Who We Are

Thomas J. McCarthy is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional and a licensed attorney with over twenty-five years of experience in the areas of taxes, investments and estate planning.  Tom is the founder and principal of McCarthy Financial Planning (MFP), a Fee-Only financial planning and advisory practice with offices in Somerville, Massachusetts, and York, Maine.
 
In 2004, Tom became a member of The Garrett Planning Network (GPN), a nationwide network of professional, Fee-Only financial advisors.  GPN members are dedicated to providing independent, objective financial advice to people from all walks of life.  Nationally recognized Certified Financial Planner™ professional, Sheryl Garrett, founded GPN to further her vision of making competent, Fee-Only financial advice accessible to all people.
 
Many financial advisors accept clients only if they meet certain income and net worth requirements. Tom and his fellow GPN members believe, however, that professional, untarnished financial advice is something all Americans need, at least periodically, to build the brightest financial futures.  Holding to this philosophy, Tom is proud to offer the same quality, professional advice to all clients, not just the affluent.  If you simply need a one-time or periodic consultation, he is happy to meet with you on an as-needed, hourly basis.  On the other hand, if you need ongoing advice and more time-intensive services, it might make sense for you to employ Tom and his firm on a retainer basis.
 
After graduating from Tufts University with a BA in Economics, Tom began his career with the Internal Revenue Service in 1977.  He worked as a Special Agent with the Criminal Investigation Division until 1984 while also pursuing a law degree at night.  Upon graduation from Suffolk University Law School and passing the Massachusetts bar exam in 1984, he joined the tax department at the international accounting firm of Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co.  From 1987 until 1995, Tom headed the mutual fund tax departments at Putnam Investments and Investors Bank and Trust Company.  He decided to strike out on his own in 1995 when he hung out his shingle as an attorney and tax professional.  A graduate of the Financial Planning Program at Boston University, Tom received his Certified Financial Planner™ certification in 1998. He is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and the United States Tax Court.  He is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), The Garrett Planning Network (GPN), National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), and National Society of Accountants (NSA).
 
Tom lives with his wife, Lynne, and their five year old son, Tommy, in York Beach, Maine. Lynne is the owner and operator of a “Cruise Planners” franchise (SailAwayCruisePlanners.com), an award winning travel agency that specializes in cruises. They love traveling; going to the beach; watching the Red Sox, Patriots and Little Tykes Soccer; reading; running; cycling and all things Spiderman. Tom has completed marathons in Boston, Dublin, Washington DC, Jacksonville, New York City and Disneyworld.
 
 
 
CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ are certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
 
 
©2010 McCarthy Financial Planning. All rights reserved.