What is the difference between a fiduciary and a broker in California?

In California, an Investment Adviser Representative (IAR) of a Registered Investment Adviser owes you a fiduciary duty — they must put your interests first, avoid or disclose conflicts, and recommend the most cost-effective options available. A broker registered under FINRA follows Regulation Best Interest, which allows recommending products that pay higher commissions as long as they are 'in your best interest' at the time of sale. California's Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) oversees state-registered investment advisers.

How do I find a fee-only fiduciary advisor in California?

Use the Fiduciary Check advisor directory filtered to California. All results are verified fee-only Registered Investment Advisers who have passed an independent check against SEC and FINRA records. You can narrow by city to find advisors in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, or other metros.

Does California have its own fiduciary rule?

California's DFPI regulates state-registered investment advisers under the California Corporations Code. State-registered advisers owe fiduciary duties under California law. Federally registered RIAs operating in California are held to the SEC's fiduciary standard. Both are stronger than the Reg BI standard applied to brokers.

Are there fiduciary advisors in California who specialize in tech employees?

Yes. The San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley have a concentration of fiduciary advisors who specialize in equity compensation — stock options, RSUs, and ESPPs — for employees of tech companies. Look for advisors who list 'Stock Options/Restricted Stock' or 'Executives' as a specialty in the Fiduciary Check directory.

Fiduciary Advisors in California (9)

Complete Directory of Verified Fiduciary Financial Advisors on Fiduciary Check

Below is the complete list of 54 verified fee-only fiduciary financial advisors who have earned the Orange Check badge on Fiduciary Check. All advisors are legally bound to act in their clients best interests and operate under a fee-only compensation structure.

All Verified Fiduciary Advisors (54 total)

Mitch Anderson - Efinancial Alliance, LLC, Franklin, TN. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/mitch-anderson

Igor Aronov (CFP®) - FAR Financial, Brooklyn, NY. Specialties: Advice by Phone or Web, Business Owners, Comprehensive Financial Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/igor-aronov

Brian Behl - Behl Wealth Management, , . Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/brian-behl

Ian Bloom (CFP®, RLP®) - Open World Financial Life Planning, Raleigh, NC. Specialties: Advice by Phone or Web, Comprehensive Financial Planning, Divorce Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/ian-bloom

Warren Burger (MBA) - Luminary Financial Advisors, Cocoa Beach, FL. Specialties: Retirement Tax Planning, Retirement Income Strategy, Retirement Income Optimization. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/warren-burger

Todd Calamita - Todd Calamita, Charlotte, NC. Specialties: Wells Fargo Employees. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/todd-calamita

Grady Cool (CFA, CFP®) - COOL WEALTH MANAGEMENT, Tempe, AZ. Specialties: Business Owners, Business Succession Planning, Investment Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/grady-cool

Andrew Darch (CFP®) - Kinridge Financial, Ottawa, ON. Specialties: Comprehensive Financial Planning, Estate Planning, Investment Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/andrew-darch

John Davis (EA, CFP®) - JKD Financial, Springfield, MO. Specialties: Retirement Planning, Tax Planning, Portfolio Management. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/john-davis

Derek Delaney (CFP®, EA, ChFC®) - PharmD Financial Planning LLC, Owatonna, MN. Specialties: Baby Boomers, Comprehensive Financial Planning, Estate Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/derek-delaney

Ryan Derousseau - United Financial Planning Group, Huntington Station, NY. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/ryan-derousseau

Kevin Feig (CPA, CFP®, CFT™) - Walk You To Wealth, Dover, MA. Specialties: Comprehensive Financial Planning, Employment and Employer Plan Benefits, Employer Retirement Plans. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/kevin-feig

Drew Feldman (APMA®) - WideFrame Wealth, Beverly Hills, CA. Specialties: Portfolio Management, Millennials, Tax Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/drew-feldman

Steven Fox (CFP®, EA) - AdviceOnly, San Diego, CA. Specialties: Advice by Phone or Web, Comprehensive Financial Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/steven-fox

Nick Garofalo - Openhanded Wealth, Holly Springs, GA. Specialties: Faith Based Investing, Generation X/Y, Small Business Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/nick-garofalo

