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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Lo | Vested Financial Planning, LLC | San Carlos | CFP, MBA | Ongoing planning fee |
| Alex Krider | Avier Wealth Advisors | Lake Oswego | CFP, EA, MBA | Percentage of assets |
| Andy Moran Ad Astra Financial Planning specializes in helping tech professionals navigate RSUs, stock options, tender offers, IPOs, and financial independence. We are a flat-fee, fee-only, fiduciary firm - we don't receive commissions or kickbacks or charge based on a percentage of your assets. | Ad Astra Financial Planning | Santa Rosa | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Subscription |
| Caleb Bogia-Curles Financial Advice for Millennial and Gen X Entrepreneurs with ADHD | Focused Founders Wealth Planning | MOUNT JOY | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Dave Grant You've worked hard to prepare for retirement. Retirement Matters will guide you through that transition and partner with you as you live out those dreams. | Retirement Matters, Inc. | Barrington | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Inna Rivilis | Sunflower Financial Planning, LLC | Windham | CFP, MSFP | One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee |
| Luis Rosa | Build a Better Financial Future LLC | White Plains | CFP, EA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Malcolm Ethridge We offer financial planning and investment management services to senior managers and executives in tech. | Capital Area Planning Group | Washington | CFP | Subscription, Flat fee or retainer |
| Marcus Waddell | Ascension Advisors | Scottsdale | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Max Novak Flat-fee. Fiduciary. Life-centered planning. | Novak Financial Partners | Carterville | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Subscription |
| Mike Cattapan Affordable, objective advice-only planning for individuals and families at any stage of life or level of wealth. | Abundo Wealth | Chicago | Not listed | Subscription |
| Mindy Crary | Creative Money LLC | Seattle | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee |
| Rob Lyman | Johnson Lyman Wealth Advisors | Los Altos | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Robert Stowe Flat-fee, advice-only retirement planning for STEM professionals and educators who want to keep control of their own accounts. | Foxholm Financial | Atlanta | AAMS | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Ryan Hughes You work hard for your money. We’ll work hard to help you capitalize on what you’ve earned. Bull Oak is a full-service financial advisory firm. We provide investment management, financial planning, tax strategy, tax preparation and filing, and estate planning. Our all-inclusive service frees up your time and gives you an optimal wealth management experience with harmony between all aspects of your financial life. | Bull Oak | Rancho Santa Fe | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Steven Balch Helping you organize your financial life so you can focus on what truly matters | Not listed | Ramsey | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Taylor Schulte Tax-smart retirement planning for investors with a $2MM+ nest egg. | Define Financial | San Diego | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Vrishin Subramaniam Helping immigrants align their money and their life | CapitalWe | Arlington | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Adam Gruber | AMG Wealth Management | Land O Lakes | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Albert Dean | Riverchase Wealth Management | Flower Mound | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Alicia Vande Ven | Walkner Condon Financial Advisors | Verona | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Amanda Lehnert | Sigma Investment Counselors | Northville | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Andrew Casey | Precedent Wealth Partners | Houston | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Andrew Tisler | Epic Financial | Hudson | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Bennett Stein | Stein Financial LLC | Miramar Beach | CFP, CPA | Percentage of assets |
| Bethany Aylor | Peak Asset Management | Louisville | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Brad Klontz | Occidental Asset Management | Lihue | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Brent Yanagida | Peak Asset Management | Louisville | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Bugra Bakan | Occidental Asset Management | Burlingame | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Christian Litscher | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Christine Centeno | Simplicity Wealth Management LLC | Glen Allen | CFP, MSFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Christine Papelian | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Christopher Frayne | Sigma Investment Counselors | Northville | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Colleen Weber | Colleen Weber CPA | Chanhassen | CFP | Fixed fees |
| Daniel Allgaier | Artstone Private Wealth | Lehi | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Darren Wurz | Wurz Financial Services | Cincinnati | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| David Kim | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Edward Yoon | MQ Private Wealth | Torrance | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Eric Raether | Canopy Wealth Management | Middleton | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Erin Hadley | Occidental Asset Management | Burlingame | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Evan Waltz | Walkner Condon Financial Advisors | Verona | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Faruk Jaffer | Index Gurus | Concord | CFP, ChFC | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Francisco Aguilar Puyol | MAPT Capital | Madison | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| George Williams | Precedent Wealth Partners | Houston | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Gordon Shearer | CRA Financial | Northfield | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Grant Bugner | Peak Asset Management | Louisville | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Grant Williams | Precedent Wealth Partners | Houston | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Jaco Jordaan | Riverchase Wealth Management | Upper St. Clair | CFP, ChFC, CFA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| James Griffin | Occidental Asset Management | Burlingame | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Jane Yoo | Jane Financial, LLC | Oakland | CFP, MBA | Fixed fees |
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.