19 Bend financial planners and wealth firms, each checked on its own website, its SEC Form ADV and FINRA BrokerCheck. See how each one is paid, what it charges, who it’s built for and how to book a first meeting, plus the Oregon tax and retirement angles that matter here.
By All Things Bend · Updated October 22, 2026 · Educational, not financial advice
Tap one and the list below narrows to the Bend firms that fit.
🏔️ Retirement
Want help turning savings into income? Look for Social Security, Roth conversion and withdrawal planning. Gray is retirement-only; Timberchase, Invera and JGP also lead with it.
Selling, succession, 401(k) design or self-employed taxes. JGP, Mercer and Brighton Jones have exit and succession teams; ViviFi focuses on the self-employed; Copia and Miller Ferrari set up company retirement plans.
A current Bend office or Bend-based advisors, confirmed on the firm’s own website.
2
Active registration on SEC IAPD (and FINRA BrokerCheck for brokers). We read each firm’s latest Form ADV Part 2A for fees, minimums and Item 9 disciplinary history.
3
Named CFP® professionals checked on CFP Board’s lookup. Disclosures are reported as the regulator lists them, without spin.
4
Banks, insurance-only agents and debt-relief firms are out. So are firms we couldn’t verify on a working website (see what changed).
Top financial advisors and wealth management firms in Bend
Fee-only paid only by clients
Flat-fee only fee-only, in fixed dollars
Advisory fees client fees; check the ADV for affiliates
Hybrid fees on some accounts, commissions on others
Showing all 19 firms.
Independent Bend firm since 2013
Cascade Financial Strategies
Fee-onlyBest for: Values-aligned (ESG) investing with no account minimum
Retirement
Fee-only
Low / no minimum
Hourly or project
A boutique Bend firm near the Old Mill District run by Jack Schniepp. It manages portfolios and builds financial plans, and its signature is socially responsible investing: portfolios screened to match your values. Its brochure says it stopped selling commission products in 2016.
Fees
Portfolio management up to 1.50% a year under $500K, 1.25% to $2M, 1.00% to $5M, 0.75% to $9M, 0.50% above (negotiable). Planning only: $250–$350 an hour or a fixed $500–$2,500.
Minimum
No account minimum.
Fiduciary?
Yes. Calls itself “exclusively independent, fee-only, and fiduciary”; SEC-registered adviser.
Credentials
Jack Schniepp, CFP®, ChFC® (CFP Board: certified, no disciplinary history)
Cascade Financial Strategies’ own “Who We Are” video (posted September 2023).
One-advisor Bend practice, flat fee
Gray Wealth Strategies
Flat-fee onlyBest for: Pre-retirees and retirees who want a flat dollar fee instead of a percentage
Retirement
Fee-only
Hourly or project
Andrew Gray’s Bend firm focuses on one thing: getting people into and through retirement, with tax-aware withdrawal plans and investment management. He meets clients in person in Bend and virtually nationwide, and publishes his fee options on his site.
Fees
Ongoing planning + investment management: a flat $6,000–$30,000 a year, set by complexity. One-time projects $500–$15,000. Hourly $400.
Minimum
$500,000 for investment management. Project and hourly work have no asset minimum.
Fiduciary?
Yes. “Fiduciary, flat-fee only” per its site; registered with the State of Oregon.
Credentials
Andrew Gray, CFP®, CRPC® (CFP Board: certified, no disciplinary history)
Specialties
Retirement income, Social Security and withdrawal order, tax planning in retirement, investment management.
Fee-onlyBest for: Self-employed professionals and young families who want planning first
Business owners
Fee-only
Low / no minimum
Hourly or project
Andy Mardock’s firm helps self-employed people make “tax-smart decisions” about business income, retirement accounts and family goals. You can hire it for a one-time project, hourly, or ongoing planning with or without investment management.
Fees
Ongoing planning + investing: $4,800 minimum annual fee (negotiable). Investment fee 1.25% on the first $250K, 1.00% to $1M, 0.85% to $2M, 0.75% to $3M, 0.65% to $5M, 0.50% above. Projects $500–$20,000 or $350 an hour.
Minimum
No account minimum.
Fiduciary?
Yes. “Fee-only, fiduciary financial planner” per its site; publishes a fiduciary oath. Oregon state-registered.
Credentials
Andy Mardock, MBA, CFP® (CFP Board: certified, no disciplinary history)
Specialties
Self-employed and small-business owners, tax planning, retirement accounts for the self-employed, college and family planning.
