Top Financial Advisors in Woodland Hills, CA

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At the top of our list, Steel Peak Wealth Management has nearly $684 million in assets under management. Its team of 14 advisors includes three certified fund specialists (CFSs), three certified annuity specialists (CASs), one certified financial planner (CFP), one chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC) and one certified portfolio manager (CPM). (Advisors may have multiple professional certifications.)

The great majority of Steel Peak clients are not high net worth. The firm also serves pension and profit sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations and business entities. There is no specified minimum investment and most accounts are on a discretionary basis. 

Steel Peak Wealth Management Background

Reza Zamani, Ali Zamani and Maziar Esmailbeigi founded the firm in 2012. The three owners serve as CEO, CFO and CFO, respectively. 

Steel Peak’s investment advisory services are fee-only, but the insurance side of the business is commission-based. Additionally, the firm offers financial planning and consulting.

Steel Peak Wealth Management Investment Strategy

The firm has approximately 70 proprietary models developed by it as well as certain independent managers and alternative investments, from which it customizes client portfolios. These models primarily consist of mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), individual debt and equity securities, and alternative investments (including structured products). Steel Peak may also recommend that certain eligible clients invest in privately placed securities, including debt, equity and/or interests in pooled investment vehicles (e.g., hedge funds). 

For clients with smaller portfolios or who don’t require fully customized asset allocations, the firm offers the SP Dynamic Advisor Platform program through the Schwab Intelligent Portfolios platform.

As of its most recent SEC filings, assets under Steel Peak’s management were allocated as:

• 49% in securities issued by registered investment companies (RICs) or business development companies (BDCs)
• 38% in exchange-traded equity securities (such as common stocks)
• 5% in securities issued by pooled investment vehicles (other than RICs or BDCs)
• 5% in cash and cash equivalents 
• 3% in state and local bonds

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TAMAR in TAMAR Securities stands for Trusted Asset Management at Reach. With more than $304.8 million in assets under management, the firm also goes by Firefighters United Financial Services, 911Financial Services and Tamar Insurance Solutions. 

As these alternate names suggest, the firm specializes in serving the firefighter community. Most clients are not high net worth. The fee-based firm also counts pension and profit-sharing plans, nonprofits, trusts, estates, corporations and other types of organizations as clients. The minimum investment is $100,000, and most accounts are on a discretionary basis.

TAMAR Securities Background

Amit Stavinsky founded TAMAR in 2010. Before then, he worked as executive director of investments and a portfolio manager at Oppenheimer & Co. He is the sole owner of the firm.

TAMAR sponsors and manages wrap fee programs, where all transaction and other investment costs are wrapped into one all-inclusive fee. Advisors may also be insurance agents and registered representatives of a broker-dealer. In addition to its wrap account portfolio management, the firm states that it specializes in:

• Analysis of independent money managers 
• Financial planning and financial consulting services
• Alternative investments
• Corporate cash programs 
• Professional Alliance Network services

TAMAR Securities Investment Strategy

The firm uses global asset allocation models, which it says “focus on preservation of capital, long-term asset growth, superior performance in both rising and falling market cycles and absolute returns independent of the market’s strength or weakness are implemented.” Its methods of analysis include global macro-economic; underlying fundamentals; cyclical; technical; top-down value and of sectors and industries. 

According to the most recent SEC data, assets under its management were allocated as:

• 54% in state and local bonds
• 16 % in cash and cash equivalents
• 8% in exchange-traded equity securities (such as common stocks)
• 8% in U.S. government and agency bonds
• 8% in non-investment-grade corporate bonds
• 6% in non exchange-traded equity securities 

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The two-man team at Paragon Financial Partners manages more than $172 million in assets. The founder and owner, Evan Shorten, is a certified financial planner (CFP).

The high-net-worth clients at this firm outnumber the non-high-net-worth ones 4 to 1 (91 to 21). The firm also serves estates, trusts and businesses. The minimum investment requirement is $1,000,000, though the firm may waive it under special circumstances. Most accounts are on a discretionary basis.

Paragon Financial Partners Background

As mentioned earlier, Evan Shorten founded the firm. This was in 2011. Before then, he worked as a vice president at Fidelity Investments.

