Financial advisors for executives in California
Which financial advisor should I talk to as an executive in California?
For executives in California, talk to a fee-only planner who understands deferred compensation, equity grants, and insider trading limits. Most of your wealth may be tied to one employer, so the plan has to work if that changes. Records to start with include Alex Caswell-Yatsenko of Wealth Script Advisors, Kimberly Helm of Quantum Financial Advisors, LLC and Matthew Showley of Creative Capital Management Investments LLC.
Where to start
Chosen from what each record shows: credentials that fit this work and fees on file, one advisor per firm.
- Alex Caswell-Yatsenko Wealth Script Advisors, San Francisco Holds the CFA, CFP and EA. Fees on file: percentage of assets, flat fee or retainer.
- Kimberly Helm Quantum Financial Advisors, LLC, Pasadena Holds the CPA, CFA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, hourly.
- Matthew Showley Creative Capital Management Investments LLC, San Diego Holds the CPA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, hourly.
- Mark Astrinos Libra Wealth LLC, Los Gatos Holds the CPA and CFP. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, hourly.
- Greg Crofton Adap Tax Financial, Inc., Pleasanton Holds the CFP and EA. Fees on file: hourly, flat fee or retainer.
- Stephen Nelson Birchwood Capital LLC, Carlsbad Holds the CFA and CFP. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, ongoing planning fee.
How many fee-only financial advisors in California work with executives?
The Wellspent public graph lists 315 fee-only advisors for executives in California, at 105 firms. We counted every advisor record that lists this work, as of October 2026.
Where are fee-only advisors for executives in California located?
Of the 315 fee-only advisors for executives in California, 43 are in San Francisco, followed by 20 in San Diego and 19 in Palo Alto.
Plus 201 in other cities.
How do fee-only advisors for executives in California charge?
The most common fee among fee-only advisors for executives in California is a percentage of assets, used by 93% of the 315 with fees on file. Many use more than one: 57% charge by the hour and 37% charge fixed fees.
How much do fee-only financial advisors charge in California?
Fee-only financial advisors in California charge a median of $6,000 a year for ongoing planning. We found this across the published prices of 112 California firms.
How much does a one-time financial plan cost in California?
A one-time financial plan from a fee-only firm in California has a median price of $2,500. We found this across the published prices of 111 California firms.
What credentials should a financial advisor for executives have?
For executives, look for the CPA, CFA and CFP. In California, 42% of the 315 advisors listed hold the CFP.
- CPA2% in California
- CPAs help with deferred compensation tax.
- CFA11% in California
- The CFA helps with concentrated stock.
- CFP42% in California
- The CFP keeps compensation in the wider plan.
- EA1% in California
- Enrolled agents add tax depth.
How do California advisors for executives compare with the rest of the US?
37% of fee-only advisors for executives in California charge fixed fees, compared with 54% of the 2,050 listed across the US. That's the largest difference in the Wellspent public graph between the two groups.
Dark bars are California. Light bars are all US advisors for executives.
Does California tax income on top of federal tax?
Yes. California has a state income tax, so a financial plan for a California resident should project it alongside federal tax.
What happens to stock pay if you move to or from California?
States often tax stock pay based on where you worked between grant and vesting, so a move to or from California can split that income across states. Tell any advisor about moves during a vesting period.
What should I ask a financial advisor as an executive in California?
- How would you plan my deferred compensation elections?
- How do you work around trading windows and 10b5-1 plans?
- How much of my wealth should depend on my employer?
- What would you do first if I left or was let go?
- How will you plan for California tax alongside federal tax?
- If I move before my grants vest, which states can tax them?
How current is this list of fee-only advisors for executives in California?
Wellspent last checked these records against SEC records in October 2026 and firm websites in October 2026. Each advisor's page shows the date for that record.
