Michael Lopata, CPA*

Michael Lopata and his team provide personalized, objective and comprehensive financial advice to business owners, professionals and families. We present alternative solutions in a clear and understandable way so our clients can make informed choices.

Our clientele may not have the time, desire or expertise to manage their personal financial planning as professionally as they manage their own careers or businesses. Most of our clients have competent existing advisors, such as attorneys and accountants, who provide them with a certain level of tax, investment, or estate planning. However, any lack of coordination between these individuals can have a detrimental effect on the success of the overall plan.

We are a fee-based financial planning firm that believes that it is our responsibility to help you make the most of your financial resources. We dedicate ourselves to helping individuals accumulate wealth and preserve it through sound comprehensive financial planning. Through our business planning and succession planning expertise we help maximize the effectiveness of blending human capital with financial capital. Whether it is helping an employee understand how their company benefits integrate with their life planning, facilitating the exercise of employee stock options, designing tax efficient savings options with an employer, or mapping out complex estate plans, we work with our clients until all the details have been completed.

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Advisor Representative

Sagemark Consulting/Lincoln Financial

April 2010 – Present Greater Atlanta Area

Mike’s practice focuses on executive compensation, capital structure, and legacy and business succession for business owners and key executives in the small and middle market companies. At Sagemark Consulting, we strive to create a financial roadmap that may guide you toward your desired destination. We seek to simplify complex financial terms, offer honest advice, and help you navigate the complexities of financial strategies. In all we do, our goal is to humbly serve you by nurturing long-term relationships built on trust and performance.

Our services include (but not limited to) the following:

• Develop a buy/sell agreement to protect you and your business
• Implement an Exit Plan to sell your business for the highest value
• Enjoy a worry-free retirement based on sophisticated cash flow analysis and planning
• Attract, retain, and reward key employees
• Pass on your estate, including your business, with minimal tax consequences

Michael Lopata is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisors. Michael Lopata is securities licensed in Florida, Georgia, and Maryland.

*Licensed, Not Practicing

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Financial Advisor

Ameriprise Financial/American Express Financial Advisors

October 1994 – March 2010 Greater Atlanta Area

Through Ameriprise and American Express Financial Advisors I developed a solid knowledge of comprehensive financial planning. This has helped me to approach financial solutions by looking at all the angles. The financial planning methodology allowed me to branch off and work with individuals and businesses in two unique areas. In the area of college planning I helped families find cost effective solutions while creating a successful bridge to retirement. In the area of business planning I created business valuations, analyzed financial statements, and developed transition/exit plans.

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Asset Based Lending – Financial Auditing/Analyst

Congress Financial

September 1985 – October 1994 Greater Atlanta Area

I worked on the audit staff and analyzed the financial and business operations of companies of small and mid-sized businesses. Congress Financial provided collateral financing on Receivables, Inventory, and Fixed Assets to companies throughout the US with loans ranging from $5,000,000 to $100,000,000.

• Previous Work Experience includes: Business and Financial Statement Analysis with Congress Financial, Personal and Business Financial Planning with American Express Financial Advisors/Ameriprise Financial.
• Areas of expertise include: Broad knowledge of complex business exit/succession planning, asset protection, and financial planning concepts
• Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Florida State University
• Certified Public Accountant – State of Georgia*
_{*Licensed, not practicing.}