Small business owners
Small business owners carry a planning shape that other audiences don't: the same balance sheet holds the operating company, owner-comp structure, retirement-plan sponsorship, succession or sale planning, and the personal household plan that sits on top. Advisors with depth here coordinate entity structure, owner-comp tax strategy, defined-benefit and solo-401(k) sponsorship, and the eventual transition out, whether that's a family hand-off, an internal sale, or a third-party exit.
By the numbers
The Wellspent public graph lists 2,851 fee-only financial advisors focused on small business owners at 1,255 firms, most in Houston, Atlanta and New York. 45% hold the CFP certification. Of the 2841 with fees on file, 88% charge percentage of assets.
- Advisors listed
- 2,851
- Firms
- 1,255
- Cities
- 820
- Hold the CFP
- 45%
- Other credentials: CFA 9% · CPA 2% · EA 1%
- How they charge (of 2841 with fees on file): percentage of assets 88% · fixed fees 52% · hourly 48% · ongoing planning fee 14%
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 small business owners
| Advisor | Firm | City | Credentials | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary Panek | Greater Midwest Financial Group | Saint Paul | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
Guides
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Financial advisor for small business owners
A good advisor for business owners plans the company and the household as one: what you pay yourself, which retirement plan to sponsor, and what happens when you step away. Fee-only planners charge a median $4,500 a year.
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Becoming a landlord: the money and tax plan to make first
A rental's tax rules shape whether it pays: the building depreciates over 27.5 years, losses offset up to $25,000 of other income only below $150,000 of income, and depreciation is taxed at up to 25% when you sell.
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Capital gains tax in Canada: how it works
Canada taxes half of a capital gain. The CRA's inclusion rate is 50%, so a C$20,000 gain adds C$10,000 to your taxable income. Here's how losses, your home and timing change the bill.
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CPA vs financial advisor: who does what, and do you need both?
A CPA handles tax and accounting; a financial advisor plans your money and often manages investments. Most households with real complexity use both. A CPA-prepared return averages $280 before extra schedules; fee-only planning runs a median $4,500 a year.
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The dividend tax credit in Canada, explained
Eligible Canadian dividends are grossed up to 138% on your return, then earn a federal credit of 15.0198% of that amount. Foreign dividends get no credit. Here's how it works and where it can cost you.
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Enrolled agent vs CPA: which one should do your taxes?
For a federal return or an IRS problem, an enrolled agent and a CPA have the same rights before the IRS. EAs are tax specialists licensed by the IRS and charged an average $228 for a basic 1040 in 2025, against $280 for CPAs.