Who We Are

James Tissot is a CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) Practitioner currently practicing in New York City, Westchester County and the Hudson Valley. In addition, Mr. Tissot has successfully completed his Series 7 and Series 63 examinations and has obtained his NYS license for life and health insurance. He is the President and founder of Prism Planning, Inc.; a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor.
 
Mr. Tissot pursued his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Michigan where he majored in Psychology and Philosophy. He came to a Financial Planning career due in large part to the AIDS crisis. To better assist a friend afflicted with HIV/AIDS, James started attending seminars offered at the Lesbian and Gay Center on financial planning for the disabled and terminally ill, sponsored by “Body Positive.” Whether through the love of a friend, passion of cause or assimilation of past business exposure, he found he had an acumen for this type of work. He then went back to school to gain the formal education to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. 

Mr. Tissot gained his Certificate of Financial Planning through New York University while simultaneously taking further financial courses at SUNY. He serves as the Chair of the FPANY Board of Directors. In addition, he served on the CLRC for the National FPA; a liaison committee between the National Board and chapters leaders. In his former position as Director of Career Development, he initiated a “CFP® Education Program,” providing a resource center and supplemental exam preparation to the CFP® candidates. He is a member of the PridePlanners Association and continues his pro bono work with those with HIV/AIDS. He frequently conducts seminars on non-traditional family planning and was recently retained by the Episcopal Church Pension Groupin that area.

In addition to his practice, he is an editor and instructor for Keir Educational Resources, a publisher of financial education materials. In that position he writes materials for as well as teaches live reviews for the CFP® Certification Examination. He has edited books on financial calculators and writes and edits materials for all FINRA Series exams. These activities keep him current of all regulatory and tax changes.

Eli Newsom works with the firm's clients in the development of comprehensive Financial Life Plans, and tends to the general day-to-day operation of the business.  He attended Boston University for his studies in Financial Planning, successfully passed the esteemed CFP® Certification Exam (Certified Financial Planner), and is a graduate of the Kinder Institute of Life Planning's Advanced Training program, which focuses on the holistic side of financial planning.  For more info on our life planning process, click here.   

Eli transitioned from the world of professional theater, where he worked as a singer/actor/dancer, teacher, and Artistic Director of a successful non-profit musical theater company in San Francisco. His experience in both the world of finance and the performing arts community has created a strong foundation of the analytical/math skills and inter-personal/coaching aspects that are at the heart of Financial Planning.

Outside of the office, he enjoys attending theater, traveling, taking yoga classes, and is the creator of a popular instructional tap dance DVD series aimed at adults with no previous experience. Eli is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPANY) and Actors' Equity Association.

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