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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffrey McDermott | Create Wealth Financial Planning, LLC | Jacksonville | Certified Student Loan Professional, CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jennipher Lommen | Wildflower Financial LLC | Santa Cruz | BA, CFP, EA | Ongoing planning fee |
| John Kvale | J.K. Financial, Inc. | Dallas | CFA, CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| John W. Bowen | Bowen Financial Services, LLC | Midlothian | CFP, EA, CPA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Josh Clifford | Quoinage Capital LLC | Austin | CFP, CFA, CPA, MPA | Ongoing planning fee |
| Josh Radman | Presidio Advisors LLC | Boulder | CFP, MBA, EA | Flat fee or retainer |
| Kate Wilusz | Fiat Lux Financial Planning | San Francisco | CFP, CRPC | Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
| Kelly Klingaman | Kelly Klingaman Financial Planning | Austin | CFP, RLP | Ongoing planning fee, Flat fee or retainer |
| Kelly Pedersen | Caissa Wealth Strategies | Minneapolis | CDFA, CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Kris Draper | Northern Lights Advisors Inc | Seattle | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Leighann Miko | Equalis Financial | Los Angeles | CFP, MST, RLP, BA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Lucas Wennersten | 49th Parallel Wealth Management | Vancouver | CFA, CFP (Canada), CFP (U.S.) | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Martin Lundgren | Northern Lights Advisors Inc. | Seattle | CFA, CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Massi De Santis | Desmo Wealth Advisors, LLC | Lakeway | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Matt Garasic | Unrivaled Wealth Management | Salem | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Matthew McCoy | Southbound Wealth LLC | Rock Hill | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Michael Garber | Michael Garber Financial Planning | Cupertino | CFP, CRTP, MSEE | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Michael Izbotsky | From Planning to Living LLC | Reseda | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Michael Tarascio | Tarascio Financial Planning, LLC | Mesa | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Mike Henzes | Open Wealth Network | Pottstown | CFP, EA, MBA | Flat fee or retainer |
| Mira Ma | Marim Wealth Planning, LLC | San Mateo | CFP, CTEC, EA, RFC | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Nannette Belt | Inspiration Financial Planning LLC | Carlsbad | CFP, RICP, MBA | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Nathaniel Baim | Pursuit Planning and Investments, LLC | Beaverton | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Neil Portus | Olivehurst Advisors LLC | Roseville | CFP, CFA, MBA, TPCP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Nicholas Faulkner | Testament Wealth Management | Cary | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Nicola Cyr | Five8 Financial LLC | Rogers | CFP, EA | Percentage of assets |
| Paul Saad | Collabria Capital, Inc | San Ramon | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Pijus Bulvinas | Wealth and Plan | Cypress | CFP | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Ralph Ted White | Arrivity Financial Planning | Seattle | CFP, CIMA, MBA | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| Riley Hale | Riley | American Fork | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Robert Eifert | Cahaba Wealth Management, Inc. | Birmingham | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Sam Wagner | WealthGuides LLC | Indianapolis | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Scott Wellens | Fortress Planning Group | Pewaukee | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Sean Gerlin | Envision Financial Services & Asset Management | Maitland | CFP, ChFC, CPWA, CLU | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Shane Mason | Brooklyn FI | Brooklyn | CFP, CPA/PFS, CPWA, EA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Shannon Pope | SFMG Wealth Advisors | Plano | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Shaun Melby | Melby Wealth Management, LLC | Nashville | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Shirley Stacy Sanchez | Pioneer Wealth Management Group | Austin | CFP, MS, AAMS, CRPS | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Todd Moritz | White Turf Financial | St Paul | BBA, CFP, CPA/PFS, CPA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Trevor Ausen | Authentic Life Financial Planning | Minneapolis | CFP, RICP | One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee |
| Zachary Ashburn | Reach Strategic Wealth | Winston-Salem | CFP, EA, AFC | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Zack Gutches | True Riches Financial Planning | Denver | CFP, CPA | Flat fee or retainer |
| Andy Baxley | Two Trails Financial Planning | Oak Park | CFP, MSFP | Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
| Ann Shubert | Equila Financial, LLC | Albuquerque | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee |
| Autumn Lax | 360 Wealth Creation | Austin | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Benjamin Yeung | Seaborn Financial, LLC | Austin | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Brandy Branstetter | Beyond Wealth | Overland Park | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Brett Spencer | Impact Financial LLC | Chicago | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Britton Gregory | Seaborn Financial, LLC | Austin | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Carla Adams | Ametrine Wealth | Lake Orion | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
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.