Darren Zagarola, CFP®, CPA, PFS

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Certified Public Accountant and Personal Financial Specialist, Darren has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. His independent approach gives clients confidence that his service and recommendations are free from conflict. He is also a strong advocate of socially responsible, values-driven investing, and educates people on how they can build an investment strategy in line with their personal values.

Darren is a principal and senior wealth advisor with Access Wealth, as well as its affiliate EKS Associates. Prior to this, he gained valuable financial and client service experience as the Director of Internal Audit of a multi-national manufacturing firm and as an audit manager at Ernst & Young.

Accomplishments

• Twelve-year Five Star Wealth Manager award winner (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
• Published and quoted in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, New York Daily News, Market Watch, CNBC.com, ConsumerReports.org, NJMoneyHelp.com, and many other publications
• Interviewed on numerous television and radio financial and investment programs

Community Involvement

• Treasurer of the Princeton Adult School Executive Board
• Past President of the Board of Directors of Princeton Adult School
• Member of numerous committees at Princeton Adult School
• Recurring educator at Princeton Adult School, teaching a variety of financial planning and investment courses
• Volunteer presenter to community and resource centers (including Princeton Senior Resource Center), non-profit and religious groups, and businesses
• Supporter and sponsor of Cranford Jaycees, as well as other community organizations, fundraisers, and events

Darren is a member of the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce as well as a number of professional associations. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from King’s College, later obtained his CFP^® designation from the College for Financial Planning, and completed the Financial Planning Program at Fairleigh Dickinson University. In addition, he earned the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation, which is only granted to CPAs who meet stringent requirements of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).