# Financial advisors for founders in Florida > For founders in Florida, 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 Franklin Gay of Tobias Financial Advisors, Bennett Stein of Stein Financial LLC and Leo Lavezza of Financial Consulate, Inc.. Page: https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/founders-pre-exit/florida/ 159 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 Florida? For founders in Florida, 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 Franklin Gay of Tobias Financial Advisors, Bennett Stein of Stein Financial LLC and Leo Lavezza of Financial Consulate, Inc.. - [Franklin Gay](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/franklin-gay/), Tobias Financial Advisors, Plantation. Holds the CPA, EA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, hourly. - [Bennett Stein](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/bennett-stein/), Stein Financial LLC, Miramar Beach. Holds the CPA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets. - [Leo Lavezza](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/leo-lavezza/), Financial Consulate, Inc., Fernandina Beach. Holds the CPA and CFP. Fees on file: ongoing planning fee. - [Chris Diodato](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/chris-diodato/), WELLth Financial Planning, Palm Beach Gardens. Holds the CFP and CFA. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer. - [Cassandra Smalley](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/cassandra-smalley/), Cassandra Smalley Wealth Management, Seminole. Holds the CFP and CFA. Fees on file: percentage of assets, ongoing planning fee. - [Brian Sirota](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/brian-sirota/), FirsTrust, Daytona Beach. Holds the CFP and CFA. Fees on file: percentage of assets. ## How many fee-only financial advisors in Florida work with founders? The Wellspent public graph lists 159 fee-only advisors for founders in Florida, at 87 firms. We counted every advisor record that lists this work, as of October 2026. ## Where are fee-only advisors for founders in Florida located? Of the 159 fee-only advisors for founders in Florida, 12 are in Tampa, followed by 10 in Palm Beach Gardens and 9 in Boca Raton. ## How do fee-only advisors for founders in Florida charge? The most common fee among fee-only advisors for founders in Florida is a percentage of assets, used by 94% of the 159 with fees on file. Many use more than one: 61% charge fixed fees and 50% charge by the hour. ## How much do fee-only financial advisors charge in Florida? Fee-only financial advisors in Florida charge a median of $4,200 a year for ongoing planning. We found this across the published prices of 48 Florida firms. ## How much does a one-time financial plan cost in Florida? A one-time financial plan from a fee-only firm in Florida has a median price of $2,500. We found this across the published prices of 43 Florida firms. ## What credentials should a financial advisor for founders have? For founders, look for the CPA, EA and CFP. In Florida, 30% of the 159 advisors listed hold the CFP. - CPA (2% of advisors listed): CPAs can model deal structure and the tax on proceeds. - EA (1% of advisors listed): Enrolled agents bring tax depth for multi-year planning. - CFP (30% of advisors listed): The CFP covers life after the exit, not only the sale. - CFA (8% of advisors listed): The CFA helps with investing a large sum at once. ## How do Florida advisors for founders compare with the rest of the US? 30% of fee-only advisors for founders in Florida hold the CFP, compared with 41% of the 3,000 listed across the US. That's the largest difference in the Wellspent public graph between the two groups. ## Does Florida have a state income tax? No. Florida has no state income tax, so federal tax drives most financial planning for residents. ## What happens to stock pay if you move to or from Florida? States often tax stock pay based on where you worked between grant and vesting, so a move to or from Florida 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 Florida? - 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? - If I've worked in other states, what could I still owe there? - If I move before my grants vest, which states can tax them? ## How current is this list of fee-only advisors for founders in Florida? 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 | |---|---|---|---|---| | [Brian Sirota](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/brian-sirota.md) | FirsTrust | Daytona Beach, Florida | CFP, ChFC, MBA, CFA, CIMA, JM, CLU, MTX | Percentage of assets | | [Cassandra Smalley](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/cassandra-smalley.md) | Cassandra Smalley Wealth Management | Seminole, Florida | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [Chris Diodato](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/chris-diodato.md) | WELLth Financial Planning | Palm Beach Gardens, Florida | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer | | [Leo Lavezza](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/leo-lavezza.md) | Financial Consulate, Inc. | Fernandina Beach, Florida | CFP, CPA, MBA, CIMA | Ongoing planning fee | | [Douglas Marcello](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/douglas-marcello.md) | Core Wealth Management, Inc. | Jupiter, Florida | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly, Percentage of assets | | [Joshua Duncan](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/joshua-duncan.md) | F5 Financial | Venice, Florida | CFP, MS, PhD | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee, Hourly | | [Sean Gerlin](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/sean-gerlin.md) | Envision Financial Services & Asset Management | Maitland, Florida | CFP, ChFC, CPWA, CLU | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Holly Donaldson](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/holly-donaldson.md) | Holly Donaldson Financial Planning, LLC | Gainesville, Florida | AAMS, CFP, MA, MBA | One-time planning fee, Hourly | | [Franklin Gay](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/franklin-gay.md) | Tobias Financial Advisors | Plantation, Florida | CFP, EA, MBA, CFA, CPA/PFS, CTS | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Cayden McLaughlin](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/cayden-mclaughlin.md) | WealthAdvisor365 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | CFP | One-time planning fee, Subscription, Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets | | [Joshua Davis](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/joshua-davis.md) | Davis Private Wealth, LLC | Royal Palm Beach, Florida | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Adam Gruber](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/adam-gruber.md) | AMG Wealth Management | Land O Lakes, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee | | [Bennett Stein](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/bennett-stein.md) | Stein Financial LLC | Miramar Beach, Florida | CFP, CPA | Percentage of assets | | [Jordan Talbert](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jordan-talbert.md) | Creative Wealth Management | Punta Gorda, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [Nicholas Chiricosta](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/nicholas-chiricosta.md) | Utopia Wealth Management | Coconut Creek, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly | | [Nicholas Maratta](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/nicholas-maratta.md) | Occidental Asset Management | Winter Springs, Florida | CFP | Ongoing planning fee | | [Tristan Jacobi](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/tristan-jacobi.md) | Creative Wealth Management | Punta Gorda, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [Adam Stoeckler](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/adam-stoeckler.md) | Highland Investment Advisors | Ponte Vedra, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Alexandra Forest](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/alexandra-forest.md) | 44 North Capital | Palm Beach Gardens, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Beverly Whitman](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/beverly-whitman.md) | Highland Investment Advisors | Ponte Vedra, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Jarett Busacca](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jarett-busacca.md) | Venture Wealth Solutions | Winter Park, Florida | CFP | Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee, Percentage of assets | | [Luke Melms](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/luke-melms.md) | Firm Foundation Family Wealth | Ft. Lauderdale, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Maria Erickson](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/maria-erickson.md) | Freedom Financial & Business Planning | Saint Petersburg, Florida | CFP | Hourly, Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [Mark Whitman](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/mark-whitman.md) | Highland Investment Advisors | Ponte Vedra, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Robert Dignan](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/robert-dignan.md) | Highland Investment Advisors | Ponte Vedra, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Ross Cutler](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/ross-cutler.md) | King Tide Advisors | Stuart, Florida | CFP | Hourly, One-time planning fee, Percentage of assets | | [Aaron Pierce](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/aaron-pierce.md) | TrueVine Family Wealth | Naples, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Ivan Mendoza](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/ivan-mendoza.md) | Mendoza Private Wealth | North Miami, Florida | CFP, ChFC, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [James Belliston](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/james-belliston.md) | Tanara Wealth Management | St. Augustine, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [John Dewitt](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/john-dewitt.md) | Lakeshore Advisors | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Jordi Bakovic-Quiroga](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jordi-bakovic-quiroga.md) | TQM Wealth Partners | St. Augustine, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Thomas Gruber](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/thomas-gruber.md) | AMG Wealth Management | Land O Lakes, Florida | PFS | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee | | [Adam Drake](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/adam-drake.md) | Highland Investment Advisors | Ponte Vedra, Florida | CFA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Genevieve George](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/genevieve-george.md) | Pelican Financial Planning & Wealth | Jupiter, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [George Kiraly](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/george-kiraly.md) | LodeStar | Naples, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Joseph Fernandez](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/joseph-fernandez.md) | Invenio Wealth Partners | Coral Gables, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Marguerite Cook](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/marguerite-cook.md) | Rothschild Capital Partners | Hollywood, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees, Performance-based fees | | [Matthew Michaels](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/matthew-michaels.md) | Fidelis Capital | Tampa, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Michael Stanton](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/michael-stanton.md) | Alpine Private Wealth | Santa Rosa Beach, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Tanner Merritt](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/tanner-merritt.md) | Keen Capital | Jacksonville, Florida | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Andrew Hicks](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/andrew-hicks.md) | Occidental Asset Management | Altamonte Springs, Florida | | Ongoing planning fee | | [Federico Londono Castillo](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/federico-londono-castillo.md) | Occidental Asset Management | Altamonte Springs, Florida | | Ongoing planning fee | | [Harold Carmean](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/harold-carmean.md) | Creative Wealth Management | Punta Gorda, Florida | | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [Marisol Andreoni](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/marisol-andreoni.md) | Utopia Wealth Management | Coconut Creek, Florida | | Percentage of assets, Hourly | | [Matthew Dellovo](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/matthew-dellovo.md) | BFA Wealth Management | Delray Beach, Florida | | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [Stephen Santangelo](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/stephen-santangelo.md) | Matriarch Wealth Management | Miami, Florida | CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Anastasiya Kolodiy](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/anastasiya-kolodiy.md) | Highland Investment Advisors | Ponte Vedra, Florida | | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Derek Notman](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/derek-notman.md) | Intrepid Wealth Partners | Melbourne Beach, Florida | CFP, ChFC | Percentage of assets | | [Fradel Barber](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/fradel-barber.md) | The World Changers | Miami , Florida | | Percentage of assets, Subscription | | [Justin Ellsesser](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/justin-ellsesser.md) | Matthias | Winter Park, Florida | CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | Showing the first 50 of 159. The full list, page by page: https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/founders-pre-exit/florida/?page=2 ## Related - [Retirement planning in Florida](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/retirement-planning/florida.md) - [Estate planning in Florida](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/estate-planning/florida.md) - [Tax planning in Florida](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/tax-planning/florida.md) - [Retirees in Florida](https://find.wellspent.co/audiences/retirees/florida.md) - [Family wealth transfer in Florida](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/family-wealth-transfer/florida.md) - [Small business owners in Florida](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/small-business-owners/florida.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).