Strategist Spotlight - Zach Ripka
/Meet Zach Ripka, CPA, CEPA, CFP®, CDFA®
With 10 years of experience in the finance sector, Zach combines his background in accounting with his passion for financial planning as Gilbert & Cook’s Planning & Tax Strategist. His dedication to helping clients achieve financial success stems from his desire to make a lasting, positive impact on their lives and futures.
"At Gilbert & Cook, we often talk about offering a unique experience, and it’s true. What sets us apart is our team approach. Clients don’t just work with one Advisor – they have access to an entire ensemble of professionals. You get the full support of our team, which is something unique for a financial firm.”
Zach is a part of the Planning Department at Gilbert & Cook, where they take a collaborative approach when designing a client’s financial plan. “Our department works well together because we each have different backgrounds in finance and unique focus areas. We continuously collaborate as a team to create comprehensive financial plans.” In addition to working closely with his team, Zach partners closely with Advisors to ensure clients' goals are met. “We are always working together to make sure we understand what the client is looking for in a financial plan, as well as their short- and long-term goals.” As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Financial Planner TM practitioner, Zach understands how tax and financial planning can be pivotal to an individual’s financial plan. “Possessing the knowledge surrounding tax laws and financial planning opportunities is highly beneficial when putting together a comprehensive financial plan. It helps clients optimize their plan for long-term success.”
Quest to Grow and Improve is one of our core values, and Zach has fully embraced it. During his time at Gilbert & Cook, he has earned both the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation and the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) certification. "I wanted to find ways to better serve our clients, so I focused on areas where I could deepen my knowledge. Working with many business owners, I realized I could offer more value by earning my CEPA designation, as it’s essential for them to understand how to plan for the sale or succession of their business. When it came to divorce planning, I saw a need to support clients even more, which led me to pursue the CDFA certification. It allows me to help clients and their attorneys understand how today’s financial decisions can impact their future stability."
Building genuine relationships with clients reflects Zach’s commitment to both personal growth and serving others. As one of our core values, Genuine Relationships is at the heart of who we are, and Zach fully embodies this in his approach. For him, learning about a client’s needs and goals goes beyond just designing a financial plan. As Zach puts it, “It’s about getting to know the client and really hearing them. You are building a real relationship with them and connecting on a personal level.” By doing so, he’s able to offer guidance that is not only strategic but deeply meaningful, especially when helping clients navigate complex tax challenges or business succession.
In all that he does, Zach remains dedicated to fostering growth, both personally and financially, for those he works with. His passion for helping others live a life of abundance drives his approach, and his genuine care for his clients creates lasting relationships.
