signifies a deep understanding of complex financial systems, investment strategies, and risk analysis. This advanced education allows us to provide clients with high-level insights into financial planning, market behavior, portfolio management, and business finance. With this foundation, we are equipped to deliver strategic, data-backed guidance tailored to help clients achieve their long-term financial goals.
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
National Recognition: One of the Best in the Country
River Tree Wealth Management has been recognized by Forbes as one of the 2025 Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams. Forbes has recognized Shawn Phelps as one of the top financial security professionals in the country. These achievements are a testament to the trust of our incredible clients, the dedication of our hardworking team, and our strong partnership with Northwestern Mutual. Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way—these honors wouldn’t be possible without you.
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams (January 2024,2025), Research & ranking provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC – Data as of March 31st of the preceding year. Forbes Top Financial Security Professionals list (July 2021,2022,2023), based upon data as of December 31st of the preceding year. Forbes Best-In-State Top Financial Security Professionals list (July 2024), based upon data as of 12/31/2023. Research and rankings provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC. Northwestern Mutual & its advisors do not pay for placement on 3rd party rating lists, but do pay marketing fees to these organizations to promote the rating(s). Rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success.
Columbus Business First – Business Journals award for the Top 25 Financial Planners for Central Ohio Firms by the Most Regulatory Assets Under Management in 2023 is based on voluntary self-reported surveys from the firms that were reviewed by Columbus Business First –Business Journals. Winners are determined by the ranking of Regulatory Assets Under Management as of 2023. No compensation is provided to be eligible, but firms do purchase licensing rights for the web badge marketed on the organization’s website for one year. Newark Advocate Media - 2022 Best of the Best Licking County results are determined by reader votes in the award year. No fee was paid for the award. A licensing fee is paid for logo use.