Mary is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional, Chartered Financial Consultant Emeritus (ChFC), a member of the Raymond James Institute of Investment Management Consulting (IIMC) and a Registered Principal with Raymond James. Mary has been in the financial services industry for more than 35 years and is President of Mary Carter Financial Services, Inc.
A graduate of St. Cloud University in Minnesota, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree, Mary also holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Mary’s first career was in school counseling and teaching, where she developed counseling skills that she has transferred to her planning business. Mary has known since she was just 5 years old that she wanted to work with people. That was when she first worked with her dad selling popcorn and candy to young skaters at the skating rink in Minnesota.
During her free time, Mary enjoys spending time surfing the Net with her grandchildren and playing with her grand-dogs in Jacksonville Beach. She and her husband, Peter, have caught the travel bug and have enjoyed visiting many interesting corners of the world. She also spends time with family and friends in Minnesota and at their lakeside cabin (mostly in the summer!).
But Mary’s real passion is her work. There is nothing she likes better than helping clients solve problems and meet goals – something she believes she has been able to instill in her co-workers. Her tireless efforts on behalf of her clients and genuine attitude of concern are probably the reasons so many clients become lifelong friends.
Mary also spends time working with multiple charities. She is the Honorary Director of Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville Foundation and the Founding Member of the Women’s Giving Alliance – two charities she believes to be worthwhile as they respect the worth and dignity of all human beings and support high impact philanthropic initiatives.
*The Investment Management Consultant designation is awarded to those who complete the Raymond James Institute of Investment Management Consulting program.
Timeline
2019 – Raymond James Chairman’s Council – Chairman’s Council membership is a privilege limited to a select few. Membership is based on prior fiscal year production. Re-qualification is required annually. The ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of advisor’s future performance. No fee is paid in exchange for this award/rating.
*Membership is based on prior fiscal year production. Re-qualification is required annually. The ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of advisors future performance. No fee is paid in exchange for this award/rating.
2018 – Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors List – Mary was ranked as a top-performing advisor in the state of Florida by Forbes. The Forbes ranking of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of 7 years of experience, and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, AUM, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Out of 21,138 advisors nominated by their firms, 2,213 received the award. This ranking is not indicative of advisor's future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients' experience. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/ rating. Raymond James is not affiliated with Forbes or Shook Research, LLC.
As of June 2017, over 40 Founders have joined together in supporting the organization in its infancy. They have made the first year of WLA a success with over $800,000 raised in cash and pledges toward their initial goal of $1,000,000.
2004 – Honorary Director of Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville Foundation Inc. – Mary began serving as the Honorary Director of her church in 2004. To this day, she continues to hold the title Director Emeritus.
2001 – Women’s Giving Alliance – Mary is a Founding Director and Legacy Donor of WGA, which started in 2001. WGA, a nonprofit 501(3)(c) organization, has a mission to improve the lives of women and girls in North East Florida. It also inspires women to be strategic philanthropists.
1988 – Mary Carter Financial Services professionals join Raymond James – Raymond James. Mary Carter and Raymond James believe the right advice starts with trusted relationships. LIFE WELL PLANNED.
1986 – Mary Carter Financial Services was established – Mary Carter Financial Services
1982 – Connecticut General – Mary Carter enters the Financial Planning Industry by joining Connecticut General, now Sagemark.
1989 – Chartered Financial Consultant – A professional designation representing completion of a comprehensive course consisting of financial education, examinations and practical experience.
1979 – Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology - Mary graduated from University of North Florida receiving a Master’s Degree.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
*Source: Barron's “Top 100 Women Financial Advisors,” 2017 Barron's is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved. The rankings are based on data provided by individual advisors and their firms and include qualitative and quantitative criteria. Data points that relate to quality of practice include professionals with a minimum of 7 years financial services experience, acceptable compliance records (no criminal U4 issues), client retention reports, charitable and philanthropic work, quality of practice, designations held, offering services beyond investments offered including estates and trusts, and more. Financial Advisors are quantitatively rated based on varying types of revenues produced and assets under management by the financial professional, with weightings associated for each. Investment performance is not an explicit component because not all advisors have audited results and because performance figures often are influenced more by clients' risk tolerance than by an advisor's investment picking abilities. The ranking may not be representative of any one client's experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of advisor's future performance. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Barron's is not affiliated with Raymond James. The Investment Management Consultant title is awarded to those who complete the Raymond James Institute of Investment Management Consulting program.
Raymond James is not affiliated with any organizations mentioned.
Albert Schweitzer