Top startup equity planning financial advisors in Kent, 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 that could vest or be sold, you need an advisor who understands how to navigate the tax and timing complexities unique to these assets. A common mistake is treating startup equity like regular stock, which can lead to unexpected tax bills or missed opportunities.

  • Tax-aware planning. Look for advisors who consider Washington's 7% capital gains tax on long-term gains, alongside federal taxes, to help you minimize your overall tax burden.
  • Equity type expertise. Ask how they handle different equity forms like stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), or founder shares, since each has distinct tax and exercise implications.
  • Liquidity event timing. Confirm they help you plan around potential liquidity events, balancing when to sell equity with your broader financial goals.
  • Integration with cash flow. Ensure they factor in your income, sales tax exposure, and property taxes to create a comprehensive financial plan around your startup equity.

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

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Alvin W

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65, Series 66

Kent, WA

APEX Tax & Financial Planning

Alvin Wolcott II is a CFP® with 12 years of experience in financial advisory roles. He is the owner of Apex Tax & Financial Planning in Kent, WA, where he has worked since 2020. Alvin also owns Apex Tax & Financial Solutions, a CPA firm providing tax preparation and planning services. His prior experience includes roles at Synergy Asset Management, Pacific Portfolio Consulting, Moser Wealth Advisors, and Waddell & Reed. Apex Tax & Financial Planning offers personalized financial planning and wealth management to individuals, high-net-worth clients, business owners, trusts, and other financial professionals. The firm uses tax-aware planning and a total-return investment framework incorporating both active and passive strategies, with a focus on written Investment Policy Statements and comprehensive portfolio reviews.

General tax planning Retirement withdrawal strategies Wealth management Retirement income strategy Tax-loss harvesting Founder/Business Owner Financial Professional
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Kimberly T

Series 65

Kent, WA

Madison Avenue Securities, LLC

Kimberly Ten Pas Bell is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with Madison Avenue Securities, LLC in Kent, WA, with three years of industry experience. She is the owner of Navigating Financial Solutions, LLC, where she serves as president. Prior to her financial advisory career, she worked for nine years at the Federal Aviation Administration. Additionally, she owns a business in personal property management. Madison Avenue Securities provides investment advisory and brokerage services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as pension consulting and services for charitable institutions. The firm manages about $2.0 billion across multiple advisor-managed models, third-party managers, and alternative investment vehicles.

Annuities College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Founder/Business Owner
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Gregory B

CFP®, ChFC®, Series 63, Series 65

Kent, WA

Edward Jones

Gregory Baggenstos is a CFP® and ChFC® credentialed financial advisor with Edward Jones, where he has worked since 2002, totaling 23 years of industry experience. He is based in Kent, WA. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm that serves over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

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

Series 66

Seattle, WA

Wells Fargo Clearing

Kendal Walls is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with one year of industry experience. Walls previously worked at Bank of America, Merrill, and Umpqua Bank. Outside of finance, Walls has been involved with University Tees and A Nanny for You. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions.

Retired Founder/Business Owner
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Abigail R

Series 66

Kent, WA

J.P. Morgan Securities

Abigail Robinson is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with one year of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at MassMutual Life Insurance Company. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides institutional consulting services to clients such as 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 brokerage and investment management capabilities.

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® professional with 12 years of experience in financial advising, currently working at Edward Jones since 2014. He holds the Series 66 designation and is based in Mankato, MN. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee solutions, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Retirement income strategy Charitable giving & philanthropy College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) General estate planning guidance Retirement withdrawal strategies 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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