Seasoned, startup equity planning financial advisors in California
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 recently received stock options or shares from a startup, you need an advisor who understands how to navigate the complex rules around startup equity. Without this expertise, you might miss key tax deadlines or make costly mistakes in exercising your options. Seasoned advisors bring decades of experience, helping you avoid pitfalls that newer advisors might overlook.
- Equity type knowledge. Confirm they can explain differences between stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), and other equity forms common in startups.
- Tax timing strategy. Ask how they help you decide when to exercise options or sell shares to minimize taxes and maximize gains.
- Exit event planning. Startup equity often depends on company milestones; check how they prepare you for liquidity events like IPOs or acquisitions.
- Vesting schedule management. Ensure they track your equity vesting timelines to optimize your financial decisions around ownership.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
-
Ben F
Series 66
San Francisco, CA
Merrill
Ben Fort's extensive 28 years of experience and focus on startup equity planning make him well-equipped to guide clients through complex stock option and liquidity event strategies in California. As a seasoned advisor at Merrill, he serves corporate executives and entrepreneurs, managing $3.8 billion in assets with a 99% client retention rate, and offers a 1.10% AUM fee for managed strategies, distinguishing him with both deep expertise and a large-firm support structure.
Experience: 28 years
Avg account: $860,085
-
Kelly C
CFP®, Series 63, Series 66
South San Francisco, CA
Edward Jones
Kelly Cunningham's 24 years of experience and CFP® certification equip her to guide clients through the complexities of startup equity planning, including stock options and tax timing strategies. Based in South San Francisco with Edward Jones, a large full-service firm serving over four million clients, she offers access to diverse investment solutions and personalized wealth management, distinguishing her from advisors at smaller firms or with less extensive resources.
Experience: 24 years
Avg account: $246,728
-
Sean I
Series 63, Series 65
Glendale, CA
Fidelity
Sean Irwin's extensive 23-year experience and focus on startup equity planning make him well-equipped to guide clients through complex stock option exercises and liquidity event strategies in California. As Vice President at Fidelity, a large firm, he specializes in executive compensation design and integrates workplace benefits with wealth planning, offering a comprehensive approach tailored to executives, which distinguishes him from advisors with narrower focuses or smaller firm resources.
Experience: 23 years
Avg account: $234,793
Want help finding the right advisor?
Answer a few questions to see advisors matched to you.
Advisors focused on
Popular in California
Find advisors by type
Not sure where to start?
We'll help you think it through—whether you ultimately need an advisor or not. Warmer helps you compare advisors clearly, so you can choose with confidence.
For advisor listings, we rely on sources including public filings and data provided by advisors, and we cannot guarantee that all information is current or accurate. Advisors are independent and may not have reviewed or updated this information. Please review an advisor's Form ADV and do your own diligence before deciding whether to work with them.
Advisor matching and referrals are provided by FinanceHQ LLC ("FHQ"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warmer and an SEC-registered investment adviser. We may be compensated by participating advisors. You pay no fee to use our matching service, and advisor fees are not increased because of a referral. We do not supervise advisors, manage or hold assets, guarantee performance, or provide advice about specific investments.
By using our service, you agree to the Warmer Terms of Service and FHQ Advisory Agreement, and acknowledge Warmer's Privacy Policy. Please review FHQ's ADV Part 2A and Form CRS. Logos provided by Logo.dev
© 2026 Warmer Holdings Inc. ("Warmer")