Top startup equity planning financial advisors in Seattle, WA

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 startup equity that could vest or be sold soon, you need an advisor who understands how to plan around the unique tax and liquidity challenges this creates. A common mistake is treating startup equity like regular investments, which can lead to unexpected tax bills or missed opportunities.

  • Tax-aware planning. Look for advisors who consider both federal taxes and Washington's 7% capital gains tax on long-term gains, not just the absence of state income tax.
  • Liquidity strategy. Ask how they help you manage the timing of equity sales to cover taxes and personal cash needs without jeopardizing your financial goals.
  • Equity type expertise. Confirm they understand different equity forms like stock options, RSUs, and restricted stock, as each has distinct tax and exercise implications.
  • Exit scenario preparation. Check if they model various exit outcomes, such as IPOs or acquisitions, to help you plan for different financial impacts.

Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.

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Charity A

Series 66, Series 63

Seattle, WA

J.P. Morgan Securities

Charity Atkinson is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with five years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 registrations. Outside of her advisory role, she is a co-owner and administrative partner of Hammer and Saw Local Carpentry, a carpentry business serving homeowners in the Seattle area. J.P. Morgan Securities primarily provides investment consulting and advisory services to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applying an ESG eligibility framework in its investment recommendations.

Wealth management Executive Founder/Business Owner
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William H

Series 65

Seattle, WA

Sapling Wealth Management

William Hicks is a financial advisor at Sapling Wealth Management with 15 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Sapling Wealth Management since 2010. Sapling Wealth Management provides fee-based investment advisory, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and pension/profit-sharing plans. The firm offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, incorporating strategic and tactical asset allocation alongside fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor portfolios to client objectives and risk tolerances.

Private / alternative investments Tax-loss harvesting Wealth management
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Bruce H

Series 63

Seattle, WA

Newground Social Investment

Bruce Herbert is a financial advisor at Newground Social Investment with 25 years of industry experience. He has worked with Newground Investment Services since 1994. Herbert holds a Series 63 designation. Newground Social Investment provides values-aligned portfolio management and financial planning to individuals and institutions seeking to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into their investments. The firm serves investors with $1.5 million or more in investable assets, offering customized portfolios that emphasize sustainable, responsible, and impact investing.

ESG / Sustainable investing Private / alternative investments Charitable giving & philanthropy
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Andrew H

Series 66

Seattle, WA

Commonwealth Financial Network

Andrew Harvey is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network in Seattle, WA, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. He has worked at Commonwealth Financial Network since 2021 and has additional experience with Opus 111 Group, Securities America Advisors, and Securities America, Inc. Outside of his advisory role, Harvey is a freelance sports broadcaster and writer. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their clients. The firm offers various advisory programs and support services, including wealth management and retirement plan consulting, while providing advisors discretion in portfolio construction alongside managed model portfolios and customized program options.

Passive / index investing Active portfolio management Tax-loss harvesting Wealth management Retirement income strategy Founder/Business Owner Executive Retired

Leslie R

CFP®

Seattle, WA

Humanize Wealth

Hi, I’m Leslie. I co-founded Humanize Wealth out of my desire to create connections between clients and their communities that have a positive impact on social and economic equity, racial justice, and the environment. I have spent most of my 15+ year career in wealth management – from working with billionaires at a global Wall Street firm to tech entrepreneurs at an independent firm in Seattle. My work at Humanize Wealth combines my years of experience managing portfolios and building financial plans with my desire to help people realize the power of their wealth to make meaningful & systemic change. As a financial planner, I help people gain clarity around their situation, envision the life and impact they want to have, and serve as a guide to develop and implement solutions. Humanize Wealth's integrated offering combines detailed financial planning, thoughtful investment management and the opportunity to engage with community. Our clients are committed to using the power of their wealth to promote the well being of their families, communities and the planet. If this sounds like you, we'd love to connect!

