Fiduciary Advisors in California
Browse 11 verified fee-only fiduciary financial advisors in California. All advisors have earned the Orange Check badge.
Popular Cities in California
California has more SEC-registered investment advisers than any other state, and the fiduciary standard varies sharply across the market — from large wirehouses operating under Regulation Best Interest to independent fee-only RIAs held to the full fiduciary duty. Every advisor verified by Fiduciary Check in California has been confirmed against SEC IAPD and FINRA records with no material disciplinary history.
California's Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) regulates state-registered investment advisers. Advisers with $100 million or more in assets under management typically register at the SEC level. Both state and federal registrations carry a fiduciary duty to clients. The size of California's advisor market means there is wide variation in cost structures and compensation models — the Fiduciary Check verification process filters for fee-only advisors who have cleared both the fiduciary duty test and the records check.
The fiduciary vs. broker distinction is especially relevant in California given the large presence of wirehouse branches, insurance-licensed financial planners, and dual-registered reps who may use the title "financial advisor" without being bound by a fiduciary standard at all times.
Showing 1 - 11 of 11 advisors in California
Al Faber
Drew Feldman
Ted Fischer
Steven Fox
Uziel Gomez
Louis Guajardo
Andy Moran
Janet Wan
Grant Webster
Aubrey Williams
Patrick Yaghoobians
Frequently Asked Questions: Fiduciary Advisors in California
- 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.