Broker Check
(814) 536-4200
team@centennialfg.com
Client Login

Financial Planning & Wealth Management in Johnstown, PA

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals helping Western Pennsylvania families and business owners plan for retirement, grow their investments, and build a lasting legacy.

Schedule a Complimentary Consultation
30+ YearsOf experience
CFP™Certified professionals
FiduciaryYour interests first
LocalJohnstown-based advisors

Why Financial Planning Matters

For substantial estates, the difference between a plan and no plan can be measured in hundreds of thousands of dollars, and in whether your wealth reaches the people and causes you intend.

40%
is the top federal estate tax rate applied to assets above the exemption. Without a strategy, a large share of an estate can be lost to taxes rather than passed to heirs.
$15M
per individual ($30M per couple) is the 2026 federal estate and gift tax exemption. Coordinated gifting and trust strategies help families make the most of it.
Only 66%
of households earning more than $1 million have even a basic will in place, leaving substantial wealth exposed to avoidable delays and disputes.
94%
of households advised by a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional feel confident they can achieve their financial goals.

Sources: Top federal estate tax rate, IRS / LPL Financial, 2025. Federal estate and gift tax exemption, One Big Beautiful Bill Act / BPM, 2026. Will ownership among $1M+ households, Trust & Will, 2025. CFP® client confidence, CFP Board 2025 Financial Planning Longitudinal Study.

Figures reflect third-party industry research and current federal tax law, and are provided for general informational purposes only. They are not tax or legal advice, are not a guarantee of future results, and do not represent the experience of any Centennial Financial Group client. Tax laws and exemption amounts are subject to change. Please consult a qualified tax or legal professional regarding your situation.

Our Services

We wear two hats. For business owners, exit and succession planning is our specialty, a defined process, not a generic promise to "meet with business owners." For individuals and families, we provide full wealth management. As CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CEPA® professionals in Johnstown, we serve Western Pennsylvania and meet with clients nationwide online.

Our Specialty · For Business Owners

Exit & Succession Planning

Your business reflects years of work. Exiting well takes a real process, one most advisors don't actually run. Here is how we help you leave on your terms, protect your legacy, and capture the value you've built.

1

Assess

Clarify goals, timeline, and what the business is worth today.
2

Build Value

Close gaps that raise the sale price and buyer appeal.
3

Transfer

Structure the handoff to family, partners, or a buyer.
4

Protect

Coordinate tax and wealth planning to keep the proceeds.
See how exit planning works →
Full Service · For Individuals & Families

Wealth Management

The other hat we wear. For families and individuals well beyond the business owners we serve, we build a clear roadmap toward the retirement and life you've pictured, and guide it through every stage.

1

Plan

Map your goals, income needs, and timeline into one roadmap.
2

Invest

Build and manage a portfolio aligned to your goals.
3

Retire

Turn savings into dependable, tax-aware retirement income.
4

Transfer

Coordinate 401(k) rollovers, IRAs, and Roth conversions.
Explore wealth management →

Pro-Active Tax Strategies

We collaborate with your CPA on strategies that maximize tax efficiency now and through a transition.

Explore tax planning →

Qualified Retirement Plans

Attract and retain talent with retirement plans built for your business and its employees.

Plan for your team →

Business Financial Planning

From growth strategy to daily decisions, we're your partners at every stage of ownership.

See business services →

Areas we serve

We're proud to be part of the Johnstown community. Our understanding of the local economy lets us give advice that actually fits Western Pennsylvania families and business owners, not generic guidance from somewhere far away. From our office on Franklin Street, we serve clients across the region and, through online meetings, nationwide. Areas we serve include:

Communities we serve
JohnstownCanonsburgWestmontSouthmontGreensburgEbensburgSomersetIndiana, PAGreater PittsburghNationwide
Address227 Franklin Street, Suite 302
Johnstown, PA 15901
HoursMon–Fri · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Who we are

An independent firm, built around you.

Centennial Financial Group is a fee-based financial planning firm in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. For three decades, our mission has stayed the same: give back time and freedom to the people we serve, and make the financial world simple enough to act on with confidence.

30+ years serving Western Pennsylvania families and business owners
01 Independent and fee-based We answer to you, not to a parent company or a product quota, so our advice stays objective and built around your goals.
02 Fiduciary, always Our client-first commitment is a fiduciary one. Your interests come first at every life stage and across every generation.
03 Educators at heart From retirement and wealth management to business exit planning, we make the complex clear so you stay in control.
Ethan Stewart, Managing Partner of Centennial Financial Group
Ethan Stewart
CFP®, CEPA® · Managing Partner
A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, and a business owner himself, Ethan leads the firm and shapes how our whole team serves clients.
Read bio →
Schedule a Complementary Consultation Meet the full team →

Elevate Your Financial IQ with These Resources

Learn why we make certain financial decisions by understanding how to talk about money with these financial planning resources.

