Expertise.com Homepage

2024

Last updated:

Best Financial Advisors in San Mateo, CA

Our Recommended Top 17

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 San Mateo Financial Advisors on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

38Reviewed

29Curated

17Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider
SmartAdvisor by SmartAsset logo

SmartAdvisor by SmartAssetExpertise.com

San Mateo, 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
  • Investment Management
  • Financial Planning
  • Retirement Planning

San Mateo, CA

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Need help contacting a Financial Advisor in San Mateo? 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.

100 Pine Street, # 1250, San Francisco, CA 94111

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (9)
Facebook
1.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Babylon Wealth Management provides guidance to clients in the San Mateo metro who are in need of financial advice. The firm offers financial planning services and aids clients in making decisions involving their wealth. It helps clients understand their circumstances and offer a course of action applicable to it. Financial planning for stock options is also available, with the company's financial advisors guiding clients through complex equity and tax concepts. Founder Stoyan Panayotov has received his CFA designation.

  • Financial Planning
  • Wealth Management

1355A San Carlos Ave., San Carlos, CA 94070

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (11)
Facebook
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

MA Private Wealth is a boutique firm of fiduciaries that serves clients throughout San Mateo. With offices in San Carlos and Campbell, it provides a wide range of services, including financial planning, retirement income, trust, and estate planning, and tax management services. It works with clients and identifies their financial goals to create a comprehensive financial plan and investment portfolio tailored to their needs. Firm CEO and private wealth advisor Marty Miller was recognized among the Financial Times Top 400 Advisers in 2016.

  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

203 Redwood Shores Pkwy., Ste 460, Redwood City, CA 94065

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Nerd Nation Financial is a team of representatives from Northwestern Mutual that offers financial, retirement, and estate planning, as well as investment strategies and risk management solutions to clients in San Mateo. Besides families with young children and professionals, the company works specifically with Silicon Valley clients in technology companies, helping them maximize their employment benefits and strategize their investments. Lead wealth management advisor Chris Andrews founded the firm in 2007. He holds various designations, such as ChFC, CFP, WMCP, and RICP.

  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

340 Lorton Ave., Ste. 215, Burlingame, CA 94010

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

MainStreet Financial Planning provides assistance to individuals and businesses in San Mateo to take control of their finances. Its "Step by Step" process involves assessing clients' financial situation and designing a money roadmap. Its advisors deliver financial plans with recommendations about saving and investing money. In addition, they offer navigation support for monitoring progress in following the money roadmap. MainStreet Financial Planning has five offices in Southern and Northern California, New York, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.

  • Estate Planning
  • Financial Planning

1900 S. Norfolk, Suite 350, San Mateo, CA 94403

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

King Wealth Advisors has been serving San Mateo and the surrounding areas since 2015. Its team of professionals provides financial services such as retirement and education planning, estate plan review, wealth, investment, and debt management, financial coaching, and insurance needs assessment. The firm's president and founder, Matthew King, has more than 20 years of experience in the industry. He earned his Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 2004 and is a member of the San Francisco CFA Society. King also has series 65 and 66 securities licenses.

  • Retirement Planning
  • Investment Management

340 Lorton Ave, Suite 216, Burlingame, CA 94010

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (22)
Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Ballast Point Financial Planning, LLC is a wealth management firm that caters to customers located in the San Mateo area. It works on financial security, investment management, and tax planning. It also provides clients with forward-looking tax advice, including the preparation and filing of federal and state tax returns. Lead financial planner Liz Plot is a Chartered Financial Consultant, Enrolled Agent, and Accredited Financial Counselor. She is also one of the firm's four Certified Financial Planners.

  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
  • Financial Planning

1710 South Amphlett Blvd Suite 117, San Mateo, CA 94402

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Grealish Investment Counseling is an advisory firm operating in San Mateo. It assists individual investors in customizing retirement and investment plans which can include establishing an asset allocation policy and developing routine maintenance of the implemented financial strategy. Its Certified Financial Planner, Kent Grealish, also conducts employee counseling and group seminars for employers and retirement plan sponsors. He has published financial articles that have appeared in a variety of media, including the San Mateo Times, Smart Money, and the San Francisco Chronicle.

