Profile

Meet Rita Lakes – Your Partner in Financial Clarity & Confidence

About Me

I’m Rita Lakes, founder and CEO of HJP Lakes Financial, where we’ve been proudly serving clients for over 20 years. Our services include accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, tax preparation, and business planning—but that’s just the beginning of the story.

Nearly a decade ago, I expanded our practice to offer comprehensive financial services—including insurance protection, retirement income strategies, long-term care planning, and financial literacy education. I hold certifications as a:

CLTC® – Certified in Long-Term Care
RSSA® – Registered Social Security Analyst
CFEd® – Certified Financial Educator

At HJP Lakes Financial Solutions, our mission is clear: Empower families and small business owners to build wealth, protect their income, and retire with confidence.

My Story

I began my career in traditional accounting—helping clients file taxes and keep their books in order. But even with a financial background, I found myself facing a difficult truth: I was financially illiterate when it came to building personal wealth. Like many, I had debt, no clear retirement plan, and little understanding of how to make money truly work for me.

That hardship became my wake-up call. I dove deep into financial education, earned my certifications, and learned how to protect, grow, and transfer wealth. Most importantly, I made it my life’s mission to teach others what I had learned the hard way.

What Makes Us Different

We do more than prepare taxes—we prepare you for life. At HJP Lakes Financial Solutions, we help our clients:

Integrate tax and retirement planning
Maximize Social Security benefits
Design tax-free retirement income strategies
Protect assets from long-term care costs
Understand insurance as a wealth-building tool

Our approach is educational, personalized, and empowering. Whether you’re just starting your financial journey or planning for retirement, we help you make informed, confident decisions.

A Few Things I Believe

Wealth is built with knowledge. Financial literacy is the key to freedom.
Retirement should be lived, not survived. It’s never too late to plan.
Your income should be protected, not left to chance.
Taxes and retirement are not separate conversations. Integration is everything.
Everyone deserves a seat at the table—regardless of income or age.

Beyond the Numbers

When I’m not helping clients build their financial future, I enjoy traveling, spending time with family, attending empowering events, and listening to inspirational content. I believe in living fully, giving generously, and always continuing to grow.

Let’s Connect

Whether you’re a small business owner, a pre-retiree, or just starting to take control of your finances, I invite you to connect with me. Let’s have a conversation about your goals—and how we can help you retire with confidence.

👉 Book a free consultation