Sterling Wealth Management provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, portfolio management for institutions, selecting other managers, estate planning, insurance, retirement plan services, and tax planning. Financial planning was provided to 1–10 clients last fiscal year.
Sterling Wealth Management reports 240 clients. They include 131 high-net-worth individuals, 103 individual clients and 3 charitable organizations. Of its assets, 100.0% ($495M across 737 accounts) are managed with discretion. It advised 4 clients without assets under management last fiscal year.
| Client type | Clients | Assets |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 43% | 7% |
| High-net-worth individuals | 55% | 83% |
| Charitable organizations | 1% | 7% |
| Corporations and other businesses | 1% | 4% |
Client breakdown and activity details
| Client type | Clients | Regulatory AUM | AUM share | Avg. per client |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 103 | $34.7M | 7.0% | $337K |
| High-net-worth individuals | 131 | $409M | 82.7% | $3.12M |
| Charitable organizations | 3 | $32.9M | 6.6% | $11M |
| Corporations and other businesses | 3 | $18M | 3.6% | $6M |
| Total | 240 | $495M | 100% | $2.06M |
- Clients
- 103
- Regulatory AUM
- $34.7M
- AUM share
- 7.0%
- Avg. per client
- $337K
- Clients
- 131
- Regulatory AUM
- $409M
- AUM share
- 82.7%
- Avg. per client
- $3.12M
- Clients
- 3
- Regulatory AUM
- $32.9M
- AUM share
- 6.6%
- Avg. per client
- $11M
- Clients
- 3
- Regulatory AUM
- $18M
- AUM share
- 3.6%
- Avg. per client
- $6M
Total
- Clients
- 240
- Regulatory AUM
- $495M
- AUM share
- 100%
- Avg. per client
- $2.06M
- Clients outside the U.S.
- 0%
- Clients advised without assets under management last fiscal year
- 4
- Private funds advised
- 0
- Financial planning clients last fiscal year
- 1–10
Sterling Wealth Management charges 0.50%–1.00% a year for its Wealth Management Services. The fee is billed in arrears and is negotiable. The brochure also prices one other service, listed under fee details.
Fee details and sources
Other fees
- Financial Consulting
- Financial consulting is billed at an hourly rate, $250 an hour for a Certified Financial Planner, or as a flat fee based on that rate.
Sharon Allen owns 75% or more of Sterling Wealth Management. Sharon Allen is CEO; the leadership team includes President Martin Allen. It has 7 employees.
Leadership
- Sharon AllenChief Executive Officer, Chief Compliance Officer
- Martin AllenChief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President
Investment adviser representatives
8 representatives listed in the SEC register as of 9 October 2026.
Staff
- 7 employees
- 7 in advisory functions
- 7 state-registered reps
- 2 soliciting firms
- Owns 75% or more of Sterling Wealth Management, Inc.
Sharon Allen
Control person · since July 2004
Sterling Wealth Management’s regulatory assets grew 2.3× from $217M (July 2021) to $495M (March 2026); clients rose from 164 to 240 and employees from 6 to 7.
Figures from each annual filing
| Filed | Regulatory AUM | Clients | Employees | Offices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | $495M | 240 | 7 | 1 |
| March 2025 | $429M | 232 | 10 | 1 |
| March 2024 | $361M | 203 | 10 | 1 |
| March 2023 | $283M | 181 | 10 | 1 |
| March 2022 | $306M | 186 | 7 | 1 |
| July 2021 | $217M | 164 | 6 | 2 |
Besides its headquarters, Sterling Wealth Management has 0 offices, with 1 listed address in Illinois.
Illinois · 1 listed address
- 301 N. Neil Street, Suite 203, ChampaignHQ
Contact and registration details
- Legal name
- Sterling Wealth Management, Inc.
