The IIA Story

My passion for being prudent with one’s money and investing dates back to watching my parents raise four children in Blue Springs, Missouri, and simultaneously plan for their own future. I’m the oldest son of four kids. I learned about hard work by watching my parents, doing my chores and contributing around the house.

Smart saving goes back another generation as my grandmother planned well and was retired for 30 plus years. She lived frugally on social security, a small pension and a small investment account, and yet she still left an inheritance for all the kids. In my own home, my wife and I try to model those same values and priorities, providing everything needed, though maybe not everything wanted.

While earning a degree in accounting from Rockhurst University, I worked as an intern at Touche Ross (now Deloitte Touche) doing individual, partnership and corporate taxes. Upon graduation I went to work in the audit department of Arthur Young (now Ernst & Young), and it was during this time that I obtained the CPA designation. However, I am no longer licensed to practice in Kansas.

As my career evolved, I changed my focus to retirement planning and investing with my first day in the money management industry at a local firm being Black Monday, October 19, 1987. The Dow dropped 22% in one day. What a rocky day to start in the industry! I was with that firm for over 17 years, but had a desire to lead my own firm. I founded Integrity Investment Advisors, LLC in March of 2005. After 21 years in the industry, clients tell me they remain loyal because of my direct, honest style of financial advice. My motto has been telling people what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. Otherwise, I’m not doing my job.

I’ve seen many changes over my career in the markets, financial products and regulations. Two things that remain constant is the clients’ need for honest, genuine, independent and objective advice that’s tailored to their needs, and that the clients’ issues or concerns are rarely about the money. It’s always about life, and what they want the money to do for them. Most often, it’s life’s transitions where my clients need the most help – career changes, buying/selling a business, marriage, divorce, death of a loved one or retirement. All of these situations impact their financial security, how they view their life, and creates a crossroads where clients are wondering what do to next in their life.

I’ve observed though that most people don’t have the life piece of their financial plan figured out. They come to me for the financial piece, though like a three-legged stool, money is only one leg. Personal and Career are two other critical life elements, or legs of the stool. Without all the legs firmly in place, the stool is not balanced and you’re sure to fall. Over the years, I’ve realized that financial services is about life, with money as the tool. This tool, when used properly like a shovel, can plant a fruit tree or till a garden. But when abused, can dig a hole so deep you can never climb out.

I’ve been helping clients with their life plans for many years. As a result, the financial management of our clients’ life savings works in tandem with what they really want in life. They are able to discover their life path, learn to make deliberate decisions, and create the financial security they seek.

If this sounds like you, perhaps we should talk.

Tony Moeller
President and Founder
Integrity Investment Advisors

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