Raymond Nikkel, AIF®, has been affiliated with North Compass Financial Advisors LLC since 1990. Mr Nikkel began his financial services career in 1987 selling investments as a Registered Representative with First American National Securities and also became licensed to sell Life Insurance. Mr Nikkel was also responsible for hiring and training other investment representatives for the company as well as overseeing and managing their progress. In 1990, following a number of successive promotions, Mr Nikkel left the company as a Regional Vice President to Join Dale Anich as a co-founder of North Compass Financial Advisors, Inc. a Registered Investment Advisor, specializing in the area of asset allocation, and portfolio management.
As an Investment Advisor, Ray transitioned from commission-based compensation to fee-only investment services and portfolio management. This fee-based compensation model is considered by many as being more in the client’s interest and minimizes potential conflict of interest. Ray’s clients included middle and upper-middle-class families throughout Minnesota. Ray’s clients also include corporate 401(k), pension, and profit sharing plans.
The fiduciary model embraced by North Compass Financial Advisors led Ray to earn the Accredited Investment Fiduciary designation in 2016 from the Center for Fiduciary Studies in association with the Center for Executive Education, Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh. Along with serving individuals and families, Mr Nikkel consults with business owners on corporate Qualified Plans. These responsibilities include plan selection, reviews of investment selection, monitoring, and participant education. Additionally, Ray serves as Vice-President and Chairman of North Compass Financial Advisors, LLC Investment Committee. This work includes due diligence, model portfolio development, investment selection and monitoring.
Mr Nikkel also has a strong background and experience in the area of estate planning. He has 30 years of experience assisting his clients in areas of asset allocation and portfolio management, and also in constructing financial and estate plans that will pass those hard-earned assets onto the next generation as efficiently as possible.
Ray has been the guest speaker and conducted many seminars through the years regarding asset allocation, portfolio management, risk management, as well as estate planning to both personal and corporate clientele.
Ray measures his professional achievements by that of his clients and their financial success, and he measures his personal success in having a wonderful wife, amazing children, awesome grandchildren, great friends, and a God that continues to bless. Ray is married to Laura Nikkel. Ray and Laura enjoy many outdoor sports such as fishing, hunting, golfing, tennis, and horseback riding. Ray and Laura attend Grace Bible Chapel, are blessed with 8 children and 15 Grandchildren. Ray is also very active in his community and acts as chairman of the board for the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum and Discovery Center.