CFP®-certified, college savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) financial advisors in San Francisco, 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 make the most of tax-advantaged accounts like 529 plans or UTMA custodial accounts. Without a clear plan, you might miss out on how these accounts affect your financial aid eligibility or future tax bills.
CFP® certification means these advisors have formal training in financial planning, including education savings strategies.
- Account type guidance. Ask which savings vehicles they recommend and why, considering your family's timeline and financial situation.
- Financial aid impact. Confirm how they model college savings to minimize reductions in need-based aid.
- Tax implications. Discuss how they handle state and federal tax benefits or consequences tied to your chosen accounts.
- Contribution strategy. Inquire about their approach to balancing savings amounts with other financial goals.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Armand M
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Alexandria, VA
LPL Financial
Armand Minasian's 41 years of experience and CFP® certification equip him to guide families in San Francisco on college savings strategies, including 529 plans and UTMA accounts. Affiliated with LPL Financial, a large firm offering diverse investment solutions, he provides flat-fee financial planning and serves a broad client base, distinguishing him from advisors with narrower focuses or different fee structures.
Experience: 42 years
Avg account: $399,489
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David L
CFP®, Series 65
San Francisco, CA
CGN Advisors, LLC
David Leitao specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, supported by his CFP® certification and nine years of industry experience in San Francisco. His firm, CGN Advisors, offers flat-fee financial planning and tax preparation services, utilizing tax-aware investment strategies and institutional third-party managers, which may appeal to clients seeking comprehensive, cost-transparent guidance compared to hourly or AUM-based fee structures.
Experience: 9 years
Avg account: $1,174,087
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Kathleen H
CFP®, Series 65
San Francisco, CA
Applied Advisor
Kathleen Hentges specializes in college savings strategies, including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, supported by her CFP® certification and 22 years of experience in San Francisco. Her firm, Applied Advisor, offers flat-fee, project-based financial planning and tax preparation, focusing on high-net-worth, pre-retired professionals with assets up to $5 million, using a buy-and-hold investment approach with no-load mutual funds and ETFs.
Experience: 23 years
Avg account: $0
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Alex W
CFP®, Series 63, Series 66
San Francisco, CA
Charles Schwab
Alex West offers expertise in college savings strategies, including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, supported by his CFP® certification and 10 years of experience in San Francisco. Affiliated with Charles Schwab, a large firm serving high-net-worth clients, he provides access to multi-asset model portfolios and a 0.80% annual AUM fee, distinguishing him from advisors at smaller firms or with different fee structures.
Experience: 11 years
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Paul L
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
San Francisco, CA
Intelligent Investor Financial Planning, LLC
Paul Lafollette, a CFP® professional with 13 years of experience in San Francisco, specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts. His firm combines Modern Portfolio Theory with a Core + Satellite approach, serving individual clients and small businesses with non-discretionary portfolio management and educational workshops, distinguishing him from advisors with broader or commission-based practices.
Experience: 14 years
Avg account: $572,302
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