Financial advisors for founders in California
Which financial advisor should I talk to as a founder in California?
For founders in California, talk to a fee-only planner who has worked through a liquidity event, ideally well before you sign anything. The most valuable decisions, like QSBS eligibility and gifting shares, usually have to be made ahead of the sale. Records to start with include Michael Randall of Oak Summit Wealth Management, Kimberly Helm of Quantum Financial Advisors, LLC and Mark Astrinos of Libra Wealth LLC.
Where to start
Chosen from what each record shows: credentials that fit this work and fees on file, one advisor per firm.
- Michael Randall Oak Summit Wealth Management, San Diego Holds the EA, CFP and CFA. Fees on file: ongoing planning fee.
- Kimberly Helm Quantum Financial Advisors, LLC, Pasadena Holds the CPA, CFP and CFA. Fees on file: percentage of assets, hourly.
- Mark Astrinos Libra Wealth LLC, Los Gatos Holds the CPA and CFP. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, hourly.
- Ara Oghoorian ACap Advisors & Accountants, La Verne Holds the CFP and CFA. Fees on file: percentage of assets, hourly.
- Arielle Bittoni Good Balance Financial Planning, Los Angeles Holds the CFP and CFA. Fees on file: percentage of assets, ongoing planning fee.
- David Lyon Lyon Wealth Advisory, San Deigo Holds the EA and CFP. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, ongoing planning fee.
How many fee-only financial advisors in California work with founders?
The Wellspent public graph lists 431 fee-only advisors for founders in California, at 175 firms. We counted every advisor record that lists this work, as of November 2026.
Where are fee-only advisors for founders in California located?
Of the 431 fee-only advisors for founders in California, 51 are in San Francisco, followed by 37 in San Diego and 20 in Beverly Hills.
Plus 286 in other cities.
How do fee-only advisors for founders in California charge?
The most common fee among fee-only advisors for founders in California is a percentage of assets, used by 91% of the 431 with fees on file. Many use more than one: 57% charge by the hour and 48% charge fixed fees.
How much do fee-only financial advisors charge in California?
Fee-only financial advisors in California charge a median of $6,000 a year for ongoing planning. We found this across the published prices of 112 California firms.
How much does a one-time financial plan cost in California?
A one-time financial plan from a fee-only firm in California has a median price of $2,500. We found this across the published prices of 111 California firms.
What credentials should a financial advisor for founders have?
For founders, look for the CPA, EA and CFP. In California, 44% of the 431 advisors listed hold the CFP.
- CPA1% in California
- CPAs can model deal structure and the tax on proceeds.
- EA1% in California
- Enrolled agents bring tax depth for multi-year planning.
- CFP44% in California
- The CFP covers life after the exit, not only the sale.
- CFA11% in California
- The CFA helps with investing a large sum at once.
How do California advisors for founders compare with the rest of the US?
57% of fee-only advisors for founders in California charge by the hour, compared with 46% of the 3,000 listed across the US. That's the largest difference in the Wellspent public graph between the two groups.
Dark bars are California. Light bars are all US advisors for founders.
Does California tax income on top of federal tax?
Yes. California has a state income tax, so a financial plan for a California resident should project it alongside federal tax.
What happens to stock pay if you move to or from California?
States often tax stock pay based on where you worked between grant and vesting, so a move to or from California can split that income across states. Tell any advisor about moves during a vesting period.
What should I ask a financial advisor as a founder in California?
- How many clients have you taken through an exit, and at what size?
- How would you check whether my shares qualify for QSBS?
- What should I do before a term sheet that I can't do after?
- How would you invest the proceeds in the first year?
- How will you plan for California tax alongside federal tax?
- If I move before my grants vest, which states can tax them?
How current is this list of fee-only advisors for founders in California?
Wellspent last checked these records against SEC records in October 2026 and firm websites in October 2026. Each advisor's page shows the date for that record.
