Private Wealth Management for families and executives.
Private wealth management is an advisory relationship that coordinates investments, tax planning, estate planning, and financial planning for households with complex finances. At Fiduciary Financial Group, a fee-only, fiduciary firm, CPA and CFP® professionals work from one plan. Results vary and depend on individual circumstances.
Four areas of planning, coordinated under one roof
Our private wealth management work draws on the services below. The mix depends on your goals and the agreements you sign, and each area carries its own risks and trade-offs.
Investment management
Evidence-based investing built around your goals and preferences. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.
Tax planning and preparation
CPA professionals who consider the tax side of financial decisions alongside the rest of your plan. Tax outcomes depend on individual facts and the rules in effect.
Legacy and estate planning
Estate planning conversations coordinated with the firm's licensed estate-planning attorney. Legal questions require review by an attorney, and no plan can anticipate every change.
Financial planning
Cash flow planning and scenario analysis that can be revisited as life changes. Projections rely on assumptions that may not hold.
For the full list, see our services overview. For a closer look at one area, read about our estate planning services.
How CPA-integrated tax planning works with investment decisions
Many households have one advisor for investments and a separate accountant who sees the result after the year ends. In our model, CPA advisors and wealth managers work from the same plan. A question about selling a holding, taking retirement income, or exercising equity can be discussed with the tax side in view before a decision is made.
Tax is one input among several. Tax treatment should not override investment risk, liquidity needs, or your personal goals, and it may point in different directions in different years.
As a fee-only, fiduciary firm, we do not earn commissions or sell products. Coordination of this kind seeks to support better-informed decisions, but results vary and depend on individual circumstances. Tax preparation and advisory services are provided through an affiliated entity under a separate engagement agreement.
Two groups of households we commonly work with
High-net-worth retirees and families
Households with multi-year tax questions, retirement income decisions, and estate coordination, where investment and tax choices affect one another. The right approach varies with your assets, family, and goals.
Executives and tech professionals
Professionals with equity compensation such as RSUs and stock options, where vesting, exercise timing, and concentrated stock raise both tax and risk questions. Holding or selling company stock involves trade-offs.
What does a first conversation look like?
A first conversation is a chance to describe what is on your mind and to learn how our team works. We listen first, then explain which services may fit and who on our team would be involved. We serve clients from our offices in San Rafael, Walnut Creek, and Boise, and work remotely with clients in many states.
It can help to bring a few items, though none are required to get started:
- Recent tax returns and any notices you have received
- Statements for investment, retirement, and bank accounts
- Equity compensation grant and vesting documents, if you have them
- Existing estate documents, such as a will or trust
- A short list of questions or decisions you are weighing
An initial conversation is not a commitment and does not guarantee a particular outcome. Advisory services begin only after a client service agreement is in place. When you are ready, contact our team to schedule a conversation, and consult your own tax and legal professionals before taking action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is private wealth management?
Private wealth management is an advisory relationship that coordinates investments, tax planning, estate planning, and financial planning for households with more complex finances. At Fiduciary Financial Group, CPA and CFP® professionals work from one plan, so decisions in one area are considered alongside the others. The scope of any engagement depends on your circumstances and the agreements you sign.
How is private wealth management different from working with an investment manager alone?
An investment manager focuses on the portfolio. Private wealth management also considers tax planning, estate planning, and cash flow in the same conversation, which may reduce the gaps between separate advisors. Coordination does not remove the trade-offs involved in any planning decision, and results vary by individual circumstances.
Is Fiduciary Financial Group fee-only?
Yes. Fiduciary Financial Group is a fee-only, fiduciary firm with no commissions and no product sales. Our fee-only, fiduciary model is designed to keep advice free of product incentives, though no compensation structure removes every potential conflict. Our Form ADV describes our fees and practices in detail.
How does CPA-integrated tax planning fit with investment decisions?
Our CPA advisors and wealth managers can look at the tax side of an investment, equity, or retirement income decision before it is made. Tax treatment depends on individual facts and current rules, so any strategy should be reviewed with your own tax professional before you act. Tax preparation and advisory services are provided by an affiliated entity under a separate engagement agreement.
Does private wealth management include private equity or other private holdings?
Private wealth management is a service model, not an investment product. If you already hold private equity interests or other private holdings, our team can discuss how they relate to your liquidity needs, tax picture, and overall plan. This page is educational and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any investment.
How do I start a conversation with your team?
Contact our team to describe your situation and the questions on your mind. We can explain how we work, which professionals may be involved, and what information would help. An initial conversation is not a commitment, and it does not guarantee a particular financial or tax result.
Ready to talk through how your investments, taxes, and estate plan fit together?
Important Disclosures
The content of this page is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, tax, or legal advice, nor an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security. Any graphs, charts, or formula or device used should not be used to determine which securities to buy or sell or when to buy or sell them. The views expressed are as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Nothing herein is personalized advice or a recommendation for any individual; you should consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.
Fiduciary Financial Group, LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where our firm and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by Fiduciary Financial Group unless a client service agreement is in place.
Tax preparation, tax planning, and tax advisory services offered through Cooper & Vogelheim LLP, an affiliated entity. These services are only provided to clients who sign a separate tax engagement agreement. Tax advice is not provided by Fiduciary Financial Group, a registered investment advisory firm.
Legal services are offered to California clients only by affiliated entity FFG Law, a Professional Corporation. Individuals who seek to use this service must sign a separate legal engagement agreement. Fiduciary Financial Group, a registered investment advisory firm, does not provide legal advice.