Csenge Advisory Group

What Csenge Advisory Group does

Csenge Advisory Group (CAG) is an independent registered investment advisory firm founded in 1999 by John L. Csenge in Clearwater, Florida. The firm provides wealth management, asset management, and corporate retirement plan services to affluent families, high-net-worth individuals, and successful business owners across the United States. As of December 2023, CAG reported $3 billion in assets under management (AUM), up from $2.7 billion at year-end 2022 and $2 billion in 2021, with a stated ambition to reach $10 billion AUM within five years. The firm operates from a headquarters in Clearwater with additional offices in Jacksonville, Tampa, Malvern, and Canonsburg, and reaches clients in 17 states through 70+ affiliated advisors.

The firm's product set is anchored by three pillars: Wealth Management covering retirement, estate, tax, and insurance planning with a Family CFO coordination service; Asset Management delivered through the proprietary Fusion Analysis methodology (combining fundamental, technical, and behavioral research) deployed across 13 tactical asset allocation models plus custom allocations; and an Advisor Network of 19 independent RIA firms that join CAG while retaining independence. Underlying technology is largely third-party: Orion Advisor for the Wealth Portal, eMoney for the Planning Portal, and four major custodians (Fidelity, Charles Schwab, BNY Mellon/Pershing, PCS Retirement). Securities are offered through Ridgeback Securities (FINRA/SIPC), and proprietary Fusion Analysis models are exclusively distributed to Lion Street owner-firms on the AssetMark platform.

Revenue is generated through fee-based AUM pricing typical of RIAs, though specific schedules are not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market is hybrid: direct advisory sales to affluent households and business owners supplemented by an affiliate channel recruiting independent RIAs to the CAG Advisor Network. The firm is privately held and founder-controlled, with no external private equity or venture investment disclosed. Recognitions include the Financial Times Top 300 RIAs, CFA Institute GIPS compliance, and Tampa Bay Business Journal Top Investment Services Firm for nine consecutive years.

Name

Csenge Advisory Group

Legal name

Csenge Advisory Group, Inc.

Website

https://csenge.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Csenge Advisory Group is a Clearwater, Florida-based independent registered investment advisory firm founded in 1999 that delivers wealth management, proprietary Fusion Analysis asset management, and a 19-firm advisor network serving affluent families, business owners, and independent RIAs across 17 states with $3B AUM.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wealth Management

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Advisory Portfolio Management (Non-Discretionary) (FSAAABAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Managed Accounts & Model Portfolios (SMA/UMA) (FSAAAAAG)

Keywords

• Wealth management services
• Investment advisory
• Retirement planning
• Asset management
• Financial planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Clearwater

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Investment Advisory Services: Fee-based investment advisory services offered through Csenge Advisory Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Revenue is likely AUM-based given the emphasis on asset management and $3B AUM milestone.
2. Wealth Management Fees: Comprehensive wealth management services including financial planning, retirement planning, estate planning, and investment management for affluent families and business owners.
3. Asset Management: Customized asset management using Fusion Analysis proprietary process. The firm offers 13 tactical models to clients and other advisors, generating fees based on assets under management.
4. Advisor Network Membership: Network advisors access CAG's research, tools, proprietary platform, and support services. Revenue flows from advisor practices under the CAG umbrella, with shared economics.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Csenge Advisory Group is an independent registered investment advisor delivering comprehensive wealth management, asset management, and business planning services to affluent families, individuals, and business owners. The firm applies its proprietary Fusion Analysis methodology across 13 tactical asset allocation models and operates an Advisor Network channel that allows independent RIAs to plug into its research, tools, and platform while preserving their independence.

