Monica M. Garver CPA, CFP®, AIFA®

Monica M. Garver, CPA, CFP®, AIFA®

Director of Retirement Plan Services and Financial Strategist

Monica serves as the firm's director of Retirement Plan Services, working with the executive team to oversee all retirement plan services/components and their delivery to our Retirement Plan clients. Additionally, Monica works as a financial strategist in the Johnstown office where she provides her wealth management clients with unbiased advice that seeks to help them reach their life goals. She also serves on McKinley Carter's Investment Services Council (ISC), which oversees the design, communication and implementation of our comprehensive investment programs.

Licensing and Education

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional
Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®)
Accredited Investment Fiduciary Auditor (AIFA®)
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) - Retired
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Bachelor of Science in Accounting Duquesne University

Accomplishments and Honors

With over 35 years of experience in financial planning and investment management, Monica was selected as an AIF® Item Writer in 2020, which means she is a contributor to the Accredited Investment Fiduciary certification program based on merit. In 2022, Monica was selected for a position on the Scheme Commission for the AIF® designation program based on merit. Scheme Commission (SC) Members meet regularly to review and make recommendations to all aspects of the certification scheme including the scope, requirements for initial and ongoing certification, Code of Ethics, Conduct Standards and criteria for withdrawing certification. She may serve up to a maximum of four two-year terms on the SC. Monica is also a recipient of Pittsburgh Magazine’s “Five Star Wealth Manager Award.”

Community Involvement

Monica has been on several boards within the community; she is a former treasurer to the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra.

Selected Resources

Monica’s Articles

Nonprofits

The IPS: Understanding Nonprofit Fiduciary Responsibility

In the world of nonprofit governance, fiduciary responsibility is one of the most crucial obligations for board members and finance committees. Fiduciary standards of loyalty and care are fundamental to protecting the organization’s financial health and mission. A key tool in managing these responsibilities is the Investment Policy Statement (IPS). This document serves as the blueprint for how a nonprofit manages, monitors, and evaluates its investment portfolio in alignment with its goals. Learn more

Retirement Plans

Lessons from Beneficiary Designations Gone Bad

The importance of reviewing all beneficiary designations is best told by actual stories of beneficiary designations gone bad. We asked those who handle corporate retirement plans, and particularly the processing of beneficiary claims, about beneficiary designations gone bad. Here's what they shared about bad situations left behind for unsuspecting heirs to navigate.

Retirement Plans

Department of Labor takes a 180 Degree Turn on ESG Investing

Review a summary of key updates from the Department of Labor as it regards Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) investing.

View All

A women smiling in an office, meeting with a client.

Expect to Leave Invigorated.

Every conversation with McKinley Carter is an energizing experience, an opportunity to take your financial instincts and confidence to the next level—starting with the very first one.