Matthew J. Caruso
President & CEO
Matthew J. Caruso, AIF®, CFP®, ChFC®
President & CEO
Matt has been interested in finance and investing since high school and went on to earn a BBA degree in Finance, Cum Laude from Pace University's Lubin School of Business. He began his career in 1997 at age 21 as an assistant to a top Portfolio Manager at Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. Matt continued learning the intricacies of investing and financial planning while advancing his career at Independent Financial Marketing Group, a Broker-Dealer in Purchase, NY.
After joining AXA Advisors, LLC in 2005 as a Financial Advisor, Matt was promoted to Vice President in 2008. In 2010, he established his own independent financial services firm. Matt strongly believes that operating under an independent business model serves the best interests of his clients because he has the freedom to offer his clients personalized guidance. This means that Matt is not forced to sell his clients proprietary products or meet any sales quotas. Therefore, he is not pressured or distracted by corporate interests, and as an Investment Fiduciary, he focuses exclusively on what is best for his clients and their financial goals.
Matt's career ambition is to help his clients live securely throughout retirement while planning for a seamless transfer of assets to the next generation through comprehensive financial planning and investment management.
In addition to being President & CEO of WealthTrust Financial, Matt is a Board Member of the Hudson Valley Estate Planning Council. He is passionate about comprehensive financial planning, investment management, and building lifelong relationships with his clients in and around the Hudson Valley. Matt also greatly enjoys traveling to visit his clients who have moved to other parts of the United States.
Matt lives in Dutchess County, NY with his wife Milica and their two children. They enjoy spending time exploring many of the restaurants, social, and cultural experiences that the New York City and Hudson Valley area have to offer.
Matt has earned the industry recognized credentials of:
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Accredited Investment Fiduciary® designee
Matthew J. Caruso has earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) professional designation from Fiduciary360. He has received formal training in investment fiduciary responsibility. The Accredited Investment Fiduciary® and AIF® trademarks are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office under the Center for Fiduciary Studies, a division of Fiduciary360.
Chartered Financial Consultant®
An advisor with the Chartered Financial Consultant® designation by definition has completed the most extensive educational program required for any financial services credential. Advisors with the ChFC® designation are required to serve you with the highest level of professionalism. The authority to use the ChFC® mark is granted by the Certification Committee of the Board of Trustees of The American College, and that privilege is contingent on adherence to strict ethical guidelines. All ChFC® advisors are required to do the same for clients that they would do for themselves in similar circumstances, the standard of ethical behavior most beneficial for their clients.