Top startup equity planning financial advisors in Everett, 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 shares, coming your way, you need an advisor who understands how to navigate the tax and timing complexities involved. A common mistake is treating startup equity like regular investments, which can lead to unexpected tax bills or missed opportunities.

  • Tax-aware planning. Look for advisors who consider both federal taxes and Washington's 7% capital gains tax on long-term gains, not just the absence of state income tax.
  • Equity type expertise. Confirm they know the difference between stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), and other equity forms, as each has unique tax and exercise rules.
  • Exit strategy alignment. Ask how they integrate your equity planning with potential company events like IPOs or acquisitions to optimize your financial outcome.
  • Liquidity timing. Ensure they help you plan when to sell shares to balance tax impact and cash needs effectively.

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

Want help finding the right advisor?

Answer a few questions to see advisors matched to you.

user avatar

Sean G

Series 66

Everett, WA

Elderrock Financial LLC

Sean George is a financial advisor at Elderrock Financial LLC with 11 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, and Berknell Financial Group prior to joining Elderrock in 2018. Sean participates in community and networking groups, including the Rotary Club of Everett and the Everett Rotary Youth Foundation, where he serves as secretary. Elderrock Financial provides financial planning, consulting, and portfolio management to individuals and sponsors of employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm offers ERISA-focused fiduciary and administrative services for retirement plans alongside individual wealth management, using a blend of fundamental and technical analysis as well as modern portfolio theory to tailor investment strategies.

Equity compensation tax strategy Retirement income strategy Cash flow / budgeting College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Wealth management Retired Founder/Business Owner
user avatar

Michael S

Series 66

Everett, WA

Focus Advisory, LLC

Michael Smith is a financial advisor at Focus Advisory, LLC with 21 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Focus Advisory, an independent registered investment adviser, since 2008. Focus Advisory, LLC provides investment management services exclusively to individual private clients, managing approximately $38 million. The firm employs a global asset management approach using macroeconomic, fundamental, and technical analysis, with portfolios tailored to client suitability and risk tolerance.

Active portfolio management Options & derivatives strategies Passive / index investing

Eric H

Series 66

Everett, WA

Edward Jones

Eric Higgins is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Everett, WA, holding the Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2013. Outside of his advisory role, Higgins is involved in a small-scale real estate rental business. 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 under management and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Wealth management Tax-loss harvesting Multi-generational wealth transfer Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
user avatar

Ross R

Series 63, Series 65

Everett, WA

OSAIC

Ross Rettenmier is a financial advisor at Osaic with 31 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously spent 14 years with Sagepoint Financial, Inc. In addition to his advisory role, Rettenmier is involved in nonprofit and community organizations, including serving on the Resource Development Council and Planned Giving Committee for Housing Hope, and on finance committees for local educational and charitable institutions. OSAIC serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm provides integrated brokerage and advisory services with a focus on asset allocation, risk tolerance, and portfolio management through multiple advisory platforms and third-party managers.

Annuities Wealth management Tax-loss harvesting Private / alternative investments Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Founder/Business Owner Executive
user avatar

John O

Series 63, Series 65

Everett, WA

LPL Financial

John Ochsner is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Everett, WA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and over 36 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Cetera Advisors LLC and various insurance companies. He is also involved with Sound Reliance Inc, a business entity for tax and investment purposes. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations nationwide. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning services, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research and model portfolios.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.)

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
user avatar

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

Advisors focused on

Find advisors by type

Warmer team member

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.

Find your advisor

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")