Empowering Financial
Updated today
Data sourced from SEC public records (and other sources when available). Refreshed weekly • Updated today.
Client assets under management
$0
Clients
0
Advisors
1
of 1 employees
Firm type
Independent
1 advisor with up to 2 employees
Fewer clients per advisor generally means more personalized, proactive service. Higher ratios may reflect streamlined models or lower minimums.
Clients per advisor
0
Very LowAverage account size
—
About
Empowering Financial provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management and financial planning to individuals, small business owners, trustees and fiduciaries, developing personalized investment policy statements and ongoing account supervision. The firm also offers fee-based financial planning and coordinates with specialists for estate, real estate and mortgage matters, and delivers tax planning, preparation and IRS representation through a related tax business (Deduction Detectives).
The firm’s investment process is built around tailored asset allocation and a mix of fundamental, quantitative, qualitative and cyclical analysis, employing both long‑ and short‑term strategies and option strategies (including covered calls) where appropriate. Empowering Financial may hire third‑party money managers (TPMMs) for portions of client assets while retaining oversight, executes trades primarily through Interactive Brokers, and provides quarterly performance reporting and periodic reviews.
Several operational details distinguish the firm from many peers: the principal holds an IRS Enrolled Agent credential and maintains real estate and insurance licenses, and the firm discloses that it may accept compensation for insurance or real estate transactions and intends to pursue private placement distribution—arrangements the brochure identifies as potential conflicts of interest. The firm also offers public educational seminars for a modest fee, routinely evaluates interests in non‑public partnerships (e.g., real estate and energy-related vehicles), and reports no regulatory assets under management as of January 2024.
Client services
Financial planning
Portfolio management
Selection of other advisers
Educational seminars or workshops
Expertise
Long-term care insurance
College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.)
Options & derivatives strategies
Fee options
Financial planning fees range from $2,500 to $15,000 per household depending on complexity; educational seminars up to $199
0.9% to 1.5% annually (varies per client)
Commissions received from sale of insurance, real estate, and private placement products by Jake Birnberg; not primary source of firm compensation
Financial planning services charged at $300/hour
Account minimum: $300,000 (may be waived at firm's discretion) Fee-only: Investment management fees of 0.9% to 1.5% of AUM; TPMM fees passed through ranging from 0.45% to 0.6%; total combined fee not to exceed 2%
Main office location
Empowering Financial
2161 Shattuck Ave, #204
Berkeley CA 94704, United States
Number of offices
1
Most active in
Empowering Financial has reported serving >5 clients in these states in the last 12 months.
California
Disclosures
Firm disclosures are reported in Form ADV Part 1A, Item 11. They include criminal charges, regulatory actions, civil proceedings, and professional disciplinary events involving the firm or its advisory affiliates.
Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.
Business activities & affiliations
These affiliations may expand the services this firm offers and, in some cases, how they are compensated.
Is active or affiliated with:
Insurance agent
They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.
Accountant / CPA / tax prep
They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.
Real estate agent
They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.
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.
-
Lawyer
They provide legal services, typically billed separately.
-
Other specialized services
They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.
Forms ADV
Not sure where to start?
We'll help you think it through — whether you ultimately need an advisor or not.
Warmer helps you compare advisors clearly — so you can choose with confidence.
Discover
Compare top advisor firms by metric, firm size, and location.
Warmer provides personalized recommendations and introductions to independent fiduciary advisors. We do not supervise advisors, manage or hold assets, guarantee performance, or provide advice about specific investments.
Each advisor listed on our site is an independent fiduciary responsible for their own advice. Warmer may receive fees from advisors for participation or referrals; these fees are paid by advisors and do not affect the fees clients pay for advisory services.
For advisor listings, we rely on sources including public filings and data provided by advisors, and we cannot guarantee that all information is current or accurate. Please review an advisor's Form ADV and do your own diligence before entering into an advisory relationship.
By using our service, you agree to Warmer's Terms of Service and Advisory Agreement and Privacy Policy. Logos provided by Logo.dev
© 2026 Warmer Holdings Inc. ("Warmer")