Large-firm, retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) financial advisors in Santa Barbara, 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.
If you own a business and want to set up a retirement plan like a SEP or solo 401(k), you need an advisor who understands how these plans fit with your business cash flow and tax situation. A common mistake is choosing a plan without considering how it impacts your overall tax burden and retirement goals. Large-firm advisors often have access to a wide range of resources and specialists, which can benefit complex business owners.
- Plan design expertise. Ask how they tailor SEP or solo 401(k) options to your business size and income variability.
- Tax impact awareness. Confirm they consider California’s high income taxes and how Proposition 13 might affect your property tax over time.
- Integration with business goals. Look for advisors who align retirement plans with your long-term business growth and exit strategies.
- Resource access. Large firms may offer broader support, so ask how they leverage firm resources to support your plan management.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Christopher L
Series 66
Santa Barbara, CA
Edward Jones
Christopher Luxford specializes in retirement plans for business owners, including SEP and solo 401(k) options, with a decade of experience and a Series 66 designation. Based in Santa Barbara at Edward Jones, a large firm serving over four million clients, he offers access to extensive resources and a comprehensive wealth management approach, with fees up to 1.35% annually, supporting business owners through tailored plan design and financial management.
Experience: 10 years
Avg account: $246,728
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Steven S
Series 65
Santa Barbara, CA
Mercer Global Advisors Inc.
Steven Schneider at Mercer Global Advisors in Santa Barbara offers expertise in retirement plans for business owners, including SEP and solo 401(k) options, supported by a large firm's resources. With a flat-fee structure and focus on high-net-worth clients, he integrates Modern Portfolio Theory-based investment strategies and serves diverse professionals, differentiating him through a blend of specialized planning and broad firm capabilities.
Experience: 1 year
Avg account: $2,214,259
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Douglas B
Series 63, Series 65
Santa Barbara, CA
Cetera
Douglas Birch's 20 years of experience and expertise in retirement plans for business owners make him well-suited to assist with SEP and solo 401(k) plans in Santa Barbara. Operating within Cetera, a large firm offering discretionary portfolio management and access to third-party managers, he provides flat-fee and hourly consulting options, catering to high earners and business owners seeking tailored retirement solutions.
Experience: 21 years
Avg account: $306,089
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Kristin M
Series 63, Series 66
Santa Barbara, CA
Independent Financial Group, LLC
Kristin Mata's 18 years of experience and expertise in retirement plans for business owners, combined with her role at Independent Financial Group, LLC—a large firm offering diverse brokerage and portfolio management services—equip her to tailor SEP and solo 401(k) plans to complex business needs. Her flat-fee structure and background as a business owner provide a practical perspective that distinguishes her from other advisors in Santa Barbara.
Experience: 18 years
Avg account: $474,424
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Ashley F
Series 66
Santa Barbara, CA
LPL Financial
Ashley Fernandez specializes in retirement plans for business owners, including SEP and solo 401(k) options, supported by her role at LPL Financial, a large firm with extensive resources. With three years of experience and a Series 66 designation, she offers flat-fee financial planning and serves diverse clients, which may provide tailored strategies for business owners in Santa Barbara managing tax and retirement goals.
Experience: 3 years
Avg account: $399,489
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