Inherited wealth Founder/Business Owner LGBTQIA

Kimberly H

CFP®, CRPC®

Troy, MI

Innermost Wealth Management, LLC

I founded Innermost™ Wealth Management to create a more personal, thoughtful approach to financial planning and wealth management. My background in both finance and psychology shaped my belief that money is not just about numbers. It is deeply personal and connected to your values, goals, and life experiences. I work with professionals who want to grow and simplify their wealth, with a special focus on women navigating career growth, equity compensation, and major life transitions such as divorce. Many of my clients are balancing busy lives and complex financial decisions, and they value having a long-term financial partner who truly understands their needs. My firm is centered on ongoing wealth management through investment advisory relationships. Clients work with me for comprehensive financial planning and investment management that evolves with them over time. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® Candidate, I provide technical expertise and strategic guidance, while also recognizing the emotional side of financial decisions. My approach is compassionate, judgment-free, and designed to reduce stress while helping you feel more confident in your choices. I operate a fully virtual firm, working with clients across the country who appreciate flexibility and convenience. My goal is to simplify your financial life, provide clear advice, and help you align your wealth with what matters most to you. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, photography, cooking, and spending quality time with my Beagle, Gracie.

General retirement planning General tax planning Wealth management Startup equity planning Divorce financial planning Women Professionals Life coaching / goal alignment Established Professionals Approaching retirement Dual Income Family

George S

Series 66

Hartford, CT

Merrill

George Silvester is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving as a member of the Boston Executive Services Team since 2017. He works primarily with founders, executives, and key associates at both privately held and publicly traded companies, focusing on the intricacies of equity ownership and equity compensation. George's approach begins with understanding what is most important to his clients and assessing their current position relative to their goals, ultimately developing customized financial strategies that align with their evolving life needs, resources, and aspirations. George began his career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management as a Summer Analyst in 2016, where he developed an understanding of the client-advisor relationship and the collaborative pursuit of clients’ life goals. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in Finance from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business. Additionally, George has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation awarded by the College for Financial Planning, as well as the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional work, George’s personal interests include biking, bowling, chess, cooking, golfing, hiking, and reading.

Exec comp design Startup equity planning Liquidity event planning Wealth management ESG / Sustainable investing Founder/Business Owner Executive

James V

Series 66

Stuart, FL

Fidelity

James Van Nice is a Benefits & Planning Consultant specializing in Executive Services. In this role, he partners with executives to help them understand their employer benefits and develop plans to work towards their financial goals. James has professional experience as an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments from 2023 to 2025 and as an Investment Solutions Representative II at Fidelity Investments from 2022 to 2023. Prior to that, he worked at Merrill Lynch as an Investment Solutions Representative I from 2021 to 2022 and as a Financial Advisor from 2018 to 2019. Outside of his professional work, James engages in fishing, fitness, golf, running, and volunteering.

Exec comp design Liquidity event planning Startup equity planning Executive

Adam N

CFP®, Series 66

Mankato, MN

Edward Jones

Adam Neubauer is a CFP® with 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2014 and is based in Mankato, MN. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a wide range of investment strategies and affiliated services through a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Retirement income strategy Business exit / sale strategy Charitable giving & philanthropy Startup equity planning General retirement planning Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Juan P

Series 66

San Francisco, CA

Optimo Capital

Juan Polanco is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Optimo Capital in San Francisco, CA, and has 11 years of industry experience. Before founding Optimo Capital, he worked at Carr & Ferrell LLP for two years. Outside of his advisory role, Mr. Polanco works full-time as an engineer at PacBio and mentors startups and founders at the Founder's Institute and LoyalVC. Optimo Capital advises founders of venture-backed companies, recently funded startups, and private investors on portfolio supervision and capital-raising. The firm uses a combined top‑down and bottom‑up analytical approach with a supervisory and consultative model, focusing on tailored services such as Investment Policy Statements, due diligence management, and pitch material preparation.

Business ownership considerations Wealth management Founder/Business Owner

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