Financial planning for tech executives
Short answer: Financial planning for a tech executive is mostly about coordinating equity compensation, taxes, and concentration in one company’s stock, then turning that into a ranked list of goals. The hard part is usually time, not money.
More money than time
“specifically that group has the high class problem of having more money than they do time.”
— Malcolm Ethridge
Malcolm said his clients hand off most of their problems “that include a dollar sign” so they can focus on the work that earns the income.
What the plan has to coordinate
- RSUs, PSUs, stock options, and ESPP: vest dates, withholding gaps, and basis records
- Executive benefits: deferred compensation elections, supplemental plans, and insurance
- Tax planning for equity years, with a CPA who reads the supplemental statements
- Concentration in employer stock and any trading windows or 10b5-1 plans
- Retirement income, estate documents, and beneficiary updates
Let the money grow up
“I usually will tell people that they need their money needs to grow up.”
— Malcolm Ethridge
He described high earners still using tools built for a simpler financial life, from bank accounts to tax software, after their compensation has become complex.
Start with a 12-month question
“we don’t have to get 10 years down the road. It’s really hard for us to imagine ourselves 10 years from now.”
— Malcolm Ethridge
A one-year target makes it easier to rank what to tackle first. Related: executive financial planning questions, PSU vs RSU, ESPP calculator, and advisors for executives.
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Frequently asked questions
What does financial planning for tech executives include?
Equity compensation, taxes, concentration risk, executive benefits, retirement income, and estate coordination, ranked by what matters most in the next year.
Do tech executives need a CPA and an advisor?
Often both. Equity-heavy tax returns benefit from a CPA who handles equity compensation, working with the financial planner.
How do advisors charge executives?
Common models include a percentage of assets, flat fees, or subscriptions. Ask for fees in writing.
Is this investment advice?
No. It is general education. Talk to a registered professional about your situation.
We offer financial planning and investment management services to senior managers and executives in tech.
See Capital Area Planning Group’s profileRelated reading: financial advisors for tech employees, advisors who work with tech employees and equity, ISO, NSO and ESPP planning questions, directory: financial advisors for tech employees.
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Quotes and client examples are what Malcolm Ethridge described; they are not a guarantee of results.
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