All 315 advisors
| Advisor | Firm | City | Credentials | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annette Di Bello Member | Di Bello Financial | Mission Viejo | CFP, CPA, PFS™ | Percentage of assets |
| Michal Skowronski Comprehensive Wealth Planning for High-Income Professionals and Retirees | Skylark Wealth, LLC | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Glen Monroe | Monroe Wealth Management | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jirayr Kembikian | Citrine Capital | San Francisco | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Kathleen Connors Dowdy | EP Wealth Advisors | Los Angeles | CFP, EA, CLU, MS | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Matthew Showley | Creative Capital Management Investments LLC | San Diego | CFP, MBA, BFA, CeFT | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Sheila McGinn | Brightview Financial Solutions, LLC | Redwood City | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Stephen Nelson | Birchwood Capital LLC | Carlsbad | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| AJ Flores | Portfolio Advisors, Inc. | Fresno | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Alex Caswell | Wealth Script Advisors | San Francisco | CFP, CFA, EA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Alex Caswell-Yatsenko | Wealth Script Advisors | San Francisco | CFA, CFP, EA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Greg Crofton | Adap Tax Financial, Inc. | Pleasanton | CFP, EA | Hourly, Flat fee or retainer |
| Gustaf Rounick | Westlight Wealth | Venice | BA, CFP, MSC | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Tina Mistry | Portfolio Advisors, Inc | Fresno | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Arielle Bittoni | Good Balance Financial Planning | Los Angeles | BA, CFA, CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Brian Canning | Brave New Wealth | Westlake Village | AIFA, CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jake Taylor | Astra Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Jane Beule | Griffin Black, LLC | Redwood City | BA, CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Kody Brown | Sequoia Financial Group | Pasadena | CFP, CRPS | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Meredith Schneider | Schneider Wealth Management | Palo Alto | BA, CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Bridget Grimes | WealthChoice LLC | Coronado | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Scott Frank | Stone Steps Financial | Cardiff | CFP, CFA, RLP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Andy Moran Ad Astra Financial Planning specializes in helping tech professionals navigate RSUs, stock options, tender offers, IPOs, and financial independence. We are a flat-fee, fee-only, fiduciary firm - we don't receive commissions or kickbacks or charge based on a percentage of your assets. | Ad Astra Financial Planning | Santa Rosa | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Subscription |
| Kimberly Helm | Quantum Financial Advisors, LLC | Pasadena | CFP, CDFA, CFA, MBA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Mark Astrinos | Libra Wealth LLC | Los Gatos | CFP, CPA/PFS, RLP | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Matthew Etzler Etzler Financial Advisors is a fee-only fiduciary firm providing comprehensive, conflict-free financial planning on a time-based model, helping clients make informed decisions and achieve peace of mind without sales or asset-based fees. | Etzler Financial Advisors, LLC | Red Bluff | CFP | Hourly, Subscription |
| Ryan Hughes You work hard for your money. We’ll work hard to help you capitalize on what you’ve earned. Bull Oak is a full-service financial advisory firm. We provide investment management, financial planning, tax strategy, tax preparation and filing, and estate planning. Our all-inclusive service frees up your time and gives you an optimal wealth management experience with harmony between all aspects of your financial life. | Bull Oak | Rancho Santa Fe | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Taylor Schulte Tax-smart retirement planning for investors with a $2MM+ nest egg. | Define Financial | San Diego | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Allen Regan | Vistica Wealth Advisors | Carlsbad | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Bugra Bakan | Occidental Asset Management | Burlingame | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Christian Litscher | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Christine Papelian | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Christine Skoczek | Vistica Wealth Advisors | San Diego | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| David Kim | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Edward Yoon | MQ Private Wealth | Torrance | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Erin Hadley | Occidental Asset Management | Burlingame | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Faruk Jaffer | Index Gurus | Concord | CFP, ChFC | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| James Griffin | Occidental Asset Management | Burlingame | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Jeffrey Vistica | Vistica Wealth Advisors | Carlsbad | CFP, ChFC | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Jessica Lanning | Lanning Financial | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| John Kenny | Illumination Wealth Management | Berkeley | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Norman Mangina | Illumination Wealth Management | Palm Springs | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Sara Gawick | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Steven Pitchford | Towerpoint Wealth | Sacramento | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Zachary Benton | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Alfred Au | DiversiFi Capital | Los Altos | CFP | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Becky Vasquez | Three Arch Wealth Management | Irvine | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Brandon Kurz | DiversiFi Capital | Los Altos | CFP | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Jonathan Wong | Layari Financial | Fullerton | CFP, APMA, CRPC | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Lauren Williams Guiding your family’s wealth | ProsperPlan Wealth | Gold River | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
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