# James McDougal

> James McDougal is a fee-only financial advisor at HiFi Planning in Long Beach, California, who holds the CFP and ECA credentials. James charges a one-time planning fee and hourly fees (one-time plans from $5,000 and $300 an hour) and focuses on equity compensation, tax planning and estate & legacy planning.

Page: https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/james-mcdougal/
Built from public directory listings; last checked November 2, 2026.

## Facts

- **Firm:** HiFi Planning
- **Based in:** Long Beach, California
- **Fee model:** One-time planning fee; Hourly
- **Fees (Advice-Only Network profile):** one-time plans from $5,000; $300 an hour
- **Works virtually:** Yes (Advice-Only Network profile)
- **Accepting new clients:** Yes (Advice-Only Network profile)
- **Credentials:** CFP, ECA
- **Specialties:** Equity compensation, Tax planning, Estate & legacy planning
- **Works with:** Tech employees, Founders, Early-career professionals
- **CRD:** 7359999 (https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/individual/summary/7359999)
- **SEC registration:** Investment adviser representative in CA
- **Exams passed:** Series 65 (2021)
- **Firm size:** 1 employee
- **Disclosures:** None reported
- **Website:** https://www.hifiplanning.com

## About

James McDougal founded HiFi Planning to help equity-compensated professionals make well-informed decisions about their company stock, in light of their broader financial plan and tax situation. He has spent his whole career as a financial planner, built at the intersection of planning and equity compensation, and has seen good advice make real differences in people's lives. He has also seen the advice industry fail to adapt to what today's working professionals need.

HiFi Planning is advice-only, project-based and DIY-friendly, designed for people who are not looking for investment management or ongoing fees. James provides the technical analysis and a plain-English explanation, and clients stay in the driver's seat.

He lives in Long Beach, where he throws the frisbee with his dog, plays guitar at venues around town and tries to make his wife, Lillian, laugh.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is James McDougal a fee-only financial advisor?

Yes. James McDougal is listed in the Advice-Only Network (advice-only practices, no product sales). SEC records as of November 2, 2026 show no broker registration and no commission compensation reported by James's firm.

### How does James charge for financial advice?

James charges a one-time planning fee and hourly fees.

### Does James work with clients virtually?

Yes. James's Advice-Only Network profile says they meet with clients virtually.

### Where is James McDougal based?

James McDougal is based in Long Beach, California.

### What does James specialize in?

James's specialties include equity compensation, tax planning and estate & legacy planning. James works with tech employees, founders and early-career professionals.

### What credentials does James McDougal hold?

James McDougal holds the CFP and ECA credentials.

### Is James McDougal registered with the SEC?

Yes. James McDougal is registered as an investment adviser representative in CA (CRD 7359999), per SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure data as of November 2, 2026.

### How do I contact James McDougal?

Through James's website, www.hifiplanning.com.

## Sources

- Advice-Only Network listing (https://adviceonlynetwork.com/advisors/jamesmcdougal): advice-only practices, no product sales
- SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure and Form ADV: registration, exams, and firm facts, data as of November 2, 2026

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Source: Wellspent, the public graph of fee-only advisors (https://find.wellspent.co). No paid placement.