Independent, 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 careful planning, you might miss out on how state tax rules and account types affect your savings growth and withdrawal flexibility. Independent advisors here operate without firm constraints, which can mean more personalized attention to your unique financial picture.
- Account type guidance. Confirm how they choose between 529 plans and UTMA accounts based on your goals and control preferences.
- Tax impact awareness. Ask how they navigate California's high income taxes and Proposition 13's property tax limits when advising on savings.
- Withdrawal strategy. Understand their approach to timing distributions to minimize taxes and maximize aid eligibility.
- Investment options. Check how they select investment portfolios within college savings accounts to balance growth and risk over time.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Jason R
Series 65
San Francisco, CA
Centoic
Jason Roth specializes in college savings strategies in San Francisco, focusing on 529 plans and UTMA accounts with an emphasis on passive index investing. His firm, Centoic, offers a technology-driven, self-service platform that supports clients with educational resources and portfolio guidance, differing from traditional advisors by not holding client assets and charging negotiable hourly fees up to $500.
Experience: 2 years
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Stephen M
Series 63, Series 65
San Francisco, CA
Sutro Advisors
Stephen Miles specializes in college savings strategies in San Francisco, leveraging 24 years of experience and a background at Charles Schwab to guide clients through 529 and UTMA account options. As an independent advisor at Sutro Advisors, he serves high-net-worth individuals with a fee structure including a 0.70% AUM charge, focusing on passive portfolios enhanced by fundamental and technical analysis.
Experience: 24 years
Avg account: $673,105
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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 22 years of experience and CFP® certification in San Francisco. Her independent firm offers flat-fee, project-based financial planning and tax preparation, focusing on pre-retired professionals with up to $5 million in assets, using a buy-and-hold approach with no-load mutual funds and ETFs, distinguishing her from advisors with ongoing portfolio management.
Experience: 23 years
Avg account: $0
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Michael C
ChFC®, Series 63, Series 65
San Francisco, CA
Hilltop Advisors, LLC
Michael Coholan specializes in college savings strategies, including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, tailored for high-net-worth clients in San Francisco. With 23 years of experience and a flat-fee structure ranging from $10,000 to $40,000, he offers personalized, independent advice and employs a long-term, buy-and-hold investment approach focusing on mutual funds, ETFs, and index funds.
Experience: 23 years
Avg account: $3,750,000
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Joseph S
Series 63, Series 66
San Francisco, CA
Cornerstone Wealth
Joseph Sweeney III specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, leveraging 39 years of experience in San Francisco. His firm, Cornerstone Wealth, manages $2.1 billion and offers flat-fee and hourly financial planning, focusing on model portfolios with ETFs and mutual funds, which may provide a balanced approach compared to advisors with different fee structures or investment methods.
Experience: 39 years
Avg account: $1,029,186
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