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Best Financial Advisors in Seattle
Seattle Financial Planners
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue isn’t just the tech hub of the Pacific Northwest — it’s a region where families, entrepreneurs, and professionals are constantly planning for the future. From navigating complex compensation packages at Amazon or Microsoft to preparing for retirement near Puget Sound, financial advisors play an essential role in shaping the financial well-being of the region.
At Digital Reference, we’re committed to spotlighting professionals who make a difference in their industries and communities. This curated list of the best financial advisors in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue is not just a directory — it’s the product of research, evaluation, and recognition of advisors who stand out.
Our Methodology: How We Chose These Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue based Financial Advisors
Choosing a financial planner is a personal decision, and trust is key. That’s why we applied a rigorous approach to selecting the advisors featured here:
✨ Conducted extensive research into Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue’s financial planning landscape.
📌 Evaluated credentials and certifications, such as CFP® designations, fiduciary commitments, and years of practice.
🔹 Reviewed areas of expertise, including retirement planning, tax optimization, equity compensation, and financial planning for diverse communities.
✨ Considered notable achievements, such as industry recognition, leadership roles, and client impact.
📌 Factored in community involvement, including contributions to financial literacy, mentoring, and nonprofit work.
The result is a balanced list featuring solo practitioners, firm founders, and consultants working at established organizations — all united by their commitment to helping Seattle residents reach their financial goals.
🌟 Meet the Featured Financial Advisors in Seattle
♦️ Riley Poppy
Founder & Financial Planner at Ignite Financial Planning, LLC
Riley Poppy is the founder and lead advisor at Ignite Financial Planning, a fee-only fiduciary firm serving families and retirees in the Pacific Northwest. He holds several credentials—including CFP®, Retirement Income Certified Professional®, Behavioral Financial Advisor™, and Certified Tax Specialist™—and emphasizes holistic, client-centered planning that integrates cash flow, tax strategy, behavioral insight, and long-term goals.
💡 Why Riley stands out as a Financial Advisor
🌳 Broad, multi-disciplinary credentials (CFP®, RICP®, BFA™, CTS™)
📌 Founder of a selective, fee-only firm with a fiduciary commitment
✨ Integrates behavioral finance and tax planning into his advisory model
🏆 Active in the profession (CFP Board mentor, estate planning council member)
♦️ Stacy Ployhar
Founder & Financial Advisor, 2020 Financial Planning LLC
Stacy Ployhar is the founder of 2020 Financial Planning LLC, a Seattle-based, fee-only fiduciary firm she launched in 2010. She works primarily with working professionals and near-retirees, helping them map out financial roadmaps—whether their goals include home buying, retirement, or handling a sudden wealth event—and emphasizes guidance that’s clear, transparent, and free from commission conflicts.
💡 Why Stacy stands out as a Financial Advisor
🌳 Fee-only CFP® who never accepts commissions or referral fees
📌 Expert in helping clients retire — and stay retired — with confidence
✨ Transparent, client-centric planning across life stages and transitions
🏆 Respected for integrity, clarity, and a long track record in the Seattle planning community
♦️ Michelle Fait
Founder & Lead Financial Advisor, Satori Financial
Michelle Fait is the founder and lead financial advisor at Satori Financial, a fee-only firm focused on helping working professionals (especially single clients) design financial lives that align with their values and changing circumstances. She brings experience in investment banking, corporate treasury, and tax planning to her practice, blending technical depth with empathy to guide clients toward clarity and confidence.
💡 Why Michelle stands out as a Financial Advisor
🌳 Multifaceted credentials: CFP®, Enrolled Agent (EA), and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®)
📌 Extensive background in both finance and tax, giving her a holistic perspective
✨ Deep empathy and personal resilience, having navigated life transitions herself to inform her approach
♦️ Jamie L. Clark
Founder & Lead Advisor, Ruby Pebble Financial Planning
Jamie L. Clark is the founder and lead advisor at Ruby Pebble Financial Planning, a boutique firm built around delivering thoughtful, values-aligned financial strategies. With a personal, client-centered focus, Jamie helps clients transform their financial goals into actionable plans—balancing growth, protection, and purpose.
💡 Why Jamie stands out as a Financial Advisor
🌳 Founder of a boutique firm emphasizing individualized care
📌 Prioritizes values-based planning over one-size-fits-all solutions
✨ Deep engagement in client relationships, with clarity and empathy
🏆 Trusted for aligning financial decisions with clients’ deepest goals
♦️ Nancy L. Dienes
Financial Planner, Arrivity Financial Planners
Nancy L. Dienes is a financial planner with Arrivity Financial Planners, bringing a client-driven approach to tailoring wealth strategies and holistic financial plans. She strives to align technical solutions with clients’ long-term goals and personal values.