Employee-owned firm with a NorthWest Crossing office
Timberchase Financial
Fee-onlyBest for: Planning, tax and investments under one fee, with no asset minimum
Retirement
Fee-only
Low / no minimum
An Alabama-founded (2004), 100% employee-owned firm with a Bend office in NorthWest Crossing. It does financial, tax and investment planning and offers either a percentage fee or a fixed annual fee. Its brochure says it does not sell annuities, insurance or any commissioned product.
Fees
1.20% a year to $1M, 1.00% to $3M, 0.80% to $5M, 0.70% to $10M, 0.50% above, or a fixed annual fee of $1,000–$50,000 instead.
Minimum
No asset minimum.
Fiduciary?
Yes. “Strictly a fee-only firm” held “to a fiduciary standard”; SEC-registered.
Credentials
Team includes CPA/PFS-credentialed planners (see its Who We Are page).
Specialties
Retirement and “work-optional” planning, tax planning, 401(k) rollover decisions, families.
Timberchase’s own explainer on 401(k) rollovers (posted October 2026).
Bend planning and wealth firm
2260 West
Fee-onlyBest for: Business owners and households who want a written plan first
Business owners
Fee-only
Hourly or project
A Bend firm (now at NW Clearwater Drive) offering personal and business financial planning, wealth management and stand-alone financial consulting for individuals, businesses, estates and trusts.
Fees
Portfolio management 1.50% to $300K, 1.25% to $1M, 0.80% to $3M, 0.50% above. Initial financial plan from $3,000 (billed at $450 an hour); consulting $450 an hour.
Minimum
$300,000 for investment management. Planning and consulting have no asset minimum.
Fiduciary?
Fee-only per its Form ADV, which says it accepts no commissions or third-party compensation; investment advisers owe clients a fiduciary duty. Oregon state-registered.
Credentials
Advisers include Kyle Dover, Chelsea Mayer and Cameron Tonning (Form ADV 2B supplements).
Specialties
Business financial planning, personal plans, estates and trusts.
Waverly Advisors – Bend (formerly MCS Family Wealth Advisors)
Fee-onlyBest for: Families with significant, multigenerational wealth or a family business
Business owners
Fee-only
MCS Family Wealth Advisors, founded in Bend in 1991 by Michael Stalker, became part of Birmingham-based Waverly Advisors on October 9, 2026. The Bend team now has Waverly’s planning, tax, trust and estate resources behind it. mcsfa.com redirects to Waverly.
Fees
Waverly’s brochure (Aug 2026): 0.25%–1.50% of assets, with annual minimum fees generally $5,000–$20,000. MCS’s last brochure (Feb 2026) listed a $19,000 minimum annual fee. Ask which schedule applies to new Bend clients.
Minimum
No asset minimum, but the minimum annual fee makes it best suited to roughly $1M–$2M and up.
Advisory feesBest for: Business owners, recent retirees and divorce planning with a big CFP® bench
Retirement
Business owners
Low / no minimum
Hourly or project
JGP lists Bend as its headquarters with SEC and manages about $1.4 billion. Its team is heavy on CFP® professionals plus a CPA and CFA charterholders, and it has dedicated services for business owners, retirement income, and divorce and family-law planning.
Fees
Investment management up to 1.50% a year. Planning and consulting up to $350 an hour or a flat fee up to $50,000.
Minimum
None: its brochure says it imposes no requirements to open an account.
Fiduciary?
Yes, as an SEC-registered adviser. Its brochure says it does not sell securities for commissions in advisory accounts.
Credentials
Jake Withnell, CPA, CFP® (CFP Board: certified); Shannon Jones, CFA®, CFP®; William Paustian, CFP®; Will Carmichael, CFP®; and others
Specialties
Business owners and business sales, retirement income, divorce & family-law planning, tax-aware investing.
A JGP Wealth Management video on family money conversations (posted March 2026).
Bend advisory + accounting team
Capstone Wealth Management Group
Advisory feesBest for: People who want CFP® planners and a CPA in the same downtown office
Retirement
Business owners
Low / no minimum
Hourly or project
A downtown Bend team with three CFP® professionals and a CPA. The firm also provides accounting services, which its brochure discloses as a conflict of interest. It does portfolio management and hourly or fixed-fee financial plans.
Fees
Portfolio management 1.25% to $1M, 1.00% to $2M, 0.75% to $5M, 0.65% to $10M, 0.50% above (household assets combined). Plans $95–$295 an hour or a fixed $500–$7,000.
Minimum
None stated in its brochure.
Fiduciary?
