Equity compensation
Equity compensation planning covers the tax, diversification, and cash-flow decisions that come with stock-based pay: RSUs, ISOs, NSOs, ESPP, 83(b) elections, AMT, and strategies for concentrated positions before and after an IPO or secondary. Advisors with depth here can model the lifecycle of an equity grant alongside the rest of a household's financial plan.
By the numbers
The Wellspent public graph lists 1,349 fee-only financial advisors focused on equity compensation at 643 firms, most in San Francisco, Austin and New York. 53% hold the CFP certification. Of the 1348 with fees on file, 85% charge percentage of assets.
- Advisors listed
- 1,349
- Firms
- 643
- Cities
- 420
- Hold the CFP
- 53%
- Other credentials: CFA 12% · CPA 3% · EA 3%
- How they charge (of 1348 with fees on file): percentage of assets 85% · hourly 39% · fixed fees 37% · ongoing planning fee 24%
Source: Wellspent public graph, data as of . Shares are of advisors listed here; an advisor can hold several credentials or fee types. Methodology
Advisors with depth in equity compensation
| Advisor | Firm | City | Credentials | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annette Di Bello Member | Di Bello Financial | Mission Viejo | CFP, CPA, PFS™ | Percentage of assets |
| Amy Rosenow Advice-only planning and financial education for women, families and entrepreneurs, from a former investment firm COO and angel investor. | Bold Vision Financial | Chicago | CFP, CFA | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Anthony Syracuse Dynamic Financial Planning is a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning firm in Scottsdale, AZ specializing in equity compensation and financial planning for tech professionals and high earners in their 30s and 40s. | Dynamic Financial Planning, LLC | Scottsdale | CFP | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Avanti Shetye Fee-only, advice-only planning for high-net-worth retirees, pre-retirees and high earners facing retirement income, tax and equity compensation decisions. | Wealthwyzr, LLC | Ellicott City | CFP, CFA, MBA | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Brian Clarke Hourly, fee-only comprehensive planning for individuals and couples nearing retirement who are weighing what comes next. | Clarke Financial Counsel, LLC | Whitefish Bay | CFP, MBA | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Chris Musick Personal CFO for faith-driven founders earning $300k+, helping you steward income, taxes, and wealth beyond the business. | Purpose Financial Planning | Fayetteville | CFP, CKA | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| David Barfield Hourly, fee-only advice for individuals, families and small businesses who want to pay only for the time they need. | Datapoint Financial Planning, LLC | Canton | CFP | Hourly |
| Didi Chen Fiduciary planning for immigrants, Asian Americans and their families working through money, career and life transitions. | Everleap Financial Planning | Newcastle | CFP, CFA | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Eric Ross Modern wealth management integrating financial planning, tax planning, and investment management to help you live your best life. | F2 Wealth | Cincinnati | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Garrett Chmiola Valeo is an independent, fee-only financial advisory firm offering objective, independent guidance for one transparent fee | Valeo Financial Advisors | Chicago | CFP, CPA | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Jane Mepham Financial Planning For Foreign-Born Families & US Expats | Elgon Financial Advisors | Austin | CFP, MSC | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Joshua Gallogly Advice-only, tax-focused retirement planning for DIY investors and retirees who want to keep managing their own accounts. | Milestones Financial, LLC | Columbus | CFP, EA | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Justin May Tax-focused wealth management for executives & founders | Old Peak Finance | Chapel Hill | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Kevin Estes Kevin Estes, CFP®, CCFC, MBA is an hourly financial planner who helps tech professionals and their families live great lives. | Scaled Finance, LLC | Bellevue | CFP, MBA | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| Matt Sheers Flat-fee, advice-only planning for mid-career individuals and couples working through career changes, growing families or business ownership. | Sheer Empowerment Financial | Plymouth | CFP, CFA | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Michael Staman Ongoing or project-based planning for mid- to late-career corporate and nonprofit professionals, with flat pricing and simple, low-cost investing. | Delaware Financial Planning | Newark | AWMA, CAP, CFP, MPAS | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Michal Skowronski Comprehensive Wealth Planning for High-Income Professionals and Retirees | Skylark Wealth, LLC | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Paulo Lopes Hourly or flat-fee, tax-aware planning for DIY investors, high earners and business owners who want a second set of eyes. | Woodmont Financial Partners LLC | Mesa | CFP, JD | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Sarah Gerber Project and ongoing planning for newlyweds, young families and early-career professionals building a financial foundation, including couples merging finances. | Momentum Financial Planning LLC | Longmont | CFP, AFC | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Shannon Fleener Bilingual, values-based planning for first-generation wealth builders and progressive clients who want their money to do good too. | Sage Financial Planning | San Diego | CFP | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Aaron Hatch | Woven Capital | Redding | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Aditi Kapadia | Wealth IQ | Springfield | CFA, CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Alejandro Haas | Copper Square Private Wealth, LLC | Phoenix | CFP, CIMA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Allison Donaldson | HTG Investment Advisors Inc. | New Canaan | CFP, MBA, JD | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Amy Barnes | Firebrand Wealth Management, LLC | Seattle | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Austin Lee | Lee Financial Group LLC | Ladera Ranch | CFP, MBA | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Autumn Knutson | Styled Wealth | Tulsa | CFP | Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
