# Financial advisors for founders in Chicago, Illinois > For founders in Chicago, 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 Robert Riedl of Endowment Wealth Management, Inc., Thomas Van Spankeren of RISE Investments and Arun Soni of Avenue 90 Financial. Page: https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/founders-pre-exit/illinois/chicago/ 40 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 Chicago? For founders in Chicago, 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 Robert Riedl of Endowment Wealth Management, Inc., Thomas Van Spankeren of RISE Investments and Arun Soni of Avenue 90 Financial. - [Robert Riedl](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/robert-riedl/), Endowment Wealth Management, Inc., Chicago City. Holds the CPA, CFP and CFA. Fees on file: percentage of assets. - [Thomas Van Spankeren](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/thomas-van-spankeren/), RISE Investments, Chicago City. Holds the CFP and CFA. Fees on file: percentage of assets. - [Arun Soni](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/arun-soni/), Avenue 90 Financial, Chicago City. Holds the CFP and CFA. Fees on file: percentage of assets, hourly. - [Garrett Chmiola](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/garrett-chmiola/), Valeo Financial Advisors, Chicago City. Holds the CPA and CFP. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, percentage of assets. - [Amy Rosenow](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/amy-rosenow/), Bold Vision Financial, Chicago City. Holds the CFP and CFA. Fees on file: one-time planning fee, hourly. - [Randolph Hardy](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/randolph-hardy/), Factor Wealth Management, Chicago City. Holds the CFP and CFA. Fees on file: percentage of assets, hourly. ## How many fee-only financial advisors in Chicago work with founders? The Wellspent public graph lists 40 fee-only advisors for founders in Chicago, at 21 firms. We counted every advisor record that lists this work, as of October 2026. ## How do fee-only advisors for founders in Chicago charge? The most common fee among fee-only advisors for founders in Chicago is a percentage of assets, used by 93% of the 40 with fees on file. Many use more than one: 38% charge by the hour and 25% charge fixed fees. ## How much do fee-only financial advisors charge in Chicago? Fee-only financial advisors in Chicago charge a median of $7,800 a year for ongoing planning. We found this across the published prices of 14 Chicago firms. ## How much does a one-time financial plan cost in Chicago? A one-time financial plan from a fee-only firm in Chicago has a median price of $1,500. We found this across the published prices of 10 Chicago firms. ## What credentials should a financial advisor for founders have? For founders, look for the CPA, CFP and CFA. In Chicago, 45% of the 40 advisors listed hold the CFP. - CPA (5% of advisors listed): CPAs can model deal structure and the tax on proceeds. - CFP (45% of advisors listed): The CFP covers life after the exit, not only the sale. - CFA (23% of advisors listed): The CFA helps with investing a large sum at once. ## How do Chicago advisors for founders compare with the rest of the US? 25% of fee-only advisors for founders in Chicago charge fixed fees, compared with 57% of the 3,000 listed across the US. That's the largest difference in the Wellspent public graph between the two groups. ## Does Illinois tax income on top of federal tax? Yes. Illinois has a state income tax, so a financial plan for a Illinois resident should project it alongside federal tax. ## What happens to stock pay if you move to or from Illinois? States often tax stock pay based on where you worked between grant and vesting, so a move to or from Illinois 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 Chicago? - 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 Illinois 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 Chicago? 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 | |---|---|---|---|---| | [Amy Rosenow](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/amy-rosenow.md) | Bold Vision Financial | Chicago, Illinois | CFP, CFA | One-time planning fee, Hourly | | [Garrett Chmiola](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/garrett-chmiola.md) | Valeo Financial Advisors | Chicago, Illinois | CFP, CPA | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets | | [Valerie Rivera](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/valerie-rivera.md) | FirstGen Wealth | Chicago, Illinois | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [Arun Soni](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/arun-soni.md) | Avenue 90 Financial | Chicago, Illinois | CFA, CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, One-time planning fee | | [Robert Riedl](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/robert-riedl.md) | Endowment Wealth Management, Inc. | Chicago, Illinois | AWMA, BS, CFA, CFP, CPA, MBA | Percentage of assets | | [Brett Spencer](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/brett-spencer.md) | Impact Financial LLC | Chicago, Illinois | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Leslie Ransom](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/leslie-ransom.md) | Indie Financial Planning, LLC | Chicago, Illinois | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer, Hourly, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [Brian Thompson](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/brian-thompson.md) | Brian Thompson Financial LLC | Chicago, Illinois | CFP, JD | Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [Thomas Van Spankeren](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/thomas-van-spankeren.md) | RISE Investments | Chicago, Illinois | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets | | [Vincent DeCrow](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/vincent-decrow.md) | RISE