"I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been."
- Wayne Gretzky
Vic Conrad
Founder and Senior Partner
As founder and senior partner of PINNACLE Financial Strategies, LLC, Vic Conrad dedicates his time and talents to building lasting relationships across the wide range of clients he and his firm serve.
Vic is a CPA (inactive) and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional. He holds the FINRA Series 7 and 65 (Investment Advisor) securities registrations as an Investment Adviser Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®. Vic has also successfully completed the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) studies through the American College and has earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies.
Through his accreditations, Vic can provide general wealth management/consulting on an hourly basis, proactive investment management based on a percentage of assets and on an advisory fee basis, or on commission through Commonwealth, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. In addition, he has completed training related to the Collaborative Process (an alternative divorce process) and has completed 40 hours of mediation training.
As a 1987 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), Vic has spent more than 30 years serving Western Pennsylvania, including previous professional positions held at Arthur Andersen and PNC Bank, and through teaching at Duquesne University and Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC).
For Duquesne University’s School of Leadership and Professional Advancement, he taught the 36-hour taxation session of the Executive Certificate in Financial Planning program, which prepares attendees to take the CFP® exam. He has also taught the Asset Management course for CCAC, which is part of the CEBS designation program (the most respected credential in the employee benefits industry). In addition, Vic regularly teaches continuing education classes for CPAs, CLE classes for CCAC as part of the attorney continuing education program, and retirement planning courses for the public through local college and university sponsorships.
Throughout his career, Vic has delivered insightful presentations and shared his knowledge through speaking and publications. He is a contributing financial expert for Tips from the Top—Targeted Advice from America’s Top Money Minds, an insightful money guide devised from a panel of more than 100 of the country’s top practicing experts. Other speaking engagements include the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist®), KDKA TV & Radio, WLTJ Radio, St. Barnabas, Pittsburgh Petroleum Association, and Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber. He has also been a contributor to financial information for the Pittsburgh Business Times, Pennsylvania CPA Journal, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Bloomberg Wealth Manager, Investment Advisor, and Pittsburgh REALTOR® Magazine.
Giving his time and talents to serve on boards and committees is also important to Vic. Some of these include:
- American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs (PICPA)
- Rotarian – Cranberry Township Sunrise Club, Past Board Member
- Seneca Valley Foundation Trustee
- St. Barnabas – Valencia Woods Trustee
- Pittsburgh Planned Giving Council (PPGC) – Past Treasurer and Conference Co-Chair
- Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber Member
- Priority2Work – Past Treasurer
Vic resides in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Debbie; daughter Emma; and twin sons Jacob and Adam. Vic enjoys public speaking and playing golf.
To schedule a consultation with Vic, contact the office today.
Vic has received the distinction of a Five Star Wealth Manager from Pittsburgh Magazine every year since its inaugural year in 2012.
2012-2023 Five Star Wealth Manager Award, created by Five Star Professional. The 2023 award was presented in June 2023 based on data gathered within 12 months preceding the issue date. 1,818 advisors were considered and 240 advisors were recognized. Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. For more information, please visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.
J. Victor Conrad is proud to have been recognized as a Vista Club advisor for 2022—a distinction based on annual production that places him among the top 25 percent of advisors affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network.
Each year, Commonwealth, the broker/dealer–RIA that helps us process investment transactions on your behalf, recognizes Summit Club advisors by inviting them to an exclusive gathering of their peers, leading industry experts, and Commonwealth home office staff. Summit Club advisors benefit from an intensive learning and networking experience designed to help them hone their expertise, share best practices, and provide ever-higher levels of service, education, and leadership to their clients.