About

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is the leading professional organization of fee-only advisors that are Certified Financial Planners.  NAPFA is distinguished both by the competence of its advisors and their method of compensation.

At FIS, we do not accept any fees or compensation based on product sales (commissions) or revenue sharing (kickbacks – typically from mutual funds with high expense ratios).  Our fee is completely transparent and billed directly to the client either on an hourly basis, flat fee or on a percentage of investment assets under management.

There is a difference between “FEE-ONLY” and “FEE-BASED.”

How can a Fee-based (AKA: Commission-based) advisor operate as a true fiduciary when their clients are likely limited to an investment menu that first-serves the advisor’s wallet or company, or both instead of the client?

At FIS, we do not sell investments or insurance, nor do we earn commissions or kickbacks of any kind.  Our incentive is transparent and it’s a win-win… the more money we make for our clients, the more money we make; the less money we make for them, the less money we make… the way it should be!

The SEC’s Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) now requires advisors to fully disclose their method of compensation within a 2-page summary called Form CRS (Customer Relationship Summary) on their website.  We strongly recommend reviewing a firm’s CRS when selecting an advisor.

Fischer Investment Strategies – Form CRS

Ted Fischer is a “Fee-Only” Certified Financial Planner® & Fiduciary, the founder of Fischer Investment Strategies.

Drawing from more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Ted provides fundamentally sound investing principles and strategic vision for both private clients and institutions.  He has particular expertise in retirement planning, investment analysis, tax planning, estate planning, and insurance.

In 2011, Ted started Fischer Investment Strategies to provide a higher level of service with a more personal and “hands on” approach versus the “one size fits all” big institutional service model. Previously, Ted started his career working as a Market Analyst for Philips International in the Netherlands. After that he worked as an Investment Specialist at Charles Schwab, Vice President at Churchill Management Group, and Vice President at Index Funds Advisors, Inc.

Ted has an extensive academic background.  He received his Certified Financial Planning (CFP®) designation from UCLA in 2011. He became a Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC®) and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®).  Ted has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, with a minor in Finance, from San Diego State University.

His passion has always helping his clients become financially successful.  When Ted is not meeting with his clients throughout the country, he enjoys spending time with family and traveling.  His hobbies include surfing, cycling, snow skiing, hiking, and scuba diving.

Dean Julian is an Investment Advisor Representative with an interesting career path.  Dean studied Graphic Design and Business at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and after receiving a bachelor degree in 1991, he moved out to California to pursue the voice over industry.  There’s a good chance you may have heard one of his many character voices in various cartoons over the years, but the reality of the entertainment industry involves a great deal of income inconsistency from year to year… feast or famine.

In 2001, Dean decided to eliminate the famine years and became an independent life agent and estate planning consultant.  Over the next decade and a half, Dean helped hundreds of families with their estate planning needs while maintaining a reputation for always putting his clients first.  His motto quickly became “People don’t care how much you know till they know how much you care.”  In 2017, after meeting Ted Fischer, Dean arrived at his career path destiny as he learned all about something this country needs more of… true fiduciary financial advisors.

Jessa Ash is an Investment Advisor Representative with a diverse background. Jessa received bachelor degrees in Elementary Education and Psychology in 2011. She then received her Master’s degree in Health Administration in 2019. She worked in hospital administration for 4 years before deciding to pursue a path in finance.

Jessa has always had a strong desire to help people and do what is morally best for their well-being. Acting as a fiduciary with FIS has allowed her to align with these qualities, as well as work professionally with a team who share them. Jessa takes pride in working with people so that they can meet their financial goals, prepare for their future, and have confidence that their investments are in good hands.

Lisa Spradling is the Director of Operations & Trading. Lisa reports directly to the CEO, Ted Fischer, and has over 20 years of experience in operations and finance.  She maintains the daily operations at Fischer Investment Strategies and overseas all operating systems, procedures and client accounts to assure operational excellence.

Lisa received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of California Santa Barbara in 1996 and has worked in the financial industry for most of her professional career. She loves working with clients and having a strong team that champions for excellence.

She has 3 daughters and has been married for 23 years. When she is not at FIS, you will catch her with her kids or husband running around town. Her family is her greatest accomplishment, but her greatest professional success is being here at FIS and working with our amazing clients.