The firm’s investment management services are fee-only, but Shorten is also an insurance agent, whose sales are commission-based. In addition to asset management and insurance, the firm offers financial planning, including investment planning, retirement planning, estate planning, personal savings, insurance needs, education savings and money coaching.

Paragon Financial Partners Investment Strategy

The firm is primarily long-term focused, but may trade positions that have been held for less than one year. In constructing a portfolio, Paragon primarily uses exchange-listed securities and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), over-the-counter securities, foreign securities, corporate debt securities, mutual funds, certificates of deposit (CDs), variable life insurance, variable annuities, municipal securities, U.S. government securities, government agency securities and interests in partnerships investing in real estate and oil and gas interests.

According to SEC data, assets under Paragon’s management were allocated as:

• 42% in securities issued by registered investment companies (such as mutual funds) or business development companies 
• 21% in cash and cash equivalents
• 20% in exchange-traded equity securities (such as common stocks)
• 8% in non-exchange-traded equity securities 
• 5% in U.S. government and agency bonds
• 4% in state and local bonds

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In business since 2014, Lazari Capital Management manages almost $ 163.6 million in assets. Its team of five advisors collectively have more than 110 years of experience in the financial services sector at such places as Bank of America, Financial West Group, Wells Fargo, TD Ameritrade, Morgan Stanely, SmithBarney and Dean Witter.

Most clients are not high net worth, though as is often the case, the assets of the comparatively few high-net-worth clients outshadow other individuals’ assets $88 million to $66 million. The firm also serves pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations and other business entities. The minimum investment is $250,000, and most accounts are on a discretionary basis.

Lazari Capital Management Background

Lending his middle name to the firm, Michael Lazari Karapetian is the founder and owner. Interestingly, he’s also a registered sports agent and represents mostly NBA talent.

The practice is fee-based, as advisors may be registered representatives of a broker-dealer or insurance agents, all of whom receive commissions on sales. Lazari Capital offers portfolio management, pension consulting and financial and estate planning, which includes life insurance, education planning, retirement planning and more.

Lazari Capital Management Investment Strategy

Lazari uses charting analysis, fundamental analysis, technical analysis, cyclical analysis, quantitative analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory. The investment strategies it may utilize include long-term trading, short-term trading, short sales, margin transactions, options transactions, high probability options trading, non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs), inverse ETFs, structured product transactions and private REITS.

As of the firm’s most recent SEC filings, assets under its management were allocated as:  

• 40% in exchange-traded equity securities (such as common stocks)
• 18% in derivatives 
• 12% in securities issued by registered investment companies (RICs) or business development companies (BDCs) 
• 8% in investment-grade corporate bonds
• 8% in cash and cash equivalents
• 4% in securities issued by pooled investment vehicles (other than RICs or BDCs)
• 3% in U.S. government and agency bonds
• 3% in state and local bonds
• 2% in non-investment-grade corporate bonds
• 1% in non-exchange-traded equity securities
• 1% in sovereign bonds

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An offshoot of accounting firm Berkson & Berkson, Berkson Asset Management has more than $156.7 million in assets under management. Its team includes three certified public accountants (CPAs), one personal financial specialist (PFS), one accredited investment fiduciary (AIF) and one certified financial planner (CFP). (Advisors may have multiple professional accreditations.)

Unlike most firms on this list, Berkson Asset mostly manages portfolios on a non-discretionary basis. The minimum to open an investment account is $500,000, though it may be waived in special circumstances. Clients are high-net-worth individuals, non-high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts and corporations.

Berkson Asset Management Background

Husband-wife duo Steven and Sherri Berkson founded the fee-only firm in 1995. The latter is inactive, though she’s still on the board of directors. They, along with Chief Compliance Officer Scott Berkson, own the business.

Berkson Asset offers portfolio management, financial planning, portfolio evaluation services and consulting services. 

Berkson Asset Management Investment Strategy

The firm primarily uses no-load mutual funds in constructing client portfolios. Its strategies include asset allocation, diversification and tax-managed approach for taxable accounts. It notes that clients should “consider investing only those funds that can be committed on a long-term basis, usually three to five years.”

