Financial Planning for Professionals With Complex Financial Lives
If your finances have outgrown generic advice (multiple income sources, equity compensation, a tax situation that keeps getting more complicated), this is where we start.
Financial planning is your personalized roadmap for bringing order to a financial life that has gotten complex. It is about more than managing money. It is about understanding how your tax situation, investments, equity compensation and long-term goals connect, and building a strategy that makes all of it work together. We take the complexity and make it clear, actionable and manageable.
Who financial planning at Hawk Advisory is for
Financial planning works best when there is real complexity to coordinate. We work with established professionals who have:
- Significant equity compensation (RSUs, ISOs or ESPP) with no clear strategy around vesting, tax timing or what to do with the proceeds
- A growing tax burden from multiple income sources, capital gains events or compensation that payroll withholding consistently under-captures
- Investment accounts spread across several brokerages with no allocation connecting them
- Major decisions on the horizon: a job change, a home purchase, an approaching vesting cliff or an estate that needs attention
- A financial life that has grown beyond what a generic advisor or a tax preparer alone can address
If any of these describe your situation, we should talk.
What financial planning covers
Financial planning at Hawk Advisory is comprehensive: a coordinated strategy across the areas that matter most.
- Equity compensation planning. RSU sell strategy, ISO exercise timing and AMT modeling, ESPP decisions, concentrated stock management, and coordination of equity events with your tax picture.
- Tax strategy and optimization. Proactive planning across income sources, withholding calibration, quarterly estimated payments, year-end projections and multi-year tax minimization.
- Cash flow and savings strategy. Where your money goes, a system that funds your goals, and the gaps between income and long-term wealth building.
- Investment strategy and coordination. Asset allocation, account structure and integration of your accounts with your tax and equity strategy. Day-to-day portfolio management is described on the Investment Management page.
- Retirement planning. 401(k) allocation guidance, Roth conversion analysis, retirement income projections and a check that your accumulation is on track.
- Estate and insurance coordination. Working alongside your estate attorney and insurance advisor so the right structures are in place and nothing falls through the gaps.
- Major financial decisions. The financial impact of job changes, home purchases, option exercises or any significant life event, modeled before you decide.
How financial planning works
Where most clients start: the Equity Strategy Engagement. A focused 4 to 8 week project covering your equity compensation, tax situation and investment picture. Kickoff, strategy session and follow-up Q&A, a written strategy deliverable and a clear action plan.
Ongoing relationship. For clients who want continuous coordination. Planning and investment management run together: about six meetings in the first year while we build the full picture, then four structured meetings a year. Between meetings we handle time-sensitive questions and major life updates, and we revisit the plan as your situation evolves.
How we are paid
Hawk Advisory is fee-only. Project work is a flat fee; ongoing planning is a monthly fee alongside the investment management fee. We never earn commissions. You will know your exact fee after the intro call.
Frequently asked questions about financial planning
What does a financial plan include?
Equity compensation, tax strategy, cash flow, investment coordination, retirement planning, estate and insurance coordination, and major financial decisions.
How is this different from working with a CPA?
Your CPA prepares and files tax returns. We build a forward-looking plan that connects your taxes, equity compensation and investments, coordinating with your CPA.
How often will we meet?
About six meetings in the first year, followed by four structured meetings a year. Between meetings, email access supports time-sensitive questions and life changes.
What does the first engagement look like?
Kickoff, analysis, a strategy session and follow-up Q&A, with a written deliverable and clear action plan over 4 to 8 weeks.
Do I need to organize my documents first?
No. Share your documents through the secure client portal, and we organize and analyze them.
How long before the plan takes effect?
The initial project takes 4 to 8 weeks. Implementation follows the strategy and your agreed relationship. No investment performance or financial outcome is guaranteed.
Can I work with you on a one-time project?
Yes. The Equity Strategy Engagement is available as a standalone project. Ongoing clients engage in both planning and investment management.
What should I bring to the discovery session?
We request two recent tax returns, pay stubs, equity grant details and recent account statements through a secure portal. The initial intro call requires no documents.
About Elena Hawk, CFP®
Elena Hawk, CFP®, is the founder of Hawk Advisory LLC, a registered investment advisory firm. Her background spans wealth management at JPMorgan Chase, Raymond James and UBS, combined with years as a fractional CFO advising founders on financial strategy. She built Hawk Advisory to serve established professionals who have outgrown generic financial advice: people with real complexity in their financial lives who need someone to coordinate the full picture, not just manage one piece of it.
Ready to bring clarity to your financial picture?
A free 30-minute call to see whether Hawk Advisory is the right fit.
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