Investments | Chicago, Illinois | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [John Burns](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/john-burns.md) | Factor Wealth Management | Chicago, Illinois | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Randolph Hardy](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/randolph-hardy.md) | Factor Wealth Management | Chicago, Illinois | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Katherine Hennessy](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/katherine-hennessy.md) | AssetGrade | Chicago, Illinois | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Vinnie Maliakkal](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/vinnie-maliakkal.md) | Wavvest | Chicago, Illinois | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Margaret Quinn](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/margaret-quinn.md) | Paradigm Wealth Management | Chicago, Illinois | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly | | [Ginger Gorden](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/ginger-gorden.md) | Ggcfo | Chicago, Illinois | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [James Langer](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/james-langer.md) | Wavvest | Chicago, Illinois | CFA | Percentage of assets | | [Melanie Husk](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/melanie-husk.md) | MEL Consulting | Chicago, Illinois | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, One-time planning fee | | [Brett Grossman](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/brett-grossman.md) | Factor Wealth Management | Chicago, Illinois | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Daniel Howard](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/daniel-howard.md) | Zuckerman Investment Group | Chicago, Illinois | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Elena Sargent](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/elena-sargent.md) | Factor Wealth Management | Chicago, Illinois | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Lindsey Johns](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/lindsey-johns.md) | Zuckerman Investment Group | Chicago, Illinois | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Ryan Robertson](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/ryan-robertson.md) | Factor Wealth Management | Chicago, Illinois | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Yoo Chung Chang](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/yoo-chung-chang.md) | Upstart Wealth Management | Chicago, Illinois | | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee | | [Andrew Farinelli](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/andrew-farinelli.md) | Wavvest | Chicago, Illinois | | Percentage of assets | | [Brendan King](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/brendan-king.md) | Wavvest | Chicago, Illinois | | Percentage of assets | | [Johnny Jones](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/johnny-jones.md) | Atlatl Advisers | Chicago, Illinois | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Sinon Bennett](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/sinon-bennett.md) | Wavvest | Chicago, Illinois | | Percentage of assets | | [Daniel Zuckerman](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/daniel-zuckerman.md) | Zuckerman Investment Group | Chicago, Illinois | CFA | Percentage of assets | | [Joseph Shea](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/joseph-shea.md) | Horizon Family Wealth | Chicago, Illinois | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Keith Schicker](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/keith-schicker.md) | Zuckerman Investment Group | Chicago, Illinois | CFA | Percentage of assets | | [Parker Taylor](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/parker-taylor.md) | Paradigm Wealth Management | Chicago, Illinois | | Percentage of assets, Hourly | | [Sharese Abbadessa](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/sharese-abbadessa.md) | Horizon Family Wealth | Chicago, Illinois | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Alan Charach](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/alan-charach.md) | Rebellion Asset Management | Chicago, Illinois | | Percentage of assets | | [Arielle Hannan](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/arielle-hannan.md) | Rebellion Asset Management | Chicago, Illinois | | Percentage of assets | | [Jeffrey Melgard](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jeffrey-melgard.md) | Rebellion Asset Management | Chicago, Illinois | | Percentage of assets | | [John Swift](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/john-swift.md) | Benchmark Investment Advisors | Chicago, Illinois | CFA | Percentage of assets | | [Pearlyn Manieri](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/pearlyn-manieri.md) | Rebellion Asset Management | Chicago, Illinois | | Percentage of assets | | [William Enoch](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/william-enoch.md) | Zuckerman Investment Group | Chicago, Illinois | | Percentage of assets | | [Thomas Walshe](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/thomas-walshe.md) | Benchmark Investment Advisors | Chicago, Illinois | | Percentage of assets | ## Related - [Tax planning in Chicago](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/tax-planning/illinois/chicago.md) - [Family wealth transfer in Chicago](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/family-wealth-transfer/illinois/chicago.md) - [Retirement planning in Chicago](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/retirement-planning/illinois/chicago.md) - [Estate planning in Chicago](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/estate-planning/illinois/chicago.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).