Michael Walstedt, CFA
I am the founding advisor of Reliant Wealth Advisory. My mission in launching this firm was to pair a deep passion for financial markets with helping others make better financial decisions.
Michael Walstedt, CFA, CFP®
I am the founding advisor of Reliant Wealth Advisory, a fee-only, fiduciary independent investment advisor based in Hoboken, New Jersey. My mission in launching this firm was to pair a deep passion for financial markets with helping others create a better future for themselves.
Prior to founding the firm, I made a living trading financial markets. While it was a profitable endeavor, I wanted to apply my experience in a way where I could truly make an impact on the lives of those around me. Building a firm centered around cultivating deep relationships and striving for meaningful client outcomes ultimately felt like the right next step.
I hold both the CFA & CFP designations. The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is widely regarded as the most rigorous credential in finance, emphasizing investment analysis, portfolio management, ethics and risk management. I passed all three levels in the 90th percentile on my first attempt, and earned my charter in 2023. The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) is widely regarded as the gold standard credential in financial planning, emphasizing comprehensive planning across investments, tax, retirement, insurance, and estate strategy, along with a fiduciary standard of care. I earned my CFP designation in 2026.
I am also a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, or NAPFA, the nation’s leading organization of fee-only investment advisors. As a member, I am held to a strict fiduciary standard and prohibited from receiving commissions on any recommendations I make.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Rutgers Business School, and prior to trading financial markets for a living, I worked at US Bank & Emigrant Bank.
Outside of work, I can be found adventuring with my wife Allie around the streets of Hoboken or NYC, or somewhere on the beach at the Jersey Shore. We love to live a healthy lifestyle, travel the world and spend quality time with family.
Prior to founding the firm, I made a living trading financial markets. While it was a profitable endeavor, I wanted to apply my experience in a way where I could truly make an impact on the lives of those around me. Building a firm centered around cultivating deep relationships and striving for meaningful client outcomes ultimately felt like the right next step.
I am a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), which is widely regarded as the most rigorous credential in finance, emphasizing investment analysis, portfolio management, ethics and risk management. I passed all three levels in the 90th percentile on my first attempt, and earned my charter in 2023.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Rutgers Business School, and prior to trading financial markets for a living, I worked at US Bank & Emigrant Bank.
At the core of my approach is the belief that effective investment management is more than just managing your portfolio. It also involves navigating the emotional realities of investing, planning for life events and responding to the unplanned. My focus is around portfolio construction, risk management and thoughtful implementation. Every portfolio is built with intention.
Outside of work, I can be found adventuring with my wife Allie around the streets of Hoboken or NYC, or somewhere on the beach at the Jersey Shore. We love to live a healthy lifestyle, travel the world and spend quality time with family.