Financial advisors for small business owners in California
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.
Where to start
Chosen from what each record shows: credentials that fit this work and fees on file, one advisor per firm.
- Michael Randall Oak Summit Wealth Management, San Diego Holds the EA and CFP. Fees on file: ongoing planning fee.
- Greg Crofton Adap Tax Financial, Inc., Pleasanton Holds the EA and CFP. Fees on file: hourly, flat fee or retainer.
- David Lyon Lyon Wealth Advisory, San Deigo Holds the EA and CFP. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, ongoing planning fee.
- Matthew Showley Creative Capital Management Investments LLC, San Diego Holds the CPA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, hourly.
- Annette Di Bello Di Bello Financial, Mission Viejo Holds the CPA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets.
- 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.
Plus 252 in other cities.
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.
- CPA1% in California
- CPAs understand entity structure and business books.
- EA1% in California
- Enrolled agents help with owner pay and business tax.
- CFP48% in California
- 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.
Dark bars are California. Light bars are all US advisors for small business owners.
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.
All 349 advisors
| Advisor | Firm | City | Credentials | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annette Di Bello Member | Di Bello Financial | Mission Viejo | CFP, CPA, PFS™ | Percentage of assets |
| Al Faber Collaborative, do-it-with-you hourly or flat-fee planning for people who want to stay in control, with no product sales or ongoing fees. | DIWY Financial Planning | Los Angeles | CFP, ChFC, CLU, MBA | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Emily Nilsson Hourly, project or ongoing planning that centers the person, helping clients build a healthier, more personal relationship with money. | Brava Financial, LLC | San Diego | CDFA, CFP, JD | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Evon Mendrin We help optometrists nationwide build thriving practices and lasting wealth through tailored financial planning and investment management. | Optometry Wealth Advisors LLC | Madera | Certified Student Loan Professional, CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Mary Ann Sullivan Pension-focused retirement planning and education for educators and public employees who want to manage their own money confidently. | 395 Financial Planning | Mammoth Lakes | CFP, RICP | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Michael Rodriguez Flat-fee, advice-only planning for first-generation wealth builders and young families buying homes, merging finances and raising kids. | Equanimity Wealth | Glendale | CFP | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Michal Skowronski Comprehensive Wealth Planning for High-Income Professionals and Retirees | Skylark Wealth, LLC | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Christina Empedocles | Insight Personal Finance | San Francisco | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| David Lyon | Lyon Wealth Advisory | San Deigo | CFP, EA, CRPC | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Gerardo Garcia Jr | Confianza Wealth Management | Vista | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| John Boyd | MDRN Wealth | Venice | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Kathleen Connors Dowdy | EP Wealth Advisors | Los Angeles | CFP, EA, CLU, MS | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Matthew Showley | Creative Capital Management Investments LLC | San Diego | CFP, MBA, BFA, CeFT | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Patrick Yaghoobians | Noor Financial Services | Los Angeles | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Ryan Miyamoto | Derive Wealth | Pasadena | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Tommy Lopez | Coffeehouse Capital LLC | Financial Planning and Wealth Management | Fresno | CFP, CRPC | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| AJ Flores | Portfolio Advisors, Inc. | Fresno | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| David Frank | Turning Point Planning LLC | Los Angeles | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Greg Crofton | Adap Tax Financial, Inc. | Pleasanton | CFP, EA | Hourly, Flat fee or retainer |
| Sridhar Krishnan | Encover Personal Finance LLC | Fremont | BS, CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Tina Mistry | Portfolio Advisors, Inc | Fresno | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Jake Taylor | Astra Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Jane Beule | Griffin Black, LLC | Redwood City | BA, CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Kody Brown | Sequoia Financial Group | Pasadena | CFP, CRPS | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Leighann Miko | Equalis Financial | Los Angeles | CFP, MST, RLP, BA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Melissa Estrada | Fidela Wealth | Calabasas | CFP, CIMA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Neil Portus | Olivehurst Advisors LLC | Roseville | CFP, CFA, MBA, TPCP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Tara Unverzagt | South Bay Financial Partners | Torrance | CFP, MBA | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| Cathy Curtis | Curtis Financial Planning, LLC | Oakland | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Cheryl Vesely | Balance Financial Planning, LLC | Oakland | CFP, MA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Eric Maldonado | Aquila Wealth Advisors | San Luis Obispo | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| 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 |
| Josh Escalante Troesh | Purposeful Strategic Partners | Alta Loma | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Joshua Escalante Troesh | Purposeful Strategic Partners | Alta Loma | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Michael Randall | Oak Summit Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP, CFA, EA | Ongoing planning fee |
| Delia Fernandez | Fernandez Financial Advisory, LLC | Los Alamitos | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Gabriel Shahin | Falcon Wealth Planning, Inc. | Irvine | AIF, CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Scott Frank | Stone Steps Financial | Cardiff | CFP, CFA, RLP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Uchechi Kalu | Greenlight Financial Planning | Los Angeles | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Andy Moran Ad Astra Financial Planning specializes in helping tech professionals navigate RSUs, stock options, tender offers, IPOs, and financial independence. We are a flat-fee, fee-only, fiduciary firm - we don't receive commissions or kickbacks or charge based on a percentage of your assets. | Ad Astra Financial Planning | Santa Rosa | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Subscription |
| Aubrey Williams Hourly, advice-only planning for FI/RE clients with ADHD or neurodivergence, whether just starting out, close to FI or already there. | Open Path Financial, LLC | Santa Barbara | MS, MBA | Hourly |
| Dirk Huybrechts | HFM Advisors | Los Angeles | CFP | One-time planning fee, 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Allen Regan | Vistica Wealth Advisors | Carlsbad | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| 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 |
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