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Financial growth strategies for All Stages of Your Life

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to financial planning. We tailor a unique, personalized solution to your individual needs.

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Financial Advisory Services

SDM Advisors is an independently-owned financial advisory firm located in the San Francisco Bay Area. We offer a variety of integrated financial services products aimed at creating a personalized financial planning tool that you can count on now and into the future. Our team can provide investment advisory, corporate retirement plan design and implementation, estate & financial planning guidance, nonprofit advisory and cash management.

What We Do

We help you simplify your life, plan your financial journey, and reach your destination.

Private
Clients

We explore your goals, add in any big financial needs and then develop a plan customized to fit your needs.

Retirement Plan Sponsors

We help create successful retirement plan experiences for Plan Sponsors and Participants.

Business
Owners

Between your business and personal goals, we keep you on track financially.

Family
Office

While you spend time making memories with your family, we manage your financial affairs at home.

In The News …

September 23, 2024 in Wealth Management

The Ultimate Wealth Preserver You Need to Know About

Introduction In an era where protecting wealth is more critical than ever, high-net-worth individuals are constantly seeking ways to safeguard their assets. One highly effective yet often underutilized tool for…
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September 5, 2024 in Wealth Management

Estate Planning with a Qualified Personal Residence Trust

Managing residential real estate can be overwhelming, especially when considering long-term planning for your valuable assets. One powerful tool at your disposal is the Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT). This…
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September 3, 2024 in Wealth Management

Navigating Tax Filing After a Spouse’s Death – A Guide for Widows and Advisors

The loss of a spouse is one of the most challenging experiences anyone can face. Amidst the emotional turmoil, there are numerous financial and legal tasks that need attention, one…
Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

  • HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENT FROM OTHER WEALTH MANAGEMENT FIRMS?

    At SDM Advisors, our goal is to be your one-stop shop as you work towards your goal of achieving lifetime financial security. In many cases, an individual or family might work with an investment advisor, accountant, and insurance agent all at different firms. We believe in a more holistic approach and through our partnership with accounting firm SD Mayer & Associates, our goal is to become your trusted advisor that you rely on when you need help in areas ranging from financial planning and investments to tax planning and preparation.

  • WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS IF I DECIDE THAT I WANT SDM ADVISORS TO WORK ON MY FINANCIAL PLAN?

    The first step to working on a financial plan is to have a brief call or meeting to learn more about you – your goals, values, interests, and relationships are all very important to us as we get to know who you are. Once we gather this information, we work on a financial plan tailored to your needs and goals. Financial planning is not one size fits all – each individual and family are unique and we recognize that as we come up with a plan that is suited for you. Together, we will then walk through your plan and tweak it throughout several meetings as needed until we come up with the best result possible. We enjoy working with clients on an ongoing basis and further developing the plan as life evolves!

  • WHAT IS YOUR INVESTMENT PHILOSOPHY?

    As a firm, we support a passive investment philosophy. We strongly believe [and research has shown!] that most active fund managers have not been able to outperform the market over long periods of time. That is why we work with our clients to invest in a diversified portfolio of low-cost exchange-traded funds [ETFs] and don’t try to time the market. We would rather spend a time working on updating your financial plan, in addition to tax, insurance, and estate planning, to make smart decisions that will help you achieve lifetime financial security.

  • HOW ARE YOUR FEES ASSESSED AND WHAT WILL THEY COVER?

    For financial plans, we work with our clients to agree on an equitable, flat fee amount based on the complexity of your plan. If you decide to invest with SDM Advisors, our fees are typically around 1% of assets under management, with incremental decreases in fees as your AUM amount increases. In addition to providing asset allocation and investment advice, our fee also includes ongoing financial planning and tax planning, as needed.

Contact Us Anytime

Locations In San Francisco, San Mateo, San Leandro & Menlo Park

Our Executive Team

Stephen D. Mayer, CPA

Stephen D. Mayer, CPA

Managing Partner

Daniel P. Rush

Daniel P. Rush

Vice President

Cody Martin

Cody Martin

Wealth Advisor

Thérèse Hjelm

Thérèse Hjelm

Director

Alexandra Marksberry

Alexandra Marksberry

Coordinator

Our Valmark Team

Through our relationship with the Valmark Companies, we have access to an experienced support team, with credentials spanning multiple financial disciplines – from legal, accounting, tax and financial advisory expertise to life insurance, retirement planning and securities. This team of over 100 professionals serves as our back office support staff. A sample representation of the team includes:

Chris Finefrock, MBA, CFP®

Chris Finefrock, MBA, CFP®

Vice President of Financial Planning

Michael McClary, MBA

Michael McClary, MBA

Chief Investment Officer

Tyler D. Denholm, CFA®

Tyler D. Denholm, CFA®

Vice President of Investment Management and Research

Judson Forner, CFP®, CRPC®

Judson Forner, CFP®, CRPC®

Vice President of Planning Review

Caleb Nitz, CFP®

Caleb Nitz, CFP®

Vice President of Business Development

Chris Bottaro, MBA

Chris Bottaro, MBA

Vice President of Insurance Services

Eric Johnson

Eric Johnson

Vice President of Underwriting

Michael Noss, FALU

Michael Noss, FALU

Senior Underwriter

Jessica Rorar, CFP®

Jessica Rorar, CFP®

Planner

Bridget Burtzel

Bridget Burtzel

Director of New Business

Mark Armstrong, CLU, ChFC

Mark Armstrong, CLU, ChFC

Vice President of Insurance Marketing

Marie J. Mahoney- Krings

Marie J. Mahoney- Krings

New Business Specialist

Michael Michlitsch, MBA, CRPC®

Michael Michlitsch, MBA, CRPC®

VP of In Force Insurance Solutions

Securities and Advisory Disclosure:

Securities offered through Valmark Securities, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC. Fee based planning offered through SDM Advisors, LLC. Third party money management offered through Valmark Advisers, Inc a SEC registered investment advisor. 130 Springside Drive, Suite 300, Akron, Ohio 44333-2431. 1-800-765-5201. SDM Advisors, LLC is a separate entity from Valmark Securities Inc. and Valmark Advisers, Inc. Form CRS Link

San Francisco Office

235 Montgomery Street, 26th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104

Menlo Park Office

640 Menlo Avenue, Suite 2
Menlo Park, CA 94025

info@sdmadvisors.com
415.691.4040

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