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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robb Pryor Helping individuals and small business professionals convert high income to high net worth. | Priority Tax & Financial Planning | Amherst | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Robert Steinberg | Blue Chip Partners | Farmington Hills | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Ross Cutler We aim to be readily available to clients at all times. | King Tide Advisors | Stuart | CFP | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| Ryan Furlong Tax Efficient Wealth Management for families who want to leave a legacy. | Parkwoods Wealth Partners | St Louis | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Ryan Landmark Financial Planner for families that want to know how the clock works, not just what time it is. | Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC | Sioux Falls | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Samantha Vient | Ellevest | Costa Mesa | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Sofia Figueroa | Ellevest | New York | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Steven Evensen Gerber Kawasaki is a forward-thinking wealth and investment management firm based in Santa Monica that helps individuals and families build, grow, and protect their wealth through personalized financial planning, investment strategies, and equity-compensation expertise. | Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management | Santa Monica | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Taylor Nissi On a mission to help Business Owners and High Achieving Professionals accelerate their wealth to build confidence, peace of mind, and clarity in their financial life. | Farther | White Plains | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Thomas Lowish | DiversiFi Capital | Los Altos | CFP | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Trey Gevers Helping Tech Employees reduce taxes, build wealth, and retire confidently | Gevers Wealth Management | Issaquah | CFA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Veronica Taylor | Ellevest | New York | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Zach Ungerott We help streamline complexity, save money, and grow wealth, but ultimately, we set out to uncover what’s truly important to our clients, building a financial life that reflects a meaningful life. | Hightower Wealth Advisors | St. Louis | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Zackary Smutzer | Sage Wealth Planning | Georgetown | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Abigail Waddell | BMSS Wesson Wealth Solutions | California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Adam Suwyn | JVL Wealth Strategies | Wyoming | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Adrianne Yamaki | Strategic Wealth Capital | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Alex Graham | Tanara Wealth Management | Lehi | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Allyson Mangine | Amplius Wealth | Blue Bell | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Andrew Fox | Fox Financial Services | White Plains | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Anithah Neelakanda-Pillai | AP Investment Management | Mountain View | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Benjamin Anderson | CapTrust Wealth Advisors | Holland | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Bradley Mendel | Mendel Money Management | Northbrook | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Bradley Sayre | Shared Vision Wealth Group | Carlsbad | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Brandon Cabaniss | Telos Partners | Greenville | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Brian McKinney | Collective Wealth Partners | Aurora | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Brian Seay | Capital Stewards | Huntsville | CFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Brian Sheahen | Hudson Oak Wealth Advisory | Hoboken | CFP, PFS | Ongoing planning fee |
| Brock Alvord | Tanara Wealth Management | Lehi | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Brooks Slaughter | Richard P. Slaughter Associates | Austin | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Bruce Ohrenich | Stillwater Private Wealth | Allenton | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Bryan Theall | Shared Vision Wealth Group | Carlsbad | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Calvin Chanski | CapTrust Wealth Advisors | Holland | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Carolina Ortiz | Shared Vision Wealth Group | Carlsbad | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Chad Soukup | JVL Wealth Strategies | Wyoming | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Chase Perry | Beaird Harris | Dallas | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Christine Sakraida | White Aspen Capital | Henderson | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Christopher Snyder | Richard P. Slaughter Associates | Austin | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Claudina Campbell | Willow Grove Advisors | Berkeley | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Colin Higgins | Richard P. Slaughter Associates | Austin | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Cynthia Mittlestaedt | Vertex Planning Partners | Downers Grove | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Daniel Heidel | Integritas Wealth Strategies | Charleston | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Daniel Weinstein | KFA Private Wealth Group | Tyson | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Darby Armont | Richard P. Slaughter Associates | Austin | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| David Dedman | Pulse Wealth | Lexington | ChFC | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| David Hinshaw | BMSS Wesson Wealth Solutions | Huntsville | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| David Lloyd | Century Management Financial Advisors | Austin | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Denise Farkas | Sigma Investment Counselors | Northville | CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Douglas Loftus | Wealth Dimensions Group | Cincinnati | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Dudley Simms | BMSS Wesson Wealth Solutions | Birmingham | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
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.