What Is the Alliance of Comprehensive Planners (ACP)?

What ACP is

The Alliance of Comprehensive Planners was founded in the mid-1990s by Bert Whitehead and grew out of a specific philosophy of integrated planning: that taxes, investments, insurance, estate planning, and cash flow are not independent silos but a single household-level system that needs to be managed together. Member advisors complete a structured training program in this approach before being eligible for membership.

What ACP membership requires

Fee-only compensation. Members may not accept commissions or other third-party compensation tied to product sales.
Annual retainer pricing. ACP advisors charge a year-long retainer fee that covers a defined scope of services, typically including tax projection and tax return review, investment management, financial planning, and ongoing consultation.
Completion of ACP's training program in the integrated-planning approach.
Adherence to ACP's code of ethics and ongoing peer-review and continuing-education requirements.

What makes ACP advisors distinctive

ACP's tax orientation tends to show up in a few specific ways:

Tax return review every year. Members typically request and review your prior-year return as part of the engagement, looking for missed opportunities and risks.
Quarterly or annual tax projection. Modeling your current-year tax situation before year-end so any available opportunities (Roth conversions, harvesting, charitable bunching) can be acted on while there's still time.
CPA or EA credentials are common among ACP advisors, often paired with the CFP certification.
Coordination with your existing CPA if the advisor isn't one. ACP members are trained to work alongside tax preparers rather than around them.

Who ACP is well-suited for

ACP's integrated approach tends to be particularly valuable for households with:

Complex tax situations (multiple state residency, business ownership, equity compensation, charitable giving strategy)
Retirement transition planning that requires multi-year tax modeling (Roth conversion ladders, IRMAA management, capital-gains harvesting)
A preference for one team coordinating taxes, investments, and planning rather than multiple separate professionals

For households with simpler tax situations, the depth of the ACP model may be more than what's needed — and the retainer pricing reflects that depth.

How to verify ACP membership

ACP publishes a public "Find an Advisor" search at acplanners.org. Verify membership directly there.

Compare with other fee-only networks

NAPFA — the largest fee-only association; broader in pricing models and orientation than ACP.
XY Planning Network — fee-only with a subscription / retainer focus, more accessible price points.
Garrett Planning Network — fee-only, hourly billing.

Frequently asked questions

What does ACP stand for?

ACP stands for the Alliance of Comprehensive Planners. It's a small national association of fee-only advisors who charge an annual retainer and emphasize tax-focused, integrated planning.

Are ACP members fee-only?

Yes. ACP requires fee-only compensation. Members may not accept commissions, 12b-1 fees, or other third-party compensation.

What's distinctive about ACP advisors?

Two things. First, an annual retainer pricing model rather than AUM. Second, a strong tax orientation — many ACP members are also CPAs or EAs, and the planning approach treats tax projection and tax-return review as a core ongoing service rather than a once-a-year add-on.

How big is ACP?

ACP is intentionally small — typically around 150–200 member firms. The smaller size reflects the depth of training and the selective nature of membership.