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2024

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Best Financial Advisors in Costa Mesa, CA

Our Recommended Top 6

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Costa Mesa Financial Advisors on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

31Reviewed

21Curated

6Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider
SmartAdvisor by SmartAsset logo

SmartAdvisor by SmartAssetExpertise.com

Costa Mesa, CA
Free Consultation

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

SmartAsset's free, five-minute tool makes it easy to find qualified financial advisors in your area. The exclusive tool uses a quick survey to help SmartAsset's exclusive algorithm match you with up to three advisors based on your specific financial needs. Each advisor is a fiduciary, legally bound to work in your best interest, and rigorously vetted by SmartAsset. You can speak with each for free, sometimes within a matter of minutes, and choose whom you want to work with. Hundreds of thousands of smart investors and retirees have already used SmartAsset's simple, no-cost service to find the right financial advisors for them.

  • Estate Planning
  • Financial Planning
  • Investment Management
  • Retirement Planning

Costa Mesa, CA

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Need help contacting a Financial Advisor in Costa Mesa? Call our Concierge team at 848-Book-Pro (848-266-5776 from 6 am - 4 pm PT | Mon - Fri). They are standing by to help you get the service you need.

3200 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Cerity Partners is a financial advisory firm that services the Costa Mesa metro and the surrounding areas. Its team comprises investment specialists, tax advisors, financial planners, and retirement plan consultants. They provide financial counsel to clients. The firm has experience working with individuals, high-net-worth families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. It renders services, including financial administration, investment management, insurance planning, cash flow analysis, and financial wellness coaching. Cerity Partners also welcomes interested clients who are not from the state.

  • Finance Planning
  • Financial Planning

151 Kalmus Drive Suite J-3, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Capital Planning Group LLC is a financial consultancy firm that serves clients in the Costa Mesa area. It helps families, individuals, and businesses accumulate, grow, and transfer their wealth. Its team designs financial strategic plans for every client through integrated planning and rigorous research. The company's founder, Brian Seaman, has been in the wealth management business for over two decades. Before embarking on the field, he served as a management consultant trainer at a large insurance company for 14 years.

  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

100 W Broadway Ste 3000, Long Beach, CA 90802

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (3)
Yelp
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

LA Wealth Management provides services to individuals, families, and businesses around Costa Mesa. Through an education-based and needs-oriented approach, it identifies goals and informs clients of the details behind each available option, from retirement plans to insurance to college planning. The firm is also a corporate sponsor of Together We Rise, a nonprofit organization that assists foster children across America. Its owner, Laurie Allen, has been serving Los Angeles since 2008. She is a Certified Financial Planner.

575 Anton Boulevard, Suite 500, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (8)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Established in 1987, Check Capital Management Incorporated is an investment management firm that serves Costa Mesa. It offers financial advising and helps clients develop plans and investment strategies to help them achieve their financial goals and maximize their wealth. The company's founder, Steven Check, received his formal education in Electrical Engineering, but keeps himself abreast of the industry’s trends by studying investors like Benjamin Graham and Warren Buffett. He is a CFA Institute member.

  • Investment Management

Compare our Top Financial Advisors

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
SmartAdvisor by SmartAsset
Costa Mesa, CAFree Consultation
Cerity Partners
3200 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Capital Planning Group LLC
151 Kalmus Drive Suite J-3, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
LA Wealth Management
100 W Broadway Ste 3000, Long Beach, CA 90802
Check Capital Management Incorporated
575 Anton Boulevard, Suite 500, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

FAQs

  • Introduction

    There are many titles for financial professionals, so it's challenging to track what each one means. A financial advisor is probably the term you've heard most often. Financial advisor is a broad term for a professional who helps individuals or companies manage their finances, including investment choices. There are over 100 certifications that financial advisors can obtain.

    • Financial planners, wealth managers, and investment advisors are all financial advisors with different focus areas.
    • A financial planner helps an individual or a company make a plan to achieve long-term financial goals.
    • A wealth manager helps individuals maintain their wealth through various disciplines and services, such as taxes, estate planning, and investment advice.
    • An investment advisor offers investment advice and recommendations to individuals or organizations.
    There’s a misconception that you have to be extremely wealthy to use a financial advisor. In reality, they can be beneficial for people from any income level. Keep reading to find answers to the most commonly asked questions about financial advisors, so you know which type can fit your specific needs.

  • What are some indicators that may signal identity theft in Costa Mesa?

    Indicators of identity theft in Costa Mesa include unexpected new account correspondence or unsolicited credit card offers, suggesting someone used your identity for the account; denials of credit or loans while having good credit, perhaps as a result of unauthorized activity on your credit record; calls from debt collectors or credit card companies about unpaid bills you didn't make; and missing regular monthly statements, which might be due to an identity thief changing your mailing address to conceal fraudulent charges.

  • What are the common issues linked to the 401(k) retirement plan in Costa Mesa?

    Common issues with 401(k)s in Costa Mesa include the following:

    • Tax implications: Withdrawals from the 401(k) incur income tax, but the money benefits from tax-deferred growth and exemption from certain payroll taxes.
    • Contribution caps: The annual contribution limit from your paycheck might not be sufficient for those wanting to save more for retirement.
    • Retirement-only use: Contributions should be strictly reserved for retirement. Early withdrawals before age 59 ½ may incur a 10% penalty, in addition to income tax.
  • What differentiates 401(k)s from 403(b)s in Costa Mesa?

    401(k)s and 403(b)s in Costa Mesa are employer-sponsored retirement plans with distinct differences. While 403(b)s are supplied by non-profit institutions or tax-exempt organizations like universities, colleges, and hospitals, 401(k)s are offered by for-profit, private enterprises. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 regulates 401(k) plans, which are subject to nondiscrimination testing to ensure that all employees are covered equally. In contrast, 403(b)s are not subject to ERISA and do not require the same testing during setup.

  • What are some good qualities of a financial advisor in Costa Mesa?

    Some positive qualities of financial advisors in Costa Mesa include the following:

    • Attentive listeners: They prioritize listening over talking.
    • Empathetic: They are aware of the value of building strong relationships with their clients.
    • Purpose-driven: They are driven by the purpose of serving and helping clients achieve their goals.
    • Authentic: They reveal their true selves to clients.
    • Honest: They set realistic expectations for the possible course of action and results.
    • Entrepreneurial mindset: They manage their practice like a business and make long-term plans.
  • What strategies can be utilized to manage concentrated stock positions and minimize risk within your investment portfolio in Costa Mesa?

    Several strategies exist to proficiently handle concentrated stock positions and mitigate risks in your Costa Mesa portfolio. One approach is utilizing a Donor Advised Fund for charitable donations, providing distribution flexibility and tax advantages. Another effective strategy is selling concentrated stock to improve portfolio flexibility. An alternative option is swapping concentrated stock for pooled fund shares via exchange funds, enhancing diversification and deferring taxes. Furthermore, family gifting can be employed, offering reduced tax rates and mutual benefits for all parties involved.

  • Are financial advisors worth it?

    Whether or not a financial advisor is worth it depends on your personal situation. If your finances are fairly straightforward, then you may be better off handling it on your own. But if you have substantial assets or a complex investment portfolio, then hiring someone to handle it for you can be well worth the cost.