Yes, as an SEC-registered adviser; its brochure describes only client-paid advisory fees.
Credentials
Mike Conrads, CFP®, ChFC, MBA (CFP Board: certified); Ronald Stoner, CFP®; Loren Gard, CFP®; Devon Gaines, CPA
Specialties
Retirement planning, tax coordination with in-house accounting, business owners.
Where
404 SW Columbia St, Suite 230, Bend 97702
Registration
SEC-registered adviser · CRD 340135 (Form ADV May 2026)
Advisory feesBest for: Households and business owners who want a local team and no account minimum
Business owners
Low / no minimum
A Bend firm near the Old Mill offering planning, asset management, business retirement plans, estate and risk planning, tax planning and in-house bookkeeping. Its site says “no commissions,” and its brochure says it uses no-commission advisory annuities when it recommends one.
Fees
1.75% a year under $350K, 1.50% to $750K, 1.25% to $1.5M, 1.00% to $4M, 0.85% to $10M, 0.75% above. $250 minimum annual fee.
Minimum
No account minimum.
Fiduciary?
Yes, as an SEC-registered adviser (its advisors are titled “Fiduciary Advisor”).
Credentials
Fiduciary advisors including Louis Bennett and co-founder Aaron Boehm
Specialties
Business retirement plans (401(k)s), tax planning, estate and legacy, bookkeeping.
IAPD shows four older items for co-founder Aaron Boehm: a 2011 FINRA settlement (30-day suspension, $5,000 fine) over a side deal with a customer while at a prior firm, two 2010 customer-dispute entries each showing a $150,000 settlement (Copia’s brochure says the settlement was paid by his former firm, with no finding against him) and one 2003 complaint that was denied. Nothing newer is listed.
Advisory feesBest for: Retirees and women investors with $1M or more
Retirement
Hourly or project
Jessica Higgins’ independent Bend firm focuses on retirees, people nearing retirement and women investors. Its brochure says it earns nothing from product sponsors, brokers or other third parties.
Fees
Wealth management 1.00%–2.00% a year depending on scope and assets. Stand-alone planning up to $300 an hour or a fixed fee.
Minimum
Generally $1,000,000 (can be reduced).
Fiduciary?
Yes. Its brochure says it “serves as a fiduciary”; SEC-registered.
Credentials
Jessica F. Higgins, CFP® (CFP Board: certified, no disciplinary history)
Advisory feesBest for: One firm for planning, investments, tax returns, estate documents and trusts
Retirement
Business owners
Mercer entered Bend in January 2025 and has since grown through its acquisition of Eagle Wealth Management. Its Bend team includes CFP® professionals, a CFA charterholder and two CPAs, and the firm offers tax preparation, estate planning and trustee services in-house.
Fees
From its March 2026 brochure: Wealth Path 1.30% on the first $1M, 1.00% on the next $1M, $6,000 minimum fee. Custom Wealth 1.10% on the first $1M down to 0.50% over $10M, $15,000 minimum fee. Guided Investing (investments only) from 1.10%, $1,200 minimum fee.
Minimum
Set by the minimum fees above.
Fiduciary?
Yes, as an SEC-registered adviser. It also has an affiliated broker-dealer and insurance agency; ask whether either would be used for you.
Credentials
Chad Staskal, CFP® (CFP Board: certified); Jeff Witt, CFA®, CFP®; Suzanne Daniel, CFP®; David Stuehling, CFP®; Duncan Wilk, CFP®; Stephanie Moersfelder, CFP®; Hans Doorn, CPA; Thomas Gibbs, CPA
Specialties
Retirement, business owners and exit planning, physicians, divorce, concentrated stock, special-needs dependents, tax prep, trusts.
Where
35 NW Hawthorne Ave and 5 NW Minnesota Ave, Suite 220, Bend 97703
Registration
SEC-registered adviser · Mercer Global Advisors CRD 147363
Disclosures
Firm-level disclosures exist, as with most national firms (read Item 9 of the brochure). For Chad Staskal, IAPD lists one customer dispute settled in 2007 for $11,183 over a move from brokerage funds into fixed annuities and life insurance.
Advisory feesBest for: Executives and founders with equity compensation or a business to pass on
Business owners
Brighton Jones calls its service a “personal CFO”: investments, tax, estate, philanthropy, equity compensation and business succession. Co-founder Charles Brighton works from the Bend office.
Fees
Personal CFO service: 0.35%–1.25% of assets, generally a $10,000 minimum annual fee. Its lighter OpenPlan service: $2,500 setup, $150 a month, plus 0.50%–0.95% if it manages investments.
