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Michael Macdonald

Advisor at Financial Transparency

Updated today

Location

Danville, CA

Credentials

Series 63, Series 65

Industry experience

43 years

About

Michael Macdonald is a financial advisor at Financial Transparency with Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 42 years of industry experience. He has worked with multiple firms, including United Planners' Financial Services and his own Michael MacDonald Financial Management, where he also serves as trustee. Macdonald is the personal representative and trustee for the Estate of Howard Franklin Haas, managing estate financial and tax matters. Financial Transparency provides asset management and financial planning services to individuals, retirement plans, businesses, and charitable organizations. The firm operates as a fiduciary and offers both passive and active investment strategies, including customized managed accounts with features such as tax-loss harvesting and socially responsible investing options.

Client services

Based on Financial Transparency

Financial planning Portfolio management Pension consulting Selection of other advisers Educational seminars or workshops

Expertise

Based on Financial Transparency

ESG / Sustainable investing Tax-loss harvesting Real estate investing

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Fee options

Fixed

Individual Financial Consultations fixed-fee range generally between $1,500 to $10,000 per plan.

Percentage

None+: Up to 1.00% annually for Let’s Get Started program $25,000 - $149,999: Up to 1.75% annually for Managed Investment Portfolios program $150,000+: Up to 2.15% annually for Customized Managed Accounts program $100,000+: Up to 1.50% annually for Pension Consulting Services

Commissions

Some IARs licensed to accept commissions for insurance product sales; commissions are separate from advisory fees.

Project-based

Individual Financial Consultations hourly rate is $300.00 per hour.

Other

Account minimum: $25,000 Minimum fee: For Pension Consulting Services, a total annual minimum fee of $1,500.00 is required. Fee-only: Fixed fees for Individual Financial Consultations generally between $1,500 to $10,000 per plan; hourly rate $300/hour.

Location

Danville, CA

Most active in

California

Work history

Envision Financial Transparency, LLC

2024 - Present (2 years)

Estate of Howard Franklin Haas

2016 - Present (10 years)

United Planners' Financial Services

2012 - 2017 (5 years)

Michael MacDonald Financial Management, Inc.

2001 - Present (25 years)

Trustee - Michael J MacDonald Financial Management

1984 - Present (42 years)

Michael J. MacDonald Insurance Services

1984 - Present (42 years)

Disclosures

Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.

Business activities & affiliations

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Series 65

Oakland, CA

FM Capital Group

Lydia Idem is a financial advisor with FM Capital Group in Oakland, CA, holding a Series 65 designation and 11 years of industry experience. FM Capital Group provides investment advisory and consulting services to individuals, groups, corporations, and other business entities, offering portfolio management and handling due diligence and negotiation of private investment term sheets. The firm follows a strategic allocation approach across public securities and alternative investments and distinguishes itself by charging performance-based fees on private placements and producing educational content such as workshops and radio broadcasts.

Private / alternative investments Founder/Business Owner

Dave B

CFP®, CFA®

Orinda, CA

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Dave's experience in investment management and financial planning uniquely position him to serve as his client's independent trusted advisor - a personal chief financial officer that can discreetly navigate the tides affecting your financial life. ​ Professional highlights include portfolio management on Union Bank municipal investment team which earned recognition as the best in the industry by Barron's in 2008 and 2009; lead investment management responsibility at a $300M financial planning firm; and working with amazing entrepreneurs, executives, and families. ​ David's education includes a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, a Certified Financial Planning (CFP) designation, and a U.C. Berkeley bachelor's degree where he conducted a study on evidenced based investment management with Haas Professor of Investments David Distad. ​ David launched PFM to continue building upon his vision of complete personal financial management: discreet and unwavering focus on how expert financial management can help a client achieve her goals. From setting and achieving goals, to preparing you for all of life's contingencies and investing for your future - David helps his client's understand what they should be doing, and then helps them get it done.

Business ownership considerations Business succession planning Technology Professional Intergenerational Families
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Cassandra C

Series 63, Series 65

Oakland, CA

RC Wealth Management

Cassandra Cummings is a financial advisor at RC Wealth Management with 18 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with RC Wealth Management since 2015. Outside of her advisory role, she provides financial literacy services through online courses and in-person events aimed at the general public. RC Wealth Management offers investment management and financial planning services, focusing on fundamental analysis and a risk-aware approach. The firm typically recommends and oversees third-party investment managers and conducts educational workshops alongside limited-scope, hourly planning engagements.

Cash flow / budgeting Debt management College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) General retirement planning General estate planning guidance
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Megan R

CFP®, Series 65

Dublin, CA

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Megan Rouse is the principal of Megan Rouse Financial Planning in Dublin, California, holding the CFP® designation and a Series 65 license with 17 years of industry experience. She is also a California Licensed Professional Fiduciary and operates a separate fiduciary services business. Megan has provided financial planning services since 2009. Her firm advises individuals, families, and small businesses with comprehensive or segmented financial planning, focusing on non-discretionary advice and low-cost investment options such as mutual funds and ETFs. The firm uses project, hourly, or retainer fee structures and does not manage client assets or take custody of funds.

General retirement planning Social Security optimization Tax strategies for small businesses Equity Recipients (RS/RSU, SOP, ESPP) Cash flow / budgeting
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Joseph C

ChFC®, Series 66

Walnut Creek, CA

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Joseph Curtis is a financial advisor at Resolve Financial, LLC in Walnut Creek, CA, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 66 license with 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Resolve Financial since 2014 and previously operated under Joseph Patch Curtis from 2007 to 2016. Outside of advising, he is self-employed in insurance sales. Resolve Financial serves individual investors, estates, retirement plans, and trusts, typically working with accounts of $50,000 or more. The firm uses a factor-oriented investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, focusing on broad market exposures with tilts toward small-company and value stocks, and manages accounts on a non-discretionary basis through a third-party platform.

General retirement planning Income planning
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Yoav K

Series 63, Series 65

Walut Creek, CA

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Yoav Karni is the sole advisor at West Coast Financial Wealth Management, Inc. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 15 years of experience in the financial industry. Prior to his current role, he has been operating independently since 2001 and has worked at West Coast Financial Wealth Management since 2011. Outside of advisory work, Karni is a licensed life insurance agent, selling life, disability, long-term care, and Medicare insurance products. West Coast Financial Wealth Management, Inc. serves individual clients by providing tailored financial planning and selecting third-party investment advisers and platforms rather than directly managing portfolios. The firm focuses on client discovery to align goals and risk tolerance with appropriate outside managers, typically maintaining non-discretionary relationships while reviewing third-party reports quarterly.

General retirement planning Life insurance needs analysis Long-term care insurance Annuities Cash flow / budgeting
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