Top startup equity planning financial advisors in Auburn, WA

The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.

If you have startup equity like stock options or restricted stock units (RSUs), planning when and how to sell can make a big difference in your taxes and cash flow. Without careful timing, you might face unexpected tax bills or miss chances to maximize your gains.

  • Tax-aware timing. Ask how they help you plan sales around federal income tax and Washington’s 7% capital gains tax on large profits.
  • Equity type expertise. Confirm they understand differences between stock options and RSUs, since each has unique tax and exercise rules.
  • Exit event planning. Check how they prepare you for liquidity events like acquisitions or IPOs, not just ongoing equity management.
  • Cash flow management. See if they help balance holding equity with your personal spending needs and risk tolerance.

Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.

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Paul S

Series 63, Series 66

Auburn, WA

Thrivent Investment Management

Paul Sharp is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Auburn, WA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and six years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Acorns, J.P. Morgan Securities, and Fidelity Investments. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of Financial Advisors, offering goal-based analyses and written recommendations on a broad range of planning topics without including implementation. The firm allows clients to combine planning with managed-account programs under a consolidated billing option while keeping these services separate.

Business ownership considerations

Lucas L

CFP®, Series 63, Series 66

Auburn, WA

Edward Jones

Lucas Ladd is a CFP® professional with 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Edward Jones since 2017 and previously held roles at Sunamerica Retirement Markets, Inc. and AIG Capital Services, Inc. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including wrap fee strategies and separately managed accounts, and operates under a fiduciary standard.

General retirement planning Retirement income strategy Retirement withdrawal strategies General estate planning guidance Multi-generational wealth transfer Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Jarren M

Series 66

Auburn, WA

Cetera

Jarren Mc Niesh is a financial advisor at Cetera with a Series 66 credential and three years of industry experience. He has worked at multiple firms including Avantax and Hillard Wealth Service, where he has provided income tax preparation and financial consulting services. In addition to his advisory work, Mc Niesh is involved in tax preparation and annuity sales. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers, managing over $256 billion in assets through more than 10,000 advisors.

Wealth management Tax-loss harvesting Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Business exit / sale strategy Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Ann S

Series 63, Series 65

Auburn, WA

Ameriprise

Ann Scott is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Auburn, WA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. She has worked at Ameriprise and its affiliate since 2005. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for individuals nearing or in retirement who meet specific asset thresholds, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver personalized recommendation reports. The firm offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through its institutional platform.

Retirement income strategy Income planning Social Security optimization Retirement withdrawal strategies Approaching retirement
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Junqing S

Series 66

Auburn, WA

J.P. Morgan Securities

Junqing Sun is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with three years of industry experience. They hold a Series 66 designation and have worked at Merrill, Bank of America, and Raymond James prior to joining J.P. Morgan Securities and JPMorgan Chase Bank. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with broker-dealer and investment adviser registrations, delivering recommendations on a non-discretionary basis while clients retain final decision-making authority.

Wealth management Executive Founder/Business Owner

Kimberly H

CFP®, CRPC®

Troy, MI

Innermost Wealth Management, LLC

I founded Innermost™ Wealth Management to create a more personal, thoughtful approach to financial planning and wealth management. My background in both finance and psychology shaped my belief that money is not just about numbers. It is deeply personal and connected to your values, goals, and life experiences. I work with professionals who want to grow and simplify their wealth, with a special focus on women navigating career growth, equity compensation, and major life transitions such as divorce. Many of my clients are balancing busy lives and complex financial decisions, and they value having a long-term financial partner who truly understands their needs. My firm is centered on ongoing wealth management through investment advisory relationships. Clients work with me for comprehensive financial planning and investment management that evolves with them over time. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® Candidate, I provide technical expertise and strategic guidance, while also recognizing the emotional side of financial decisions. My approach is compassionate, judgment-free, and designed to reduce stress while helping you feel more confident in your choices. I operate a fully virtual firm, working with clients across the country who appreciate flexibility and convenience. My goal is to simplify your financial life, provide clear advice, and help you align your wealth with what matters most to you. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, photography, cooking, and spending quality time with my Beagle, Gracie.

General retirement planning General tax planning Wealth management Startup equity planning Divorce financial planning Women Professionals Life coaching / goal alignment Established Professionals Approaching retirement Dual Income Family

George S

Series 66

Hartford, CT

Merrill

George Silvester is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving as a member of the Boston Executive Services Team since 2017. He works primarily with founders, executives, and key associates at both privately held and publicly traded companies, focusing on the intricacies of equity ownership and equity compensation. George's approach begins with understanding what is most important to his clients and assessing their current position relative to their goals, ultimately developing customized financial strategies that align with their evolving life needs, resources, and aspirations. George began his career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management as a Summer Analyst in 2016, where he developed an understanding of the client-advisor relationship and the collaborative pursuit of clients’ life goals. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in Finance from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business. Additionally, George has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation awarded by the College for Financial Planning, as well as the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional work, George’s personal interests include biking, bowling, chess, cooking, golfing, hiking, and reading.

Exec comp design Startup equity planning Liquidity event planning Wealth management ESG / Sustainable investing Founder/Business Owner Executive

James V

Series 66

Stuart, FL

Fidelity

James Van Nice is a Benefits & Planning Consultant specializing in Executive Services. In this role, he partners with executives to help them understand their employer benefits and develop plans to work towards their financial goals. James has professional experience as an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments from 2023 to 2025 and as an Investment Solutions Representative II at Fidelity Investments from 2022 to 2023. Prior to that, he worked at Merrill Lynch as an Investment Solutions Representative I from 2021 to 2022 and as a Financial Advisor from 2018 to 2019. Outside of his professional work, James engages in fishing, fitness, golf, running, and volunteering.

Exec comp design Liquidity event planning Startup equity planning Executive

Adam N

CFP®, Series 66

Mankato, MN

Edward Jones

Adam Neubauer is a CFP® with 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2014 and is based in Mankato, MN. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a wide range of investment strategies and affiliated services through a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Retirement income strategy Business exit / sale strategy Charitable giving & philanthropy Startup equity planning General retirement planning Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Juan P

Series 66

San Francisco, CA

Optimo Capital

Juan Polanco is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Optimo Capital in San Francisco, CA, and has 11 years of industry experience. Before founding Optimo Capital, he worked at Carr & Ferrell LLP for two years. Outside of his advisory role, Mr. Polanco works full-time as an engineer at PacBio and mentors startups and founders at the Founder's Institute and LoyalVC. Optimo Capital advises founders of venture-backed companies, recently funded startups, and private investors on portfolio supervision and capital-raising. The firm uses a combined top‑down and bottom‑up analytical approach with a supervisory and consultative model, focusing on tailored services such as Investment Policy Statements, due diligence management, and pitch material preparation.

Business ownership considerations Wealth management Founder/Business Owner

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