James McDougal
Project-based, advice-only equity compensation planning for professionals who want plain-English analysis while staying in control of their decisions.
HiFi Planning · Long Beach, California
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.
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Specialties
Who they serve
- Tech employees
- Founders
- Early-career professionals
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.
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 |
| Accepting new clients | Yes |
| Credentials | CFP · ECA |
| SEC registration | Investment adviser representative in CA · CRD 7359999 |
| Exams passed | Series 65 (2021) |
| Firm size | 1 employee |
| Disclosures | None reported |
| Website | www.hifiplanning.com |
How James's firm compares
- A one-time plan starts at $5,000, above the California median of $2,500 for fee-only firms that publish prices.
- The hourly rate is $300, in line with the California median of $300 for fee-only firms that publish prices.
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Questions about James
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.
What these terms mean: fee-only · fiduciary · CFP · CRD number · all terms
Where this information comes from
- Advice-Only Network listing : advice-only practices, no product sales
- SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure : registration, exams, and the firm's Form ADV, data as of November 2, 2026
- Directory listing last checked November 2, 2026.
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