- Headquarters
- 301 N. Neil Street, Suite 203, Champaign, IL 61820
- Website
- sterlingwealthmanagement.com
- Phone
- 217-398-1900
- SEC file
- 801-112948
- Founded
- 2004
- Structure
- Illinois corporation
- Fiscal year end
- December
Sterling Wealth Management uses Charles Schwab ($483M) as custodian for its separately managed accounts. Sterling Wealth Management has custody of $3.04M in client assets for 10 clients.
- Charles SchwabCharles Schwab & Co., Inc. · Westlake, TX · $483M100%
At year end, Sterling Wealth Management’s separately managed accounts were mostly in funds (82%) and stocks (12%). Its reported 13F holdings for the quarter ended 30 June 2026 total $402M across 116 positions; the largest are Vanguard Index Fds (11.0%), Dimensional ETF Trust (7.0%) and Dimensional ETF Trust (6.5%).
What the accounts hold
- Stocks12%
- Funds82%
- Bonds1%
- Cash4%
- Other2%
- Various fixed income2%
Reported 13F holdings
- $402M
- Reported 13F value
- 116
- Positions
- 59.2%
- In the 10 largest
- +10.4%
- Value vs. prior quarter
- Vanguard Index Fds · Total Stk Mkt11.0%
- Dimensional ETF Trust · US High Prof ETF7.0%
- Dimensional ETF Trust · Core Fixe IN ETF6.5%
- Dimensional ETF Trust · US Targeted Vlu6.3%
- Dimensional ETF Trust · Ultr Fix Inc. ETF6.3%
- Vanguard Tax-managed Fds · Van FTSE Dev Mkt5.0%
- Dimensional ETF Trust · Emgr Cre EQT Mng4.8%
- Dimensional ETF Trust · Shor Dur Fix ETF4.6%
- Dimensional ETF Trust · US Larg Valu ETF3.8%
- Dimensional ETF Trust · US Mktwide Value3.8%
Together, the ten largest are 59.2% of reported value.
How many clients does Sterling Wealth Management have?
Sterling Wealth Management has 240 clients and manages $495 million for them, as of March 2026. They include 131 high-net-worth individuals, 103 individual clients and 3 charitable organizations.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.D and 5.F, filed 26 March 2026
What services does Sterling Wealth Management offer?
Sterling Wealth Management provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, portfolio management for institutions, selecting other managers, estate planning, insurance, retirement plan services, and tax planning.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.G, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file; Part 2A brochure, Item 4
How much does Sterling Wealth Management charge?
Sterling Wealth Management charges 0.50%–1.00% a year for its Wealth Management Services. The fee is billed in arrears and is negotiable.
Source: SWM ADV 2A, filed 26 March 2026
Which custodians does Sterling Wealth Management use?
Sterling Wealth Management’s separately managed account assets are held at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Westlake, TX), with $483M. Only custodians holding at least a tenth of those assets are named.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedule D, Section 5.K.(3), filed 26 March 2026
How many financial advisors does Sterling Wealth Management have?
Sterling Wealth Management has 7 investment adviser representatives registered with state securities authorities, out of 7 employees, and 7 perform investment advisory functions. None are registered representatives of a broker-dealer or licensed insurance agents.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.A and 5.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
What does Sterling Wealth Management invest in?
At the end of its last fiscal year, Sterling Wealth Management’s separately managed accounts held 82% registered funds (mutual funds, ETFs, BDCs), 12% exchange-traded equities, 4% cash and equivalents, 2% other and 1% investment grade corporate bonds. The 2% other category is described as: Various Fixed Income.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.K.(1) and 7.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Who owns Sterling Wealth Management?
Sterling Wealth Management’s direct owner is Sharon Allen (75% or more).
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedules A and B, filed 26 March 2026
How does Sterling Wealth Management get paid?
Sterling Wealth Management is paid through a percentage of assets under management, hourly charges and fixed fees. Its Form ADV lists no commissions or performance-based fees among how it is paid.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.E, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
How do I contact Sterling Wealth Management?
Sterling Wealth Management’s main office is at 301 N. Neil Street, Suite 203, Champaign, IL 61820. Its phone number is 217-398-1900. Its website is sterlingwealthmanagement.com.