Independent, college savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) financial advisors in Santa Monica, 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.
- Account type trade-offs. Understand how 529s and UTMA accounts differ in ownership, control, and impact on financial aid.
- Tax implications. Ask how contributions and withdrawals affect your state and federal taxes, especially in California's high-income tax environment.
- Investment options. Confirm how the advisor selects funds within these accounts to balance growth potential and risk.
- Independent advice. Since these advisors operate independently, check how they tailor recommendations without firm product constraints.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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George G
CFP®, Series 66
Santa Monica, CA
Guttman Financial Planning
George Guttman specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, making him well-suited for families in Santa Monica aiming to optimize tax-advantaged education funding. His firm emphasizes a long-term, buy-and-hold investment approach and serves primarily high-net-worth individuals, charging 1.25% AUM fees and offering hourly financial planning, which may differ from other advisors in fee structure and client focus.
Experience: 21 years
Avg account: $153,127
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Daniel S
CFP®
Santa Monica, CA
Daniel M.. Stern, LLC
Daniel Stern specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, offering independent advice tailored to Santa Monica residents. His firm uses a long-term, passive investment approach with low-cost index funds and ETFs, charging flat fees based on hourly rates, which suits clients seeking transparent, fee-only planning with a seasoned CFP® professional.
Experience: 23 years
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Jordan G
CFP®, Series 66
Santa Monica, CA
CGN Advisors, LLC
Jordan Grzesczyk specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, supported by 11 years of experience and CFP® certification in Santa Monica. His firm, CGN Advisors, offers flat-fee financial planning and tax-aware investment approaches, serving a diverse client base with tailored asset allocation and collaboration with institutional managers, distinguishing him from other independent advisors in the area.
Experience: 12 years
Avg account: $1,174,087
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Lisa J
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Santa Monica, CA
Cycle Financial Planning LLC
Lisa Junghahn specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, offering independent advice tailored to Santa Monica residents. Her firm emphasizes client education and a do-it-yourself investing approach using low-cost ETFs, with flat-fee options that may appeal to mid-career professionals and small-business owners seeking comprehensive financial planning without discretionary asset management.
Experience: 4 years
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John B
CFP®, Series 66
Venice, CA
MDRN Wealth
John Boyd specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, offering independent advice tailored to tax implications and financial aid considerations in Santa Monica. With eight years of experience, CFP® certification, and a flat-fee structure for comprehensive financial plans, he combines fundamental analysis with modern portfolio theory, distinguishing him from advisors tied to larger firms or commission-based models.
Experience: 8 years
Avg account: $986,179
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