  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

1900 S. Norfolk St., Suite 350, San Mateo, CA 94403

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Clear Retirement Advice is a Registered Investor Advisor firm that offers its services to retirees and pre-retirees throughout San Mateo. It has a team of CPAs, real estate attorneys, and insurance and housing specialists who provide tailored financial and investment strategies for post-employment wealth security. It handles portfolio management, tax reduction, and the mitigation of financial threats. Founder Jim Schwarz is a CFP and RICP who has assisted at least 20,000 households and managed more than $13 billion in assets.

  • Finance Planning
  • Financial Planning

1700 S. Amphlett Blvd Ste 218, San Mateo, CA 94402

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (14)
Facebook
5.0 (10)
Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Sid Financial Services is a local firm that provides solutions to the financial difficulties and challenges of individuals, families, and businesses in San Mateo and the surrounding areas. The firm's investment adviser representatives assist in developing personal financial goals that cover retirement funding, tax minimization, and disaster protection. Some of the services available are estate conservation, risk management, asset protection, and college fund planning. Owner and principal planner Kalvin Sid has been in the financial services industry for almost three decades.

  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
  • Retirement Planning

San Carlos, CA 94070

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Vested Financial Planning is an advisory firm that serves retiring individuals in the San Mateo community. It aims to help them maximize their employee equity by providing financial planning services. The firm offers cash flow management and budgeting, tax planning, retirement planning, and investment analysis and management solutions. It is led by Tom Lo, a CFP who has been in the industry for nine years. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors.

  • Estate Planning

1510 Fashion Island Blvd., Suite 210, San Mateo, CA 94404

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Jeffrey K. Better is a financial advisor who serves clients in San Mateo. Better provides custom-tailored wealth management solutions to individuals, families, organizations, and businesses. He also offers his services to healthcare professionals. Better is equipped to assist clients with income management, retirement preparation, and business planning matters. Additionally, he provides estate and charitable planning services. Better also helps his clients with implementing investment strategies and understanding financial risks. Better is a member of the Lincoln Financial Advisors.

  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

3000 El Camino Real, Building 4, Suite 200, Palo Alto, CA 94306

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Schneider Wealth Management is a financial advisory firm serving San Mateo and the surrounding areas. Its principal advisor, Meredith Schneider, has been working with executives and tech engineers for more than 23 years. She is a Certified Financial Planner, helping individuals understand how their monetary assets affect their life. Her wealth management services include consulting the clients, gathering and analyzing information, and helping them understand their objectives. Schneider is also a member of the NAPFA.

  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

3223 Crow Canyon Rd., Suite 245, San Ramon, CA 94583

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (12)
Yelp
4.2 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Serving the San Mateo area, LFS Wealth Advisors offers financial strategies in comprehensive wealth management to help its clients in making the most out of their retirement. Its consultants advise individuals about retirement exit plans and social security benefits. They also assist them in tax planning, estate tax savings, and portfolio management. LFS Wealth Advisors has been recognized by the Banking CIO Outlook as one of the Top 10 Wealth Management Service Companies in 2021.

  • Estate Planning

951 Mariners Island Blvd Suite 300, San Mateo, CA 94404

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (9)
Google
5.0 (4)
Yelp
3.7 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Lilani Wealth Management offers comprehensive financial planning solutions to clients in and around San Mateo. Its financial advisors assist in planning and preparing for short-term or long-term financial goals, such as saving for college, planning for retirement, or purchasing properties. The firm also helps clients in cash flow and budget management, investment analysis, tax planning, and insurance coverage review. Founder Rashida Lilani is a Certified Financial Planner and a Certified Private Wealth Advisor with over 20 years of industry experience. She also previously served on the Board of the Financial Planning Association of Northern California.