Minimum
$10,000 minimum annual fee for the full service.
Fiduciary?
Yes, as an SEC-registered adviser. Its brochure discloses that it pays referral fees to Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers program for clients referred to it.
Credentials
Charles Brighton, co-founder; Matt Mormino, CFP® (CFP Board: certified)
Specialties
Equity compensation, business succession, tax and estate planning, philanthropy, women’s wealth.
Where
2900 NW Clearwater Dr #100-2, Bend 97703
Registration
SEC-registered adviser · CRD 108601 (Form ADV Oct 2026)
Bond Street office of a Portland investment manager
Becker Capital Management – Bend
Advisory feesBest for: Larger portfolios that mainly need investment management
A Portland-based investment manager with a Bend office on Bond Street across from Deschutes Brewery. It is primarily a portfolio manager for individuals, families, retirement plans and institutions, with financial planning available by engagement.
Fees
Maximum management fee 0.60% a year. Planning or consulting $100–$500 an hour (fixed fee by project).
Minimum
Typically $3,000,000 (negotiable).
Fiduciary?
Yes, as an SEC-registered adviser.
Credentials
Bend office advisers include a CFP®, CPWA® (see its Bend page).
Specialties
Investment management, retirement plans, women investors.
Where
1051 NW Bond St, Suite 200, Bend 97703
Registration
SEC-registered adviser · CRD 110489 (Form ADV Mar 2026)
Fee-onlyBest for: High-net-worth families who mainly want hands-on portfolio management
Fee-only
Low / no minimum
An independent investment advisory firm based in downtown Bend that manages assets for high-net-worth individuals and families. It operates under Peregrine Asset Advisers, a Portland RIA.
Fees
Up to 1.50% a year (range 0.25%–1.50%, negotiable).
Minimum
No minimum account size.
Fiduciary?
Yes, as an SEC-registered adviser. Its brochure says management and annual service fees are its only source of revenue.
Advisory feesBest for: Business owners and pre-retirees who like structured, agenda-driven meetings
Retirement
Business owners
Mackeson (now at mackeson.com) offers retirement prep, business-owner solutions and tax management from Mill View Way. Investment advice is offered through Stratos Wealth Partners, a separate RIA.
Fees
Tiered asset-based fee; schedule not published on its site. Ask for it in writing and read the Stratos Form CRS.
Minimum
Not published.
Fiduciary?
Says it is fiduciary. Its site calls its pricing a “tiered fee-only structure” and the team “fee based independent fiduciaries,” and the footer mentions LPL Financial registered representatives, so ask which capacity applies to your accounts.
Hybrid (fees + commissions)Best for: A long-tenured planner with low account minimums for managed programs
Retirement
Low / no minimum
David W. Smith founded this Oregon-registered firm in Bend in 2009 after decades in the business. It offers planning, retirement consulting and managed accounts. Smith is also a registered representative and licensed insurance agent, so some products can pay commissions.
Fees
Investment management 1.25% to $250K, 1.00% to $500K, 0.95% to $1M, 0.90% above (negotiable), plus program fees on some platforms. Commissions on any brokerage or insurance products.
Minimum
Managed programs from $10,000 to $100,000 depending on the program.
Fiduciary?
As an investment adviser, yes; when selling commission products he acts as a broker or insurance agent instead (disclosed in the firm’s brochure).
Credentials
David W. Smith, CFP®, ChFC® (CFP Board: certified, no CFP Board discipline)
IAPD lists a 2016 Oregon Division of Financial Regulation consent order for Smith: a $5,000 fine for not amending his license application in time to report a material change.
Hybrid (fees + commissions)Best for: Small businesses that want help designing a company retirement plan
Business owners
An independent Bend team offering planning, investments, small-business retirement plans and risk management. Its advisors work through Commonwealth Financial Network, which is both a broker-dealer and an RIA, so accounts can be fee-based or commission-based.
Fees
Not published on its site. Get the advisory fee schedule and Commonwealth’s Form CRS before you open accounts.
Minimum
Not published.
Fiduciary?
When acting as investment adviser representatives, yes; brokerage accounts fall under Regulation Best Interest instead. Ask which applies to each account.
Hybrid (fees + commissions)Best for: Divorce planning, or hiring advice à la carte without moving your money
Retirement
Hourly or project
Founded by Stu Malakoff, this team offers full wealth management or à la carte financial advice where you leave your investments where they are. Malakoff is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, and the team supports Friends of the Children Central Oregon.
