Who We Are

Michael J. Lopata, CPA, CCPS

Mr. Lopata has worked in the Financial Services industry since 1985 in a career that has evolved through public accounting, commercial lending, and personal financial planning.  Many of his planning clients were financially challenged families with high school aged children who were not able to afford the next phase in their childrens' education. Michael began developing a process to help these clients send their children to top colleges and universities without sacrificing their financial security. Michael became passionate about helping families and students reduce their out-of-pocket expenses while getting a quality education. This passion has evolved into the Smart College Money process.

In 2004, Michael earned his designation as a Certified College Planning Specialist (CCPS).  At the time, there were only approximately 200 certified as CCPS in the entire nation.  He is also a member of the National Institute of Certified College Planners (NICCP).  In the past several years, Michael has been a empassioned advocate for parents and their children bound for college.  As a person who looks at each family’s unique needs and qualifications, Michael has gained the reputation as the conduit.  He states confidently,  “For every family there is a solution.  I help uncover the options.” 

Through his fee-based consultation service, Michael works with parents so that they can understand the college planning options that most closely align to the needs of their family and the student.  He has also developed a wealth of resource information to assist in finding the right college, getting the best college deal, locating grants and scholarships, and researching other forms of financial aid available.  There are a variety of the "tricks of the trade" that help families lower the cost of college.  Through his consulting and seminars, Michael shows how to leverage student grades, talents and attributes, as well as parents’ financial status, to take advantage of as many options as possible.  In addition, Michael leads them through the various steps of college planning and through the admissions process.