Ares Financial Consulting LLC

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Client assets under management

$243,751,757

Clients

289

16% high-net-worth

Advisors

of 5 employees

Firm type

Supported

1-4 advisors or >$200M in AUM

Clients per advisor

High

Average account size

$843,432

About

Ares Financial Consulting provides personalized financial planning and investment management to individuals (including high‑net‑worth clients), pension and profit‑sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. Its services include comprehensive and limited‑scope financial planning, investment‑only arrangements, corporate retirement‑plan consulting, and educational seminars or workshops for clients and plan participants.

The firm’s investment approach is rooted in Modern Portfolio Theory, using diversified, model‑based portfolios and Investment Policy Statements to guide discretionary trading, periodic rebalancing (basic or enhanced), and at least annual formal reviews. Ares also incorporates third‑party managers and platforms — including a Betterment sub‑advisor option and an American Funds offering — when those solutions align with a client’s objectives.

Ares is noteworthy for offering client education and workshop services that are less common among peer teams and for a corporate retirement practice that includes fiduciary plan reviews, participant education, and designated “office hours.” The firm manages roughly $243.9 million in discretionary assets, operates on a fee‑only basis emphasizing flat‑dollar and limited‑scope engagements (with some asset‑based arrangements in specific programs), and discloses affiliated insurance activities and potential conflicts where advisor licensing leads to outside insurance sales.

Client services

Financial planning Portfolio management Pension consulting Selection of other advisers

Expertise

General retirement planning Cash flow / budgeting Charitable giving & philanthropy College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Business ownership considerations

Occupation focus

Founder/Business Owner Educators, Teachers, and Academics

Fee options

Fixed

Fixed fees depend on scope; project fees over $2,000 billed 50% in advance; Corporate Retirement Plan Consulting includes base fee starting at $250/quarter plus $25/participant per quarter; initial plan design fee of $1,500 may apply in first year.

Percentage

$0 - $500,000: 0.75% $500,000 - $1,000,000: 0.50% $1,000,000+: 0.25%

Project-based

Generally $500 per hour for limited scope services, negotiable down to a minimum of $150/hr.

Other

Fee-only: Flat dollar fees for services; hourly rate generally $500/hr (negotiable down to $150/hr) for limited scope services; fixed fees based on scope, e.g., project fees over $2,000 billed 50% in advance; comprehensive services fees are customized and value-based, billed monthly or quarterly in arrears; no commissions accepted.

Main office location

Ares Financial Consulting LLC

4500 Park Granada, Suite 202

Calabasas CA 91302, United States

Number of offices

Most active in

Arizona · California · Minnesota · New Hampshire · Texas · Washington · Wisconsin

Disclosures

Business activities & affiliations

Is active or affiliated with:

Insurance agent

They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.

Is not active or affiliated with:

Broker-dealer / trader

They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.

Bank

They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.

Trust company

They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.

Fund sponsor

They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.

Accountant / CPA / tax prep

They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.

Lawyer

They provide legal services, typically billed separately.

Real estate agent

They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.

Other specialized services

They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.

Forms ADV

Form ADV Part 2: Client Brochure Form ADV Part 3: Client Relationship

Quick links

LinkedIn Website 818-986-1479

Advisors at this firm

Nils W

CFP®, Series 66

Tacoma, WA

Ares Financial Consulting LLC

Nils Wickman is a financial advisor with Ares Financial Consulting LLC, holding the CFP® designation and Series 66 license, with 17 years of industry experience. He has worked at Ares since 2017 and has experience with Balance Financial Planning, Wickman Insurance & Financial Services, and Ameritas Investment Corp. Outside of his advisory work, Wickman teaches financial literacy at Tacoma Public Schools and serves as Planned Giving Director at Urban Grace Church, in addition to participating on the advisory committee for the 253 Youth Ultimate Program. Ares Financial Consulting provides personalized financial planning and investment management to individuals, trusts, pension plans, and small businesses. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based approach with diversified, model-driven portfolios and offers client education as well as corporate retirement services.

General retirement planning Cash flow / budgeting Charitable giving & philanthropy College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Business ownership considerations Founder/Business Owner Educators, Teachers, and Academics

Jeffrey R

Series 63, Series 66

Calabasas, CA

Ares Financial Consulting LLC

Jeffrey Richter is a financial advisor at Ares Financial Consulting LLC with 19 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and previously worked at Pacific Coast Fiduciary, LLC. In addition to his advisory role, he provides life, disability, long-term care, and health insurance to clients as an insurance broker. Ares Financial Consulting offers personalized financial planning and investment management to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based investment approach with diversified portfolios and incorporates third-party managers when aligned with client objectives.

Michael L

CFP®, Series 66

Calabasas, CA

Ares Financial Consulting LLC

Michael Lambrakis is a CFP® with 14 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Ares Financial Consulting LLC. His prior experience includes roles at Mariner Platform Solutions, AdvicePeriod, LLC, and Beacon Pointe Advisors, LLC. Ares Financial Consulting provides personalized financial planning and investment management to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm utilizes a diversified, model-based investment approach guided by Investment Policy Statements and offers client education services along with corporate retirement-plan consulting.

Brittney K

CFP®, Series 63

Plano, TX

Ares Financial Consulting LLC

Brittney Kolesar is a CFP® and holds a Series 63 license, currently working at Ares Financial Consulting LLC with one year of industry experience. She previously worked at 1st Global Advisors Inc. and 1ST Global Capital Corp. for five years before taking time for travel from 2018 to 2026. Ares Financial Consulting LLC provides financial planning and investment management services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based investment approach with diversified model portfolios and emphasizes client education and corporate retirement-plan consulting.

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