Fees
Not published. Ask for the planning fee and the advisory fee schedule in writing.
Minimum
Not published.
Fiduciary?
Its site says it follows a fiduciary standard when providing financial planning. Securities are offered through Raymond James Financial Services (a broker-dealer) and advisory services through its RIA affiliate, so ask which capacity applies to each account.
Credentials
Stu Malakoff, CFP®, CDFA® (CFP Board: certified, no disciplinary history)
Specialties
Divorce financial analysis, retirement, à la carte planning.
Where
523 NW Colorado Ave, Suite 100, Bend 97703
Registration
Raymond James Financial Services (broker-dealer) + RJFS Advisors (RIA)
Disclosures
None on IAPD or BrokerCheck for Malakoff. Raymond James has firm-level disclosures.
Hybrid (fees + commissions)Best for: Clients who want a big-bank platform with a local advisor
Retirement
RBC’s Bend branch near NW Crossing offers financial planning, portfolio management, retirement income planning and rollover help, backed by RBC’s research and banking resources.
Fees
Not published locally. Advisory programs charge an asset-based fee; brokerage charges commissions. Ask for both in dollars.
Minimum
Varies by program.
Fiduciary?
Fiduciary in advisory accounts; brokerage accounts are under Regulation Best Interest. Ask which you are being offered.
Credentials
Cal Blethen, CFP® (CFP Board: certified) and others
Specialties
Retirement income planning, rollovers, portfolio management.
Where
2220 NW Labiche Ln, Suite 210, Bend 97703
Registration
RBC Capital Markets (broker-dealer + RIA) · CRD 31194
Disclosures
None on IAPD for Blethen. RBC has firm-level disclosures (see BrokerCheck).
Sources: each firm’s Form ADV Part 2A on SEC IAPD and its own website, checked October 22, 2026. “Not published” means the firm doesn’t post fees publicly; ask for its schedule and Form CRS.
How much does a financial advisor cost in Bend?
There’s no single price, so translate every proposal into dollars per year. Slide to your portfolio size to see what common percentage fees cost, next to the flat fees Bend firms publish.
0.50% a year—
0.75% a year—
1.00% a year—
1.25% a year—
1.50% a year—
Flat fees for comparison: ViviFi minimum $4,800 · Mercer Wealth Path minimum $6,000 · Gray Wealth Strategies $6,000–$30,000 · Brighton Jones minimum $10,000. A flat rate applied to the whole balance; real schedules usually tier down, so your actual fee may be lower. Fund expenses are extra.
National benchmarks (dated)
About 1% a year on a $1 million portfolio is the long-running median for percentage fees, falling as assets rise. Source: Kitces Research advisor fee studies (2020 study; 2024 survey as reported by SmartAsset).
Hourly: median about $300 (typical $250–$350), one-time plan: about $3,000, annual retainer: about $4,500. Source: Kitces Research 2024 advisor survey, as summarized by SmartAsset and Boldin (2025–26).
Bend firms’ own numbers (Form ADVs, 2025–26): hourly $95–$450, project plans $500–$50,000, flat retainers $1,000–$50,000, top AUM tiers 1.20%–2.00%.
Compare: annual fee in dollars, what’s included (tax returns? estate documents?), fund expenses, minimums, meeting frequency and how reachable your advisor is between reviews. The cheapest advisor isn’t automatically the best fit; the point is to know what you pay and what you get.
Fee-only vs. fee-based vs. flat-fee: what those terms mean
Fee-only
Paid only by you: a percentage, flat, hourly or project fee. No commissions, no referral pay from product companies. It doesn’t mean cheap; it means fewer sales conflicts.
Flat-fee
A set dollar amount instead of a percentage of your portfolio, so the fee doesn’t rise just because markets do. Check what the flat fee covers.
Fee-based
Sounds like fee-only but isn’t. The advisor charges fees and can earn commissions on insurance, annuities or brokerage products. Not bad by default; just ask which hat they’re wearing for each account.
The five ways advisors get paid
Percentage of assets (AUM)
A yearly % of the money they manage, usually billed quarterly from your account.
In Bend: Published top tiers in Bend run 1.20%–2.00% on smaller accounts, falling to 0.50% or less above $5M–$10M.
Watch for: It grows as your portfolio grows. Fund expenses are extra. Ask for the dollar total.
Flat annual or retainer fee
A fixed yearly dollar fee for ongoing planning, with or without investment management.
