About us
We are a dynamic team of professionals from very different backgrounds. Cross Border Wealth Advisors has developed professional strategic alliances in specialized fields to offer our clients the most tailored services provided by experts in their field. Thus, the experience from the professionals in our team, partnerships, and networks account for decades of knowledge in the most relevant topics for cross-border planning and early retirement.
CROSS-BORDER FINANCIAL & TAX PLANNING EXPERT
Victor Gersten EA, M.S., CFP®, GFP®
About me
I am not your typical financial advisor because of my unique background. I grew up in a single-parent household in Mexico City with my mother and two sisters, and I am passionate about helping women succeed financially.
I have been fortunate enough to travel to over 40 countries, exploring sites from the impressive Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe to the enigmatic city of Petra, Jordan. It's no surprise why Americans enjoy living abroad: rich cultures, exquisite cuisine, hospitable people, and, let's say it: a more affordable cost of living.
Since 2007 when I entered the financial services industry, I have enjoyed doing financial and strategic tax planning for Americans who wish to move abroad and need some extra help planning around their finances. I'm particularly well-prepared for working with expats as I am a virtual financial advisor with a deep understanding of the financial needs of those who have a home away from home.
Early retirement is more than just not working; it signifies attaining financial independence, i.e., the freedom to work on your terms. My passion is helping you achieve your definition of financial success, whether early financial independence, retirement abroad or something else. Let's make a customized money investment plan that fits your needs!
A team of experts working for you
| 1Access to Certified Financial Planner™ advisors | 2 Access to a highly educated team with degrees ranging from Master's of Finance to Ph.D. in economics | 3Access to federal IRS Enrolled Agents to state-specific Certified Public Accountants |
| 4Access to a multilingual team fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and French | 5A team that specializes in cross-border tax and investment planning | 6Cross-border financial and tax planning specialist |
| 7Experienced team who has lived in Europe, North and South America and understands what it is like being an expat | 8Access to an experienced network of tax, legal, immigration, and financial professionals across the world | 9Experience in the financial services Industry since 2007 |
The value of working with a Certified Financial Planner™ CFP®
The Certified Financial Planner™ certification is known as the gold standard of excellence in the financial services industry. This designation is awarded by The Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. as a recognition of expertise in the areas of financial planning, taxes, insurance, estate planning, and retirement.
Cross Border Wealth Advisors is a fee-only, fiduciary and independent firm
The value of working with an Enrolled Agent
There are two paths to becoming an EA. After working for the IRS for five years, an agent can become an EA without passing an examination. Without working for the IRS, one must pass a thorough background check and a three-part exam. An EA is not required to possess any prior knowledge of tax form preparation. In fact, an EA may choose to never prepare a tax return.
Enrolled agents specialize in tax code and tax matters. An EA must know all of the ins and outs of income tax, gift tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, and payroll tax. The continuing professional education required for an EA is seventy-two hours every three years. Unlike a CPA whose continuing education will cover a wide range of accounting and tax matters, an EA's education will focus solely on taxation and tax ethics.
The examination required for an EA
Individual
100 questions exclusively on the tax code for individuals
Business
100 questions exclusively on the tax code for business entities
Representation
100 questions primarily on Circular 230, the Treasury Department guide for practicing before the IRS.
Enrolled Agents are the only tax professionals who obtain their license to practice directly from IRS and the US Treasury
Meet the team
Victor Evans Gersten, EA, CFP®, M.S., GFP®.
Head coach
Sofia Retif
Administrative Assistant
Victor Cancino, JD, LL.M.
International financial lawyer
Tyler LaMarch
Bicultural attache
Mary Kathryn Campion, Ph.D., CFA, AIFA.
President and Founder
Shane Morrow, CFP®, CIMA, CAIA
CFA Level II candidate
Geoff Selzer, CFA
Financial Expert
Merrill Stillwell, CFA
Managing Partner
EMILY PURDON, CFP®, EA
SENIOR DIRECTOR
SARA WILLIAMS
LEAD OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
BLAKE MATTFELDT
TAX Specialist
CHELSEY PATERA
TAX MANAGER
PAM HOCEVAR, EA
TAX MANAGER
DAN RITTER, CPA
TAX MANAGER
KATRINA IVANCIC, CPA
TAX MANAGER
Michael Law, CPA
SENIOR TAX MANAGER
SAM NGUYEN, CFP®, EA
SENIOR TAX MANAGER
Victor Evans Gersten, EA, CFP®, M.S., GFP®.
Head coach
Sofia Retif
Administrative Assistant
Victor Cancino, JD, LL.M.
International financial lawyer
Tyler LaMarch
Bicultural attache
Mary Kathryn Campion, Ph.D., CFA, AIFA.
President and Founder
Shane Morrow, CFP®, CIMA, CAIA
CFA Level II candidate
Geoff Selzer, CFA
Financial Expert
Merrill Stillwell, CFA
Managing Partner
EMILY PURDON, CFP®, EA
SENIOR DIRECTOR
SARA WILLIAMS
LEAD OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
BLAKE MATTFELDT
TAX Specialist
CHELSEY PATERA
TAX MANAGER
PAM HOCEVAR, EA
TAX MANAGER
DAN RITTER, CPA
TAX MANAGER
KATRINA IVANCIC, CPA
TAX MANAGER
Michael Law, CPA
SENIOR TAX MANAGER
SAM NGUYEN, CFP®, EA
SENIOR TAX MANAGER
Our partners help us to grow
