/EINPresswire.com/ -- IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - March 15, 2016) -

• Index Fund Advisors announces the hiring of Daniel Chong and Neal Rutter as advisors, both of whom are based at the company headquarters in Irvine, California
• The hires precede the firm's appointment of Derick Kann, an advisor with two decades of experience, to lead IFA's new Austin, Texas office

Index Fund Advisors, Inc. (IFA), a fee-only advisory and wealth management firm based in Irvine, California, today announced a series of recent hires over the last quarter to support its ongoing growth. Daniel Chong and Neal Rutter have joined the IFA team as Wealth Advisors and are based at the company headquarters in Irvine, California. Derick Kann, the firm's most recent hire, is leading the firm's newly launched Austin location. 

The three advisors come to the firm with considerable wealth management experience. Daniel Chong is a Wealth Advisor and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with a Series 65 certification. Chong specializes in advising high net worth individuals as well as investment committees for institutions and retirement plan sponsors.

"What appealed to me most about Index Fund Advisors was the firm's commitment to educating clients on the dangers of trying to 'beat the markets,'" said Chong. "A sound and steady approach is critical to any investor who's interested not only in maintaining his or her wealth, but watching it grow. The advisors at IFA are experts at guiding clients through tumultuous markets, and I'm thrilled to be joining them."

Neal Rutter is a Wealth Advisor with a Series 65 certification and experience advising high net worth individuals, investment committees for endowments, as well as retirement plan sponsors. His passion for the fiduciary standard of care and for an evidence-based investment approach stems from his client-first mentality and former experiences working at a top-20 independent broker-dealer.

"More than anything, I was drawn to the firm's fee-based structure," said Rutter. "Acting in the best interest of the client is crucial to developing a long-term financial plan, and is fundamental to my approach as an advisor and I look forward to working with the IFA team to help our clients meet their retirement goals."

In addition to bolstering its team in the Irvine headquarters, IFA recently opened its newest location in the Southwest. Based in Austin, Texas, the location will be headed by another industry veteran, Derick Kann.

Kann brings to the firm two decades of experience in the financial services industry. He was most recently a senior wealth manager at USAA Wealth Management Services where he qualified for their top producer's Champion's Conference from 2013-2015. While at USAA, Derick specialized in providing financial planning to high net worth clients, with an emphasis on creating and preserving wealth and on family legacy planning.

Founded in 1999 with a commitment to optimized passive investing strategies, Index Fund Advisors has seen rapid growth in the last few years, with its assets under management more than doubling since 2010.

"Our dedication to index-based investing is unwavering, and we are committed to bringing on advisors who share in this mission," said Mark Hebner, Founder and President of Index Fund Advisors. "Daniel, Neal and Derick are not only highly knowledgeable, but use their expertise to convey sound, intelligible advice to their clients. We are incredibly pleased to have them on board."

About Index Fund Advisors 

Index Fund Advisors, Inc. (IFA) is a fee-only registered investment adviser and provider of fiduciary wealth services. IFA's investment strategy focuses on risk-appropriate, globally diversified index fund portfolios for high net worth individuals, institutions and corporate and nonprofit retirement plans. Founded in 1999, and headquartered in Irvine, CA, IFA provides advice to over 2,100 clients throughout the country and manages $2.74 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2015. For more information, please visit our website at www.ifa.com. 

Media Contacts:
FiComm Partners
Yani Pena 
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(917) 636-4804

Nabil Ashour
nabil.ashour@ficommpartners.com 
(917) 636-4801