Top options & derivatives strategies 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.
If you have complex financial goals that involve options or derivatives, you need an advisor who understands how these contracts can affect your overall portfolio risk and tax situation. A common mistake is treating options as standalone trades without considering their impact on your broader investment strategy.
- Risk management expertise. Ask how they assess and manage the unique risks that options and derivatives introduce to your portfolio.
- Tax implications knowledge. Confirm they explain how options gains and losses affect your tax filings, including short-term versus long-term treatment.
- Strategy alignment. Ensure they tailor options strategies to your specific financial goals, not just generic market plays.
- Experience with local tax rules. In Santa Monica, CA, high income taxes and property tax limits can influence derivatives strategies; check how they incorporate these factors.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
-
Zane Z
CFP®
Santa Monica, CA
Mutual Advisors, LLC
Zane Zent specializes in options and derivatives strategies, offering tailored risk management and tax-aware planning in Santa Monica, CA. As a CFP®-certified independent advisor at Mutual Advisors, LLC, he provides flexible flat-fee and asset-based pricing, supported by a firm managing $6.75 billion with diverse investment approaches, distinguishing him from peers with his blend of personalized service and institutional resources.
Experience: 1 year
Avg account: $916,008
-
Skip Z
Series 66
Santa Monica, CA
Ocean Avenue Wealth Management
Skip Zwahlen specializes in options and derivatives strategies, bringing 19 years of experience and a Series 66 designation to clients in Santa Monica, CA. His firm, Ocean Avenue Wealth Management, serves high-net-worth individuals with negotiable fees and employs multiple analytical methods while maintaining client authorization for trades, differentiating him from advisors who may accept discretionary control.
Experience: 19 years
Avg account: $3,066,959
-
Kara B
Series 63, Series 65
Santa Monica, CA
Serenus Wealth Advisors, LLC
Kara Boccella specializes in options and derivatives strategies with 15 years of experience, offering tailored risk management and tax-aware portfolio solutions in Santa Monica. Her firm, Serenus Wealth Advisors, serves high-net-worth clients with a flat-fee structure ranging from $5,000 to $100,000, combining direct portfolio management and sub-advisors for a diverse analytical investment approach.
Experience: 15 years
Avg account: $10,439,411
-
Mary K
Series 63, Series 65
Santa Monica, CA
Victus Capital Wealth
Mary Kusnic brings 26 years of experience in options and derivatives strategies, serving high-net-worth clients in Santa Monica with a firm that manages $250 million using both fundamental and technical analysis. Her independent status and flexible fee structure, including hourly options, distinguish her from others by offering personalized portfolio management and access to private equity alongside active trading strategies.
Experience: 27 years
Avg account: $1,482,537
-
Brad T
Series 65
Santa Monica, CA
Penmar Wealth Management LLC
Brad Tonoff in Santa Monica offers expertise in options and derivatives strategies combined with tax-loss harvesting and general tax planning, which is crucial for managing the complex tax implications of these instruments. His firm, Penmar Wealth Management, provides discretionary asset management with third-party sub-advisors, catering to both individual and high-net-worth clients, and charges $250 per hour for financial planning services.
Experience: 1 year
Avg account: $75,748
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”)