AdvisorCheck - Find and Connect with Top Financial Advisors on Your Terms
Advisor Search
Why Advisor Check

We're Here To Help

AdvisorCheck empowers you to find, evaluate, and monitor financial advisors with confidence and clarity.

Advisor Monitoring

Financial advisor's situations can change, sometimes without notice. AdvisorCheck's Monitoring tool helps you avoid surprises and stay on top of your financial health.

Firm Stability Insights

The stability of your financial advisor's firm has a significant impact in the security and quality of service you receive. Our tool provides historical data and key insights over time to help you make informed, confident decisions.

Pricing
For Advisors
CS

Christopher A. Sparks

Some features on this profile are disabled
CRD#: 6322921
CS

Professional summary

Being a previously registered professional could mean that this person is no longer operating under the supervision of the SEC or FINRA.

That means that the Securities and Exchange Commission may not be able to oversee the services that this specific professional is providing.

Christopher Arnold Sparks, who also goes by Chris Sparks, Christopher Sparks, was a registered financial professional .

Christopher is a previously registered financial professional and started their career in finance in 2014. Christopher had worked at 5 firms and has passed the Series 65, Series 63, SIE and Series 6 exams.

top-8-questions

Question & Answer

Are you a "fiduciary"?
No

Aliases

Chris Sparks | Christopher Sparks

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)ARNOLD ENTERPRISES, LLC/APG -DBA ACADEMIC INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT- THE WOODLANDS, TX OWNER/MANAGING MEMBER - LIFE, DISABILITY, AND LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE SALES - SINCE 06/2014 2)LYONS RE1/VANTAGE POINT PROPERTIES - SPRING, TX, SINCE 08/2014, CO-OWNER, OWNS THE UNIT THAT ARNOLD ENTERPRISES IS LEASING. 3)BLUESTREAK HOLDINGS - SPRING, TX. SINCE 08/2014, HOLDING COMPANY FOR ARNOLD ENTERPRISES & LYONS REI. 4)FINANCIAL AWARENESS FOUNDATION - 25511 BUDDE ROAD SUITE 2703, THE WOODLANDS, TX 77380. SINCE 06/2015, PROMOTES FINANCIAL AWARENESS AND FINANCIAL LITERACY BY CONDUCTING FREE WORKSHOPS THAT ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. 0 HRS/MO DURING TRADING HOURS 5)TRUEVINE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH - 27307 OAK ST, SPRING TX 77383. START DATE: 03/2017. REGISTERED AGENT/CHAIRMAN OF DEACONS, PASS ON INFORMATION AND NOTICES FROM GOVERNMENT ENTITIES TO THE NONPROFIT CORP. 0 HRS/MO DURING TRADING HOURS.

Blog Corner

CRS (Client Relationship Summary)

The CRS(Customer Relationship Summary) document is not provided.

Certified licenses

Advisors may have various certifications and credentials from different organizations. AdvisorCheck highlights these seven certifications - AIF®, CFP®, ChFC®, CFA, CLU®, CIMA®, CPWA®
None

Experience

Past

October 28, 2021 - December 31, 2022

GRADIENT ADVISORS, LLC

RIA
CRD#: 152665
The Woodlands, TX
Past

August 8, 2018 - October 31, 2019

FIRST HEARTLAND CONSULTANTS, INC.

RIA
CRD#: 110377
The Woodlands, TX
Past

August 8, 2018 - October 31, 2019

FIRST HEARTLAND CAPITAL, INC.

BD
CRD#: 32460
THE WOODLANDS, TX
Past

January 4, 2017 - August 8, 2018

USA FINANCIAL SECURITIES LLC

RIA
CRD#: 103857
The Woodlands, TX
Past

January 4, 2017 - August 8, 2018

USA FINANCIAL SECURITIES LLC

BD
CRD#: 103857
The Woodlands, TX
Past

April 10, 2015 - December 31, 2016

UNITED PLANNERS' FINANCIAL SERVICES OF AMERICA A LIMITED PARTNER

RIA
CRD#: 20804
THE WOODLANDS, TX
Past

August 12, 2014 - December 31, 2016

UNITED PLANNERS' FINANCIAL SERVICES OF AMERICA A LIMITED PARTNER

BD
CRD#: 20804
THE WOODLANDS, TX

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".
GA
GRADIENT ADVISORS, LLC
GRADIENT ADVISORS, LLC

CRD#: 152665 / SEC#: 801-71000

RIA
Registered Investment Advisory firm - (2/10/2010 Approved)

State Registrations and Notice Filings

Listed states reflect where the advisor is authorized to serve clients under state regulations.

Visual representation of state registrations

This advisor is not registered in any state.

Exams

State Security Law Exam
IAR
Series 65
Date: 3/10/2015
Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination
State Security Law Exam
RR
Series 63
Date: 9/4/2014
Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination
General Industry/Product Exam
RR
SIE
Date: 10/1/2018
Securities Industry Essentials Examination
General Industry/Product Exam
RR
Series 6
Date: 8/12/2014
Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Representative Examination

Current Firm

GA
GRADIENT ADVISORS, LLC
GRADIENT ADVISORS, LLC

CRD#: 152665 / SEC#: 801-71000

RIA
Registered Investment Advisory firm - (2/10/2010 Approved)
Upgrade to AdvisorCheck Premium
Get A Biweekly Pulse, AutomaticallyReceive biweekly alerts automatically. Stay informed and proactive.
Catch Firm-Level Red Flags SoonerCatch leadership changes and disclosures early, before issues escalate.
See Trends. Not Just SnapshotsMonitor firm stability metrics like AUM and advisor ratios over time.

Contact information

Main Address
4105 Lexington Avenue N. Suite 225, Arden Hills, MN 55126
Mailing Address
Phone number
(877) 885-0508
Established
Firm type
Fiscal year end
# of Employees
169

SEC notice filing (51 States and Territories)

Blank US states mapAlaskaHawaiiAlabamaArkansasArizonaCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaIowaIdahoIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMarylandMaineMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMississippiMontanaNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNebraskaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNevadaNew YorkOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVirginiaVermontWisconsinWest VirginiaWyoming

Documents

Customer Relationship Summary (CRS / SEC)Latest Form ADV

Part 2 Brochures

ADV PART 2A AND 2B 10-2025 (10/21/2025)

Regulatory assets under management

Total Number of Accounts3,222
AUM (Assets Under Management)$ 218,611,410

Red Flags

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.

Company Information

GRADIENT ADVISORS, LLC

CRD#: 152665

TRUST BUT VERIFY

Monitor Christopher Sparks

Get automatic monthly alerts on:
Job or Firm Moves
Licensing Changes
Client Complaints
New Red Flags
Contact Information Updates

Similar Advisors

Stephen Albert Zahka
Stephen ZahkaAdvisorCheck Check Mark
EDWARD JONES
IAR
RR
Marlborough, MA
Frank Horace Moore III
Frank MooreAdvisorCheck Check Mark
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
IAR
RR
Greenwich, CT
Marshall Lee Rosen
Marshall RosenAdvisorCheck Check Mark
OSAIC WEALTH, INC.
IAR
RR
Fort Lauderdale, FL
footer-logo
How We Help
Advisor Search
Find Advisors by State
Blog
Glossary
For Advisors
About Us
Help Center
Terms Of UsePrivacy PolicySubscription Policy
AdvisorCheck does not offer investment advice and should not replace discussions with professional accounting, tax, legal or financial advisors.
© 2025 AdvisorCheck, an AIMR Analytics company.
All rights reserved.
Powered ByAIRM Analytics