In Bend: Gray Wealth Strategies: $6,000–$30,000 a year. ViviFi: $4,800 minimum. Timberchase: $1,000–$50,000 fixed option.
Watch for: Compare what is included: tax returns? estate documents? meetings per year?
Hourly
You pay for the advisor’s time, like a CPA or attorney.
In Bend: Published Bend rates: Capstone $95–$295, Cascade $250–$350, Invera up to $300, JGP up to $350, ViviFi $350, Gray $400, 2260 West $450.
Watch for: Good for a second opinion or one question. Get an hours estimate up front.
One-time project plan
A fixed price for a written plan, then you implement it yourself.
In Bend: Cascade $500–$2,500, Capstone $500–$7,000, Gray $500–$15,000, ViviFi $500–$20,000, 2260 West from $3,000.
Watch for: Ask what you receive (a written plan? a follow-up meeting?) and what costs extra later.
Commissions
The advisor is paid by the product provider when you buy an annuity, insurance policy or commission fund.
In Bend: Hybrid advisors (broker-dealer affiliated) can be paid this way on some accounts and by fees on others.
Watch for: Not automatically bad, but it creates a sales incentive. Ask what they earn on each product, in dollars.
What does “fiduciary” mean?
A fiduciary must put your interests first, disclose conflicts of interest and give advice that is in your best interest. Three rules decide who owes that duty:
Registered investment advisers (RIAs) owe a fiduciary duty under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 for the advice they give. Every firm marked “IAPD record” above is an RIA or works through one.
Brokers follow the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest (in force since June 30, 2020) when recommending products. It’s stronger than the old “suitability” rule but isn’t an ongoing fiduciary duty.
CFP® professionals have had to act as fiduciaries whenever they give financial advice under CFP Board’s standards since October 1, 2019.
Many advisors are dual-registered: fiduciary on an advisory account, broker on a commission annuity. So ask: “Will you act as a fiduciary at all times, on every account and product, and will you put that in writing?”
Quick read
Fee-only RIA Fiduciary on everything it does for you.
Hybrid / dual-registered Fiduciary on advisory accounts; best-interest standard on brokerage and insurance sales.
Insurance-only agent Neither; state insurance rules apply.
How to verify a Bend financial advisor before hiring them
It takes ten minutes, and you should do it even when a friend recommended the advisor. We did these exact steps for every firm on this page.
1. Check Investor.gov / SEC IAPD
Search the person and the firm at adviserinfo.sec.gov. You’ll see registration status, employment history and a “Disclosures” flag. Click into any disclosure to read what happened, when and how it was resolved. Investor.gov’s Ask and Check page explains it.
2. Check FINRA BrokerCheck
If the advisor is also a broker, BrokerCheck shows customer disputes, regulatory actions, terminations and exams passed. A clean record is common; a long list of recent complaints is a reason to walk.
3. Verify a CFP® professional
Use CFP Board’s lookup. It shows whether someone is currently certified and any CFP Board discipline or bankruptcy in the last ten years.
4. Read Form ADV and Form CRS
On IAPD, open “Part 2 Brochures.” Item 5 lists fees, Item 7 minimums, Item 9 disciplinary history and Item 10 other businesses (insurance agencies, broker-dealers, accounting). Form CRS is the two-to-four-page plain-English summary of how the firm is paid and its conflicts.
5. Oregon-specific check
Smaller Oregon firms register with the state, not the SEC. The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation handles licensing and complaints (and was the regulator behind the 2016 consent order noted above).
The 12 questions to ask a financial advisor
Bring these to the first meeting. Tick them off as you go; nothing is saved or sent.
A good advisor can answer all twelve without making the conversation feel mysterious, and will happily send the answers to the fee questions in writing.
Red flags to walk away from
Guaranteed returns or “no-risk” investments
Real investments carry risk. The SEC and FINRA warn that guarantees are a hallmark of fraud.
Pressure to decide today
Limited-time offers, “this closes Friday,” or urgency to roll over your 401(k) before you’ve read the paperwork.
Can’t tell you the fee in dollars
A good advisor can say “about $X a year” for your situation within one meeting.
They want custody of your money
Your assets should sit at an independent custodian (Schwab, Fidelity and the like) in your name, with statements sent to you directly.
Not on IAPD or BrokerCheck
Anyone giving investment advice for pay must be registered. No record, no meeting.
Free-lunch seminars that end with an annuity pitch
Fine as education, but know that the host may be paid by commission on what you buy.
Recent or repeated disclosures
One old, explained item is different from a pattern of complaints. Read the details, then ask about them.
