About | Certa Financial Plan

CERTA Story

CERTA was founded in 2019 by German Ramirez after 15+ years as an industry veteran. Steven Balch joined in 2022, and since then, CERTA is represented by a growing number of financial professionals, servicing the various needs of their clients in highly dedicated fashion.

CERTA's meaning is simple – from the Latin root, "CERTUS," it signifies determination, dependability, and discernment – all qualities CERTA financial planning seeks to embody in working with our clients. 

Yet, just as building, preserving, and implementing your wealth are the projects of a lifetime, CERTA, as a practice, is the culmination of German and Steven's lifetimes of unique and relevant experience in the complex landscape of the financial industry. 

Starting with German's experience gaining financial independence at age 16 as the son of 1st generation immigrants, to German and Steven's friendship and collaboration stewarding clients through in the post 2008 financial crisis, to their years "in the trenches" at both well established and boutique financial planning and investment firms, each client interaction has led to the creation of CERTA’s standard of client care, which German and Steven bring into every client discussion, financial plan, and investment decision.

Meet the Team

Managing Director & Founder

German M. Ramirez, CFP®

German founded CERTA in 2019 based on his desire to create a firm founded on his long-standing vision to combine 21st-century guidance with time-tested financial planning and investment principles. Today, he delivers comprehensive financial planning and investment advisory services to CERTA's clientele based on his 20+ years of industry experience. Among his many experiences in the field, he has formerly held the position of co-founder and Chief Investment Officer at BluePrint Wealth Alliance, was nominated and served as part of the Chairman's Club during his time at Charles Schwab and has held client-facing roles at firms such as SunTrust, AXA-Equitable, and Mass Mutual. When not running the ship at CERTA, German – a proud father and husband – resides in South Florida with his wife Lorena and their children Emily and Jack. 

Director of Financial Planning & Wealth Management

Steven C. Balch, CFP®

Steve Balch joined CERTA Financial Planning in 2022 as the head of Financial Planning and Wealth Management. Before joining CERTA, he was VP Financial Consultant at Charles Schwab for over a decade. While at Schwab, Steve focused on the financial planning and investment needs of 400 individuals and families, managing over $1 billion in client money. Steve graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Business in Marketing and Finance, obtaining CFP® education and certification in 2015. Steve resides in his home state of New Jersey with his wife Sarah and children Charlotte and Cooper. In his free time, Steve can be found on the golf course, coaching his kids in sports, or working on his lawn, rain or shine. 

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Certa Financial Planning has partnered with Independent Financial Partners (IFP) to provide the technological, compliance, and operational support we need. Through our alliance with IFP, we have access to a wide variety of tools and resources to support plan sponsors, plan participants and private investors.

IFP fully supports advisor independence, allowing us to take advantage of the many services they offer while putting your interests above all else. We’re also able to leverage their network of financial advisors and subject matter experts from across the nation to help address even the most complex needs of our clients.

Independent Financial Partners is a broker-dealer and registered investment adviser based out Tampa, Florida. Their firm’s independent platform empowers advisors through freedom of choice and a constantly evolving technology suite that’s designed to help build better client experiences.

IFP Support Team

Chief Executive Officer

William Hamm, CFA, CFP®, CLU

Bill began his career in financial planning in 1983 with the CIGNA Corporation. He grew his private practice for almost 20 years when, in 2000, he had the opportunity to acquire an OSJ group of 10 advisors operating on the hybrid RIA platform within what was formerly known as Mutual Services Corporation (a broker-dealer later to be acquired by LPL). Wanting to expand this group, he decided to build a firm that he as an advisor would want to join…a firm of advisors built by an advisor. Growing from 10 advisors in 2000 to now over 200 nationwide, IFP is on the cutting edge of the hybrid RIA industry and has served as a preferred platform for financial advisors seeking the path of independence.

Mr. Hamm is an employee of Independent Financial Partners and not affiliated with Certa Financial Planning.

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Chief Operating Officer, IFP

Chris Hamm

Chris started in the wealth management industry in 2010 as a Private Client Associate at Bernstein Global Wealth Management in New York City. In 2012, transitioned to IFP to oversee the growth of the firm’s staff, infrastructure, and advisor network.

Mr. Hamm is an employee of Independent Financial Partners and not alliliated with Certa Financial Planning.

FINRA BrokerCheck: Check the background of investment professionals associated with this site on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.

Chief Investment Officer

Aaron Gilman, CFA, CFP®

Aaron Gilman serves as the Chief Investment Officer for Independent Financial Partners and the President of IFP Asset Management. He conducts analytical research and due diligence for all investment types, portfolio analyses and construction, portfolio management, and directs all activities in IFP’s asset management group. Mr. Gilman also serves as the head of the IFP Investment Advisory Committee.

Mr. Gilman is an employee of Independent Financial Partners and not alliliated with Certa Financial Planning.

FINRA BrokerCheck: Check the background of investment professionals associated with this site on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.