Cereus Financial Advisors was started in 2015 by David Haas CFP® to help professionals and small business owners.
We specialize in college and retirement planning, investment management, and insurance.
David has been widely quoted in articles from USA Today, CNBC, and Investopedia.
Cereus Financial Advisors was named after the Night-Blooming Cereus, a rare and beautiful tropical plant.
The salad-plate size blooms only last a single night. The flower is known in Chinese as the Tan Hua flower and was featured in the film Crazy Rich Asians. David was given a cutting as a wedding gift 30 years ago and has been growing the plants ever since.
David Haas
CFP®, Owner
Cereus Financial Advisors’ owner, David Haas, works with professionals, business owners, and executives with financial planning and investment management.
David enjoys helping clients solve tough financial planning questions like “How can I send my children to college,” and “When should I retire,” so you can rest easy.
David entered financial planning and investment management in 2012 after a long career as an electrical and software engineer. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he received an MBA in Finance from Pace University. Before receiving his CFP® certification, David completed a Certificate in Financial Planning from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
David lives in Bergen County with his wife of 30 years and is an active volunteer of many organizations including the New York New Jersey Trail Conference, where he serves on the events committee, and the Rensselaer Alumni Association, where he is the Treasurer. He believes strongly in his profession and the need for continued education. Because of this, David is the 2021 chair of the education committee for the Financial Planning Association of New Jersey. David is also a proud graduate of Bergen Leads, a community leadership program from the Volunteer Center of Bergen County. David enjoys gardening, playing tennis, and hiking the wonderful trails in Northern New Jersey and the Hudson Valley.
Owner David Haas has undergone rigorous training and testing to become a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and is an active member of the Financial Planning Association® (FPA®). He also has the following qualifications:
- Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)
- Member, Financial Planning Association® (FPA®)
- Licensed for Life, Disability, Health, and Long-Term Care Insurance in multiple states
- M.B.A., Financial Management, Pace University
- Award for Outstanding Scholarship in Financial Management, Pace University
- Certificate in Financial Planning, Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Past Instructor, CFP® Certificate program, Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Member, Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce
- B.S., Electrical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
- Languages: English and German
“I value family. The most important thing we can provide ourselves and our family is long-term financial flexibility. This means attaining the wealth to withstand life’s risks.”
—David Haas CFP®
Mike Dunne
CFP®, Financial Advisor
Mike Dunne, CFP®, Financial Advisor, has extensive financial services industry experience. Prior to joining Cereus Financial Advisors, Mike spent over 30 years in the hedge fund and banking industries, with the last 15 years as the treasurer of a large hedge fund. A CPA and MBA, Mike attained CFP® certification in 2017 and joined David Haas at Cereus Financial Advisors in early 2018.
Before joining Cereus, Mike got years of first-hand experience in managing many of life’s financial planning challenges, having planned for and financed college, graduate school and medical school for his daughters, buying and managing a vacation home, saving and investing for retirement, and planning for the care of elderly relatives. He enjoys providing the benefits of his experience in helping clients plan for their financial goals.
In his spare time, Mike helps provide care and financial management for his elderly relatives, while enjoying travel, long-distance running, wine-making, reading and music.
- Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)
- MBA, Finance, New York University
- BBA, Accounting, Pace University
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Certificate in Financial Planning, Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Member, Financial Planning Association
- Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
- Member, Mahwah NJ Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Member, New York Road Runners
“One of my life goals is financial independence – having the time, flexibility and financial capability to do what you really want to do.”
—Mike Dunne CFP®
Christine Baldyga
Administrative Assistant
Christine joined Cereus in 2020 as an Administrative Assistant. An experienced CPA and auditor, she is currently studying for the CFP® certification.
Christine is currently pursuing her Certificate in Financial Planning and upon completion, intends to attain the CFP certification.
Prior to joining the firm, Christine held management positions in both Accounting and Internal Audit with a local commercial bank where she worked for over 25 years.
- BS, Accounting, Seton Hall University
- Certified Public Accountant
- Certified Internal Auditor
