Laughlin Financial LLC is a registered investment adviser, providing investment and financial planning on a fee-only basis with a model based on advice, not sales. The firm works with clients of all types, situations, and circumstances.

John Laughlin, CPA/PFS, CFP® is the founder and president of Laughlin Financial LLC. John started the firm in 2012 to provide advice on a platform that is not only independent and transparent but flexible to handle the changing needs of clients over time. This starts first by taking a entire view of a client's financial situation, often bringing structure, organization, process, and simplification into a comprehensive financial plan (typically covering investments, retirement, insurance, and taxes), followed by implementation, ongoing monitoring, and adjustments over time based upon individual circumstances and market conditions.

Prior to founding Laughlin Financial, John was a Vice President with a global investment bank, where he regularly advised domestic and international institutional money managers (mutual, hedge, and pension funds). He graduated from DePauw University magna cum laude with an economics degree and from Indiana University Kelley School of Business with a MBA (concentration in accounting and finance). John is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Personal Financial Specialist (PFS), and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) as well as the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).

Max Varness, CPA is an Investment Advisor Representative (IAR) for Laughlin Financial LLC. Max graduated from Indiana University Kelley School of Business magna cum laude with finance and accounting degrees and an MBA (concentration in financial analysis) in 2025. He first joined the firm in 2023 as a summer intern and remained on board while completing his education. Max is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and is working towards the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP) designation. He is also a board member of the Bloomington chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), a member of the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Hoosier Hills Estate Planning Council.