Red Flags for Tax Auditors

Red Flags for Tax Auditors

Here are six flags that may make your tax return prime for an IRS audit.
Learn More
My Retirement Savings

My Retirement Savings

See how your current savings rate and contributions may grow into retirement income.
Learn More
Social Security Tax Estimator

Social Security Tax Estimator

Estimate how much of your Social Security benefit may be subject to federal income tax.
Learn More
Meet Big Eth the Finance Geek

Meet Big Eth the Finance Geek

Get ready to learn! Explore our YoutTube videos made exactly with you in mind.

Learn more

What to Do with a Windfall

"What to Do with a Windfall" provides guidance for handling a financial windfall. The ebook suggests taking a deep breath before making any decisions and seeking help from a financial professional to help ensure funds are allocated wisely.

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers about financial planning, retirement, and working with a financial advisor in Johnstown, PA. Have a question that isn't here? We're glad to talk it through.

How do I choose a financial advisor in Johnstown, PA?
Start by deciding what you want help with, then look for an advisor who fits that need. We recommend choosing someone who works in a fiduciary capacity, meaning they are legally and ethically required to act in your best interest, and someone local who understands the Western Pennsylvania economy. The best first step is a short, no-obligation conversation to see whether we're a good fit before you commit to anything.
How much does a financial advisor cost?
Costs vary by how an advisor is paid. Fee-based and fee-only advisors typically charge either a percentage of the assets they manage, often around 1% per year, a flat planning fee, or an hourly rate, while commission-based advisors earn from the products they sell. As a fee-based firm, we focus on transparent, advice-first compensation rather than commissions, and we are glad to explain exactly how our fees would work for your situation before you decide anything.
What is a fiduciary financial advisor?
A fiduciary is an advisor who is legally and ethically required to put your interests ahead of their own. That means recommendations are based on what is best for you, not on what pays the advisor the most. We hold ourselves to a fiduciary standard, so the guidance you receive is driven by your goals rather than sales incentives.
What's the difference between a financial advisor and a financial planner?
"Advisor" and "planner" are broad terms. Almost anyone who passes a licensing exam can use them, and a planner tends to work more comprehensively. Neither title is a certification, though. The real distinction is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional, who is held to rigorous training and high ethical standards. At Centennial, our advisors bring that planning depth to every relationship.
When should I start retirement planning?
In our view, the best time was yesterday. The earlier you start, the more time compounding has to work in your favor. That said, everyone's situation is different, and it's never too late. Whether retirement is decades away or just a few years out, we can build a plan that fits where you are today and adjusts as your life changes.
How much money do I need to retire?
There is no single number that works for everyone. The right amount depends on the lifestyle you want, your expected expenses, your other income sources such as Social Security or a pension, and how long your retirement may last. Rather than chase a generic target, we build a personalized projection around your goals and spending so you can see what you realistically need and whether you are on track.
Do I need a financial advisor or can I invest on my own?
Some people are comfortable managing their own investments, and that can work for straightforward situations. An advisor tends to add the most value when your finances grow more complex, for example coordinating retirement income, tax planning, business exit, and estate goals at the same time. Beyond investment selection, a good advisor helps you avoid costly mistakes, stay disciplined through market swings, and keep every part of your plan working together.
When should a business owner start exit or succession planning?
Earlier than most owners expect. Ideally you begin planning your exit three to five years before you intend to leave, which gives time to increase the value of the business, structure the sale or transfer in a tax-aware way, and prepare the next owner or your family. Starting early gives you far more options and usually a better outcome than waiting until you are ready to walk away.
What is the difference between fee-based and commission-based advisors?
A commission-based advisor earns money from the financial products they sell, which can create incentives that may not always align with your goals. A fee-based advisor is paid primarily through fees you agree to, such as a percentage of assets managed or a planning fee, which keeps the focus on advice rather than product sales. We operate on a fee-based model so our guidance stays centered on your best interest.
Does Pennsylvania tax Roth conversions?
Pennsylvania's treatment of retirement distributions and conversions differs from the federal rules, and the details depend on your age, account type, and situation. Because a Roth conversion is difficult to undo, it's worth reviewing the specifics with an advisor before you convert. We're happy to walk through how a conversion would affect your plan. This is general information, not tax advice. Please consult a tax professional for your situation.
What areas does Centennial Financial Group serve?
We are based on Franklin Street in Johnstown, PA, and serve families and business owners across Western Pennsylvania, including Westmont, Southmont, Greensburg, Ebensburg, Somerset, Indiana, and the greater Pittsburgh area. We also work with clients beyond the region who value our planning approach. Our local roots mean our advice reflects the economy and rules that actually affect your life.
What should I bring to my first meeting with a financial advisor?
Your first meeting is mainly a conversation about your goals, so there is no need to over-prepare. If you want to make it productive, it helps to bring a general picture of your income, savings and retirement accounts, any major debts, and the goals that matter most to you. If you are not yet sure what your goals are, that is fine too. Helping you identify and clarify them is part of what we do.

All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. There is no assurance that any investment strategy will be successful.

For a comprehensive review of your personal situation, always consult with a tax or legal advisor. Neither Cetera Advisor Networks LLC nor any of its representatives may give legal or tax advice.

Join Our Caring Community

We believe that our deep passion for giving back to our community and commitment to client education help set us apart. If you’re ready to join a caring community of like-minded advisors, contact us today.

Join Our Team