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Benjamin Joseph Zaharias

ChFC®, CLU®
GRADIENT SECURITIES
OCALA, FL
·CRD# 4609899·23 years experience

Professional Summary

Benjamin Joseph Zaharias, ChFC®, CLU® is a registered financial advisor currently at GRADIENT SECURITIES, LLC located in Ocala, Florida. Benjamin is registered as an IAR (Investment Advisor Representative) and RR (Registered Representative) and started their career in finance in 2003. Benjamin has worked at 6 firms and has passed the Series 63, SIE, Series 6 and Series 26 exams.

At a Glance

Advisory Accounts Only

Fiduciary Standard

Fee Structure

Account Minimum

Active Clients

Fiduciary Standard

Fee Structure

Account Minimum

Active Clients

Other Aliases

There are no additional aliases reported.

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Contact Information

This advisor has not claimed their profile yet, so there is no contact information to display at this time.

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Disclosures are events reported to regulators, such as customer disputes, regulatory actions, employment separations, or financial events. Some are resolved, denied, or contested — a disclosure is not a verdict. We recommend asking an advisor directly about any disclosure on their record.

Disclosures on record.

Disclosures can be potential red flags, including customer disputes, regulatory fines, employer terminations, bankruptcies, judgments, liens, or certain criminal activities. Check for any disclosures as part of your thorough research when choosing an advisor.

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Credentials

ChFC®
Chartered Financial Consultant
CLU®
Chartered Life Underwriter

Years of Experience

23 years in the financial services industry

Current & Past Employments

GRADIENT SECURITIES, LLC·CRD# 127701
RIA
BD
1740 Se 18th Street Suite 1301, Ocala, FL 34471
April 6, 2015 - Present
GRADIENT SECURITIES, LLC·CRD# 127701
RIA
BD
1740 Se 18th Street Suite 1301, Ocala, FL 34471
May 8, 2012 - Present
GRADIENT ADVISORS, LLC·CRD# 152665
RIA
Ocala, FL
May 9, 2012 - April 1, 2015
BROOKSTONE SECURITIES, INC.·CRD# 13366
RIA
Ocala, FL
February 18, 2011 - May 8, 2012
BROOKSTONE SECURITIES, INC.·CRD# 13366
BD
Ocala, FL
October 2, 2009 - May 8, 2012
J.W. COLE FINANCIAL, INC.·CRD# 124583
BD
Ocala, FL
August 17, 2006 - October 5, 2009
LPL FINANCIAL LLC·CRD# 6413
BD
Ocala, FL
April 5, 2006 - August 18, 2006
J.W. COLE FINANCIAL, INC.·CRD# 124583
BD
Ocala, FL
June 7, 2004 - April 5, 2006
NATIONAL PLANNING CORPORATION·CRD# 29604
BD
Los Angeles, CA
January 14, 2003 - June 4, 2004

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Current Firm

GS
GRADIENT SECURITIES, LLC

GRADIENT SECURITIES, LLC | SYM CAPITAL SECURITIES, LLC | GRADIENT WEALTH MANAGEMENT

CRD#: 127701 / SEC#: 801-80807, 8-66032
RIA
Registered Investment Advisory firm - SEC (1/8/2015 Approved)
BD
Broker-Dealer Firm Regulated by FINRA (Kansas City district office)

Contact Information

Main Address

4105 Lexington Avenue Suite 380, Arden Hills, MN 55126

Mailing Address

4105 Lexington Avenue Suite 380, Arden Hills, MN 55126

Phone Number

(866) 991-1539

Established

Delaware since 04/09/2003

Firm Type

Limited Liability Company

Fiscal Year End

December

Firm Size

Small

# of Employees

67

SEC notice filing (51 States and Territories)

Registered to provide investment advisory services in 51 US states and territories.

FINRA licenses (51 States and Territories)

Registered to provide investment advisory services in 51 US states and territories.

Documents

Customer Relationship Summary (CRS / SEC)Customer Relationship Summary (CRS / FINRA)Latest Form ADV

Part 2 Brochures

GWM ADV PART 2A & 2B (4/13/2026)

Direct owners and executive officers

NamePositionCRD#
MERAKI PRIVATE EQUITY, LLCOWNER—
JOCHUM, JAMIE LEEFINOP4459768
NELSON, ROBERT SCOTTPRESIDENT & ELECTED MANAGER4237080
REMME, BRIAN ANDREWCHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER3103459

Regulatory Assets Under Management

Total Number of Accounts

5,848

AUM (Assets Under Management)

$607,877,168

Disclosures

Regulatory Event

1

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Other business activities

Outside business activity is any business or activity undertaken by an advisor that is outside the scope of their relationship with their firm (e.g., consulting services, real estate, freelance work, teaching, etc.). Investors should stay informed about these activities to ensure no conflicts of interest.

