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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Kurz | DiversiFi Capital | Los Altos | CFP | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Carman Kubanda Holistic Financial, Tax, Estate, Business Planning from a boutique firm. | Innovative Wealth Building | Fort Worth | CFP | Percentage of assets, Subscription |
| Christian Moon | Snake River Investment Counsel | Idaho Falls | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Daniel Seder | Blue Chip Partners | Farmington Hills | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets |
| David Foret | Blue Chip Partners | Farmington Hills | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Deborah VanDam | Blue Chip Partners | Farmington Hills | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Derek Munchow | Augustus Wealth | Long Beach | CFP, ChFC | Hourly, Ongoing planning fee |
| Dru Burns | Drucker Wealth | Mahwah | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Eric Feldman | Financial Futures | Wall Township | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Eric Gabor | Eagle Grove Advisors | Westfield | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Eric Vallee | Novel Financial | Toronto | CPA, CA, QAFP | Not listed |
| Ethan Kok | Sage Wealth Planning | Georgetown | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Frank Garcia | Frankly Finances | Winter Park | CFP, CFA | Hourly, Flat fee or retainer |
| Garrett Smith Low Cost Direct Indexing and Securities Backed Lending and related services. PLAN for your future, KEEP more for your family, GROW for generations. Your Investment partner that manages your money like our own while considering taxes, estate, and business strategies. | Ascend Investment Partners | Ogden | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Gideon Drucker | Drucker Wealth | Mahwah | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Guilian DiLeonardo Tax-efficient Wealth Management for high-income ($500k+) executives | Liberty One Wealth Advisors | Philadelphia | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Hannah Steendam | Ellevest | Lakewood | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Ian Weiner Reduce tax, optimize investments, grow preserve and protect your wealth - for generations. | Not listed | Bentonville | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Jackie Kleinman | KB Financial Advisors | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jamie Mutinsky | Emissary Wealth | Hackensack | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jeremy Bohne | Paceline Wealth Management | Medfield | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Joe Ciliberti Helping Families & Business Owners Plan Retirement and Major Liquidity Events | Thayer Partners, LLC | Wyndmoor | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| John Konetzny | The Practical Planner | Groton | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Jonathan Johnson | Blue Chip Partners | Farmington Hills | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Jordan Haines | Drucker Wealth | Kuna | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Jorie Johnson | Financial Futures | Brielle | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Joshua Loveall | KB Financial Advisors | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Kaitlin Horsch | Ellevest | New York | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Kayla Benjamin | KB Financial Advisors | Denver | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Kelly Brown | Brown PCFO | Bellingham | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Lauren Overzet We deliver a boutique planning experience for highly-compensated individuals and high-net-worth families who desire the partnership, service and knowledge of a team of financial professionals. | Civic Financial | Boston | CFA, CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Lauren Williams Guiding your family’s wealth | ProsperPlan Wealth | Gold River | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Lily Zhang | DiversiFi Capital | Los Altos | CFP | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Luke Melms We specialize in helping high-net-worth families build a customized Firm Foundation Wealth Strategy™ | Firm Foundation Family Wealth | Ft. Lauderdale | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Mallory Davis | MA Private Wealth | San Carlos | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Mark Boujikian | Keymark Financial | Rolling Hills Estates | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Mark Cecchini Comprehensive wealth management and equity advice for people in tech/crypto with $2m+. | Quadrant Capital | Center Valley | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Mark Meredith | Meredith Wealth Planning | Maryville | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Matthew Lewis | TechView Wealth Advisors | San Francisco | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Matthew Mondoux | Blue Chip Partners | Farmington Hills | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Melanie Brophy | Next Play Financial Solutions | Ashburn | CFP | Hourly, Flat fee or retainer |
| Michael Hunter | Clearpath Legacy Planning | Arvada | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Mitch Hamer The intersection of financial planning, investment management, and life plans for high performers. | Intersecting Wealth | Northbrook | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee |
| Naoko McKelvey | Blue Chip Partners | Farmington Hills | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Nathan Dingler | DiversiFi Capital | Los Altos | CFP | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Paige Millikin | Sage Wealth Planning | Georgetown | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Patricia Konetzny | The Practical Planner | Groton | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Raymond Vo | DiversiFi Capital | Los Altos | CFP | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Richard Taborda | LBT Wealth Management | Iselin | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Richard Wimmer | Meredith Wealth Planning | Maryville | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer, 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.