What does tax planning include?
Ask which decisions are analyzed, who prepares projections and how the advisor works with your CPA.
Compare financial advisors for your business and personal wealth
Start with the decisions you need help making. Then compare the service, responsibilities and professional coordination behind each firm’s name.
Independent, fee-only fiduciary advice for business owners
Nothing like your father's broker
Individual credentials, memberships and media appearances are identified below. No endorsement is implied.
Explore a firm’s approach
Each page identifies the relevant service and the questions to confirm before choosing. A firm’s programs can differ in scope and eligibility.
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Fidelity
Compare the specific Fidelity service with the owner-focused tax and financial planning you want.
Compare with Fidelity -
Charles Schwab
Identify the service and distinguish planning advice from discretionary investment management when comparing responsibilities.
Compare with Charles Schwab -
Vanguard
Identify the advice service before comparing advisor access and the planning work included.
Compare with Vanguard -
Merrill Lynch
Identify which relationship you’re evaluating before comparing planning, investments and access to other services.
Compare with Merrill Lynch -
Morgan Stanley
Compare the specific team, eligibility and scope with the personal financial planning you need before and after a transition.
Compare with Morgan Stanley -
Edward Jones
Compare the planning engagement, recommendations and implementation responsibilities you would receive.
Compare with Edward Jones -
J.P. Morgan
Compare that program’s support with the ongoing business-owner planning relationship you want.
Compare with J.P. Morgan -
Goldman Sachs
Start with the resources you actually need, then compare the proposed relationship and responsibilities.
Compare with Goldman Sachs -
UBS
Compare the proposed team and engagement with the business and household decisions you want addressed.
Compare with UBS -
Wells Fargo
Start with the account type and advisory program, then compare planning responsibilities.
Compare with Wells Fargo -
Bank of America
Separate the banking relationship from the specific investment and planning service you’re evaluating.
Compare with Bank of America -
Ameriprise
Ask which planning engagement is proposed and how it connects with investment management.
Compare with Ameriprise -
Raymond James
Ask the advisor how those resources would apply to your own compensation, investment and transition decisions.
Compare with Raymond James -
LPL Financial
Evaluate the individual practice, its service agreement and its planning work—not the LPL name alone.
Compare with LPL Financial -
Empower
Clarify the advisory service you’re considering, rather than comparing a dashboard with an ongoing planning relationship.
Compare with Empower -
Betterment
Compare the human planning support included with the decisions that sit outside your portfolio.
Compare with Betterment -
Wealthfront
Compare portfolio automation with the personal decision analysis and professional coordination you need.
Compare with Wealthfront
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Compare specific services, not firm labels
An independent firm and a large institution can each offer different arrangements. Use the actual agreements to understand who does what.
| What to compare | WealthAdvisor365 | Ask the other provider | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who advises you | Your advisor holds CFP® and IRS Enrolled Agent credentials. | Who leads my relationship? | Identify the responsible professional. |
| Duty to you | Fiduciary investment advice. | Which capacity and standard apply? | Check the actual account and service. |
| Compensation | Client-paid advice without product commissions. | How are the firm and advisor paid? | Understand incentives and conflicts. |
| Investment choices | Recommendations reflect your plan and restrictions. | Which investments are available? | Match the choices to your needs. |
| Proprietary products | No proprietary funds. | Are affiliated products used? | Review incentives and alternatives. |
| Portfolio design | Risk, timing, cash needs and taxes considered together. | How is my portfolio tailored? | Understand the investment rationale. |
| Tax planning | Projections and planning within the engagement. | Which tax decisions are analyzed? | Distinguish planning from filing. |
| Planning scope | Financial and tax planning in ongoing wealth management. | Which planning topics are included? | Confirm scope in writing. |
| Professional coordination | Work with your CPA and attorney, with permission. | Who coordinates outside advice? | Agree on responsibilities. |
| Custody | Managed accounts in your name at Altruist. | Who holds my assets? | Understand account arrangements. |
| Implementation | Help with financial steps in the engagement. | Who carries out recommendations? | Know what remains your responsibility. |
| Continuity | An ongoing relationship informed by your priorities. | Who is my contact when circumstances change? | Clarify ongoing service. |
| Communication | Explain recommendations and revisit relevant changes. | How are reviews and questions handled? | Set realistic expectations. |
| Business ownership | Personal financial implications of owner decisions. | Which owner-specific questions can you address? | Match expertise to your situation. |
| Banking and lending | Coordinate borrowing decisions with your plan; no promise of in-house lending. | What banking or lending services are available? | Separate the loan terms from the advice engagement. |
| Conflicts | Material conflicts described in the firm’s disclosures. | What conflicts could affect recommendations? | Understand how they are addressed. |
| Fit | Ongoing wealth management connects investment management, financial planning and year-round tax strategy. | Which arrangement suits my needs? | Choose the scope before committing. |
Ask about the work behind the promise
What are the engagement terms?
Review the scope, compensation arrangements and conflicts together.
Who is responsible for your plan?
Establish who leads the advice and how other professionals are involved.
Does the service address your decisions?
Name the owner-pay, investment, retirement or transition questions you want help answering.
Put your business decisions in personal context
We help established owners compare the effects of their choices on cash flow, investments, taxes and retirement.
- Tax projections while decisions are still open
- Analysis of business and household trade-offs
- Coordination with your existing professionals
- Help with agreed financial implementation
Questions about choosing an advisor
No. The particular program, advisor and agreement matter. Compare the actual planning, investment and implementation responsibilities.
Taking the next step together
Use a complimentary 20-minute introduction to talk about your priorities and the support you’re considering.
No documents or investment transfers are needed for the introduction.
Notes
Firm information comes from the linked public service pages. Confirm current program terms directly with the provider. WealthAdvisor365 is not affiliated with or endorsed by the firms compared. View our disclosures.
Logos identify individual credentials, memberships and media appearances. They do not imply endorsement.