Faculty: Brian Pon

Brian Pon, EA, CFP

Title(s):
Adjunct Professor
School(s):
Business
415-442-6500
Campus(es):
San Francisco
Brian Pon

Brian has been a tax professional since 1997 and a financial advisor and investment manager since 2000 when he joined Financial Connections Group, Inc., a fee-only financial advisory firm in Marin County and Berkeley, introducing tax services as part of the firms offerings. He works with individuals, trusts, families, and small businesses. Areas of expertise include financial planning, investment management, tax planning, retirement planning, working with unmarried couples, and establishing and maintaining retirement plans for small businesses.

In addition to his financial planning practice, Brian is an adjunct professor in the Ageno School of Business for Golden Gate University's Financial Planning Program. Brian is an engineer by training. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in Engineering Physics. Before becoming a financial advisor, Brian spent nine years at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, researching the effects of energy use on the environment.

COURSES TAUGHT

FIN 425
Tax Planning

EDUCATION

  • Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP)
  • IRS Special Enrolled Agent (EA)
  • PFP Personal Financial Planning, University of California Berkeley
  • BS (Engineering Physics), University of California Berkeley

PROFESSIONAL & TEACHING EXPERIENCE

  • 2007 - Present: Adjunct Professor, Golden Gate University

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

  • Financial Planning Association (FPA)
  • National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
  • National Association of Tax Professionals
  • California Society of Enrolled Agents
  • East Bay Association of Enrolled Agents
  • Course Instructor, Internal Revenue Service
  • Basic Tax Law Instructor: Contra Costa College, U.C. Berkeley, Golden Gate University
  • Volunteer Seminar Instructor, Consumer Credit Counseling
  • Services of the East Bay workshops

MEDIA & INTERVIEWS

  • "Saving Strategies for Older Singles by Anne Tergesen", Wall Street Journal, August 28, 2011
  • "The Price of Green by Anna Prior," Wall Street Journal, October 5, 2009
  • "Prince William and Kate Arent the Only Twentysomethings Getting Married by Eileen Ambrose", The Baltimore Sun, April 24, 2011
  • "College Savings: Do Your Homework by Marlene Y. Satter", Investment Advisor, August 2010
  • "Behind the Star System by Elizabeth OBrien",Investment Advisor, December 2006
  • "Don't Fall in Love with These Funds by Elizabeth OBrien", Smart Money Magazine, March 2010
  • "Retirement Retooled: The Almost-There Portfolio by Elizabeth OBrien", Smart Money Magazine, May 2009
  • "Recovery for Your Retirement by Anita Slomski", TD Ameritrade Enlightened Investor, Spring 2009
  • "Value Picked to Outperform Growth Over 12 Months by Jeff Benjamin", InvestmentNews October 5, 2008
  • "Diversity and Financial Planning I: The Profession by James Geary", CFP Board Report, July 2008
  • "Diversity and Financial Planning II: The Clients by James Geary", CFP Board Report August 2008
  • " 6 Smart 401(k) Moves for Rough Times by Timothy Middleton", MSN Money, April 1, 2008
  • "The 5 Biggest 401(k) Blunders by Timothy Middleton", MSN Money, January 30, 2007
  • "Do the Rich Enrich? by Elizabeth OBrien", Financial Planning Magazine,  October 2007
  • "Behind the Star System by Elizabeth OBrien", Financial Planning Magazine, December 2006
  • "You've Got Assets: Ten ways to supercharge your cash flow and avoid credit woes by Chris Plummer", MarketWatch, October 25, 2007
  • "FPA Practicum a Smashing Success by James Geary", FPA Planner, March 2007
  • "Taxes on Retirement Plan Withdrawals, Consumer Reports Money Advisor", April 2005
  • "Couples Wrestle with Financial Union by Nicholas Yulico",Business Section, Oakland Tribune February 4, 2005
  • "Act Quickly to Lock in Tax Savings by Nicholas Yulico", Business Section, Oakland Tribune December 17, 2004