Meet Your Advisor

Jonathan Elks, CFP®, CIMA®, RMA®, FCA

president & founder

Boerum Hill Financial Advisors is an investment advisory and financial planning firm. The firm’s founder, Jonathan Elks, has over three decades of experience leading corporate wide financial functions within large organizations, and across many industries both domestically and globally. He has worked in BIG 4 global accounting and advisory firms, and well recognized public companies. He understands the need to always be relevant to customers and take time to understand their concerns and challenges, treating every client and situation as unique. By understanding you, and building strong relationships he can identify opportunities, solutions, and strategies that are tailor-made for you.

Jonathan has voluntarily undergone a vigorous certification program conducted Investment & Wealth Institute (IWI) formerly the Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA), in order to attain his Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) certification, and his Retirement Management Advisor (RMA®) certification.  Jonathan is a Certified Financial Plannertm (CFP®). He is also a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA), Australia and New Zealand (Fellowships are awards granted to Chartered Accountants members to recognize outstanding achievement in and/or contribution to the profession of accountancy at either a local, national or international level). Jonathan mandatory designation is as a Registered Investment Advisor – New York.

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®)

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification is the standard of excellence in financial planning. CFP® professionals meet rigorous education, training and ethical standards, and are committed to serving their clients' best interests today to prepare them for a more secure tomorrow.

Certified Investment Management Analyst SM (CIMA®)

The CIMA certification signifies that an individual has met initial and ongoing experience, ethical, education, and examination requirements for investment management consulting, including advanced investment management theory and application. To earn CIMA certification, candidates must: submit an application, pass a background check and have an acceptable regulatory history; pass an online Qualification Examination; complete an in-person or online executive education program at an AACSB accredited university business school; pass an online Certification Examination; and have an acceptable regulatory history as evidenced by FINRA Form U-4 or other regulatory requirements and have three years of financial services experience at the time of certification. CIMA certificants must adhere to IMCA’s Code of Professional Responsibility, Standards of Practice, and Rules and Guidelines for Use of the Marks. CIMA designees must report 40 hours of continuing education credits, including two ethics hours, every two years to maintain the certification. The designation is administered through the Investment & Wealth Institute (IWI) formerly the Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA). 

Retirement Management Advisor SM (RMA®)

The RMA designation signifies that an individual has met initial and on-going experience, ethical, education, and examination requirements for the professional designation, which is centered on retirement management topics and strategies. Prerequisites for the RMA designation are: a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or one of the following designations or licenses: CIMA®, CPWA®, CIMC ®, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, or CPA license; have an acceptable regulatory history as evidenced by FINRA Form U-4 or other regulatory requirements and three years of experience in financial services. RMA designees have completed a rigorous educational process that includes an online course, in-person educational Capstone and successful completion of a comprehensive examination. RMA designees are required to adhere to the Investments & Wealth Institute Code of Professional Responsibility and Rules and Guidelines for Use of the Marks. RMA designees must report 40 hours of continuing education credits, including two ethics hours, every two years to maintain the certification. The designation is administered through the Investments & Wealth Institute.

17 Facts About Jon

Here’s an overview of my work and family life, where I’ve been and where I am.
  • I grew up in Melbourne Australia - played cricket, Aussie rules football, and loved summers at the surf beaches.
  • At an early age I had an affinity towards math, finance and economics.
  • I started my career as an accountant with a large CPA firm -KPMG. I worked in the Melbourne, San Francisco and Boston offices.
  • I have walked inside the crater of a live volcano…. the ground felt hollow - Rabaul, New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea.

  • I was the CFO of Australia's largest ice cream company and Yoplait yogurt. That was a big hit with my kids.
  • I completed an advanced management program at the Wharton business school.
  • I was a Senior VP at Telstra, the largest telecommunications company in the southern hemisphere.
  • June 2002 - I immigrated to the U.S. with my family to start a job with Cablevision. A fun perk was flying in the New York Knicks and Rangers’ 737.

  • I have been divorced and understand the financial significance of this “transaction”, how it can be both be a burden but also an opportunity.

  • I experienced the beginning of the financial crisis while working at the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), and what the recession did to people's’ retirement savings.
  • I have run two half marathons – in Miami and at the Great Wall of China.
  • I’ve been blessed with three wonderful children who, by their own efforts, went to good schools and now enjoy challenging and rewarding jobs.
  • After 30 years in corporate finance I started my own financial advisory business in 2017 helping people to connected with their finances, and creating financial confidence and peace of mind.

  • In 2011, I started playing guitar in a Sunday School band for 3 to 6-year old’s. They are most forgiving.
  • Not long ago I made a small investment in an off-Broadway show because I believed in the story and the creator (please do not take this as investment advice).
  • I’ve discovered working directly with clients has turned out to be the pinnacle of my career - patiently gaining their trust and confidence is the ideal working relationship.
  • I have lived in Brooklyn since 2011 and thrive in this environment. I love the energy, diversity, endless activities, and neighborly atmosphere.
"The biggest obstacle to wealth is fear. People are afraid to think big, but if you think small, you'll only achieve small things."

My Fiduciary Oath to You

We're on Your Side of the table and put your best interests first in order to fulfill our fiduciary oath to you. We adhere to the CIMA fiduciary standard because you deserve unbiased advice. We are paid directly by our clients (fee only) for advice, not by earning commissions for selling life insurance or mutual funds.

  • Act in the best interest of the client.
  • Disclose services to be offered and provided, related charges, and compensation.
  • Provide clients information needed to make informed decisions.
  • Disclose the existence of actual, potential, and/or perceived conflicts of interest and relevant financial relationships, direct and/or indirect. Take appropriate action to resolve or manage any such conflicts.
  • Respond to client inquiries and instructions appropriately, promptly, completely, and truthfully.
  • Maintain confidentiality of client information, however acquired, consistent with legal and regulatory requirements and firm policies.
  • Provide competent service by truthful representation of competency, maintenance and/or development of professional capabilities, and, when appropriate, the recommendation of other professionals.
  • Comply with legal and regulatory requirements related to one’s practice of his or her profession.
  • Maintain a high level of ethical conduct.
THERE'S NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT

Let's Schedule a Discovery Call

We offer a complimentary "Get Acquainted" meeting to learn more about your financial planning needs and share information on our firm to see if our services are right for you.
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Contact

  • Phone:
    (516) 695-1610
  • E-Mail:
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