Pearl Planning
Data sourced from SEC public records (and other sources when available). Refreshed weekly • Updated today.
About
Pearl Planning advises individuals (including high‑net‑worth clients), qualified retirement plans, trusts, estates, and business owners, offering discretionary and non‑discretionary portfolio management alongside integrated financial planning and consulting. The firm states that financial planning is included for advisory clients and also provides stand‑alone planning and retirement plan consulting engagements.
The firm builds client‑specific allocations across equities, fixed income, mutual funds, ETFs, private and alternative strategies, and structured products, and it may recommend independent sub‑advisors or managed programs through custodians such as Raymond James, Schwab, Fidelity, or Altruist. Pearl Planning also uses third‑party tools and arrangements described in its brochure — for example, the Pontera platform to manage held‑away accounts (401(k)s, annuities, 529s) with tax‑efficient asset location and opportunistic rebalancing, and outsourced trading support for execution.
Compared with many peers, the firm’s brochure discloses that it uses endorsements and promotes third‑party ratings in its advertising, practices that its filing notes are uncommon among similar team firms. The brochure also highlights several operational features that may be atypical for a firm of its size: participation in a Federally Insured Cash Account (FICA) cash management program, use of the Pontera held‑away platform, recent SEC registration in 2025, and the use of AI‑assisted client relationship tools.
Client services
Expertise
Fee options
Stand-alone financial planning fixed fees range from $500 to $15,000; consulting fees negotiable based on project.
$0 - $500,000: 1.30% $500,001 - $1,000,000: 1.00% $1,000,001 - $5,000,000: 0.85% $5,000,001 - $10,000,000: 0.70% $10,000,001 - $20,000,000: 0.50% $20,000,001+: 0.40%
Hourly fees for stand-alone financial planning and consulting services are $350 per hour.
Fee-only: Financial planning fixed fees range from $500 to $15,000; hourly fees are $350/hour; fees are negotiable.
Main office
8031 Main Street, Suite 201
Dexter MI 48130
Advisors at this office
6
Most active in
California · Colorado · Florida · Georgia · Michigan · New York · Oregon · Texas · Virginia
Also doing business as
Pearl Planning · Pearl Planning, 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.
Quick links
Advisors at this firm
Robert C
Series 65
Dexter, MI
Pearl Planning
Robert Cesario is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor at Pearl Planning in Dexter, Michigan, with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Pearl Planning, he was a full-time student for nine years. Pearl Planning serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, qualified retirement plans, trusts, estates, and business owners. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, integrated financial planning, and consulting, utilizing a range of strategies and third-party tools to customize client portfolios.
Melissa J
CFP®, Series 63, Series 66
Dexter, MI
Pearl Planning
Melissa Joy is a CFP® with 22 years of experience in the financial services industry. She is currently with Pearl Planning and has previously worked at Stephens Consulting, Raymond James Financial Services, and the Center for Financial Planning. Outside of advisory work, she serves on the investment committee of the First Congregational Church in Ann Arbor. Pearl Planning is a team-based firm serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, qualified retirement plans, trusts, estates, and business owners. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management along with integrated financial planning and consulting, utilizing a diverse range of investment strategies and third-party platforms.
Toni W
CFP®
Dexter, MI
Pearl Planning
Toni Wander is a CFP® professional with eight years of industry experience. She currently serves as an advisor at Pearl Planning and has previously worked at Stephens Consulting, Legacy Wealth Planning, Old National Bank, and Plante Moran financial advisors. Pearl Planning advises individuals, qualified retirement plans, trusts, estates, and business owners, providing discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management along with integrated financial planning and consulting. The firm employs client-specific allocations across various asset types and uses third-party tools such as the Pontera platform for managing held-away accounts and AI-assisted client relationship tools.
Alec W
Series 65
Dexter, MI
Pearl Planning
Alec Waldman is a financial advisor at Pearl Planning with a Series 65 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Pearl Planning, he spent four years at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor and one year with the William & Marie Carls Family YMCA. Pearl Planning serves individuals, qualified retirement plans, trusts, estates, and business owners by providing discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management alongside integrated financial planning and consulting. The firm utilizes a range of investment strategies and third-party tools, including the Pontera platform for managing held-away accounts and AI-assisted client relationship tools.
Genevieve G
Series 65
Dexter, MI
Pearl Planning
Genevieve Guys is a financial advisor at Pearl Planning with a Series 65 designation and two years of industry experience. Her prior firms include Asset Allocation Strategies, Northern Trust, and Standish Management. She also works as a conservation specialist involved in life insurance and fixed/index annuity sales. Pearl Planning serves individuals, qualified retirement plans, trusts, estates, and business owners, offering portfolio management and integrated financial planning. The firm uses a range of investment strategies and third-party platforms to deliver client-specific solutions and employs operational features uncommon for its size.
Alexa K
CFP®, Series 66
Dexter, MI
Pearl Planning
Alexa Kane is a CFP® professional with 13 years of industry experience. She currently works at Pearl Planning, where she has been since 2025. Her prior experience includes roles at Stephens Consulting, Raymond James Financial Services, Mercer Global Advisors, and M.J. Smith & Associates. Pearl Planning serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, trusts, estates, and business owners, providing portfolio management and integrated financial planning. The firm employs client-specific asset allocations across a range of investment types and utilizes platforms such as Pontera for managing held-away accounts and outsourced trading support.
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