# Financial advisors for founders in San Diego, California > For founders in San Diego, 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, David Lyon of Lyon Wealth Advisory and Matthew Showley of Creative Capital Management Investments LLC. Page: https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/founders-pre-exit/california/san-diego/ 38 fee-only advisors listed; data last updated October 30, 2026. Fee-only means paid only by clients, never by commissions. ## Which financial advisor should I talk to as a founder in San Diego? For founders in San Diego, 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, David Lyon of Lyon Wealth Advisory and Matthew Showley of Creative Capital Management Investments LLC. - [Michael Randall](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/michael-randall/), Oak Summit Wealth Management, San Diego City. Holds the EA, CFP and CFA. Fees on file: ongoing planning fee. - [David Lyon](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/david-lyon/), Lyon Wealth Advisory, San Deigo. Holds the EA and CFP. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, ongoing planning fee. - [Matthew Showley](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/matthew-showley/), Creative Capital Management Investments LLC, San Diego City. Holds the CPA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, hourly. - [Christian Litscher](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/christian-litscher/), Illumination Wealth Management, San Diego City. Holds the CFP and CFA. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, ongoing planning fee. - [David Chenet](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/david-chenet/), Presidio Capital Management, San Diego City. Holds the CFP and CFA. Fees on file: percentage of assets, hourly. - [Emily Nilsson](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/emily-nilsson/), Brava Financial, LLC, San Diego City. Holds the CFP. Fees on file: one-time planning fee, hourly. ## How many fee-only financial advisors in San Diego work with founders? The Wellspent public graph lists 38 fee-only advisors for founders in San Diego, at 15 firms. We counted every advisor record that lists this work, as of October 2026. ## How do fee-only advisors for founders in San Diego charge? The most common fee among fee-only advisors for founders in San Diego is a percentage of assets, used by 68% of the 38 with fees on file. Many use more than one: 66% charge by the hour and 58% charge fixed fees. ## How much do fee-only financial advisors charge in San Diego? Fee-only financial advisors in San Diego charge a median of $5,500 a year for ongoing planning. We found this across the published prices of 14 San Diego firms. ## How much does a one-time financial plan cost in San Diego? A one-time financial plan from a fee-only firm in San Diego has a median price of $1,950. We found this across the published prices of 11 San Diego firms. ## What credentials should a financial advisor for founders have? For founders, look for the CPA, EA and CFP. In San Diego, 61% of the 38 advisors listed hold the CFP. - CPA (3% of advisors listed): CPAs can model deal structure and the tax on proceeds. - EA (5% of advisors listed): Enrolled agents bring tax depth for multi-year planning. - CFP (61% of advisors listed): The CFP covers life after the exit, not only the sale. - CFA (16% of advisors listed): The CFA helps with investing a large sum at once. ## How do San Diego advisors for founders compare with the rest of the US? 68% of fee-only advisors for founders in San Diego charge a percentage of assets, compared with 93% of the 3,000 listed across the US. That's the largest difference in the Wellspent public graph between the two groups. ## 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 San Diego? - 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 San Diego? 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. ## Advisors | Advisor | Firm | Location | Credentials | Fees | |---|---|---|---|---| | [Emily Nilsson](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/emily-nilsson.md) | Brava Financial, LLC | San Diego, California | CDFA, CFP, JD | One-time planning fee, Hourly | | [David Lyon](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/david-lyon.md) | Lyon Wealth Advisory | San Deigo, California | CFP, EA, CRPC | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [Matthew Showley](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/matthew-showley.md) | Creative Capital Management Investments LLC | San Diego, California | CFP, MBA, BFA, CeFT, CPA | Percentage of assets, Hourly | | [Michael Randall](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/michael-randall.md) | Oak Summit Wealth Management | San Diego, California | CFP, CFA, EA | Ongoing planning fee | | [Taylor Schulte](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/taylor-schulte.md) | Define Financial | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer | | [Christian Litscher](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/christian-litscher.md) | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego, California | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Christine Papelian](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/christine-papelian.md) | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego, California | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Christine Skoczek](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/christine-skoczek.md) | Vistica Wealth Advisors | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer, Hourly, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [David Kim](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/david-kim-7316818.md) | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego, California | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Sara Gawick](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/sara-gawick.md) | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego, California | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Victor Gersten](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/victor-gersten.md) | Cross Border Wealth Advisors | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [Zachary Benton](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/zachary-benton.md) | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego, California | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Andrew Drennan](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/andrew-drennan.md) | D'Arcy Capital Management | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [David Chenet](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/david-chenet.md) | Presidio Capital Management | San Diego, California | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Joshua Simpson](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/joshua-simpson.md) | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego, California | ChFC | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Krysta Kelly](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/krysta-kelly.md) | D'Arcy Capital Management | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Rielle Sanidad](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/rielle-sanidad.md) | Presidio Capital Management | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Stone Churby](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/stone-churby.md) | Presidio Capital Management | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Tyrone Ross](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/tyrone-ross.md) | 401 Financial | San Diego, California | CFP | Hourly, Subscription, One-time planning fee | | [David Andrews](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/david-andrews.md) | Heritage Wealth Management | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees, Performance-based fees | | [Jordan Gibbs](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jordan-gibbs.md) | Heritage Wealth Management | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees, Performance-based fees | | [Ryan Gibbs](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/ryan-gibbs.md) | Heritage Wealth Management | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees, Performance-based fees | | [Benjamin Rinkey](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/benjamin-rinkey.md) | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego, California | | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Christopher D'Arcy](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/christopher-d-arcy.md) | D'Arcy Capital Management | San Diego, California | CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Matthew Rinkey](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/matthew-rinkey.md) | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego, California | | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Sheldon Goldman](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/sheldon-goldman.md) | Goldman Wealth Management | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Christopher Reyes](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/christopher-reyes.md) | Presidio Capital Management | San Diego, California | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Henry Winship](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/henry-winship.md) | Pacific Point | San Diego, California | CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Jagdish (Jay) Sitlani](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jagdish-jay-sitlani.md) | Pacific Point | San Diego, California | CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Matthew Vallebo](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/matthew-vallebo.md) | Presidio Capital Management | San Diego, California | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Michael Kasianko](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/michael-kasianko.md) | Presidio Capital Management | San Diego, California | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Robyn Cohen](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/robyn-cohen.md) | Presidio Capital Management | San Diego, California | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Stephen Islander](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/stephen-islander.md) | Presidio Capital Management | San Diego, California | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Arley Gonzalez](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/arley-gonzalez.md) | KOA Wealth Management | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Daniel Shainberg](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/daniel-shainberg.md) | Heritage Wealth Management | San Diego, California | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees, Performance-based fees | | [Michelle Hams](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/michelle-hams.md) | Heritage Wealth Management | San Diego, California | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees, Performance-based fees | | [William Kirk](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/william-kirk.md) | Heritage Wealth Management | San Diego, California | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees, Performance-based fees | | [Kyle Spiewak](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/kyle-spiewak.md) | Pacific Point | San Diego, California | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | ## Related - [Retirement planning in San Diego](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/retirement-planning/california/san-diego.md) - [Estate planning in San Diego](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/estate-planning/california/san-diego.md) - [Tax planning in San Diego](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/tax-planning/california/san-diego.md) - [Retirees in San Diego](https://find.wellspent.co/audiences/retirees/california/san-diego.md) - [Pre-retirees in San Diego](https://find.wellspent.co/audiences/pre-retirees/california/san-diego.md) - [Small business owners in San Diego](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/small-business-owners/california/san-diego.md) ## About this data Sources and verification: https://find.wellspent.co/methodology/ Query the directory programmatically: https://api.wellspent.co/mcp (MCP, read-only, no auth).