  • Financial Planning

1150 White Oak Way, San Carlos, CA 94070

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Red Tower Advisors is a full-service financial firm serving clients in San Mateo. With an average of 20 years of experience in the industry, its advisors help clients navigate complex financial matters in making plans for cash flows, retirement, education, taxes, estates, and goal fundings. They also integrate financial technology into their service, such as a digital vault that allows clients to access their most important documents anywhere. The firm's principal financial advisor, Brian Wong, holds various designations, including CFP, CHFC, CLU, RICP, and CDFA.

  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Compare our Top Financial Advisors

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
SmartAdvisor by SmartAsset
San Mateo, CAFree Consultation
Babylon Wealth Management
100 Pine Street, # 1250, San Francisco, CA 94111
MA Private Wealth
1355A San Carlos Ave., San Carlos, CA 94070
Nerd Nation Financial
203 Redwood Shores Pkwy., Ste 460, Redwood City, CA 94065
MainStreet Financial Planning
340 Lorton Ave., Ste. 215, Burlingame, CA 94010
King Wealth Advisors
1900 S. Norfolk, Suite 350, San Mateo, CA 94403
Ballast Point Financial Planning
340 Lorton Ave, Suite 216, Burlingame, CA 94010
Grealish Investment Counseling
1710 South Amphlett Blvd Suite 117, San Mateo, CA 94402
Clear Retirement Advice
1900 S. Norfolk St., Suite 350, San Mateo, CA 94403
Sid Financial Services
1700 S. Amphlett Blvd Ste 218, San Mateo, CA 94402
Vested Financial Planning
San Carlos, CA 94070
Jeffrey K. Better
1510 Fashion Island Blvd., Suite 210, San Mateo, CA 94404
Schneider Wealth Management
3000 El Camino Real, Building 4, Suite 200, Palo Alto, CA 94306
LFS Wealth Advisors
3223 Crow Canyon Rd., Suite 245, San Ramon, CA 94583
Lilani Wealth Management
951 Mariners Island Blvd Suite 300, San Mateo, CA 94404
Red Tower Advisors
1150 White Oak Way, San Carlos, CA 94070

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.

  • How can a financial advisor help San Mateo residents navigate various aspects of personal finance?

    Financial advisors assist San Mateo residents or businesses in managing their finances effectively and achieving their short- or long-term financial goals. This may involve analyzing income, expenses, assets, liabilities, and overall financial health. They also advise or help execute a financial plan, handle taxes, and build out an investment portfolio.

  • Why should San Mateo residents choose a certified financial planner?

    San Mateo residents should consider choosing a certified financial planner because they have undergone rigorous training and education to obtain their certification. Only those who have met the stringent CFP Board certification requirements can display the CFP certification trademark. This certification symbolizes a remarkable level of expertise, ethical standards, and professionalism.

  • What topics should San Mateo residents discuss with their financial advisors?

    San Mateo residents can engage in open discussions with their financial advisors about allocating funds towards education for their children or grandchildren, devising effective debt repayment strategies, and devising plans to build after-tax retirement income for a secure future. Moreover, financial advisors go the extra mile by collaborating with clients' tax professionals and estate planning attorneys, ensuring that every aspect of their financial journey is on the right path toward achieving lasting security and prosperity.

  • How are financial advisors in San Mateo compensated for their services?

    San Mateo financial advisors charge fees for their services and products based on a percentage of assets under management, hourly charges, and fixed fees. Flat-fee-based compensation is the most transparent and the one clients can safely predict in advance. This type of compensation does not include brokerage commissions, interest, taxes, or other account expenses.

  • How can financial advisors help individual investors in San Mateo customize retirement and investment plans?

    San Mateo financial advisors play a crucial role in assisting investors in defining their investment objectives and identifying a suitable level of risk. They also evaluate the attainability of these goals by considering the investor's available assets, projected savings, and time horizon. Furthermore, these professionals craft a comprehensive investment policy statement, carefully aligning it with the client's expressed preferences regarding the key investment policies that will govern the management of their investments.

  • 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.