Uziel Gomez (CFP®) - Primeros Financial, Culver City, CA. Specialties: Budgeting, Business Owners, Comprehensive Financial Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/uziel-gomez

Louis Guajardo (CFP®) - Moonshot Planning, Montclair, CA. Specialties: Business Owners, Budgeting, Comprehensive Financial Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/louis-guajardo

James Hargrave (CFP®, CLU) - PILLAR FINANCIAL PLANNING, Raymore, MO. Specialties: Business Owners, Small Business Planning, Healthcare. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/james-hargrave

Betsy Hutchins (CFP®) - Forward Financial Planning, Germantown, TN. Specialties: Working with Women, Healthcare, Comprehensive Financial Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/betsy-hutchins

Evan Kubiak (CFP®) - Endowment Wealth Management, Inc., Hilton Head Island, SC. Specialties: Comprehensive Financial Planning, Investment Planning, Portfolio Management. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/evan-kubiak

Ryan Langan (CFP®) - Your Path Fi, West Chester, PA. Specialties: Baby Boomers, Tax Planning, Social Security Planning. Minimum Investment: $1000000. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/ryan-langan

Christopher Lazzaro (ChFC®, RICP) - Plan For It Financial, LLC, Salem, MA. Specialties: Retirement Planning, Retirement Income Management, Retirees. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/christopher-lazzaro

Stuart Lempert - Landmark Wealth Management, , . Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/stuart-lempert

Shalina Martos (CFP®) - Martos Wealth Management LLC, Bellevue, WA. Specialties: Business Owners, Comprehensive Financial Planning, Divorce Planning. Minimum Investment: $1000000. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/shalina-martos

Ben Mayhew - Aergo Financial Planning, Halifax, NS. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/ben-mayhew

Jonathan McAlister (CFP®) - Kimery Wealth Management, Memphis, TN. Specialties: Advice by Phone or Web, Business Owners, Comprehensive Financial Planning. Minimum Investment: $500000. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/jonathan-mcalister

Sam Moore (CFP®) - Endowment Wealth Management, Inc., Appleton, WI. Specialties: Comprehensive Financial Planning, Investment Planning, Portfolio Management. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/samuel-moore

Andy Moran (CFP®) - Ad Astra Financial Planning, Santa Rosa, CA. Specialties: Advice by Phone or Web, Comprehensive Financial Planning, Employment and Employer Plan Benefits. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/andy-moran

Amir Noor (CFP®, EA, CRPS™) - N Financial Plans, Huntington, NY. Specialties: Advice by Phone or Web, Business Owners, Comprehensive Financial Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/amir-noor

Skee Orr (CFP®, AIF®) - Kinetic Wealth, Knoxville, TN. Specialties: Baby Boomers, Business Owners, Business Succession Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/skee-orr

Cristina Perez (CFP®) - MINDFUL MILLIONS MANAGEMENT PLLC, Phoenix, AZ. Specialties: Business Owners, Small Business Planning, Retirement Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/cristina-perez

Andrew Polzin (CFP®) - Behl Wealth Management, Delafield, WI. Specialties: Comprehensive Financial Planning, Face-to-Face Advice, Advice by Phone or Web. Minimum Investment: $250000. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/andrew-polzin

Curtis Pope (CFP®, CFT™) - Pope Wealth Planning, Tarrytown, NY. Specialties: Baby Boomers, Business Owners, Investment Planning. Minimum Investment: $500000. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/curtis-pope

Ben Poulos (CFP®) - B&E FINANCIAL SERVICES, Phoenix, AZ. Specialties: Business Owners, Business Succession Planning, Small Business Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/ben-poulos

Josh Radman (CFP®, EA, MBA) - Presidio Advisors LLC, Denver, CO. Specialties: Executives, Stock Options/Restricted Stock, Taxation. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/josh-radman

Aaron Randak (EA) - GOLDEN ACRE WEALTH MANAGEMENT, Scottsdale, AZ. Specialties: Business Owners, Comprehensive Financial Planning, Tax Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/aaron-randak