A “fiduciary” label without specifics
Ask whether it covers every account, including insurance and annuities, and get it in writing.
Suspect fraud? Report it to the Oregon DFR (888-877-4894), the SEC or FINRA.
Which type of Bend financial advisor is right for you?
Look for Social Security timing, withdrawal order, Roth conversions before RMDs, Medicare (IRMAA) and long-term-care planning. Gray Wealth Strategies is retirement-only; Timberchase, Invera, JGP and Mercer publish deep retirement services.
If you own a business
You want cash-flow planning, a retirement plan for you and your team, tax coordination, and eventually succession or sale planning. See JGP, ViviFi, Mercer, Brighton Jones, 2260 West and, for company 401(k)s, Copia and Miller Ferrari.
If taxes are a major part of the problem
Capstone and JGP have CPAs on staff, Mercer prepares returns in-house, Timberchase has CPA/PFS planners, and Waverly runs a tax arm. Otherwise ask how the advisor works with your CPA (and see our Bend tax prep guide).
If you prefer a large institution
RBC Wealth Management, Raymond James (Bend Wealth Advisors), Mercer, Waverly and Brighton Jones pair a local advisor with a national platform.
If you want a smaller independent firm
Cascade, Gray, ViviFi, 2260 West, Invera, Capstone, Copia and Strategic Wealth Management are Bend-run practices where you’ll likely work with the owner.
Oregon taxes income at 4.75% to 9.9%, and the 9.9% rate starts at $125,000 of taxable income for single filers ($250,000 joint). Capital gains are taxed as ordinary income: no lower state rate. There’s no general sales tax (Oregon DOR). Planning tends to focus on income timing, Roth conversions in low-income years and where you live when you sell big assets.
Retiring in Bend
Oregon doesn’t tax Social Security, but pensions (including Oregon PERS), IRA and 401(k) withdrawals are taxable. Housing is the big line item: Zillow’s home value index for Bend was about $729,000 in August 2026. Budget for property taxes, home insurance in wildfire country, healthcare (St. Charles is the regional system) and travel to see family. See moving to Bend and Bend by the numbers.
Selling a business
A Bend business sale can be taxed at up to 9.9% by Oregon on top of federal tax, so structure and timing matter: asset vs. stock sale, installment sales, charitable trusts, QSBS eligibility. Build the team early: a CPA, a business attorney and an advisor with exit experience (see JGP, Mercer and Brighton Jones above, and our business consulting guide).
Estate tax starts at $1 million
Oregon is one of the few states with its own estate tax, and a return is required for estates of $1 million or more (Oregon DOR), far below the federal threshold. A Bend house plus a retirement account can cross it. A 2026 bill (SB 1511) proposed raising the threshold, so confirm current law with an estate attorney (Bend lawyers guide).
OregonSaves: the state’s workplace Roth IRA
If your employer offers no retirement plan, it must register with OregonSaves or certify an exemption. You’re auto-enrolled at 5% of pay after 30 days unless you opt out, with a standard 1%-a-year increase up to 10%. It’s a Roth IRA (2026 limit $7,500, $8,600 at 50+), fees are about 0.50% a year plus $4 a quarter, and employers pay nothing. Self-employed Bend residents can open one directly. For business owners it’s the zero-cost baseline; a 401(k), SEP or SIMPLE IRA through an advisor offers higher limits and employer contributions. (Program details, checked October 22, 2026.)
Do you even need a financial advisor?
Not everyone does. A household with a good savings rate, simple taxes and low-cost index funds may do fine alone, or with a one-time plan every few years.
Advice earns its fee when decisions start interacting: retirement is close, you have stock compensation, you own or are selling a business, you inherited money, your taxes got complicated, one spouse has always handled the money, or you simply don’t want to do it yourself.
Try this first
Pay for an hourly second opinion ($95–$450 an hour in Bend). If the advisor finds more value than the hour costs, you have your answer.
An advisor’s value should come from planning, organization, tax decisions and behavior coaching, not a promise to beat the market.
From the firms’ own channels
Straight from the advisors’ Instagram accounts. Posts load as you scroll; videos are on the firm cards above and only load when you press play.
Costello Financial Planning is no longer listed: its site now describes an Illinois-rooted family firm serving clients “coast to coast” mostly virtually, and its SEC registration is based in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Northwest Quadrant Wealth Management is still registered with the SEC in Bend, but its website domain was parked on October 22, 2026, so we couldn’t verify current services from the firm. We’ll add it back once its site is live.
