In 1973, Robert Schoen Sr. (Bob) received a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Northern Illinois University and became a Certified Public Accountant. He started his career with KPMG and spent the next several years auditing a variety of companies ranging from small, privately owned firms to large Fortune 100 companies. As he gained experience in accounting, he became a specialist in technology and computer auditing. In 1977, he was named Manager of Accounting and Auditing at FER&S, a large regional accounting firm. In 1979, he opened Schoen & Co., a multi-faceted CPA and business-consulting firm. As the business grew, Bob’s relationship with his clients deepened. They came to see him more and more as a trusted financial expert — a loyal guide they could look to for personal financial advice and wealth planning strategies. In 1988, Bob graduated from the College for Financial Planning and became a Certified Financial Planner®. This gave him the ability to offer clients more comprehensive service and advice. For more than 25 years, he has been helping clients discover their financial goals and create a practical roadmap for reaching them. In 1992, Bob’s son, Bob Jr., joined the ranks in the family business, and together they expanded the financial planning business. As Bob Sr. said of his work as a wealth advisor, “After more than 30 years of providing accounting and wealth management services to business owners and individuals, I’ve learned that the key is connecting with people. Once clients know you really are in it for them, you have the power to create a customized wealth plan that could affect generations. That kind of trust helps our clients sleep at night — knowing that we are focused on helping them achieve their financial goals.