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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisa Eaton Affordable, tailored planning and coaching for people who have felt priced out of or unwelcome in conversations about wealth. | Firm Footing Financial Planning | Seattle | AFC, MS, DPT | Hourly |
| Logan Collie | Collie Financial Planning, Inc. | Black Mountain | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Matthew Etzler Etzler Financial Advisors is a fee-only fiduciary firm providing comprehensive, conflict-free financial planning on a time-based model, helping clients make informed decisions and achieve peace of mind without sales or asset-based fees. | Etzler Financial Advisors, LLC | Red Bluff | CFP | Hourly, Subscription |
| Matthew Hawk | Cambridge Capital Management, LLC | O Fallon | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Max Novak Flat-fee. Fiduciary. Life-centered planning. | Novak Financial Partners | Carterville | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Subscription |
| Meghan Railey | Optas, LLC | Austin | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Michael Garry | Yardley Wealth Management, LLC | Yardley | AIF, CFP, JD, MBA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Mike Metzger | Lifepoint Financial Design | Salt Lake City | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Philip Olson | Solstice Wealth | Austin | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Priscilla Gilbert | CenterPoint Financial, Inc. | Montpelier | BA, CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Randall Avery | Deasil Wealth Management, LLC | Decatur | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Ryan Hughes You work hard for your money. We’ll work hard to help you capitalize on what you’ve earned. Bull Oak is a full-service financial advisory firm. We provide investment management, financial planning, tax strategy, tax preparation and filing, and estate planning. Our all-inclusive service frees up your time and gives you an optimal wealth management experience with harmony between all aspects of your financial life. | Bull Oak | Rancho Santa Fe | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Sandra Mann | Money Coaches Canada | Burlington | MBA, CPA, CGA, QAFP | One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee |
| Sarah Dickenson Planning that helps people gain clarity on their finances, from a former creative small business owner with a love of psychology. | Abundo Wealth | Providence | Not listed | Subscription |
| Sarah Ponder | Real Wealth Planning | Sunset Valley | CFP, MBA | Ongoing planning fee |
| Scott Plaskett | IRONSHIELD Financial Planning | Toronto | CFP | Not listed |
| Sheila Padden | Padden Financial Planning, LLC | Chicago | CFP, CPA/PFS | Ongoing planning fee |
| Stephen Hassell | Hassell Wealth Management | Metairie | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Steven Balch Helping you organize your financial life so you can focus on what truly matters | Not listed | Ramsey | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Taylor Schulte Tax-smart retirement planning for investors with a $2MM+ nest egg. | Define Financial | San Diego | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Tyler Day | Foresight Financial Planning | Alma | CFP, CSLP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Wade Calvert | BZ Wealth Advisors, LLC | Meridian | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Adam Gruber | AMG Wealth Management | Land O Lakes | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Albert Dean | Riverchase Wealth Management | Flower Mound | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Alexandra (Alyx) Valdal | Apple a Day Financial, Ltd. | Victoria | CFP, CHS, CLU | Not listed |
| Alicia Duong | Wealth Engineers | Denver | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Allen Regan | Vistica Wealth Advisors | Carlsbad | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Amanda Lehnert | Sigma Investment Counselors | Northville | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Andrew Casey | Precedent Wealth Partners | Houston | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Andrew Tisler | Epic Financial | Hudson | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Bennett Stein | Stein Financial LLC | Miramar Beach | CFP, CPA | Percentage of assets |
| Brant Root | Firethorn Capital | Westport | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Brennan Zizzi | Zizzi Investments, LLC | Mechanicsburg | CFP | Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
| Brian Bruggeman | Walla Walla Wealth Advisors | Walla Walla | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Brian Jaros | Ville Wealth Management | Avon Lake | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Brooklyn Brock | Ellevate Advisors LLC | Tulsa | CEPA, CFP, ChFC, CKA | Hourly, Fixed fees |
| Christi Powell | Perissos Private Wealth Management | Bethany | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Christian Litscher | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Christine Papelian | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Christine Skoczek | Vistica Wealth Advisors | San Diego | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Christopher Flis | Resilient Asset Management | Memphis | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Christopher Frayne | Sigma Investment Counselors | Northville | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Cliff O'Conner | C.W. O'Conner Wealth Advisors, Inc. | Duluth | ChFC, CIMA, CPWA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Daniel Allgaier | Artstone Private Wealth | Lehi | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Daniel Heiar | Mindful Asset Planning | Apple Valley | Not listed | Hourly, Fixed fees |
| Daniel Johnson | Birchcreek Wealth Management | Miami Township | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Daniel Peters | Prism Planning Partners | Libertyville | CFP | One-time planning fee |
| David Kim | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| David Nash | Magister Wealth | San Antonio | CFA, CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Deborah Klein | Azzad Asset Management | Falls Church | CFP | Percentage of assets |
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.