Cetera Financial Group has announced that long-time Commonwealth Financial Network advisor Christian R. Benard, CFP, EA, AIF, has joined its community of tax-focused financial professionals under Avantax. Benard’s firm, Innovative Financial, based in Troy, Michigan, manages approximately $365 million in assets under administration and integrates wealth management with comprehensive tax services.
Benard, who operates both wealth management and tax practices, completed nearly 2,000 tax returns over the past year. His approach to combining investment advice with tax strategy made Avantax a strategic fit, allowing him to maintain custody and clearing services through Fidelity’s NFS platform.
Over the last 15 years, Benard has grown his business from $15 million to $365 million in client assets. He began his career by hosting retirement planning workshops before acquiring a tax practice, which allowed him to deepen client relationships and expand his reach through referrals.
LPL Financial’s acquisition of Commonwealth prompted Benard’s search for a new broker-dealer, leading him to Cetera. He said his decision was influenced by Cetera’s culture of advisor independence, service excellence, and operational flexibility, along with the ability to continue using Fidelity’s NFS.
Cetera Wealth Management President Todd Mackay said Benard’s client-first approach aligns with Cetera’s mission to support advisors in achieving long-term growth through flexible affiliation and technology-driven tools. Cetera, which manages approximately $625 billion in assets under administration, continues to expand its advisor community with a focus on independence and personalized service.
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“Our goal is to be a one-stop-shop for clients by going more in-depth, like talking with clients about how we can help improve their tax situation based on their investments. Our more holistic approach to wealth management aligns perfectly with Avantax. As a fiduciary, I’ve always looked to do what’s best from the client perspective, and I feel like we can continue doing that with Cetera and Avantax, plus keeping Fidelity’s NFS for custody and clearing.”
“It’s bittersweet leaving Commonwealth, which we did only because they were acquired, but I know coming to Cetera and Avantax is going to be a good move. Others at Commonwealth have to do their own thing, but I know we all expect top-level service, and in talking with Cetera, their people and their service levels drew me in. Cetera has what originally brought me to Commonwealth – the ability to talk to real people and easily get answers without a lot of complicated explanations. That’s what made me comfortable with Cetera.”
“We do a lot of work with Fidelity because of NFS, and that’s one of the things that got my search started. Some other broker-dealers were limiting, and ultimately, I wouldn’t have been able to run my business how I want. Cetera was very clear they support advisor independence, and I want to always follow a fiduciary standard because when people come to us, they’re looking for what’s best for them, and I feel like that I have the support from Cetera and Avantax to do that.”
Christian R. Benard, CFP, EA, AIF, Financial Advisor, Innovative Financial
“Christian has grown his firm intentionally with a very client-centric approach, which is a great fit with how Cetera operates. I’m pleased that Christian found in Cetera and Avantax what he’s enjoyed for many years – being part of a community that supports true advisor independence while offering the tools, technology and resources needed to grow and take their business in whatever direction they choose.”
Todd Mackay, President, Cetera Wealth Management
