# Financial advisors for small business owners in California > For small business owners in California, talk to a fee-only planner who treats the business and the household as one balance sheet. Look for someone who can speak to entity choice, owner pay, and retirement plans for the company, not only your personal accounts. Records to start with include Michael Randall of Oak Summit Wealth Management, Greg Crofton of Adap Tax Financial, Inc. and David Lyon of Lyon Wealth Advisory. Page: https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/small-business-owners/california/ 349 fee-only advisors listed; data last updated November 2, 2026. Fee-only means paid only by clients, never by commissions. ## Which financial advisor should I talk to as a small business owner in California? For small business owners in California, talk to a fee-only planner who treats the business and the household as one balance sheet. Look for someone who can speak to entity choice, owner pay, and retirement plans for the company, not only your personal accounts. Records to start with include Michael Randall of Oak Summit Wealth Management, Greg Crofton of Adap Tax Financial, Inc. and David Lyon of Lyon Wealth Advisory. - [Michael Randall](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/michael-randall/), Oak Summit Wealth Management, San Diego. Holds the EA and CFP. Fees on file: ongoing planning fee. - [Greg Crofton](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/greg-crofton/), Adap Tax Financial, Inc., Pleasanton. Holds the EA and CFP. Fees on file: hourly, flat fee or retainer. - [David Lyon](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/david-lyon/), Lyon Wealth Advisory, San Deigo. Holds the EA and CFP. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, ongoing planning fee. - [Matthew Showley](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/matthew-showley/), Creative Capital Management Investments LLC, San Diego. Holds the CPA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, hourly. - [Annette Di Bello](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/annette-di-bello/), Di Bello Financial, Mission Viejo. Holds the CPA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets. - [Kathleen Connors Dowdy](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/kathleen-connors-dowdy/), EP Wealth Advisors, Los Angeles. Holds the EA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, hourly. ## How many fee-only financial advisors in California work with small business owners? The Wellspent public graph lists 349 fee-only advisors for small business owners in California, at 173 firms. We counted every advisor record that lists this work, as of November 2026. ## Where are fee-only advisors for small business owners in California located? Of the 349 fee-only advisors for small business owners in California, 31 are in San Diego, followed by 19 in Los Angeles and 16 in Santa Barbara. ## How do fee-only advisors for small business owners in California charge? The most common fee among fee-only advisors for small business owners in California is a percentage of assets, used by 88% of the 349 with fees on file. Many use more than one: 58% charge fixed fees and 55% charge by the hour. ## How much do fee-only financial advisors charge in California? Fee-only financial advisors in California charge a median of $6,000 a year for ongoing planning. We found this across the published prices of 112 California firms. ## How much does a one-time financial plan cost in California? A one-time financial plan from a fee-only firm in California has a median price of $2,500. We found this across the published prices of 111 California firms. ## What credentials should a financial advisor for small business owners have? For small business owners, look for the CPA, EA and CFP. In California, 48% of the 349 advisors listed hold the CFP. - CPA (1% of advisors listed): CPAs understand entity structure and business books. - EA (1% of advisors listed): Enrolled agents help with owner pay and business tax. - CFP (48% of advisors listed): The CFP keeps the business in the wider plan. ## How do California advisors for small business owners compare with the rest of the US? 55% of fee-only advisors for small business owners in California charge by the hour, compared with 48% of the 2,851 listed across the US. That's the largest difference in the Wellspent public graph between the two groups. ## Does California tax income on top of federal tax? Yes. California has a state income tax, so a financial plan for a California resident should project it alongside federal tax. ## What should I ask a financial advisor as a small business owner in California? - Which retirement plan would you set up for my business, and why? - How would you set my salary against distributions? - How much of my net worth should stay in the business? - How do you plan for an eventual sale or succession? - How will you plan for California tax alongside federal tax? ## How current is this list of fee-only advisors for small business owners in California? 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 | |---|---|---|---|---| | [Annette Di Bello](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/annette-di-bello.md) | Di Bello Financial | Mission Viejo, California | CFP, CPA, PFS™ | Percentage of assets | | [Al Faber](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/al-faber.md) | DIWY Financial Planning | Los Angeles, California | CFP, ChFC, CLU, MBA | One-time planning fee, Hourly | | [Emily Nilsson](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/emily-nilsson.md) | Brava Financial, LLC | San Diego, California | CDFA, CFP, JD | One-time planning fee, Hourly | | [Evon Mendrin](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/evon-mendrin.md) | Optometry Wealth Advisors LLC | Madera, California | Certified Student Loan Professional, CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly | | [Mary Ann Sullivan](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/mary-ann-sullivan.md) | 395 Financial Planning | Mammoth Lakes, California | CFP, RICP | Subscription, One-time planning fee | | [Michael Rodriguez](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/michael-rodriguez.md) | Equanimity Wealth | Glendale, California | CFP | Subscription, One-time planning fee, Hourly | | [Michal Skowronski](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/michal-skowronski.md) | Skylark Wealth, LLC | San Francisco, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer | | [Christina Empedocles](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/christina-empedocles.md) | Insight Personal Finance | San Francisco, California | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, Hourly, One-time planning fee | | [David Lyon](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/david-lyon.md) | Lyon Wealth Advisory | San Deigo, California | CFP, EA, CRPC | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [Gerardo Garcia Jr](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/gerardo-garcia-jr.md) | Confianza Wealth Management | Vista, California | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [John Boyd](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/john-boyd.md) | MDRN Wealth | Venice, California | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Kathleen Connors Dowdy](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/kathleen-connors-dowdy.md) | EP Wealth Advisors | Los Angeles, California | CFP, EA, CLU, MS, MBA, AIF, MA, ChFC | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Matthew Showley](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/matthew-showley.md) | Creative Capital Management Investments LLC | San Diego, California | CFP, MBA, BFA, CeFT, CPA | Percentage of assets, Hourly | | [Patrick Yaghoobians](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/patrick-yaghoobians.md) | Noor Financial Services | Los Angeles, California | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [Ryan Miyamoto](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/ryan-miyamoto.md) | Derive