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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gary Whitehurst | Brighter Investing | Atlanta | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Gavin Gamboa | Fiduciary Financial Group | Boise | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| George Chang | Pillar Point Wealth Management | San Francisco | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| George Hoover | Torrey Growth & Income Advisors | Del Mar | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Giosefin Tonej | Gryphon Wealth | Jacksonville | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Grant Garretson | Gryphon Wealth | Jacksonville | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Grant Nabell | Regatta Capital Group | El Segundo | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Gregory Boyle | Pallas Capital Advisors | Braintree | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Gregory Luke | THOR Wealth Management | Cincinnati | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Helena Sandoval | Kera Capital | San Jose | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Henry Hien Phan | Kera Capital | San Jose | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jackson Roberts | Pallas Capital Advisors | Braintree | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jackson Wilson | Mauney-Pitt Financial Management | Shelby | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Jacqueline Rowe | Fiduciary Financial Group | San Rafael | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Jadon Dailey | Kera Capital | Mesa | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| James Gore | THOR Wealth Management | Cincinnati | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Jeffrey Spagnola | Kera Capital | San Jose | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jeffrey Wyatt | Gryphon Wealth | Jacksonville | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Jennifer Ramaswamy | Sonoma Mountain Financial | Petaluma | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jerome Ledzinski, II | Praetorian Guard Wealth Management | Carmel | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Jerry McDonnell | Keen Capital | Westminster | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Jessica Frigon | Pallas Capital Advisors | Braintree | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jessica McConnell | Capital CS Group | Irvine | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Joel Braswell | Holden Family Office | North Palm Beach | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| John Burrows | Council Oak Wealth Advisors | Tulsa | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| John Stachnick | Kaizen Financial Strategies | Pleasanton | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jonathan Lederer | Mission Creek Capital Partners | San Francisco | CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Joshua Krafchick | 369 Financial | Jacksonville | Not listed | One-time planning fee |
| Joshua Miller | Regatta Capital Group | Studio City | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Joyce Walker | Gryphon Wealth | Jacksonville | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Justin Lunt | Scratch Capital | Boise | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Karly Bokosky | Sachi Financial Planning | Newport Beach | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Kaya Ladejobi | Earn Into Wealth | Atlanta | Not listed | Ongoing planning fee |
| Keegan Sullivan | Chemistry Wealth Management, LLC. | New York | Not listed | Ongoing planning fee |
| Kian Hoover | Torrey Growth & Income Advisors | Del Mar | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Kimberly Pham | Sand Hill Global Advisors | Palo Alto | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Kristin Sun | Sand Hill Global Advisors | Palo Alto | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Lee Clay | Regatta Capital Group | New Vernon | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Lindsey Diranian | Regatta Capital Group | El Segundo | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Lisa Margulies | Regatta Capital Group | El Segundo | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Lucas Hodge | Monument Wealth Management | Alexandria | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Mark Kleespies | THOR Wealth Management | Cincinnati | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Mark Strahs | Sand Hill Global Advisors | Palo Alto | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Mark Vicencio | Lowery Thomas | Pebble Beach | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Martha Hays | ACT Advisors | Asheville | Not listed | Ongoing planning fee |
| Martin Curiel | MYeCFO | La Jolla | CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Matthew Komer | Kera Capital | Mokena | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Megan Breslin | Sand Hill Global Advisors | Palo Alto | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Meghan Daters | Sand Hill Global Advisors | San Francisco | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Melissa Storch | Gryphon Wealth | Jacksonville | Not listed | 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.