Cetera Welcomes Cynthia Doussard and Her Financial Team After 24 Years with Commonwealth Financial Network
Cetera Financial Group has announced the addition of renowned Financial Advisor Cynthia Doussard and her team from Doussard Financial, who collectively manage approximately $235 million in assets under administration (AUA). This move is significant as Doussard brings with her nearly three decades of experience within the financial services sector, having spent the last 24 years at Commonwealth Financial Network. Doussard, along with her two support staff members and a third team member who is in the process of obtaining her securities license, will now be part of Cetera's Summit Financial Networks, an ecosystem designed to foster growth and personal client relationships.
Doussard's practice, based in Burlington, Washington, has thrived primarily through referrals, especially from the local oil refinery community. Her expertise focuses on retirement income planning, which includes providing guidance on pension and 401(k) rollovers—services that are crucial for clients entering or currently in their retirement phase.
Cynthia emphasized the fundamental principles of her business approach, stating, "People just want someone to treat them fairly – they want to be able to trust someone, and we do most of our client work face to face. That’s the way I like to do business. They can pop in any time, and if there’s something they need, we’ll take care of it.” Such personalized service and accessibility have been the backbone of her practice, creating a trust-based relationship with her clientele.
Until recently, Doussard was fully committed to Commonwealth and wasn't actively looking for a transition. However, following the announcement of Commonwealth's acquisition by LPL Financial, she found herself grappling with a significant change in her professional landscape. "If Commonwealth wouldn’t have sold to LPL, I never would have left," Doussard articulated, reflecting on her position within a company she had been dedicated to for over two decades.
Doussard’s methodical search for a new partner that could deliver the same level of personal service she had come to expect during her time at Commonwealth led her to explore numerous options in the industry. Over the course of a year, she received multiple inquiries from prospective firms but chose to exercise patience in finding the right fit.
After observing her colleagues at Commonwealth successfully transition to Cetera, Doussard was drawn to the mutual support and collaborative spirit they exemplified. She felt Cetera could uphold the level of responsiveness and personal service that was crucial to her practice. "As advisors, we're the client, and I see Cetera wanting to support us and take care of what we need, while leaving the business decisions up to me. That's what I wanted after leaving Commonwealth," she noted.
Tom Halloran, the Cetera Advisor Channel Leader, expressed excitement about Doussard joining the Cetera family, stating, "Cynthia has earned the trust of tough blue-collar workers whose financial means come from doing difficult and dangerous jobs. The faith those clients put in Cynthia and her team is remarkable, and we’re honored she chose Cetera to support her with her client-service mission."
Cetera is known as a premier financial advisor network, offering independent advisors and institutions personalized support, flexible affiliation models, and comprehensive growth solutions. With a community-centric approach and modern technological integration, Cetera empowers around 12,000 financial professionals to scale and transition their businesses on their terms. As of mid-2026, Cetera's firms manage close to $688 billion in assets under administration and boast a strong client satisfaction score of 4.7 out of 5 based on over 50,000 advisor reviews.
In light of the ongoing changes in the financial advisory landscape, Doussard's transition to Cetera exemplifies how advisors can seek partnerships that align with their professional values, ensuring they continue to deliver top-tier service to their clients. It's a notable shift that not only enhances Doussard's operational capabilities but also reinforces Cetera's commitment to fostering an environment where advisors can thrive, innovate, and most importantly, serve their clients effectively.