All 431 advisors
| Advisor | Firm | City | Credentials | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annette Di Bello Member | Di Bello Financial | Mission Viejo | CFP, CPA, PFS™ | Percentage of assets |
| Emily Nilsson Hourly, project or ongoing planning that centers the person, helping clients build a healthier, more personal relationship with money. | Brava Financial, LLC | San Diego | CDFA, CFP, JD | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Evon Mendrin We help optometrists nationwide build thriving practices and lasting wealth through tailored financial planning and investment management. | Optometry Wealth Advisors LLC | Madera | Certified Student Loan Professional, CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Michal Skowronski Comprehensive Wealth Planning for High-Income Professionals and Retirees | Skylark Wealth, LLC | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Aaron Hatch | Woven Capital | Redding | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Christopher Stroup | Silicon Beach Financial | Santa Monica | CFP, MBA, EA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| David Lyon | Lyon Wealth Advisory | San Deigo | CFP, EA, CRPC | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Glen Monroe | Monroe Wealth Management | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jirayr Kembikian | Citrine Capital | San Francisco | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Matthew Showley | Creative Capital Management Investments LLC | San Diego | CFP, MBA, BFA, CeFT | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Sheila McGinn | Brightview Financial Solutions, LLC | Redwood City | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Stephen Nelson | Birchwood Capital LLC | Carlsbad | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Gustaf Rounick | Westlight Wealth | Venice | BA, CFP, MSC | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Matthias Giezendanner | San Francisco Wealth Planning LLC | Petaluma | CFP, EA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Aaron Brickley | Brickley Wealth Management | San Mateo | CFP, CPWA | Percentage of assets |
| Arielle Bittoni | Good Balance Financial Planning | Los Angeles | BA, CFA, CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Brian Canning | Brave New Wealth | Westlake Village | AIFA, CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jane Beule | Griffin Black, LLC | Redwood City | BA, CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Kody Brown | Sequoia Financial Group | Pasadena | CFP, CRPS | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Melissa Estrada | Fidela Wealth | Calabasas | CFP, CIMA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Neil Portus | Olivehurst Advisors LLC | Roseville | CFP, CFA, MBA, TPCP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Tara Unverzagt | South Bay Financial Partners | Torrance | CFP, MBA | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| Galen Herbst de Cortina | Buff Your Finances, LLC | Newbury Park | CFP, MBA | One-time planning fee |
| James McDougal Project-based, advice-only equity compensation planning for professionals who want plain-English analysis while staying in control of their decisions. | HiFi Planning | Long Beach | CFP, ECA | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Josh Escalante Troesh | Purposeful Strategic Partners | Alta Loma | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Joshua Escalante Troesh | Purposeful Strategic Partners | Alta Loma | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Michael Randall | Oak Summit Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP, CFA, EA | Ongoing planning fee |
| Bridget Grimes | WealthChoice LLC | Coronado | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Scott Frank | Stone Steps Financial | Cardiff | CFP, CFA, RLP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Uchechi Kalu | Greenlight Financial Planning | Los Angeles | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| 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 |
| David Carlson | Sound Investment Management, LLC | Newport Beach | CFP, ChFC, CKA, MBA | Percentage of assets |
| Eric Toya | Navigoe, LLC | Redondo Beach | CFP, EA | Ongoing planning fee |
| Jiayi Xu | Global Wealth Harbor, LLC. | Danville | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Kimberly Helm | Quantum Financial Advisors, LLC | Pasadena | CFP, CDFA, CFA, MBA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Mark Astrinos | Libra Wealth LLC | Los Gatos | CFP, CPA/PFS, RLP | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Matthew Etzler Etzler Financial Advisors is a fee-only fiduciary firm providing comprehensive, conflict-free financial planning on a time-based model, helping clients make informed decisions and achieve peace of mind without sales or asset-based fees. | Etzler Financial Advisors, LLC | Red Bluff | CFP | Hourly, Subscription |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Allen Regan | Vistica Wealth Advisors | Carlsbad | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Brett Cicinelli | Confluence Capital Advisors | Woodland Hills | CFP, CFA | 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 Papelian | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Christine Skoczek | Vistica Wealth Advisors | San Diego | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| 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 |
| Erin Hadley | Occidental Asset Management | Burlingame | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Jack Stemper | Ducere Wealth Management | Newport Beach | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| James Griffin | Occidental Asset Management | Burlingame | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
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