Thomas B. Gau, CPA, CFP® practiced as a Certified Financial Planner for over 30 years. Tom earned several degrees and accolades including: 

• Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Business Management 

• Master of Business Administration 

• Certified Public Accountant 

Tom was featured as one of the top 100 independent financial advisors in Barron’s in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013, and was ranked as the “#1 Financial Advisor in Oregon” by Barron’s in 2013. He also authored books on the IRA distribution rules and their tax consequences. 

He was quoted on numerous occasions, including in one of the top 10 best-selling books, The Tipping Point, and as a tax, financial, and retirement planning authority in Money magazine, Robb Report, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, Investment Advisor Magazine, the Los Angeles Times and other publications. 

Tom was an educator as well. He began teaching the public in 1983, and through his popular and highly regarded public seminars, he was known as a knowledgeable motivational speaker on topics relating to tax, estate planning, retirement income, and financial planning, especially retirement distributions. In addition, Tom coached several hundred financial advisors each year through The Academy of Preferred Financial Advisors, Inc.

Tom was also a consultant for various investment companies and as well as a keynote speaker for these organizations. Tom began working with Howard & Ira Materetsky in 2002 and in 2018, Tom merged his financial planning practice with the Materetsky Financial Group.