CFP®-certified, college savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) financial advisors in Salinas, 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 windfall to invest. Without a focused approach, you might overlook how tax-advantaged accounts like 529 plans or UTMA (Uniform Transfers to Minors Act) accounts differ and affect your savings goals.
CFP® certification means these advisors have formal training in financial planning, including education funding strategies.
- Account type guidance. Confirm how they choose between 529 plans, UTMA accounts, or other vehicles based on your family's needs and control preferences.
- Tax impact awareness. Ask how they factor in California's high income taxes and Proposition 13's property tax limits when planning your savings.
- College cost projections. See if they incorporate realistic tuition inflation and potential financial aid scenarios into your plan.
- Withdrawal strategy. Understand their approach to timing distributions to minimize taxes and maximize aid eligibility.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
-
Alex B
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Hollister, CA
RLS Private Wealth Consulting, Inc.
Alex Baier, a CFP® with 10 years of experience, specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, making him well-suited for families in Salinas, CA. His firm, RLS Private Wealth Consulting, offers family office services and comprehensive financial planning with a focus on education funding, using third-party custodians and emphasizing coordination over discretionary investment management.
Experience: 11 years
-
Caylie T
CFP®, ChFC®, Series 66
Scottsdale, AZ
Charles Schwab
Caylie Taylor's CFP® certification and expertise in college savings plans make her well-suited to guide families in Salinas, CA, through 529 and UTMA account options. Working at Charles Schwab, a large firm serving high-net-worth clients, she offers a comprehensive approach including multi-state taxation and real estate investing, with a 0.80% annual fee and four years of industry experience.
Experience: 4 years
-
Fred S
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Salinas, CA
ON Investment Management CO
Fred Sprinz offers expertise in college savings plans, including 529s and UTMA accounts, supported by 48 years of industry experience and CFP® certification, making him well-equipped to navigate education funding strategies in Salinas, CA. His flat-fee structure for specialized services and independent status differentiate him from others, providing transparent pricing and personalized attention within a small firm environment.
Experience: 49 years
Avg account: $319,610
-
Richard B
CFP®, Series 63, Series 66
Carmel Valley, CA
LPL Financial
Richard Bassman brings 23 years of experience and CFP® certification to college savings strategies, including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, making him well-equipped to address education funding needs in the Salinas area. Affiliated with LPL Financial, a large firm offering flat-fee planning and diverse investment models, he also specializes in tax-loss harvesting and retirement plans for business owners, providing a broad financial perspective beyond college savings.
Experience: 23 years
Avg account: $399,489
Want help finding the right advisor?
Answer a few questions to see advisors matched to you.
Advisors focused on
People also searched
Popular in Salinas, 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”)