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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazel Secco | Align Financial Solutions | Hoboken | CDFA, CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Hui-chin Chen | Jade & Cowry | Arlington | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jake Northrup | Experience Your Wealth, LLC | Providence | Certified Student Loan Professional, CFA, CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jennifer Swindler | Money Illustrated Advisory Services | Bluffdale | AFC, CDFA, CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jim Pan | Panorama Financial Planning | Vancouver | CFP, MFA-P | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jirayr Kembikian | Citrine Capital | San Francisco | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Joe Ward | Refined Wealth | Houston | CFP, RICP, TPCP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| John Boyd | MDRN Wealth | Venice | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Jonathan Wride | Crafted Finance, LLC | Seattle | CFP | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Jordan Banning | Crafted Financial Planning | Glendale | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jordan DeBoer | Calibration Financial | Milaca | AWMA, CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jordan Vlastuin Vlastuin | Make the Memory Financial Planning LLC | Clemmons | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Kevin Rademacher | Lifetime Financial Planners LLC | San Antonio | CFP, CRPC, MSFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Kiersten Peshek | Citrine Capital | Columbus | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Linda Rogers | Planning Within Reach | Virginia Beach | CFP, EA, MSBA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Lindsey Young | Quiet Wealth LLC | Baltimore | CFP, MBA, TPCP, EA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Lucas Wennersten | 49th Parallel Wealth Management, LLC | Scottsdale | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Malissa Marshall | Soaring Wealth LLC | Bristol | CFP, EA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Mark Stancato | VIP Wealth Advisors | Decatur | CFP, EA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| MaryAnne Gucciardi | Wealthmind Financial Planning LLC | Cambridge | CFP, RICP, BA, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Matt Cooley | Inspire Wealth Partners | Boise | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Matthew Hale | Make the Memory Financial Planning | Johnson City | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Matthew Pogirski | Unburdened Financial Planning | Wasilla | AAMS, CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Matthew Showley | Creative Capital Management Investments LLC | San Diego | CFP, MBA, BFA, CeFT | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Mike Morton | Morton Financial Advice | Harvard | CFP, ChFC, RLP | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Mitchell Anderson | EFinancial Alliance | Franklin | CFP, MBA | One-time planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Nate Willardson | Currents Wealth Strategies | Chandler | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Nick Foy | Greenway Wealth Advisors, LLC | Charlotte | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Patrick Dinan | Impact Fiduciary | Pasadena | CFP, Chartered SRI Counselor | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Peter Ankeny | Wolf Pine Capital | Portsmouth | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Phil Orwig | Fair Asset Management, LLC | Dallas | CFP, CPWA, ChFC, RICP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Praveen Krishnamurthy Advice-only planning for tech professionals on equity compensation, taxes and diversification, from a former Google engineering leader. | Empower Financial | Fremont | CFP | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Rachael Levine | Peltoma Capital Partners | Austin | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Rana Choubah | Meridian Financial Advisors, LLC | Holliston | CFP, CRPC, CRPS, MPAS | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Rebecca Jackson | SeedSafe Financial | Austin | CFP, CPA, PFS, RLP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Robert Persichitte | Delagify Financial | Arvada | CFP, CPA, PFS | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Ryan Greiser | Opulus, LLC | Doylestown | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Ryan Johnson We help successful professionals and families simplify their finances, make confident decisions, and align their money with the life they want to live. | Hundred Financial Planning | Grand Rapids | CFP | One-time planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Ryan Miyamoto | Derive Wealth | Pasadena | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Sean Lovison | Purpose Built Financial Services, LLC | Moorestown | CFP, CPA | Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
| Sefa Mawuli | Jade & Cowry | Arlington | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Shane Dennehy | CayDen Wealth Management | Broomfield | BFA, CFP, ChFC | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Sheila McGinn | Brightview Financial Solutions, LLC | Redwood City | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Steven Stanganelli | Clear View Wealth Advisors, LLC | Amesbury | AEP, CFP, CRPC, MS | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Stu Sneen | TwoTen Planning PLLC | Austin | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Sweta Bhargav | Adviso Wealth | Princeton | CEPA, CFA, CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Tommy Lopez | Coffeehouse Capital LLC | Financial Planning and Wealth Management | Fresno | CFP, CRPC | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| Travis Tracy | Fortitude Financial Planning, LLC | Raleigh | CFP, EA, JD | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Will Revels | PieCapital | Raleigh | CEPA, CFA, CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Adam Cornwell | North Ridge Wealth Advisors | Beaverton | CFA, 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.