Good morning. I’m not sure how to begin. Let’s start at the beginning. September 7, 2023. 924 days ago. A day that changed my life forever. I launched Financial Guardians. As I joke with so many, I launched Financial Guardians out of anger and spite after a kitchen fire. My goal was to improve security in the financial services industry. And oh my gosh, did we. The entire Financial Guardians community is just shy of 10, 000 people. We have issued hundreds of hours of continuing education credit. Lead in-person sessions totaling over 25,000 people. And we designed the most comprehensive WISP in the industry. My gosh, we have done a lot in 2 ½ years.
And along the way, something changed. The threats are no longer just malicious external actors or internal human errors; threats now come from technology providers with deceptive marketing and broken processes, from social media posts promoting misinformation and watered-down non-compliance, and from deploying technologies (such as AI and automation) without a thorough understanding of their impact. The people claiming to help the industry are actually causing harm.
In other words, the battle has broadened. Cybersecurity, data security, and data privacy are significantly more complicated than people realize; pretending it isn’t only lowers defenses and increases risk. As the landscape of security has changed, my focus must shift as well. Effective April 30, 2026, I will be shutting down Financial Guardians. I will continue to provide support calls and individual assistance to our members through then; you all have truly become an amazing part of my life and I truly value all of you. Please be looking for an e-mail to discuss some final offerings as we wind things down.
What does this mean for the industry? Honestly, after weeks of serious anguish and internal struggles, this has been my hardest question. Please seek out qualified individuals; people who will take you and your client data seriously, not just try to check a box or keep you minimally compliant. After working with over a hundred firms who experienced breaches in the past, I am sincere in stating I never want to see your name on that list. I wish I had a referral, or an organization or person I could reference, but this is such a niche topic that it is challenging to do so. Please find a security advisor, not just a technology generalist, who can work with your firm and your specific needs.
That leaves the only question left. What is next for Brad? Let’s start by discussing my spirit movie, Legally Blonde. Yes, you heard it correctly. Elle Woods. The thing I love about this movie is that every time Elle faces an obstacle or challenge, she doesn’t quit. Instead, she would push herself, find a solution, and elevate herself. In doing so, she surrounded herself by an amazing ragtag team of unique people. Well, let’s just say there are now two things I have in common with Elle Woods. To add to the similarities, I am so excited and nervous to announce that I have been accepted into Law Schol. I will be pursuing a course of studies focused on cybersecurity law and data privacy.
At the core of cybersecurity is data privacy. Every person has the right to control and determine who has access to their data. Software developers, accounting firms, or other organizations who have access to critical data and do not take appropriate measures to protect it are robbing individuals of their right to privacy every day. They need called out. They need held accountable. And that is what I intend to do. Protect privacy and fight for larger, boarder, more comprehensive data protection laws.
I do want to be very clear that my efforts with education, my firm Messner & Fox, and Incite – the most amazing online community tax professionals- will continue and grow.
In closing, I will be sending out a few pieces of communication. But please know that this is not good-bye. My resolve has actually never been stronger. I will be taking a step back from social media as I focus on my health and my new journey. Don’t be shy to reach out.
And if you couldn’t see the tears a few times as I shared here today, know that the security of your firms and the overall security of this industry continues to be my passion and my increased concern.
With that, thank you all so much for the last 924 days and I look forward to the next several weeks working with each one of you. Thank you, and this is Brad logging off.
Financial Guardians is a proud member of InCite, the recently launched online community exclusively for tax professionals, bookkeepers, and accountants. InCite members receive a 30% discount.
Financial Guardians has partnered with the California Society of Tax Consultants to provide a 30% access discount as well as many other offers. More info can be found at www.cstcsociety.org
