Top private / alternative investments financial advisors working with high-net-worth individuals in Walnut Creek, 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 a significant portion of your wealth in private companies, real estate, or other non-public assets, you need an advisor who understands the unique risks and opportunities these investments bring. Without specialized knowledge, you might face liquidity challenges or misjudge valuation complexities.
- Valuation expertise. Private and alternative assets often lack transparent market prices; ask how the advisor determines fair value.
- Liquidity planning. These investments can be hard to sell quickly; confirm how they help manage cash flow needs around illiquid holdings.
- Tax implications. High-net-worth individuals face complex tax rules on private investments; check how the advisor integrates tax strategies into your plan.
- Risk assessment. Alternative assets carry different risks than stocks or bonds; ensure the advisor evaluates these risks in the context of your overall portfolio.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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David O
Series 63, Series 65
Walnut Creek, CA
Empirical Wealth management
David O'Day specializes in private and alternative investments for high-net-worth clients in Walnut Creek, CA, supported by his Series 63 and 65 credentials and experience at notable financial firms. His firm, Empirical Wealth Management, offers a diversified investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory and provides fee-based discretionary and non-discretionary management with negotiable AUM fees starting at 1%, distinguishing him from advisors with fixed or hourly-only fee structures.
Experience: 1 year
Avg account: $3,447,090
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Matthew T
CFP®, CFA®, Series 63, Series 65
Walnut Creek, CA
Mariner
Matthew Traub specializes in private and alternative investments for high-net-worth clients in Walnut Creek, CA, leveraging his CFP® and CFA® credentials and 11 years of experience. Working at Mariner, a large firm offering integrated tax, accounting, and family office services, he provides flat-fee financial planning and consulting, distinguishing him from advisors with different fee structures or smaller firm resources.
Experience: 12 years
Avg account: $2,116,909
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Michael S
PFS™, Series 65
Walnut Creek, CA
Focus Partners Wealth, LLC
Michael Spector specializes in private and alternative investments, leveraging 26 years of experience and his role as CEO of investment entities focused on private real estate and companies in Walnut Creek, CA. His firm, Focus Partners Wealth, LLC, offers a long-term, tax- and fee-sensitive investment approach with active and passive strategies, serving high-net-worth clients with flat-fee and AUM-based options, distinguishing him from advisors with narrower scopes or fee structures.
Experience: 26 years
Avg account: $2,557,933
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Sarah H
CFP®, Series 66
Walnut Creek, CA
Mission Wealth Management, LP
Sarah Hamilton's 20 years of experience and CFP® certification equip her to manage the complexities of private and alternative investments for high-net-worth clients in Walnut Creek, CA. At Mission Wealth Management, LP, she benefits from a firm managing $17 billion with a tiered service model, focusing on long-term strategies that include ETFs, institutional funds, and alternative assets, offering a comprehensive approach compared to advisors with narrower investment scopes.
Experience: 20 years
Avg account: $3,159,829
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Arek P
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Walnut Creek, CA
Pathwise
Arek Puzia specializes in private and alternative investments, serving high-net-worth clients in Walnut Creek, CA, with 12 years of experience and CFP® certification. His firm, Pathwise, offers flat-fee financial planning and focuses on long-term discretionary portfolio management using diversified mutual funds and ETFs, distinguishing him from advisors who may rely solely on asset-based fees or less diversified strategies.
Experience: 13 years
Avg account: $1,796,235
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