Birchwood Capital
Data sourced from SEC public records (and other sources when available). Refreshed weekly • Updated today.
About
Birchwood Capital works with individual and high-net-worth clients, providing ongoing comprehensive financial planning, discretionary investment management as part of that planning relationship, and limited-scope hourly planning engagements. The firm is a small practice—two advisors managing roughly $105 million across about 53 client relationships.
The firm follows a passive, asset-allocation-centered investment approach grounded in the Efficient Market Hypothesis, primarily using mutual funds and ETFs to capture broad asset-class returns with low turnover and an emphasis on tax-aware implementation. Portfolios are managed on a discretionary basis using client-specific investment policy statements, and the firm may depart from strict passive allocations in specific cases to address tax efficiency or legacy positions.
Birchwood’s fee model differs from many peers in that it generally uses flat and hourly planning fees rather than relying on percentage-of-AUM advisory fees, and it includes investment management for clients engaged in ongoing planning rather than offering standalone AUM-based management. The firm’s small team holds professional credentials (CFP and CFA) and brings institutional investment experience, and it uses an independent custodian while disclosing receipt of advisor-support services from that custodian.
Client services
Expertise
Fee options
Flat fees for ongoing comprehensive financial planning up to $175,000 annually, paid quarterly in advance
Starting at $350 per hour, negotiable
Fee-only: Hourly rates start at $350 per hour, negotiable; flat fees for ongoing comprehensive financial planning up to $175,000 annually, paid quarterly in advance
Main office
2385 Camino Vida Roble, Suite 100
Carlsbad CA 92011
Advisors at this office
2
Most active in
California · Georgia · Oregon · Texas
Also doing business as
Birchwood Capital · Birchwood Capital LLC
Disclosures
Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.
Business activities & affiliations
Is not active or affiliated with:
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Insurance agent
They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.
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Broker-dealer / trader
They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.
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Bank
They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.
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Trust company
They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.
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Fund sponsor
They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.
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Accountant / CPA / tax prep
They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.
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Lawyer
They provide legal services, typically billed separately.
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Real estate agent
They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.
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Other specialized services
They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.
Forms ADV
Quick links
Advisors at this firm
Matthew H
CFA®, Series 63
Carlsbad, CA
Birchwood Capital
Matthew Higbie is a CFA® charterholder with one year of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Birchwood Capital. His prior roles include positions at Balyasny Asset Management L.P., Citadel Enterprise Americas LLC, and Carlson Capital, L.P. Birchwood Capital serves individual and high-net-worth clients by providing comprehensive financial planning and discretionary investment management. The firm employs a passive, asset-allocation-driven approach focused on tax-aware implementation and primarily utilizes mutual funds and ETFs.
Stephen N
CFP®, CFA®
Carlsbad, CA
Birchwood Capital
Flat-fee wealth management for families with $5M-25M. One transparent fee. No AUM. No hidden incentives. Not all “flat fee advisors” are interchangeable. It’s the difference between seeing a general physician and going to a specialist who deals with your exact situation every day. When the decisions are meaningful, the expertise behind them matters more. At your level, a single good decision, or avoided mistake, can be worth hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions. We are a flat-fee advisory firm designed for high net worth families who want: -A fee structure that doesn’t compound against them -Deep tax strategy -Institutional-quality advice -A family that flourishes across multiple generations Stephen Nelson, CFA, CFP® I am a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) Charterholder and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional who has spent my career in investment management and financial planning. I received a Master of Science in Finance and a B.B.A. in Finance from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. I serve families throughout San Diego and across the country.
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