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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iftikhar Ahmed | Kaizen Financial Strategies | Pleasanton | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| ignition tax ignition tax | ignition tax | new york | CPA | Flat fee or retainer |
| James Diacon | Council Oak Wealth Advisors | Tulsa | CFP, ChFC | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| James Joseph | Sentinel Wealth Management | Reston | CFP, ChFC, PFS | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Jamie Upson | Stonehearth Capital Management | Danvers | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Janet Hoffmann | Sand Hill Global Advisors | San Francisco | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jared McBride | GoalFusion Wealth Management | Austin | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Jason Hyrne | Gryphon Wealth | Jacksonville | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Jeffrey Abadie | Sand Hill Global Advisors | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jeffrey Thompson | Heritage Wealth Advisors | Cincinnati | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Jennifer Dougherty | BroadWealth LLC. | Winchester | CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jessica Gibbs | Monument Wealth Management | Arlington | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| John McCormick | Regatta Capital Group | El Segundo | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jonathan Lopez Experienced entrepreneurs helping business owners pay less in taxes and build wealth. | Truvize Financial Planning | El Paso | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Subscription |
| Joseph Clark | Praetorian Guard Wealth Management | Carmel | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Joseph Gauvin | Stonehearth Capital Management | Danvers | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Joseph Kirby | Gryphon Wealth | Jacksonville | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Josh Womack Your personal wealth manager, advising on and managing both public and private investments. | Womack Financial | Dallas | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Julia Zakarias | GenFi Family and Fiduciary Services | Chicago | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Justin Neuwirt | Neu Wealth Group | New Albany | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Kenneth Cala | Lowery Thomas | Alameda | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Kimberleigh Williams | Sand Hill Global Advisors | Palo Alto | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Kristen Goodman | Ellevest | New York | CFA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Kristopher Barney | 30/40 Wealth | Cornelius | CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Lauren Matthiessen | LeClair Wealth Partners | Dublin | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Lindsey Meredith | Heritage Wealth Advisors | Cincinnati | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Lisa Quadrini | Brandywine Oak Private Wealth | Kiawah Island | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Manan Patel | Ample Wealth Partners | Saint Cloud | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Marc Wehmeyer | Praetorian Guard Wealth Management | Arlington | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Mark Chemtob | Chemistry Wealth Management, LLC. | New York | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Mark Hill | DeDora Capital | Napa | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Mark Jackson | Brandywine Oak Private Wealth | Kennett Square | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Matthew Goff | The Goff Financial Group | Houston | Not listed | One-time planning fee |
| Mawuena Takyi | Asempa Wealth Advisors | Baton Rouge | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Michael Henley | Brandywine Oak Private Wealth | Kennett Square | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Michael Troxell Financial planning for folks with stock options and RSUs | Modern Financial Planning | Oakland | CPA | Hourly, Percentage of assets |
| Miriam Santiago | Sand Hill Global Advisors | Palo Alto | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Nicholas Ozer | Regatta Capital Group | El Segundo | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Nina Spezzaferro | Chemistry Wealth Management, LLC. | New York | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Patrick Cicchetti I help 7-figure service-based business owners simplify their finances, minimize taxes, and buy back time—so they can focus on life beyond the business. | Ryse Capital Management | Rochester | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Paul Dedora | DeDora Capital | Napa | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Pierre-Emmanuel Jouve | InsuraWealth | Tampa | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Richard Davey | Fiduciary Financial Group | San Rafael | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Richard Hewitt | Praetorian Guard Wealth Management | Carmel | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Riley Adams We offer tax, accounting, financial planning, and investment advisory services for small-to-midsize businesses, wealth advisory clients, and high-net worth individuals. | Daniel M Kavanaugh CPA Inc | Pleasanton | CPA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Risley Sams | RHS Financial | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Robert Agorastos | Insight Wealth Strategies | San Ramon | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Roger Johnson | ACT Advisors | Asheville | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Russell Mohberg | Regatta Capital Group | El Segundo | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Saadia Ahmed | Kaizen Financial Strategies | Pleasanton | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
Guides
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.