5 Questions with Amanda Howerton, CFP®, CDFA™

Amanda joined Rather & Kittrell in May 2012 and assists families and individuals as they navigate financial decisions related to every day life and major transitions.  She has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional since 2009 and is also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst ™.

Amanda grew up in Dallas, TX.  She is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning and a Master of Business Administration in General Business.  While at Texas Tech, she volunteered with the Red to Black Financial Planning Program.

After gradating from Texas Tech, Amanda spent the next year working as a research assistant for Peer Financial Counseling Program at the University of Georgia.  In 2006, she moved to Atlanta and spent 5 years working for Homrich Berg Wealth Management as an associate advisor.  Since 2006, Amanda has been involved with local Junior Achievement programs, The Georgia Consortium for Personal Financial Literacy (2006-2011), and the Financial Planning Association.  She currently serves on the Board of Directors for FPA’s East Tennessee Chapter as a Pro Bono Director.

Amanda met her husband, Neil, a native to East Tennessee, while living in Atlanta.  After the birth of their daughter, Grace, in 2011, they moved to Maryville to be closer to extended family.  In 2016 they welcomed their second daughter, Amelia.  Together, they enjoy college football, traveling as a family, and playing in the church softball league.  Each fall, Amanda also tries to recruit Neil and her siblings to join her in running a half- marathon.

What led you to the financial planning industry? 

I love math, yes I know, I’m a nerd.  When I found out I could combine my love of math and helping people, I knew I had found my forever career.  Some folks want to delegate as much of their personal finances to us as their trusted advisors, and some clients want to have a deeper involvement with making it all come together.  To that end, I want to meet our clients where they are.  I understand time is a limited resource and how I help them make best use of that time in dealing with their finances is my top priority.

What makes RK special?

The team.  My entire career has been spent working within a team that serves the client, and RK fully supports a team approach. Not only does my team work together to provide the best client experience, we are invested in each other’s lives.  It is one of the best teams I’ve had the pleasure of being part of.

Besides being a CFP® you are also a CERTIFIED DIVORCE FINANCIAL ANALYST^TM (CDFA™).   What is that and why did you pursue that designation?

While I have not been through a divorce myself, I have friends who have been divorced and I have clients who have been divorced.  This is a tough time for both parties, and being able to help a client (or friend) understand the financial decisions in the midst of very personal/emotional decision is something I feel is important.  The CDFA reinforces the holistic financial planning I have been doing with clients while diving deeper on items specifically related to divorces.

Best piece of financial advice you’ve ever received?

My dad worked at the Verizon Corporate headquarters and helped secure an internship for me one summer.  I commuted to and from work with him and we had a solid 45 minutes each way to talk a little bit about a lot of things.  He passed along some great financial wisdom during that time.  Three things that stuck with me were; “live within your means, save for the future, and enjoy the fruits of your hard work.”

What are you passionate about outside of work?

My husband and kids and travel (one of my favorite activities). I’ve more recently learned to love hiking in the Smokies and taking family bike rides all through the greenways in Maryville.