Added after checking IAPD for Bend-registered firms: Timberchase, 2260 West, JGP, Invera, Brighton Jones, Becker Capital and Northline. Mackeson moved its site to mackeson.com.
Big brokerages (Edward Jones, Ameriprise, Morgan Stanley, Merrill, UBS, Wells Fargo, Schwab and others) also have Bend branch offices on IAPD. They’re not reviewed individually here; use the same checks.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best financial advisor in Bend, Oregon?
There is no single best advisor for everyone. A retiree who wants a flat fee (Gray Wealth Strategies), a self-employed professional (ViviFi Planning), a family with a business to sell (JGP, Mercer, Brighton Jones) and someone who wants ESG investing with no minimum (Cascade Financial Strategies) would each pick differently. Use the chooser and comparison table to build a shortlist of two or three, then compare their fees in dollars.
Are there fee-only financial advisors in Bend?
Yes. As of October 2026, Cascade Financial Strategies, Gray Wealth Strategies (flat-fee only), ViviFi Planning, Timberchase Financial, 2260 West, Northline Wealth Management and Waverly Advisors’ Bend office (formerly MCS Family Wealth Advisors) describe themselves as fee-only on their own sites or Form ADVs.
Are there CFP professionals in Bend?
Yes, dozens. In this guide we confirmed these lead advisors on CFP Board’s lookup on October 22, 2026: Jack Schniepp, Andrew Gray, Andy Mardock, Jake Withnell, Mike Conrads, Jessica Higgins, Chad Staskal, Matt Mormino, Gina Patterson, David W. Smith, J. Tyler Swanson, Stu Malakoff and Cal Blethen, all certified with no CFP Board disciplinary history. Check any planner at cfp.net/verify.
Should I choose a fiduciary financial advisor?
A fiduciary must put your interests first and disclose conflicts. Registered investment advisers owe that duty on advisory accounts, and CFP® professionals owe it whenever they give financial advice. Brokers follow Regulation Best Interest instead. Many advisors are both, so ask whether they will act as a fiduciary on every account and product, in writing.
Is a wealth manager different from a financial planner?
Sometimes. “Wealth management” usually means ongoing investment management plus planning, tax and estate coordination. “Financial planner” can mean anything from a one-time plan to the same full service. Neither title is regulated, so compare the actual services and fees in each firm’s Form ADV.
Should I use a local Bend advisor or a virtual planner?
Both can work. A Bend advisor knows Oregon taxes, local CPAs and estate attorneys, and can meet in person. A virtual planner may offer a specialty or price you can’t find locally. Gray Wealth Strategies and ViviFi Planning, for example, do both.
What is the first thing I should ask an advisor?
Ask how they are paid and whether they act as a fiduciary at all times. Then ask for your total annual cost in dollars based on your situation.
How much does a financial advisor cost in Bend?
From the firms’ own 2025–26 Form ADVs: percentage fees of about 1.00%–1.50% on the first $1 million at most Bend firms (up to 2.00% at one), flat fees of $4,800–$30,000 a year, hourly rates of $95–$450, and one-time plans from $500 to $20,000 or more. On a $1 million portfolio, a 1% fee is about $10,000 a year.
What happened to MCS Family Wealth Advisors?
MCS, founded in Bend in 1991 by Michael Stalker, became part of Waverly Advisors, a national fee-only firm, on October 9, 2026. The Bend office continues as Waverly Advisors – Bend, and mcsfa.com now redirects to Waverly.
What is OregonSaves and do I need it?
OregonSaves is the state’s Roth IRA program for workers whose employer offers no retirement plan. Oregon employers without a qualified plan must register or certify an exemption. Workers are enrolled at 5% of pay after 30 days unless they opt out, with a standard 1% yearly increase up to 10%. Fees are about 0.50% a year plus $4 a quarter, and there are no employer fees.
Does Oregon tax retirement income?
Oregon does not tax Social Security benefits. Pensions, IRA and 401(k) withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income at Oregon’s 4.75%–9.9% rates. Oregon has no general sales tax.
Bottom line
Bend has a deeper bench of planners than a city its size suggests, from one-person flat-fee practices to national firms with tax and trust teams. Don’t pick on office views or “best advisor” badges. Pick two or three whose pay model fits you, get each to quote your cost in dollars, check them on IAPD, BrokerCheck and CFP Board, and choose the one who explains things in a way you understand.
This guide is for general information only. It is not individualized financial, investment, tax or legal advice, and All Things Bend has no business relationship with any firm listed. Know a Bend firm we should research? Send us a note.
