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.

Team of professionals

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!

Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe to the enigmatic city of Petra

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.

Certified Financial Planner

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

Partnerships are essential to ensure a high level of expertise and competence during the planning, implementing and monitoring phases of financial planning. Certain areas such as insurance, legal, and tax advice are best served by their respective industry expert. I pride myself on having developed a vast network of certified industry professionals who cover all aspects involved in financial planning.

Victor Gersten Photo

Victor Evans Gersten, EA, CFP®, M.S., GFP®.

Head coach

Sofia Retif photo

Sofia Retif

Administrative Assistant

Victor Cancino photo

Victor Cancino, JD, LL.M.

International financial lawyer

Tyler LaMarch photo

Tyler LaMarch

Bicultural attache

Our firm has formed an alliance with First Ascent Asset Management, an SEC registered investment advisor, to provide portfolio management services to our clients. These services include portfolio construction, trading and rebalancing, account administration, performance reporting, and billing. We are excited about our relationship with First Ascent.

Investing Management Team

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

We have formed an alliance with XY Tax Solutions which has dozens of CPAs, EA and other tax professionals ready to assist with personal and business tax preparation. Founded in 2019, XY Tax Solutions (XYTS) provides tax planning and preparation services to fee-for-service financial advisors and their clients. We make this possible by offering outsourced tax services at competitive rates.

Emily Purdon photo

EMILY PURDON, CFP®, EA

SENIOR DIRECTOR

Sara Williams photo

SARA WILLIAMS

LEAD OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

Blake Mattfeldt photo

BLAKE MATTFELDT

TAX Specialist

Chelsey Patera photo

CHELSEY PATERA

TAX MANAGER

Pam Hocevar photo

PAM HOCEVAR, EA

TAX MANAGER

Dan Ritter photo

DAN RITTER, CPA

TAX MANAGER

Katrina Ivancic photo

KATRINA IVANCIC, CPA

TAX MANAGER

Michael Law photo

Michael Law, CPA

SENIOR TAX MANAGER

Sam Nguyen photo

SAM NGUYEN, CFP®, EA

SENIOR TAX MANAGER

Financial, investment and tax planning

Partnerships are essential to ensure a high level of expertise and competence during the planning, implementing and monitoring phases of financial planning. Certain areas such as insurance, legal, and tax advice are best served by their respective industry expert. I pride myself on having developed a vast network of certified industry professionals who cover all aspects involved in financial planning.

Victor Gersten Photo

Victor Evans Gersten, EA, CFP®, M.S., GFP®.

Head coach

Sofia Retif photo

Sofia Retif

Administrative Assistant

Victor Cancino photo

Victor Cancino, JD, LL.M.

International financial lawyer

Tyler LaMarch photo

Tyler LaMarch

Bicultural attache

Investing management

Our firm has formed an alliance with First Ascent Asset Management, an SEC registered investment advisor, to provide portfolio management services to our clients. These services include portfolio construction, trading and rebalancing, account administration, performance reporting, and billing. We are excited about our relationship with First Ascent.

Investing Management Team

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

Tax preparation

We have formed an alliance with XY Tax Solutions which has dozens of CPAs, EA and other tax professionals ready to assist with personal and business tax preparation. Founded in 2019, XY Tax Solutions (XYTS) provides tax planning and preparation services to fee-for-service financial advisors and their clients. We make this possible by offering outsourced tax services at competitive rates.

Emily Purdon photo

EMILY PURDON, CFP®, EA

SENIOR DIRECTOR

Sara Williams photo

SARA WILLIAMS

LEAD OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

Blake Mattfeldt photo

BLAKE MATTFELDT

TAX Specialist

Chelsey Patera photo

CHELSEY PATERA

TAX MANAGER

Pam Hocevar photo

PAM HOCEVAR, EA

TAX MANAGER

Dan Ritter photo

DAN RITTER, CPA

TAX MANAGER

Katrina Ivancic photo

KATRINA IVANCIC, CPA

TAX MANAGER

Michael Law photo

Michael Law, CPA

SENIOR TAX MANAGER

Sam Nguyen photo

SAM NGUYEN, CFP®, EA

SENIOR TAX MANAGER

Our partners help us to grow