Large-firm, private / alternative investments 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're considering private or alternative investments, you likely want to diversify beyond traditional stocks and bonds. Without deep knowledge of these complex assets, you risk misjudging liquidity needs or overexposing your portfolio to illiquid holdings.
- Firm resources. Large firms often have dedicated teams and research for alternative investments; ask how your advisor leverages these resources.
- Risk assessment. Confirm how they evaluate the unique risks of private investments, including valuation challenges and market cycles.
- Tax implications. Private investments can have complex tax consequences; check how they integrate state tax factors like California's high income taxes and Proposition 13 property tax limits into planning.
- Portfolio fit. Ask how they determine the right allocation to alternatives based on your overall financial goals and time horizon.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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John O
Series 66
Chicago, IL
William Blair
John Oliveira specializes in private and alternative investments within William Blair's large-firm environment in Santa Monica, leveraging the firm's active, research-driven management and access to private funds. His expertise extends to wealth management and ESG investing, serving executives and business owners with a fee structure up to 2% annually, which may differ from other advisors by combining large-firm resources with personalized planning for complex portfolios.
Experience: 0 years
Avg account: $1,492,448
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Peter M
CFP®
Santa Monica, CA
Focus Partners Wealth, LLC
Peter Mueller's expertise in private and alternative investments, combined with his CFP® certification and nine years of industry experience, equips him to navigate complex asset classes in Santa Monica. His firm, Focus Partners Wealth, LLC, serves high-net-worth clients with a long-term, tax- and fee-sensitive investment approach, offering flat-fee options and active portfolio management that distinguish him from other advisors in the area.
Experience: 10 years
Avg account: $2,557,933
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Benjamin C
Series 66
Santa Monica, CA
Charles Schwab
Benjamin Charney at Charles Schwab in Santa Monica offers expertise in private and alternative investments, supported by a large firm's dedicated resources and a multi-asset model portfolio approach. With four years of experience and a Series 66 designation, he serves high-net-worth clients through a 0.80% annual AUM fee, differentiating him by integrating multi-state taxation and real estate investing into comprehensive financial planning.
Experience: 4 years
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Robert W
CFA®, Series 63
Santa Monica, CA
Creative Planning
Robert Whited II specializes in private and alternative investments within a large firm setting in Santa Monica, leveraging Creative Planning's extensive resources managing $217 billion in assets. His CFA® credential and experience with tax-loss harvesting and retirement income strategies complement the firm's investment approach, offering a blend of low-cost indexing and personalized portfolio management for high-net-worth clients seeking flat-fee arrangements.
Experience: 5 years
Avg account: $2,113,277
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J Geoffrey G
Series 63, Series 65
Santa Monica, CA
Merrill
J Geoffrey Grant's extensive 42 years at Merrill Lynch, a large firm, equip him to navigate the complexities of private and alternative investments in Santa Monica. His expertise spans wealth management, estate planning, and tax minimization, with a fee of 1.10% AUM for managed strategies under $2 million, distinguishing him through a comprehensive approach that includes philanthropic planning and services tailored for executives and business owners.
Experience: 42 years
Avg account: $860,085
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