Top liquidity event planning financial advisors in Carlsbad, CA

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.

A liquidity event, like selling a business or cashing out stock options, can dramatically change your financial picture overnight. Without careful planning, you might face unexpected tax bills or miss opportunities to protect your wealth.

  • Tax impact awareness. Ask how they navigate California's high income taxes and leverage rules like Proposition 13 to manage your tax exposure.
  • Timing strategies. Confirm how they help you decide when to sell or receive payouts to optimize your financial outcome.
  • Asset protection. Look for guidance on shielding your new wealth from risks like lawsuits or market downturns.
  • Cash flow planning. Ensure they model your post-event income and expenses to keep your lifestyle sustainable.

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

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Edward C

Series 63

Carlsbad, CA

Ameriprise

Edward Creed is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 37 years of industry experience. He has held roles within Ameriprise and Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. since 2005. He holds a Series 63 designation. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a specialized Premier Retirement Income service focused on retirement income planning through written recommendations and ongoing advice. The firm integrates proprietary research and algorithmic tools with a selective investment approach influenced by its affiliated product ecosystem.

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

CFP®, Series 66

Carlsbad, CA

Carlsbad Wealth Advisory Group, Inc.

Andrew Sontag is a CFP® with 20 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Carlsbad Wealth Advisory Group, Inc. since 2008. He holds a Series 66 designation and works out of Carlsbad, CA. Carlsbad Wealth Advisory Group offers discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning to a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth households, trusts, foundations, and charitable organizations. The firm’s investment approach centers on asset allocation using primarily exchange-traded funds (ETFs), focusing on low expense ratios, internal diversification, and liquidity, while managing all client assets in-house.

Tax-loss harvesting General retirement planning College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) General estate planning guidance
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John S

Series 66

Carlsbad, CA

Equitable Advisors

John Steccato is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at AXA and experience at San Diego State University. Outside of his advisor duties, he has operated a small business in the food service sector. Equitable Advisors serves a broad client base, including individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, retirement consulting, and asset management programs primarily through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and third-party managers.

Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Business exit / sale strategy Concentrated stock management Equity Recipients (RS/RSU, SOP, ESPP) Long-term care insurance Founder/Business Owner Retired Executive Approaching retirement Sandwich Generation
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Michael S

Series 63, Series 65

Carlsbad, CA

LPL Financial

Michael Sorenson is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Carlsbad, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and over 37 years of industry experience. His prior work includes positions at The Wealth Advisors, VOYA Financial Advisors, and Transamerica Financial Advisors. Outside of financial services, he sponsors an educational website about the art of his late brother and serves as an independent insurance agent for fixed insurance products. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a wide range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supporting advisers with advanced operational and research tools.

Wealth management Retirement income strategy College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Tax-loss harvesting Annuities Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Todd B

Series 63, Series 65

Carlsbad, CA

Integrated Advisors Network LLC

Todd Blackburn is a financial advisor with Integrated Advisors Network LLC in Carlsbad, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and possessing 26 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Madison Avenue Securities, Vintage West Capital Management, and Mutual Securities. Blackburn also manages The Burns-Blackburn Group, an insurance agency providing various life insurance and annuity products. Integrated Advisors Network is an SEC-registered multi-team investment adviser offering portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, retirement plans, and corporate entities. The firm employs a range of investment approaches and frequently uses third-party sub-advisers while providing ongoing portfolio oversight and rebalancing.

ESG / Sustainable investing Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Executive

Sarah B

Series 66

Monroe, GA

Edward Jones

Sarah Brown is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Monroe, GA, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, she worked at Georgia College & State University and the Walton County School District. She also has experience with Peachy Keen. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Retirement income strategy General retirement planning Wealth management Business ownership considerations General estate planning guidance Founder/Business Owner Women Professionals Women's Finance

Andrew G

Series 66

Cincinnati, OH

Merrill

Andrew Grombala is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on serving corporate executives and high-earning professionals who have complex compensation structures, including equity awards such as RSUs, stock options, ESPP programs, deferred compensation packages, and performance awards. In his role, he helps clients manage concentration risk, reduce tax implications, and align their equity compensation with long-term, goals-based wealth strategies. Since entering the industry in 2017, Andrew has adopted a structured, plan-first approach that incorporates compensation, cash flow, family priorities, retirement planning, and overall risk management. He guides clients through various financial events, including vesting, diversification, liquidity management, and retirement income planning. His expertise extends to executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, portfolio management services, and tax minimization. Andrew holds FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 registrations and is licensed in Accident & Health, Life, and Variable Insurance. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, where he also competed as a student-athlete in football and lacrosse. He resides in Anderson Township with his wife and two children. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys boating, golfing, football, ice hockey, music, and spending time with his family.

Exec comp design Stock option exercise strategy Equity Recipients (RS/RSU, SOP, ESPP) Liquidity event planning Concentrated stock management Executive Parents
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Sherry N

Series 66

New Braunfels, TX

Authentikos Wealth Advisory LLC

Sherry Neeley is a financial advisor at Authentikos Wealth Advisory LLC with three years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. Prior to joining Authentikos in 2025, she worked at First Command Insurance Services and related entities from 2022 to 2025. Outside of her advisory role, she provides educational consulting as a Special Education Advocate for parents of special needs children. Authentikos Wealth Advisory LLC provides investment advisory and financial planning services primarily to individuals and retirement plans, with offerings that include discretionary portfolio management, written financial plans, and access to model-portfolio solutions implemented on a wrap-fee platform. The firm customizes portfolio allocations based on clients’ goals and risk tolerances using fundamental, cyclical, and technical analysis across a broad range of investments.

Annuities Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Liquidity event planning Business succession planning Cash flow / budgeting Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Perrin B

Series 65

Charlotte, NC

Apollon Wealth Management, LLC

Perrin Berry is a financial advisor at Apollon Wealth Management, LLC with a Series 65 designation and three years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Crisp Event Rentals, Modern Woodmen, and the Secretary of State's Office. Apollon Wealth Management is an SEC-registered multi-team firm serving a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, families, trusts, businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management, retirement plan advisory, sub-advisory, and consulting services, combining centrally managed model strategies with locally managed portfolios tailored through a comprehensive oversight structure.

ESG / Sustainable investing Tax-loss harvesting Private / alternative investments Business exit / sale strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Founder/Business Owner
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Heather R

CFP®, Series 65

Camp Hill, PA

River Wealth Advisors LLC

Heather Rivas is a CFP® and Series 65-licensed advisor with River Wealth Advisors LLC, where she has worked for four years. She has a total of 11 years of industry experience, including seven years at PSECU prior to joining River Wealth Advisors. River Wealth Advisors offers discretionary and non-discretionary asset management, financial planning, investment consulting, and retirement-plan services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and plan sponsors. The firm uses a fundamentally oriented, customized investment approach and conducts regular portfolio monitoring and formal reviews.

Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Liquidity event planning Wealth management Charitable giving & philanthropy Founder/Business Owner Retired

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