| Bobby Cremins | Metanoia Financial | Philadelphia | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Brian Sirota | FirsTrust | Daytona Beach | CFP, ChFC, MBA, CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Carlie Ransom | Equal Path Investments | Tacoma | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Carmetta Joyner Practical, lecture-free planning that helps first-generation professionals organize their finances and put a custom plan into action. | Joyner Financial Planning LLC | San Francisco | CFP | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Chao Zhang | Think Different Wealth Advisors LLC | Allen | CFA, CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets |
| Charles Harper | Harper Financial Planning LLC | Columbia | CFP, ChFC, RICP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Charles Stermetz | Equity For The Win (EquityFTW) | San Jose | CEP, CFP | Hourly, Fixed fees |
| Chris Diodato WELLth is a flat fee, fiduciary financial planner located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and serving clients nationally | WELLth Financial Planning | Palm Beach Gardens | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer |
| Chris Haigh | Iconoclastic Capital Management LLC | Brooklyn | CFP, ChFC, RICP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Christopher Stroup | Silicon Beach Financial | Santa Monica | CFP, MBA, EA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Craig Nelson | Red Sky Financial Planning, LLC | Wilsonville | CFP, CPA | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Curtis Pope | Pope Wealth Planning | New York | CFP | One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee |
| Daniel Yerger | MY Wealth Planners | Longmont | AIF, CFP, ChFC, MBA | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Dominic Corabi | Wedmont Private Capital | West Chester | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Emily Rassam | Archer Investment Management | Austin | AIFA, CDAA, CFP, CRPS | Percentage of assets |
| Fabian Degen | FMD Wealth Advisors | White Plains | CFP, CFA, EA, CDFA | Hourly, Percentage of assets |
| Francisco Ayala | The Coleridge Group | Phoenix | CFA, CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Gabriel Kaplan | Wealth Habits | White Plains | CFP, CPA, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Gene Thompson | Iconoclastic Capital Management | Brooklyn | CFP, ChFC, RICP, Certified Student Loan Professional | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Gerardo Garcia Jr | Confianza Wealth Management | Vista | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Glen Monroe | Monroe Wealth Management | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Greg Gorski | Owl & Ore Wealth Planning | Pleasant Hill | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Hannah Szarszewski | Blue Mountain Financial Planning, LLC | Lubbock | CFP, AFC | Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
Guides
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Financial advisor for RSUs and stock options
An equity compensation advisor plans when to exercise and sell, covers the tax your employer under-withholds, and keeps one stock from running your plan. Fee-only planners charge a median $4,500 a year.
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Independent RIA vs wirehouse: which is better for you?
A wirehouse advisor works for a large national brokerage firm, is usually registered as both broker and adviser, and sells from the firm's platform. An independent RIA owns its firm, keeps your money at an outside custodian and owes a fiduciary duty throughout. Fee-only RIAs charge a median 1% of assets.
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Is Goldman Sachs fee-only? How Goldman Sachs is paid and what it costs
No. Goldman Sachs Ayco charges planning and advisory fees, but its advisors are also Goldman Sachs brokers and can be paid on commissions, insurance and referrals. Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management sits inside Goldman Sachs & Co., a broker and an adviser in one firm.
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Company stock in your 401(k): when NUA saves tax
If your 401(k) holds your employer's stock, the NUA rules can tax most of its growth as a long-term capital gain instead of income. It pays off when the plan's cost basis is low. Ask for the basis before you roll anything over.
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Planning for a concentrated stock position
When one stock is a large share of what you own, the plan is a schedule for bringing it down while keeping the tax manageable: sales spread over years, shares given to charity, and for large holdings, exchange funds or hedges. A one-time plan from a fee-only planner has a median of $2,000.
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Do I need a financial advisor?
You probably don't need one for a simple situation you're happy managing. You likely do when money decisions get complex, large or hard to undo.