Robert Riedl (CFP®, CPA, AWMA®, CFC) - Endowment Wealth Management, Inc., Hilton Head Island, SC. Specialties: Baby Boomers, Business Owners, Business Succession Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/robert-riedl

Michael Rottier - Endowment Wealth Management, Inc., , . Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/michael-rottier

Dave Rowan (CFP®, MBA) - Rowan Financial, Bethlehem, PA. Specialties: Retirees, Real Estate Investing, Inheritance. Minimum Investment: $500000. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/dave-rowan

Ziad Sahuri (CFP®) - Providential Financial Planning, Ottawa, ON. Specialties: Comprehensive Financial Planning, Employer Retirement Plans, Estate Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/ziad-sahuri

Alan Skillern (CFP®) - Best Case Financial, Fillmore, IN. Specialties: Advice by Phone or Web, Business Owners, Comprehensive Financial Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/alan-skillern

Steve Stanganelli (CFP®, CRPC, AEP, CCFC) - Clear View Wealth Advisors LLC, Amesbury, MA. Specialties: Advice by Phone or Web, Baby Boomers, Business Owners. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/steven-stanganelli

Matthew Stearns (CFP®, RICP) - Brookhouse Advisors, Meadville, PA. Specialties: Faith Based Investing. Minimum Investment: $500000. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/matthew-stearns

Brian Tegtmeyer (CFP®) - Truly Prosper Financial Planning LLC, Dublin, OH. Specialties: Baby Boomers, Retirees, Retirement Income Management. Minimum Investment: $1000000. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/brian-tegtmeyer

Filip Telibasa (CFP®) - Benzina Wealth, LLC, Sarasota, FL. Specialties: Budgeting, Business Owners, Comprehensive Financial Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/filip-telibasa

Jonathan Vance (CFP®, EA) - Vance Financial Planning, Springfield, MO. Specialties: Advice by Phone or Web, Baby Boomers, Comprehensive Financial Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/jonathan-vance

Ryan Veldhuizen (CFP®) - Catalyze Wealth Management, Carmel, IN. Specialties: Business Owners, Comprehensive Financial Planning, Estate Planning. Minimum Investment: $1000000. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/ryan-veldhuizen

Janet Wan (CFP®, CPFA) - Sierra Pacific Private Wealth, LLC, Pleasanton, CA. Specialties: Comprehensive Financial Planning, Executives, Inheritance. Minimum Investment: $1000000. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/janet-wan

Grant Webster (CFP®, MBA) - Arcadia Private Wealth, Cardiff by the Sea, CA. Specialties: Comprehensive Financial Planning, Investment Planning, Portfolio Management. Minimum Investment: $1000000. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/grant-webster

Philip Weiss (CPA, CFA, RLP®) - Apprise Wealth Management, Phoenix, MD. Specialties: Comprehensive Financial Planning, Divorce Planning, Investment Planning. Minimum Investment: $500000. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/philip-weiss

John Weninger - Endowment Wealth Management, Inc., , . Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/john-weninger

Aubrey Williams - Open Path Financial, LLC, Goleta, CA. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/aubrey-williams

Patrick Yaghoobians (CFP®) - Noor Financial Services, Los Angeles, CA. Specialties: Bilingual/Multilingual, Debt Management, Credit and Debt. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/patrick-yaghoobians

Prudence Zhu (CPA, CFP®) - Enso Financial, PHOENIX, AZ. Specialties: Advice by Phone or Web, Business Owners, Comprehensive Financial Planning. Minimum Investment: $0. Profile: https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisor/prudence-zhu

How to Find a Fiduciary Advisor

To search for a specific advisor or filter by location, specialty, or certification, visit the Fiduciary Check advisor directory at https://fiduciarycheck.com/advisors or use the search tools on the homepage at https://fiduciarycheck.com

What is the Orange Check?

The Orange Check is Fiduciary Check verified badge indicating a financial advisor has been independently reviewed and confirmed to operate under a fee-only fiduciary standard. Advisors with the Orange Check are legally obligated to act in their clients best interests and do not receive commissions from product sales.