Guide · Business owners
Financial advice for founders with shares or options
When most personal wealth is tied to one company, financial planning needs to look at concentration, liquidity and the life you want the equity to fund.
Company wealth is concentrated wealth
Founders can have substantial paper wealth while remaining exposed to one business. The personal plan should recognise that concentration rather than pretending the equity is already a diversified investment portfolio.
Liquidity changes the decisions
A secondary sale, dividend or full exit can create cash that needs a different plan from illiquid founder equity. Timing, tax and legal questions may require other professional advisers as well.
Look for genuine founder experience
Pre-exitCan they model personal financial independence before a transaction?
Post-exitHow do they approach cash, diversification and spending after liquidity?
CoordinationWill they work sensibly with your accountant, solicitor and transaction advisers?
FeesAre percentage fees tiered or capped when portfolio values become large?
Do not confuse financial planning with transaction advice
The financial adviser's role is your personal financial plan. Corporate finance, tax structuring and legal execution may require separate specialists.
Sources & further reading