
(#1 in 2017-2020, 2022)

Forbes Top RIA List
(2024)
Thomas Pontius, CFP®
Senior Financial Planner
KAR: 2021
- MBA, Finance Concentration, UCLA Anderson School of Management
- B.B.A. Accounting, Finance Minor, Temple University, Fox School of Business
- Vice President, Wealth Planner – Wells Fargo Private Bank
- Tax Senior – EY
- Tax Associate – Anderson
- Certified Financial Planner®
- Series 65

(#1 in 2017-2020, 2022)

Forbes Top RIA List
(2024)
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job?
I really enjoy hearing about our clients’ lives, what’s important to them, and the values that drive their decisions. Being that I’m still early in my career, their insights provide a lot of perspective into what is important to different people. I feel that I learn just as much from our clients just as much as I hope our clients learn from me.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KARWA?
To work with a great group of highly motivated individuals. There is a strong sense of community and pride within the organization and that makes it very easy to come to work every day. The collaborative nature of the group also supports that sense of community and helps better the work and advice we provide to clients.
How Does KARWA Approach Wealth Management Differently?
The advisor team at KAR has some of the best relationships I have seen between clients and their advisors. The attentiveness and care the team approaches their clients with is second to none. I believe the clients at KAR feel very close with their advisors and appreciate that relationship.
What Do You Hope to Achieve for Your Clients?
At a high level, I hope to provide them with financial peace of mind and be a professional they can trust to help them make complicated financial decisions.
I also hope to provide the advice that allows our clients to go forward and achieve their financial goals. Many of our clients are at a point in their lives where they have achieved their career goals. Now it’s time to understand what their other financial goals are and what it takes to achieve them.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work?
I enjoy checking out everything Los Angeles has to offer. Whether it’s the beach, mountains, or desert, I enjoy them all. I also enjoy going to shows and concerts to see historic venues and theaters in the city. To stay active, I play squash, golf, ride my bike and I’m attempting to take up tennis.