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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Mason | Brooklyn FI | Brooklyn | CFP, CPA/PFS, CPWA, EA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Shannon Pope | SFMG Wealth Advisors | Plano | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Shaun Melby | Melby Wealth Management, LLC | Nashville | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Shirley Stacy Sanchez | Pioneer Wealth Management Group | Austin | CFP, MS, AAMS, CRPS | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Stanton Burns | Oakview Wealth Solutions LLC | St. Charles | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Steve Cruice | Simply Steward, LLC | Highlands Ranch | CFP, CPA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Steven Clark | Clark Financial Planning Services LLC | Coconut Creek | CFP, EA, RICP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Tara Unverzagt | South Bay Financial Partners | Torrance | CFP, MBA | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| Tim Woodward | Blend Wealth | Indianapolis | CFP, MBA | Ongoing planning fee |
| Todd Moritz | White Turf Financial | St Paul | BBA, CFP, CPA/PFS, CPA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Vincent Renaut | Pier 42 Advisors | South Dennis | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Zach Lopez | AnCap Financial | League City | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Alex Jankowski | Timeless Wealth, LLC | Phoenixville | CFP, CPA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Amy Riddell | AFT Financial Planning | Tampa | CFA, CFP | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| Ann Shubert | Equila Financial, LLC | Albuquerque | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee |
| Annie Kvick | Money Coaches Canada | North Vancouver | CFP, BEd | One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee |
| Annie McQuilken | Forever Financial Advisors, LLC | Worcester | CFP, CFT-I, MS | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Anthony Lombard Ethical, transparent planning for teachers, business owners and people with equity compensation, with attention to money behavior and financial literacy. | Noteworthy Financial | Fairfax Station | CFP | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Barbara Knoblach | Money Coaches Canada | Edmonton | CFP, PhD | One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee |
| Bob Knode | Knode Wealth Management | Plano | CFP, EA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Brandy Branstetter | Beyond Wealth | Overland Park | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Cathy Curtis | Curtis Financial Planning, LLC | Oakland | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Cherise Berman | Bespoke Financial Consulting Inc. | Toronto | CA, CFP, RFP, TEP | Hourly, Ongoing planning fee |
| Cheryl Vesely | Balance Financial Planning, LLC | Oakland | CFP, MA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Clark Kendall | Kendall Capital Management | Rockville | AEP, CFA, CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Contey Smith | Motus Wealth Management, LLC | Atlanta | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Corey Beal | Empowering Finance, LLC | Portland | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Dale Shafer Ii | Life Moves Wealth Management, LLC | Scotttsdale | CFP, APMA, CDFA | Ongoing planning fee |
| Daniel Evans | Money Coaches Canada | Vancouver | CFP, CLU | One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee |
| Darren Koch | Steigerwald, Gordon & Koch Inc. | Leesburg | CEPA, CFP, CRPS, Other | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| David Miller | Rule72 Financial | Potomac Falls | CFP, MSC | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Dawn Mabery Chestnut | Mabery Consulting, LLC | Washington | CFP, MPAS, MSPFP, ChFC | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| DeDe Smolen | Innovative Financial, LLC | Lakewood | CFP, CPA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Drew Feutz | Migration Wealth Management, LLC | Avon | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Eric Imley | Soaring Investment Management, LLC | Portland | CFP, MFA, CKA, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Eric Maldonado | Aquila Wealth Advisors | San Luis Obispo | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Eric Olsen | Olsen Family Financial, LLC | Oakton | CFP, PhD | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Galen Herbst de Cortina | Buff Your Finances, LLC | Newbury Park | CFP, MBA | One-time planning fee |
| Gerald Gasber | Gasber Financial Advisors, Inc. | Folsom | CFP, CFS, CIMA, CIMC | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| James Ashby | Mustard Seed Wealth Management | Magnolia | CFP, CPA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Janice Fier | Couloir Wealth Advisors, Inc. | Welch | CFP | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| January Smith | Janus Financial Planning, LLC | San Antonio | CFP, EA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jason Gunkel | Syverson Strege | West Des Moines | CAP, CFA, CFP, AEP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jeanna Nation | West Financial Advisors, LLC | Des Moines | CFP, CPA/PFS, RICP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jeffrey Bogue | Bogue Asset Management | Portland | BS, CFP | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| Jim Kilgore | Buckeye Wealth Partners, LLC | Dayton | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jodie Stauffer | Money Coaches Canada | Edmonton | CFP | One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee |
| John Fales | Searcy Financial Services, Inc. | Overland Park | AIF, CFP, CIMA, EA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jon Hsu | TrueVector Wealth Advisors | Parker | CFP, CIMA, EA | Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee |
| Josh Escalante Troesh | Purposeful Strategic Partners | Alta Loma | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
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.