1) DBA: CENTRAL FLORIDA WEALTH MANAGEMENT, INC; INVT REL; 1740 SE 18TH STREET SUITE 1301, OCALA FL 34471; FINANCIAL SERVICES & INSURANCE SALES; AGENT; START 2005; 5 HRS/MO; 5 HRS/MO DURING TRADING; INSURANCE SALES AND DBA FOR SECURITIES/ADVISORY SERVICES. 2) 18TH CIRCLE PROPERTIES LLC; INVT REL; 1740 SE 18TH STREET SUITE 1301, OCALA, FL 34471; RENTAL PROPERTY; OWNER; START 07/2009; 1 HR/MTH; 1 HR DURING TRADING; RENTAL PROPERTY OWNER. 3) BEN ZAHARIAS; NONINVT REL; MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTOR; START 1985; 4 HR/MTH/H HR DURING TRADING HOURS. 4) DRZ PROPERTIES, LLC; INV RELATED; 14370 SE 131SST PLACE, OCKLAWAHA, FL 32179; RENTAL PROPERTY; OWNER; START 08/2023; 1 HOUR PER MONTH; 1 HOUR DURING TRADING HOURS; RENTAL PROPERTY OWNER.

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Primary Firm SEC Registration

This SEC-registered firm can serve clients nationwide. Some states may require the firm to submit a notice filing if the firm has more than 5 clients or a physical office there. You can view these state-level filings under the section titled "State Registrations and Notice Filings".
GS
GRADIENT SECURITIES, LLC

GRADIENT SECURITIES, LLC | SYM CAPITAL SECURITIES, LLC | GRADIENT WEALTH MANAGEMENT

CRD#: 127701 / SEC#: 801-80807, 8-66032
RIA
Registered Investment Advisory firm - SEC (1/8/2015 Approved)
BD
Broker-Dealer Firm Regulated by FINRA (Kansas City district office)

State Registrations and Notice Filings

Listed states reflect where the advisor is authorized to serve clients under state regulations.
IAR
means the advisor is registered as an Investment Advisor Representative in this state and is authorized to provide investment advice to clients there.
RR
indicates the advisor is registered as a Registered Representative in this state, allowing securities offerings such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds through a broker-dealer.
RR
Alabama
(10/31/2023)
RR
Arizona
(6/2/2021)
RR
California
(10/28/2019)
RR
Florida
(5/8/2012)
IAR
Florida
(4/6/2015)
RR
Georgia
(7/23/2018)
RR
Maryland
(11/1/2022)
RR
New Jersey
(9/16/2024)
RR
New York
(11/13/2025)
RR
North Carolina
(11/21/2022)
RR
Ohio
(10/21/2022)
RR
Oregon
(12/9/2025)
RR
Pennsylvania
(11/1/2022)
RR
South Carolina
(1/4/2017)
RR
Wyoming
(8/17/2026)

Don't see your state listed? The advisor may still be able to work with you under the federal De Minimis Rule, which allows up to five investment advisory clients in a state without registration. Some states, like TX, LA, NE, and NH, may still require registration or notice filing. Contact the advisor or their firm to confirm their investment advisory availability in your state.Note:This rule does not apply to broker-dealer activity.

Exams

Financial professionals may take different exams throughout their careers based on the types of services they provide and roles they perform.

Series 63 — Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination

Passed Oct 2007About the Series 63 exam

SIE — Securities Industry Essentials Examination

Passed Oct 2018About the SIE exam

Series 6 — Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Representative Examination

Passed Jan 2003About the Series 6 exam

Series 26 — Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Principal Examination

Passed Jan 2007About the Series 26 exam
FINRA
SRO Registrations

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CRS (Client Relationship Summary) - RIA

Click below to view Benjamin Joseph Zaharias's CRS (Customer Relationship Summary).

CRS (Customer Relationship Summary)

CRS (Client Relationship Summary) - BD

Click below to view Benjamin Joseph Zaharias's CRS (Customer Relationship Summary).

CRS (Customer Relationship Summary)

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