💡 Why Nancy stands out as a Financial Advisor
🌳 Committed to deeply understanding clients’ life priorities
📌 Blends strategic financial insight with practical guidance
✨ Values clarity, integrity, and transparent communication
🏆 Respected for personalized service and thoughtful planning
♦️ Ben Jennings
Director of Financial Life Planning at SoundView Advisors
Ben Jennings is a financial advisor focused on helping clients create meaningful, goal-driven plans that reflect their values and life stage. He emphasizes transparency, clear communication, and long-term partnership in his advisory work.
💡 Why Ben stands out as a Financial Advisor
🌳 Values-driven planning tailored to individual goals
📌 Clear, actionable guidance rather than jargon
✨ Builds trust through listening and consistency
🏆 Known for client loyalty and grounded professionalism
♦️ Don Safstrom
Financial Advisor, Safstrom CPAs & Advisors PLLC
Don Safstrom specializes in comprehensive financial planning with an emphasis on aligning client decisions with their deeper priorities. He works collaboratively, offering guidance that balances growth, protection, and legacy.
💡 Why Don stands out as a Financial Advisor
🌳 Strong focus on values and purpose in financial planning
📌 Integrated approach to investments, risk, and life transitions
✨ Transparent, relational communication style
🏆 Trusted for integrity, holistic insight, and reliable guidance
♦️ Joe Hebert
Financial Advisor / Principal at trueNorth Wealth Advisors
Joe Hebert is a principal advisor who guides clients in developing personalized wealth strategies rooted in their vision, goals, and values. He helps clients manage growth, risk, and life transitions with clarity.
💡 Why Joe stands out as a Financial Advisor
🌳 Deep emphasis on aligning wealth with purpose
📌 Holistic planning across investments, protection, and legacy
✨ Engaging, educational communication style
🏆 Respected for thoughtful, long-term client relationships
♦️ Mindy Crary
Founder & Financial Planner, Creative Money
Mindy Crary is a financial planner and founder of Creative Money, offering holistic planning that weaves life goals, behavior, and fiscal discipline into sustainable strategies. She works closely with clients across life stages to help them build confidence in financial decision-making.
💡 Why Mindy stands out as a Financial Advisor
🌳 Integrates behavioral insight, values, and strategy
📌 Focuses on creative, life-aligned solutions
✨ Emphasizes clarity, empathy, and empowerment
🏆 Trusted for bridging mindset and money in client work
♦️ Kristine McHugh
Lead Advisor | Partner at Brighton Jones
Kristine McHugh is a certified financial planner committed to designing tailored financial strategies grounded in her clients’ goals, risk tolerance, and life transitions. She emphasizes clarity and partnership in executing plans.
💡 Why Kristine stands out as a Financial Advisor
🌳 CFP® credential with strong professional rigor
📌 Focused on personalized, adaptive planning
✨ Makes complex topics accessible and actionable
🏆 Known for commitment, client trust, and consistent service
♦️ Tim Melia
Principal and Financial Planner, Embolden Financial Planning
Tim Melia is a financial planner at Embolden Financial Planning who helps clients align financial decisions with their life purpose, values, and long-term goals. He emphasizes integrated strategies across investments, risk management, and legacy planning.
💡 Why Tim stands out as a Financial Advisor
🌳 Combines financial strategy with values-centered guidance
📌 Holistic approach across life, finance, and meaning
✨ Transparent, relational communication
🏆 Respected for clarity, integrity, and thoughtfulness
♦️ Bradley Van Vechten
Independent, Fee Only Financial Advisor at Private Wealth Management Solutions, LLC
Bradley Van Vechten is a financial advisor whose focus is helping clients build clarity, confidence, and trajectory in their financial journeys. He works to translate big goals into practical steps and long-term strategies.
💡 Why Bradley stands out as a Financial Advisor
🌳 Values-anchored planning approach
📌 Emphasis on bridging vision with execution
✨ Clear, pragmatic communication
🏆 Recognized for client trust, steady insights, and relational service
Building Financial Confidence Across the Pacific Northwest
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue is more than just a thriving metro — it’s a community fueled by innovation, resilience, and long-term vision. The financial advisors and planners highlighted here represent the unique strengths of this professional community: technical expertise, client-first values, and a deep commitment to guiding people through life’s most important transitions.
These advisors don’t just manage investments or balance sheets. They support tech professionals navigating complex equity packages, families preparing for retirement, entrepreneurs shaping their next ventures, and individuals seeking financial independence. Their work strengthens the foundation of businesses, organizations, and households across the region.
At Digital Reference, our mission is to bring transparency to the process of finding trusted professionals. We believe in connecting talent with opportunity — and this list is one of many ways we highlight those who are making an impact in their industries.
Discover actionable insights and curated resources to elevate your understanding of the financial landscape. Explore more from Digital Reference:
- Finance Professionals: What Are They and What Do They Do?
- Finance Executives & What They Do
- Finance & Accounting Consultants: What Do They Do?
- Finance Consultants in Washington DC to Watch
Understanding and applying these insights can transform the way people approach strategic decision-making and wealth growth in the Pacific Northwest. For a trusted guide that empowers informed choices and connects you with proven expertise, begin advancing your financial journey with Digital Reference
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