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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Wesson | BMSS Wesson Wealth Solutions | Birmingham | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Mary Storjohann | Allora Wealth | Chula Vista | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Matthew Hague | Guide Wealth Management | Putnam Valley | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Matthew Kunnen | JVL Wealth Strategies | Wyoming | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Matthew Ohrenich | Stillwater Private Wealth | Allenton | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Melodie Ace | Canopy Wealth Management | Middleton | ChFC | Percentage of assets |
| Michael Powsner | Upstart Wealth Management | New York | CFP, PFS | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Michael Rettinger | KFA Private Wealth Group | Tyson | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Michelle Wells | Darrow Wealth Management | Needham | CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Miguel Rios Amurrio | TQM Wealth Partners | Marblehead | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Nathan Lowe | JVL Wealth Strategies | Wyoming | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Nathan Snow | Accruent Wealth Advisors | Winston-Salem | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Nicholas Stecklein | Telos Partners | Lehi | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Nicholas Sullivan | KFA Private Wealth Group | Cranford | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Nicholas Weisert | 46° North Financial | Denver | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Pamela Bergeson | Tailwind Financial Planning | Madeira Beach | CFP | Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
| Patrick Swift | Amplius Wealth | Blue Bell | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Paul Esposito | Prestige Wealth Management Group | Flemington | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Peter Levine | Velara Wealth Management | New York | CFP, ChFC | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Philip Matalucci | Amplius Wealth | Blue Bell | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Randolph Hardy | Factor Wealth Management | Chicago | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Robert Bilkie | Sigma Investment Counselors | Northville | CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Robert Feather | Wealth Dimensions Group | Cincinnati | CFP, ChFC | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Robert Mestjian | Alliance Private Wealth | North Reading | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Roger Lowe | Tanara Wealth Management | Lehi | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Ronald Price | CapTrust Wealth Advisors | Holland | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Russell Kroeger | Upstart Wealth Management | New York | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Scott Demaagd | CapTrust Wealth Advisors | Holland | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Scott Sandee | Vertex Planning Partners | Downers Grove | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Scott Van Den Berg | Century Management Financial Advisors | Austin | CFP, ChFC | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Sean Babin | Babin Wealth Management | Scottsdale | CFP | Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
| Shane Holcomb | JVL Wealth Strategies | Wyoming | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Steven Lugar | Beaird Harris | Dallas | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Sylvain Michelin | Walkner Condon Financial Advisors | Verona | CFA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Tai Chu | Beaird Harris | Dallas | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Tammy Billadeau | Vertex Planning Partners | Downers Grove | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Tanner Banister | Richard P. Slaughter Associates | Austin | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Tara Hefty | Peak Asset Management | Louisville | CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Taylor Heininger | Cloud Capital Management | El Segundo | CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Thomas Bowman | Investors Portfolio Services | Puyallup | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Thomas Cooney | Wealth Dimensions Group | Cincinnati | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Thomas Curti | Wealth Dimensions Group | Cincinnati | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Thomas Gruber | AMG Wealth Management | Land O Lakes | PFS | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Thomas Schiller | Wealth Dimensions Group | Cincinnati | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Timothy Burt | Peak Asset Management | Louisville | CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Timothy Dutton | Dutton Financial Planning | Aledo | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Timothy McGrath | Riverpoint Wealth Management | Chicago | CFP, ChFC | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Tyler Linsten | Alder Cove Capital | Tukwila | CFA | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Tyler Thompson | Tanara Wealth Management | Lehi | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Vincent Barrett | Acorn Financial Services | Bethesda | CFP | 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.