Qualifications & Awards
DeFilippis Financial Group® was founded by Stephen W. DeFilippis in 1983, beginning with offering tax services to clients in Chicago’s western suburbs. In 1986, Steve attained the status of Enrolled Agent (EA), a designation given to a federally-authorized tax practitioner who is empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before all administrative levels of the Internal Revenue Service. The EA designation is the only designation in the tax industry that is awarded by the IRS.
In 1987, Steve realized his clients would benefit from receiving wealth management advice from someone who already knew their tax backgrounds, so he became licensed to offer investment advice in 1987, and shortly thereafter, licensed to offer insurance services as well. Since adding wealth management to the DeFilippis Financial Group® practice, Steve has consistently been recognized by his broker-dealer as a top financial advisor, acknowledging his unwavering commitment to his clients’ financial well being.
Steve has been quoted in numerous publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, MONEY, Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, Forbes, USA Today, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, and Daily Herald. He has appeared on radio and television, most recently as a panelist on Tax Talk Today. Steve also has contributed to online news sources including FOX Business, CNNMoney.com and Yahoo Finance.
He was twice named one of "The 100 Most Influential People in Accounting" by Accounting Today and was a member of the prestigious IRS' Commissioner's Advisory Group (CAG) from 1993 to 1995. In 2015 Mr. DeFilippis had the honor of being one of eight individuals appointed to the Illinois Tax Return Preparation Task Force. Steve is the author of Non-Filer? Quick-Filer! For Individuals, and has authored several articles for The Journal of the National Association of Enrolled Agents.
In recognition of excellent service and support to his clients, Mr. DeFilippis was named to Cetera Financial Specialists LLC's President's Council in 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Steve is a current member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) and Illinois Society of Enrolled Agents (ILSEA). He served on NAEA's Board of Directors from 1990 to 1994, and during this time Chaired NAEA's Government Relations and Public Information Committees. He served ILSEA as its President from 1990 to 1992 and represented ILSEA on the IRS' Illinois District Director's Liaison Committee from 1989 to 1997.
Steve has lectured to members of ILSEA, other tax professionals and the general public. He is a former part-time faculty member at College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL where he taught Federal Taxation I.
*Recognition from rating services or publications is no guarantee of future investment success. Working with a highly rated advisor does not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client nor are they representative of any one client’s evaluations. Listing in this publication is not a guarantee of future Investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client.
