Top college savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) financial advisors in Los Angeles, 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.
Saving for college often starts when you want to lock in tuition costs or prepare for education expenses without risking financial aid eligibility. A common mistake is choosing savings plans without understanding how they affect your overall tax situation and financial goals.
- Plan type clarity. Confirm whether the advisor recommends 529 plans, UTMA accounts, or other vehicles based on your family's needs and flexibility.
- Tax impact insight. Ask how they navigate California's high income taxes alongside benefits like Proposition 13's property tax limits.
- Financial aid strategy. Ensure they consider how savings accounts might influence your child's eligibility for need-based aid.
- Investment approach. Look for advisors who align investment choices with your timeline and risk tolerance for education funding.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Erik K
Series 66
Culver City, CA
LPL Financial
Erik Klinger specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, supported by his Series 66 designation and five years of experience. Operating from Culver City with LPL Financial, a large firm, he offers flat-fee financial planning up to $15,000, which may appeal to clients seeking transparent pricing alongside expertise in tax-loss harvesting and retirement income strategy.
Experience: 5 years
Avg account: $399,489
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Jinfeng S
CFP®, Series 65
Los Angeles, CA
McIntosh Capital Advisors, Inc.
Jinfeng Su specializes in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, leveraging her CFP® certification and nine years of experience to navigate tax impacts and financial aid strategies in Los Angeles. Her firm, McIntosh Capital Advisors, employs a primarily passive investment approach with ETFs and no-load mutual funds, offering flat-fee financial planning and serving mid-career professionals and high-net-worth clients.
Experience: 9 years
Avg account: $723,259
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Patrick W
CFP®, Series 66
Los Angeles, CA
Whalen Financial Planning
Patrick Whalen specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, with 20 years of experience and CFP® certification, making him well-equipped to address education funding in Los Angeles. His independent, fee-only firm focuses on passive investment management with index funds and ETFs, serving primarily higher-asset households and offering hourly planning, which may appeal to clients seeking tailored, non-discretionary advice.
Experience: 20 years
Avg account: $39,953
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Jennifer M
Series 66
Los Angeles, CA
Pathway Financial Services, LLC
Jennifer Mulder specializes in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, offering tailored strategies that consider tax impacts and financial aid implications in Los Angeles. Her flat-fee, independent advisory approach at Pathway Financial Services, combined with 17 years of experience and a long-term buy-and-hold investment philosophy, distinguishes her from other advisors who may use different fee structures or investment styles.
Experience: 17 years
Avg account: $307,718
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Karina A
Series 66
Culver City, CA
Merrill
Karina Aniceto specializes in college savings plans including 529s and UTMA accounts, supported by her experience at Merrill, a large firm known for comprehensive wealth management. With designations like Series 66 and a decade in financial services, she offers insights into retirement and divorce planning as well, providing a broader financial perspective compared to advisors focused solely on education savings.
Experience: 1 year
Avg account: $860,085
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