History of Money at Work and Our Founder, Edward A. Metz

In 1993, Ed Metz left the corporate world, where he served as treasurer and director of finance for adidas, US. Ed worked at adidas for six years and was instrumental in turning the company from a loss position to a profitable position. This was described in a September 1991 edition of CFO Magazine. In 1993, the company decided to relocate from Warren, New Jersey, to Spartanburg, South Carolina. Ed and Nancy have strong family ties to New Jersey and did not wish to relocate. Once Erica was two years old, Nancy and Ed agreed it was the right time for Ed to begin a career change into financial planning. Being a certified public accountant (CPA) and having worked in four previous companies, he developed many relationships. At one point, he was preparing over 100 personal tax returns while employed. In 1991, he was so consumed in turning adidas around that he sold his 1040 practice. With over a decade of experience in tax preparation, budgeting and cash flow planning, Ed felt he could really help people plan their financial lives.

Ed started with a small firm in Long Valley, New Jersey. Within a few years, he learned the business and built a substantial client base. Ed had obtained multiple licenses (Securities and Principal, Life Insurance and Long-Term Care). He added the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® designation to his CPA along with Personal Financial Specialist designation (PFS). The PFS applies to CPAs that specialize in financial planning. He then went on his own and started Money at Work, LLC (MAW) in March 1997.

Since 1997, MAW has been an independent firm, which means we are not affiliated with any specific products. We truly work to find the most suitable fits for our clients. Within a few years, MAW earned Leadership Status with the registered Broker/Dealer (LPL Financial from 1997-2014 and Raymond James Financial Services from 2015-present). Being in Leaders Council means that we rank in the top 10% of all advisors at the firm. This status has existed since 2000.

In May 2018, Erica returned to New Jersey after working in Boston for five years. Since Erica basically grew up in MAW and with the work ethic developed in becoming a CPA, she hit the ground running at MAW. Ed often said to friends and clients, “I knew she would be good but, I had no idea she would be this good.” Erica shared the same passion and desire for assisting clients in defining financial goals and doing their best to help them achieve what they desire. Together, they developed a staff that have the same desire and passion. In December 2023, Ed retired from MAW and Metz Management LLC was formed. Erica is now the owner of Money at Work, LLC and Ed continues to be a management consultant to her and the MAW staff. Ed enjoys working with them, and they are eager to learn more from his 30 years of experience in the industry.

*Material prepared by Edward A Metz, of Metz Management, LLC, an independent third-party not affiliated with Raymond James. Opinions expressed in this letter are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Raymond James. Raymond James is not affiliated with Edward A. Metz.