According to SEC data, assets under Berkson Asset’s management were invested as:

• 91% in securities issued by registered investment companies (such as mutual funds) or business development companies 
• 4% in exchange-traded equity securities (such as common stocks)
• 4% in cash and cash equivalents
• 1% in state and local bonds
• 1% in sovereign bonds

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Led by Jonathan Dash, Dash Investments has nearly $149.5 million in assets under management. The fee-based firm stands out for its global value strategy.

Investment accounts are on a discretionary basis only. Clients are mostly high-net-worth individuals, though the minimum requirement to open an account is $500,000. The boutique wealth manager also serves defined benefit plans.

Dash Investments Background

Jonathan Dash founded the firm in 2005. As CEO and chief investment officer, he leads all investment decisions and is the principal owner.

In addition to asset management, Dash Investments offers financial planning and retirement planning.

Dash Investments Investment Strategy

As mentioned earlier, the practice focuses on global stocks, with an eye for value and an intent of holding position for the long term. Typically, client portfolio consist of common stocks and bonds. As of its most recent SEC filings, assets under the firm’s management were invested as:

• 91% in exchange-traded equity securities (such as common stocks)
• 7% in U.S. government and agency bonds
• 1% in state and local bonds
• 1% in cash and cash equivalents

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Private Wealth Solutions has been in business since 2013, though it registered with the SEC only in 2017. The two-man advisory team manages $148 million in assets on a non-discretionary basis. 

With no minimum investment required, Private Wealth serves mostly non-high-net-worth individuals. It also advises trusts, estates, charitable organizations, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, limited liability companies and other business entities.

Private Wealth Solutions Background

Douglas Lagerstrom and Allen Minassian own the firm. They serve as advisors - plus registered representatives of a broker-dealer and insurance agents. Their advisory services are fee-only, but in their other capacities, they are commission-based.

The two offer portfolio management, retirement plan consulting and financial planning that can cover investments, retirement, estates, charitable giving, college funding, taxes, risk management and more.

Private Wealth Solutions Investment Strategy

Using fundamental and technical analysis, Private Wealth constructs client portfolios with individual stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options, mutual funds and other public and private securities or investments. According to its most recent SEC filings, assets under the firm’s management were invested as:

• 88% in securities issued by registered investment companies (such as mutual funds) or business development companies 
• 6% in cash and cash equivalents
• 5% in non-exchange-traded equity securities 
• 1% in exchange-traded equity securities (such as common stocks)

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Last but not least, Hesen & Haslam (H&H) has nearly $133 million in assets under management. Its team members call themselves retirement income specialists and consist of three certified financial planners (CFPs), one chartered financial consultant (ChFC) and one chartered special needs consultant (ChSNC). (Advisors may have multiple professional accreditations.)

With no set minimum investment, the client base is primarily made of non-high-net-worth individuals. As is often the case, though, the assets of the high-net-worth clients are greater than the less wealthy clients: $65 million to $55 million. In addition to helping retirees, H&H serves trusts, estates, charitable organizations, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, limited liability companies and other entities. Most investment accounts are on a discretionary basis.

Hesen & Haslam Background

Naming the firm after themselves, Mitchell Hesen and Ryan Haslam are the principal owners. 

Christine Kuether, also on the advisory team, has a small stake.

Investment advisory services are fee-only, but in their capacity as registered representatives with a broker-dealer or as insurance agents, advisors may receive commissions. In addition to investment management, the firm offers financial planning, retirement plan consulting, broker-sponsored programs (through LPL Financial) and a wrap fee program (where costs and fees are charged as one all-inclusive fee).

Hesen & Haslam Investment Strategy

In constructing client portfolios, H&H uses charting, cyclical analysis and fundamental analysis. The strategies it employs include asset allocation, alternative investments, bonds and fixed income portfolio management strategies. According to the most recent SEC data, assets under the firm’s management were invested as:  

• 91% in securities issued by registered investment companies (such as mutual funds) or business development companies 
• 5% in cash and cash equivalents
• 3% in exchange-traded equity securities (such as common stocks)
• 1% in non-exchange-traded equity securities