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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Baker | Beaird Harris | Dallas | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Wing-Yin Kong | Willow Grove Advisors | Berkeley | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Youxi Liu | Upstart Wealth Management | East Haddam | CFP, PFS | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Zakriah Gardezy | Wealthstone Private Wealth Management | Scottsdale | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Aaron Karas | Insight Wealth Strategies | San Ramon | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Adam Smetzer | Sky Vision Wealth | Columbus | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Alek Wyatt | Gryphon Wealth | Jacksonville | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Alexander Boeri | Miller Avenue Advisors | Mill Valley | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Alicia Klein | Cambridge Financial Group | Tucson | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Alison Dorsman | Brandywine Oak Private Wealth | Kennett Square | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Alondra Garcia | Ellevest | New York | CFA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Andrew Nelson | Praetorian Guard Wealth Management | Carmel | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Andy VandenBerg A boutique wealth management firm focused on holistic support for business owners and entrepreneurs. | VDB Wealth | Savannah | CFA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Ankur Patel | Ellevest | New York | CFA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Anthony Weaver | THOR Wealth Management | Cincinnati | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Barry Taylor | Sand Hill Global Advisors | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Benjamin Sampson | Miller Avenue Advisors | Mill Valley | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Bianca San | Monument Wealth Management | Alexandria | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Brandon Hodgeson | Cambridge Financial Group | Tucson | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Brian Proses | Rational Investment Management | Mill Valley | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Brian Stormont | Insight Wealth Strategies | San Ramon | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Brittany Kalsky | Brandywine Oak Private Wealth | Kennett Square | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Bryan Buchert | Kera Capital | Sacramento | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Caroline Curts | Sand Hill Global Advisors | Palo Alto | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Cary Laudadio | GoalFusion Wealth Management | Austin | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Cassidy Murphy | Fiduciary Financial Group | San Rafael | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Chen Li | GoalVest Advisory | New York | CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Chloe Barnett | Regatta Capital Group | El Segundo | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Connor Knox | Brandywine Oak Private Wealth | Kennett Square | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Daniel Beutel | Council Oak Wealth Advisors | Tulsa | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Daniel Cossette | Cambridge Financial Group | Tucson | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Daniel Dusina | Blue Chip Partners | Farmington Hills | CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Danny Yu | Hillcrest Wealth Advisors | Holmdel | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| David Holwadel | Heritage Wealth Advisors | Cincinnati | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| David Jacoby | Remote Financial Planner | Palm Beach Gardens | CFP, CFA | Ongoing planning fee |
| Dean Catino | Monument Wealth Management | Alexandria | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Dionna Poluch | Brandywine Oak Private Wealth | Kennett Square | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Don Hilario | Hilpan Moxie Wealth Management | Irvine | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Douglas English | ACT Advisors | Asheville | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Edward Anderson | Twin Arbor Wealth Management | Saint Paul | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Edwin Janeczek | Altus Wealth Group | Colorado Springs | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Elizabeth Cody | Sand Hill Global Advisors | Palo Alto | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Emily Harper | Monument Wealth Management | Alexandria | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Eric Horne | Arc Element Wealth Design | Papillion | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Eric Strong | Miller Avenue Advisors | Mill Valley | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Erin Goss | Blue Chip Partners | Farmington Hills | CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Evan Davies | Praetorian Guard Wealth Management | Carmel | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Evan Schmidt | Schmidt Financial Management | Kirkland | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Gregory Fowler | Integrated Capital Planning | Bend | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Gregory Rice | Enduring Wealth Management | Meridian | CFP | Percentage of assets |
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.