Top college savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) financial advisors working with high-net-worth individuals 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.
If you're planning for college expenses and want to make the most of tax-advantaged savings like 529 plans or UTMA accounts, you need an advisor who understands how to align these tools with your broader wealth. Without this focus, you might miss opportunities to optimize contributions or coordinate with your overall financial picture.
- Tax impact awareness. Confirm how they navigate California's high income taxes alongside savings plans to maximize your benefits.
- Account selection strategy. Ask why they recommend certain college savings vehicles over others based on your family's financial situation.
- Coordination with wealth management. Look for advisors who integrate college savings with your other assets, not treat them as isolated accounts.
- Long-term flexibility. Inquire how they plan for changes in education costs or family circumstances that could affect your savings goals.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
-
George G
CFP®, Series 66
Santa Monica, CA
Guttman Financial Planning
George Guttman specializes in college savings strategies tailored for high-net-worth individuals in Santa Monica, leveraging over 20 years of experience and CFP® certification to integrate 529 plans and UTMA accounts with broader wealth management. His firm emphasizes a long-term, buy-and-hold investment approach and offers educational workshops, distinguishing him through comprehensive financial planning and a focus on tax and estate considerations.
Experience: 21 years
Avg account: $153,127
-
Arielle B
CFP®, CFA®, Series 63
Los Angeles, CA
Good Balance FP LLC
Arielle Bittoni specializes in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, serving high-net-worth clients in the Santa Monica area with 22 years of experience. Her independent firm, Good Balance FP LLC, uses a passive, evidence-based investment approach and offers flat-fee financial planning, distinguishing her from advisors who may rely on asset-based fees or active management strategies.
Experience: 22 years
Avg account: $1,473,625
-
Jon D
Los Angeles, CA
Westside Financial Advisors LLC
Jon Dennis specializes in college savings plans and serves high-net-worth clients, making him capable of addressing complex tax and wealth coordination needs in Santa Monica. His dual role as a financial advisor and CPA partner, combined with Westside Financial Advisors' passive, asset-class-based investment approach and negotiable fee structures, distinguishes him from other advisors with more traditional backgrounds or fee models.
Experience: 2 years
Avg account: $593,286
-
Marc A
Series 66
Los Angeles, CA
IFC Advisors LLC
Marc Ackerman specializes in college savings plans and serves high-net-worth clients, making him well-suited for managing 529 and UTMA accounts in Santa Monica. With 26 years of experience and a tax-aware, goal-oriented investment approach at IFC Advisors, he offers flat-fee financial planning and integrates college savings with broader wealth management, differentiating him from advisors focused solely on isolated accounts.
Experience: 27 years
Avg account: $6,087,331
-
Vivianna Z
Series 65
El Segundo, CA
X and Y Advisors, Inc.
Vivianna Zhao specializes in college savings strategies for high-net-worth clients, integrating 529 plans and UTMA accounts with broader wealth management to optimize tax benefits in California. Based in El Segundo, she offers fee-only, hourly business consulting at $250, leveraging eight years of experience and a passive, low-cost investment approach focused on index funds and ETFs, distinguishing her from advisors with different fee structures or investment styles.
Experience: 9 years
Avg account: $1,106,712
Want help finding the right advisor?
Answer a few questions to see advisors matched to you.
Advisors focused on
People also searched
Popular in Santa Monica, 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”)