Michael K. Donohue, CFP®, is an LPL Registered Principal with DB Wealth Management Group. He takes pride in helping individuals and families seek to successfully plan for and manage all areas of their financial lives. This includes the all-important exit strategy that is vital for transitioning savings and investments to providing income in retirement, or when becoming financially independent. With more than 30 years of financial planning experience, Michael works to provide clients with a comprehensive, integrated financial plan that coordinates all critical areas of their wealth, always applying his extensive knowledge of IRA distribution and retirement income planning, investments, estate and gift planning, and tax and life insurance planning.
Michael is committed to continued education and seeking mastery of financial planning practices, both for himself and for advancing financial industry standards overall. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional (CFP®), and holds the Series 7, 63,and 24 registrations with LPL Financial and is licensed through the California Department of Insurance. He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance and economics in 1985. Michael has served as Chairman of the Board for the San Diego chapter of the Financial Planning Association (FPA®), as President of the San Diego chapter of the Institute for Certified Financial Planners (ICFP), and was instrumental in overseeing the successful transition into the FPA. Michael presently serves on the advisory board for Ed Slott's Elite IRA Advisor Group℠, an exclusive group of IRA specialists from around the country selected for their dedication to expanding their knowledge and expertise in the complexities of IRA planning.
Michael was awarded Forbes 2022 Best-in-State Wealth Advisor*. He has also been named a FIVE STAR* Wealth Manager by San Diego Magazine and has been selected to that list each year from 2012 to 2022. The Los Angeles Times has recognized Michael’s professional achievements as well as his reputation by selecting him for the Money Make-Over segments. In addition, Michael has appeared on KMFB Channel 8 discussing election outcomes, income tax and estate tax overhaul, and how those issues may impact the financial markets and personal financial planning. The San Diego Union-Tribune has frequently quoted Michael in personal finance articles, and he was instrumental in their development of “Right On The Money,” a personal money management conference attended by thousands of its readers.
CA Insurance Lic# 0685025
* The Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor ranking, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receives a fee in exchange for rankings.
*Award based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of 2012-2022 Five Star Wealth Managers. This award is not indicative of the success or performance of any future investment advice provided by the recipient.
*Ed Slott's Elite IRA Advisor Group℠ is a separate, unaffiliated entity from LPL Financial and DB Wealth Management Group.
For more information regarding the CFP® qualifications, please refer to his ADV Part 2B disclosure document here: Michael Donohue's ADV Part 2B