Wealth | Pasadena, California | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Tommy Lopez](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/tommy-lopez.md) | Coffeehouse Capital LLC \| Financial Planning and Wealth Management | Fresno, California | CFP, CRPC | Hourly, One-time planning fee | | [AJ Flores](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/aj-flores.md) | Portfolio Advisors, Inc. | Fresno, California | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [David Frank](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/david-frank.md) | Turning Point Planning LLC | Los Angeles, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee | | [Greg Crofton](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/greg-crofton.md) | Adap Tax Financial, Inc. | Pleasanton, California | CFP, EA | Hourly, Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee, Percentage of assets | | [Sridhar Krishnan](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/sridhar-krishnan.md) | Encover Personal Finance LLC | Fremont, California | BS, CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee, Hourly | | [Tina Mistry](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/tina-mistry.md) | Portfolio Advisors, Inc | Fresno, California | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Jake Taylor](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jake-taylor.md) | Astra Wealth Management | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Jane Beule](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jane-beule.md) | Griffin Black, LLC | Redwood City, California | BA, CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee | | [Kody Brown](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/kody-brown.md) | Sequoia Financial Group | Pasadena, California | CFP, CRPS | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Subscription, Fixed fees, Performance-based fees | | [Leighann Miko](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/leighann-miko.md) | Equalis Financial | Los Angeles, California | CFP, MST, RLP, BA, MA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [Melissa Estrada](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/melissa-estrada.md) | Fidela Wealth | Calabasas, California | CFP, CIMA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Neil Portus](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/neil-portus.md) | Olivehurst Advisors LLC | Roseville, California | CFP, CFA, MBA, TPCP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee | | [Tara Unverzagt](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/tara-unverzagt.md) | South Bay Financial Partners | Torrance, California | CFP, MBA | Hourly, One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee | | [Cathy Curtis](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/cathy-curtis.md) | Curtis Financial Planning, LLC | Oakland, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Cheryl Vesely](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/cheryl-vesely.md) | Balance Financial Planning, LLC | Oakland, California | CFP, MA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee | | [Eric Maldonado](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/eric-maldonado.md) | Aquila Wealth Advisors | San Luis Obispo, California | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee | | [Galen Herbst de Cortina](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/galen-herbst-de-cortina.md) | Buff Your Finances, LLC | Newbury Park, California | CFP, MBA | One-time planning fee | | [Gerald Gasber](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/gerald-gasber.md) | Gasber Financial Advisors, Inc. | Folsom, California | CFP, CFS, CIMA, CIMC, CPFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Josh Escalante Troesh](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/josh-escalante-troesh.md) | Purposeful Strategic Partners | Alta Loma, California | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee | | [Joshua Escalante Troesh](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/joshua-escalante-troesh.md) | Purposeful Strategic Partners | Alta Loma, California | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee | | [Michael Randall](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/michael-randall.md) | Oak Summit Wealth Management | San Diego, California | CFP, CFA, EA | Ongoing planning fee | | [Delia Fernandez](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/delia-fernandez.md) | Fernandez Financial Advisory, LLC | Los Alamitos, California | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Gabriel Shahin](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/gabriel-shahin.md) | Falcon Wealth Planning, Inc. | Irvine, California | AIF, CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, One-time planning fee | | [Scott Frank](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/scott-frank.md) | Stone Steps Financial | Cardiff, California | CFP, CFA, RLP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Uchechi Kalu](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/uchechi-kalu.md) | Greenlight Financial Planning | Los Angeles, California | CFP | Ongoing planning fee | | [Andy Moran](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/andy-moran.md) | Ad Astra Financial Planning | Santa Rosa, California | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Subscription | | [Aubrey Williams](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/aubrey-williams.md) | Open Path Financial, LLC | Santa Barbara, California | MS, MBA | Hourly | | [Dirk Huybrechts](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/dirk-huybrechts.md) | HFM Advisors | Los Angeles, California | CFP | One-time planning fee, Hourly | | [Matthew Etzler](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/matthew-etzler.md) | Etzler Financial Advisors, LLC | Red Bluff, California | CFP | Hourly, Subscription, One-time planning fee | | [Ryan Hughes](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/ryan-hughes.md) | Bull Oak | Rancho Santa Fe, California | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets | | [Taylor Schulte](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/taylor-schulte.md) | Define Financial | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer | | [Allen Regan](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/allen-regan.md) | Vistica Wealth Advisors | Carlsbad, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer, Hourly, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [Christian Litscher](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/christian-litscher.md) | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego, California | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Christine Papelian](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/christine-papelian.md) | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego, California | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Christine Skoczek](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/christine-skoczek.md) | Vistica Wealth Advisors | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer, Hourly, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | Showing the first 50 of 349. The full list, page by page: https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/small-business-owners/california/?page=2 ## Related - [Retirement planning in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/retirement-planning/california.md) - [Estate planning in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/estate-planning/california.md) - [Tax planning in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/tax-planning/california.md) - [Founders in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/founders-pre-exit/california.md) - [Family wealth transfer in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/family-wealth-transfer/california.md) - [Retirees in California](https://find.wellspent.co/audiences/retirees/california.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).