Product overview

Csenge Advisory Group offers a comprehensive wealth management platform consisting of three core pillars: Wealth Management services (including retirement, estate, tax, and insurance planning), Asset Management using the proprietary Fusion Analysis methodology (combining fundamental, technical, and behavioral research with 13 tactical asset allocation models), and an Advisor Network spanning 17 states with 70+ advisors. The firm also provides client-facing technology through the Orion Advisor-powered Wealth Portal and eMApan-powered Planning Portal for portfolio and financial plan monitoring.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wealth Management Comprehensive wealth planning for individuals and families covering retirement planning, investment strategy, estate planning, tax planning, Social Security analysis, insurance planning, and asset protection.
• Asset Management Customized asset management using Fusion Analysis, combining fundamental research, technical research, and behavioral science. Offers 13 tactical asset allocation models ranging from fixed income to total market, plus custom allocations.
• CAG Advisor Network A nationwide channel for independent registered investment advisors to access CAG's research, tools, proprietary Fusion Analysis models, transition support, and compliance resources while maintaining their own independence.
• Business Planning Solutions Planning services for business owners including corporate retirement plan design (401k, cash balance, solo owner plans), 3(38) fiduciary investment management, deferred compensation, executive benefits, exit readiness, and business valuation.
• Wealth Portal (Orion-powered) Client-facing portal powered by Orion Advisor Services that allows clients to track investment strategies, holdings, and asset allocation in real time.
• Planning Portal (eMoney-powered) Client-facing portal powered by eMoney Advisor that enables clients to monitor their comprehensive financial plan and life goals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Passed $3B AUM milestone in December 2023
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Lion Street FinancialcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCsenge Advisory Group partnered with Lion Street Financial for distribution of CAG's proprietary models exclusively for Lion Street owner-firms on the AssetMark platform. The partnership provides expanded reach through Lion Street's network of RIAs while delivering CAG's Fusion Analysis models to a broader advisor community.
• AssetMarkcoreTechnology or IntegrationAssetMark serves as the platform host for CAG's proprietary models exclusive to Lion Street owner-firms. The partnership enables CAG to deliver its 13 tactical asset allocation models through AssetMark's established RIA technology platform.
• Ridgeback Securities, LtdcoreOthersSecurities offered through Ridgeback Securities, Ltd, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Csenge Advisory Group. Csenge Advisory Group is not affiliated with Ridgeback Securities, Ltd. This is a standard clearing/broker-dealer relationship for securities transactions.
• Fidelity InvestmentssupportingTechnology or IntegrationCustodial partner for client accounts. Clients access tax forms, statements, and content directly through Fidelity's digital platform. Logo displayed on client portal page.
• Charles SchwabsupportingTechnology or IntegrationCustodial partner for client accounts. Clients access statements and content through Schwab's client portal. Logo displayed on client portal page.
• BNY Mellon / PershingsupportingTechnology or IntegrationCustodial partner for client accounts. Clients access content through Pershing's platform at investor.pershing.com. Logo displayed on client portal page.
• PCS RetirementsupportingTechnology or IntegrationCustodial partner for corporate retirement plan accounts. Clients access retirement account information through PCS 401k login portal. Logo displayed on client portal page.
• Orion Advisor ServicessupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology platform provider for the Wealth Portal. Orion provides portfolio management, reporting, and client communication tools. URL: login.orionadvisor.com with CAG-specific parameter.
• eMoney (EMA Plan)supportingTechnology or IntegrationFinancial planning platform for the Planning Portal. Enables comprehensive financial planning and life goals monitoring for clients. URL: wealth.emaplan.com for CAG access.
• Vistage FloridaminorOthersExecutive membership organization providing peer advisory groups and leadership development for CEOs and business leaders. Eric Caisse is a member, connecting CAG with other business leaders in the Florida region.
• Leadership St. PeteminorOthersLeadership development program for professionals in the St. Petersburg area. Community involvement providing leadership training and networking opportunities for team members.
• Leadership Tampa BayminorOthersRegional leadership development program. Team members participate to build leadership skills and community connections.
• Tampa Bay ConnectionsminorOthersNetworking organization in the Tampa Bay business community.
• CMT Association, Tampa Bay ChapterminorOthersMarket Technicians Association chapter. Eric Caisse serves as Tampa Bay Chapter Chair. Professional organization for technical analysis practitioners.
• Feeding Tampa BayminorOthersCharitable partner. CAG team members volunteer at Trinity Cafe, a free restaurant for those in need. Firm supports the organization as part of 2% of net profit charitable giving commitment.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mariner Wealth Advisors: Large independent RIA serving HNW families and business owners with comprehensive wealth management, asset management, and tax planning services. Comparable in service breadth and HNW/HNW-family client focus, though materially larger ($80B+ AUM).
• Creative Planning: PE-backed independent RIA offering wealth management, retirement plan services, and asset management to affluent families nationwide. Closely comparable in product mix, fiduciary positioning, and multi-state growth model.
• Mercer Advisors: National RIA serving HNW households with comprehensive wealth management, estate planning, and asset management. Comparable in HNW/HNW-family focus and acquisition-driven growth model.
• Carson Group: Independent advisor network and RIA providing wealth management coaching, technology, and back-office support. Comparable in the advisor-network distribution model and focus on supporting independent advisors.
• Sanctuary Wealth: Independent advisor network partnering with high-producing advisors while preserving autonomy. Directly comparable to CAG Advisor Network in its partnership-based growth approach.

Broad incumbents

• Focus Financial Partners: PE-backed partner firm for hundreds of independent RIAs; a much larger scale version of the CAG advisor-network thesis. Represents the strategic exit pathway or competitive threat to CAG's network model.
• Edelman Financial Engines: Large national RIA combining workplace retirement plan advice with HNW wealth management. Comparable in serving affluent families and business owners, with scale advantages in retirement plan services.
• Cetera Financial Group: Multi-channel independent advisor network and broker-dealer supporting thousands of financial professionals. Comparable to CAG in serving the independent advisor segment but with broader product set and scale.
• Commonwealth Financial Network: Independent broker-dealer and RIA supporting thousands of financial advisors nationwide. Comparable in advisor-network value proposition and HNW-family service model.

Emerging players

• Wealth Enhancement Group: PE-backed independent RIA acquiring wealth management firms nationwide. Comparable acquisition-driven growth trajectory and HNW-family focus, though still building scale relative to Mariner/Creative.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CsengeAdvisory
• Facebookfacebook.com/CsengeAdvisory
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/csenge-advisory-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Csenge Advisory Group