A good prospective client for Elmwood is someone who wants a long-term relationship with a fiduciary advisor and values having multiple services — financial planning, investment management, tax planning and preparation, and estate planning — coordinated under one roof. Many of our clients are Bay Area technology professionals navigating equity compensation, executives and business owners, pre-retirees and retirees, and families coordinating multi-generational planning. We find a comprehensive approach to helping client with all of their personal finances, builds a stronger relationship over time.
At Elmwood, we show up as a team. Every scheduled client meeting includes at least two professionals, so you benefit from our full range of expertise, and more than one person truly knows you and your circumstances. It also means your relationship with Elmwood is never contingent on a single person's availability.
While most of our clients are in the San Francisco Bay Area, Elmwood works with families throughout the United States and internationally. Distance hasn't been a barrier — as video conferencing has improved, strong virtual relationships have become a natural part of how we serve them.
Yes. Elmwood Wealth Management is a Registered Investment Advisor under the supervision of the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a fiduciary, we are obligated to put your best interests first, rather than those of our firm — a standard we strongly believe in and practice in everything we do.
Yes. Equity compensation is one of Elmwood's deepest areas of expertise, particularly for employees and executives at Bay Area public and private technology companies. We advise clients on RSUs, ISOs, NQSOs, AMT planning, 83(b) elections, tender offers, secondary sales, QSBS qualification, and concentrated stock diversification.
Yes — and often, the earlier we engage, the more we can do for you. Some of Elmwood's most meaningful work happens well before a liquidity event: modeling potential outcomes, planning early option exercises, evaluating 83(b) elections, positioning shares for QSBS eligibility, and preparing for tender offers. The options available to you narrow over time, so early planning matters.
Yes. We model the after-tax proceeds of a tender offer, we evaluate it in the context of your broader portfolio and financial goals, consider any QSBS implications, and help you think through whether to participate in full, part, or not at all. It's a consequential decision, and we want you to make it with clarity.
Elmwood generally works with clients who have at least $750,000 in investable assets, though we evaluate every prospective relationship on its own merits. Complexity often matters more than the dollar figure — a tech employee with significant pre-IPO equity, a business owner approaching a sale, or a family navigating multi-generational planning may be a wonderful fit even if liquid assets haven't yet reached that threshold. The best way to find out is a no-obligation introductory conversation..
Most Full-Service clients meet with us formally two to four times per year, with the cadence shaped by what's actually happening in your life rather than a fixed schedule. We build additional touchpoints around equity events, major life transitions, tax deadlines, and year-end planning. And between meetings, you're always welcome to reach out by phone or email — no question is too small.
At Elmwood, our compensation is simple — and intentional. We charge a single fee based on your assets under management, and nothing else. We don't accept referral fees or commissions of any kind. That means every recommendation we make is guided solely by what's right for you. We're a fee-only fiduciary registered investment advisor, and that's a commitment we take seriously.
Every Elmwood client has their own investment plan, drawn up only after we've completed a thorough financial plan to evaluate where you are in life. Investment plans may use individual stocks and bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or a combination, depending on the client's situation. Our approach emphasizes diversification, tax efficiency, and alignment with each client's broader financial goals rather than short-term market timing.
We're flexible about how we meet, because we know your time is valuable. In-person meetings are our preference early in a relationship — we're happy to host you in Berkeley or come to you — and video conferencing is always available when that works better.
Your assets are held by qualified third-party custodians, completely independent from Elmwood. That separation is intentional — it keeps your money secure and independently verifiable at all times. If getting started requires opening new accounts or transferring assets, we take care of the details and make the transition as seamless as we can.
Qualified Small Business Stock — QSBS, under Section 1202 of the tax code — can exempt up to $10 million, or 10× your basis, in capital gains from federal tax for shares that meet specific requirements. It's one of the most powerful tax benefits available to startup employees and founders, and one that's easy to miss without planning. Elmwood evaluates whether your shares qualify, helps you navigate the five-year holding requirement, and explores stacking strategies using non-grantor trusts where appropriate.
Exercising incentive stock options can trigger a significant AMT liability in the year of exercise — sometimes a surprise for clients who weren't expecting it. Elmwood models the AMT impact before you exercise, identifies the optimal quantity and timing, and coordinates with your tax preparer to ensure AMT credits are captured in subsequent years.
Concentration in a single stock — especially your employer's — carries real risk but unwinding it without a plan can be costly. Elmwood builds tax-aware diversification strategies that balance market risk, tax efficiency, and your broader financial picture. Depending on your situation, that might include staged selling, a 10b5-1 trading plan, exchange funds, charitable giving through a donor-advised fund, or direct indexing for ongoing tax-loss harvesting.
Yes, and we consider it a core part of our role, not an add-on. For clients who don't use our in-house tax preparation service, Elmwood works closely with your CPA on tax projections, estimated payments, and year-end strategies. We also partner with your estate planning attorney on trust funding, beneficiary designations, and wealth transfer planning. If you don't have these professionals in place, we're happy to introduce you to specialists who have served our clients well..
The onboarding process begins with a complimentary introductory call to learn about your situation and ensure we're a strong mutual fit. Should you choose to proceed, we manage the account opening paperwork, coordinate asset transfers, and conduct a discovery meeting to gain a comprehensive understanding of your financial life. We then develop a tailored financial plan and investment strategy. From our first conversation to fully being onboard, it typically takes four to six weeks.