Kate Kostenko CPA, CFP®

As a financial planner, I am passionate about designing an efficient and effective financial path for my clients that helps them reach their life goals given their personal and financial circumstances. I love making a positive difference in the lives of real people with real families and helping them feel in control of their finances.

Kate Kostenko, CPA, CFP®

Born: Russia, 1984

Family: Husband: Tim. Kids: Eli, Daniel, Victoria

Education & Accreditations:

B.S. Business Administration in Accounting, Southern Oregon University (Ashland, OR)
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – State of Oregon 2014
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) – 2018

Prior Professional Experience:

Ashland Partners & Company LLP
Practice Financial Group, LLC

Joined PFG: 

September 2016

What do you enjoy most about wealth management?

What I enjoy the most is knowing that every day, with every interaction, I get to make a positive difference in someone’s financial life today and for generations to come. Earning income and building wealth are two very different things. Most people have limited financial resources and need help and guidance to generate wealth. That’s where I come in. Together with my clients, we design a financial path for them that helps them reach their life goals and gives them financial peace today. Helping people is what I truly enjoy about my profession!

What do you love most about Practice Financial Group?

The people! PFG culture is founded on principles of integrity, service, excellence, personal and professional growth and improvement, but above all – putting people first. It is truly a blessing to be part of the PFG team, where everyone sincerely cares and wants to help each other and our clients.

Other than to pay bills, why is PFG in business?

We are here to help real families make their lives better. We take care of a substantial and vital part of their responsibilities – the “everything finance” part. It is a huge burden off their shoulders, allowing them to spend their time on things they value – their marriages, kids, service to others, making a difference in the world, etc.

What do you do at PFG?

I am a financial coach. Just like in sports, I create a game plan for my clients to reach the end goal of financial independence where they are free to spend their time however they want. There are multiple plays and steps along the way that we guide our clients through. My clients come to me with financial issues that have been weighing them down or goals they fear they would never be able to realize. It brings me the most joy when we are able to come up with a plan to tackle those issues and reach those goals and ultimately change our clients lives for the better.

What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?

None of them would be possible without the support and help of my family. They endured my long and grueling studies to earn the highest designations in the financial realm – Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®).

What strengths of yours make you suited for what you do?

I love numbers. I remember taking a math test in college and one of the problems was written funny, so I smiled. The professor then told me I was the only student he had ever seen in his career smile during a math test. Also, I am a hard worker and excel at anything I set my mind on. At one point, I almost became a professional musician, playing the Russian folk guitar! But most importantly, I love to make the lives of those around me better.

What are your interests outside of work?

My #1 favorite is RVing around the country and exploring national parks with my husband and three kids. Also hiking, gardening, reading business books (when I have a spare minute), and attending my kids’ baseball/basketball games.

What personal accomplishments are you most proud of?

I was in my second year of college in Russia when I decided to do the bravest thing I have ever done (to date) and come to the U.S. as an exchange student with only a backpack. I worked really hard to get where I am today and thank God and all the people who helped me along the way! I have been blessed in many ways. My family – my husband and three kids – is my biggest blessing of all.