Independent, 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 education costs before tuition rises or when you receive a financial gift meant for education. Without a focused approach, you might miss out on tax advantages or flexible options that fit your family's needs. Independent advisors here operate without firm constraints, aiming to tailor advice to your unique situation.
- Tax-advantaged accounts. Confirm which college savings vehicles they recommend and why, such as 529 plans or UTMA accounts, and how they fit your goals.
- Investment flexibility. Ask how they balance growth potential with risk, especially as your child nears college age.
- Coordination with financial aid. Understand how they factor in savings impact on aid eligibility and strategies to optimize it.
- State-specific insights. Since California has high income taxes but limits on property tax increases, check how they incorporate these factors into your plan.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
-
Patrick W
CFP®, Series 66
Los Angeles, CA
Whalen Financial Planning
Patrick Whalen specializes in college savings strategies, including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, tailored for families in Los Angeles. With 20 years of experience and a CFP® certification, he offers fee-only, independent advice focusing on passive investment management using index funds and ETFs, primarily serving higher-asset households through hourly consultations.
Experience: 20 years
Avg account: $39,953
-
Loren G
Series 63, Series 65
Los Angeles, CA
RVW Wealth LLC
Loren Gesas specializes in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, leveraging 11 years of experience in Los Angeles to tailor strategies that consider California's tax environment. His firm, RVW Wealth LLC, uses a fundamental research approach with ETFs and mutual funds, offering discretionary investment management and a free quarterly newsletter subscription, distinguishing him from advisors with different fee structures or investment focuses.
Experience: 11 years
Avg account: $1,704,921
-
Alfred M
CFP®, Series 63
Los Angeles, CA
McIntosh Capital Advisors, Inc.
Alfred Mcintosh specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, leveraging his 22 years of experience and CFP® certification to tailor tax-advantaged plans for families in Los Angeles. His firm employs a primarily passive investment approach with ETFs and no-load mutual funds, offering flat-fee financial planning that suits mid-career professionals seeking disciplined, independent advice.
Experience: 22 years
Avg account: $723,259
-
Jennifer M
Series 66
Los Angeles, CA
Pathway Financial Services, LLC
Jennifer Mulder specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, supported by 17 years of experience and a Series 66 designation in Los Angeles. Her firm, Pathway Financial Services, offers flat-fee and hourly pricing, serving both individual and institutional clients with tailored portfolios and a long-term buy-and-hold investment approach, distinguishing her from advisors focused solely on retail clients.
Experience: 17 years
Avg account: $307,718
-
George T
Series 63, Series 65
Culver City, CA
Thompson Wealth Management, Inc.
George Thompson Jr. offers expertise in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, supported by 29 years of experience and independent, flat-fee services in Culver City. His firm employs a risk-based investment process and serves a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals and trusts, providing a broad perspective compared to advisors focused solely on college savings.
Experience: 29 years
Want help finding the right advisor?
Answer a few questions to see advisors matched to you.
Advisors focused on
People also searched
Popular in Los Angeles, CA
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 introductions are provided by FinanceHQ LLC (“FHQ”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warmer and an SEC-registered investment advisor. We receive compensation from certain participating advisors for introductions or referrals. This creates a conflict of interest because we have an incentive to recommend advisors who compensate us, including those who pay us more. You pay no fee to use our matching service, and advisor fees are not increased because of a referral or introduction. We do not review the ongoing performance of advisors, manage or hold assets, guarantee performance, or provide advice about specific investments.
By using our service, you agree to our Terms of Service and Advisory Agreement, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. Please review FHQ’s ADV Part 2A and Form CRS. Logos provided by Logo.dev
© 2026 Warmer Holdings Inc. (“Warmer”)