Michael V. DiNuzzo

Michael V. DiNuzzo is the Senior Vice President (SVP), Principal, and Risk Management Team Leader of DiNuzzo Private Wealth, Inc., d/b/a DiNuzzo Wealth Management which has operated as an SEC Registered Investment Advisor since 1989 and currently manages $842 million in assets under management as of December 31, 2022.  Michael (Mike) joined DiNuzzo Wealth Management in 2007 serving in the Financial Planning department as an intern until 2010 when he joined the firm full-time and was promoted to Financial Wellness LifeCoach.

Mike has been awarded the prestigious multi-year designation as a FIVE STAR Wealth Manager.  The award is given to wealth managers in Pittsburgh and across the U.S. who satisfy key client criteria and score the highest in overall client satisfaction.

Mike’s objective was to join a firm that uses a ‘team’ approach in making recommendations to solve for what lies in the best interest of its clients.  Mike firmly believes that investment philosophy, world class research, disciplined asset allocation models, and especially fiduciary responsibility are necessary for a successful client relationship.  Mike continuously demonstrates the critical elements for client satisfaction and success in the fields of Wealth and Risk Management.

Mike received his BA (Bachelor of Arts Degree) from Duquesne University and is a member of the Duquesne University Alumni Association.  In 2016, Mike successfully completed his Master of Science Degree in Financial Planning (MSFP) from Bentley University in Boston, MA.  Mike is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).  In addition, Mike has held his Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation through The American College of Financial Services since 2013. 

Michael has earned the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional CFP® designation granted by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. in 2013.  The CFP^® certification is a voluntary certification; no federal or state law or regulation requires financial planners to hold CFP^® certification.  It is recognized in the United States and a number of other countries for its (1) high standard of professional education; (2) stringent code of conduct and standards of practice; and (3) ethical requirements that govern professional engagements with clients.   

In 2014, Mike was awarded the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) Designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies™, the standards-setting body for fi360.  The AIF® designation certifies that the recipient has specialized knowledge of fiduciary standards of care and their application to the investment management process.  The AIF® designation includes an agreement to abide by the AIF Code of Ethics.  In order to maintain the AIF® designation, the individual must annually renew their affirmation of the AIF Code of Ethics and complete continuing education credits.                                                                                                                                                                   

Mike has been interviewed and quoted in the U.S. News & World Report and The Huffington Post (both articles may be accessed on our website under "In the News"), as well as, USA Today, Yahoo! News, MarketWatch, Investor’s Business Daily, Bankrate and Private Wealth magazine.

The Five Star Wealth Manager award, administered by Crescendo Business Services, LLC (dba Five Star Professional), is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by Five Star Professional, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. Once awarded, wealth managers may purchase additional profile ad space or promotional products. The Five Star award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their client’s assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Five Star Professional or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future. For more information on the Five Star award and the research/selection methodology, go to fivestarprofessional.com. 1,779 Pittsburgh-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 248 (14% of candidates) were named 2022 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2021: 1,814 considered, 233 winners; 2020: 1,886 considered, 224 winners; 2019: 1,667 considered, 251 winners; 2018: 1,653 considered, 227 winners; 2017: 1,133 considered, 277 winners. 2016: 1,064 considered,423 winners; 2015: 1,494 considered, 442 winners; 2014: 1,721 considered, 458 winners; 2013: 1,777 considered, 545 winners; 2012: 1,863 considered, 493 winners.