Sarah Chen, CFP®
Certified Financial Planner · IRA Research Hub Expert Reviewer
Credentials & Expertise
Sarah Chen holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation, awarded by the CFP Board of Standards — the gold standard credential in financial planning. She has 12 years of experience advising clients on retirement planning, with a specialization in self-directed IRA strategies including Gold IRA and Cryptocurrency IRA accounts.
CFP® Certification
Certified Financial Planner designation from the CFP Board of Standards. Requires 6,000+ hours of financial planning experience, rigorous examination, and ongoing continuing education.
Self-Directed IRA Specialist
12 years advising clients on SDIRA strategies, including Gold IRA rollovers, Crypto IRA account selection, and alternative asset allocation within retirement portfolios.
Regulatory Compliance
Deep familiarity with IRS rules governing self-directed IRAs, prohibited transactions, required minimum distributions, and custodian compliance requirements.
Independent Review Process
Reviews all IRA Research Hub provider reviews and guides for factual accuracy, regulatory compliance, and fair representation of fees, risks, and product features.
Review Process
As IRA Research Hub's expert reviewer, Sarah reviews all provider reviews, comparison pages, and financial guides for accuracy and compliance before publication. Her review process covers:
- ✓Verification of fee data against provider disclosures and SEC filings
- ✓Review of regulatory status (FINRA, SEC, state licensing) for all featured providers
- ✓Accuracy of IRS rules, contribution limits, and RMD information
- ✓Fair and balanced representation of provider strengths and weaknesses
- ✓Identification of any content that could be construed as personalized financial advice
Editorial Independence
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sarah Chen's background?
Sarah Chen is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with 12 years of experience in retirement planning, self-directed IRAs, and alternative asset strategies.
Does Sarah Chen provide personal financial advice?
No. The content on IRA Research Hub is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice.
How does Sarah review providers?
Sarah uses our proprietary 40-point methodology to evaluate providers on fees, security, customer service, and platform usability.
Top IRA Providers Compared
| Provider | Best For | Min. Investment | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| BlockTrust IRA | Crypto IRA | No Minimum | 0.14% - 0.4% |
| Genesis Gold Group | Gold IRA | $10,000 | Varies |
| iTrustCapital | Low Fees | $1,000 | 1% Trade Fee |