Zak Gardezy, CFP®
Managing Partner, Private Wealth Advisor
Awards & Accolades
Prior to Wealthstone, Zak was a Partner on a Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Team with a total portfolio size of $3B+.
Close to a decade of financial services experience, spanning across risk management, private banking, financial planning and investment management.
Pacesetter’s Club (2x). The Pacesetter’s Club designation is awarded to Financial Advisors at a large national firm who’ve achieved a high level of success in their careers.
Golden Spoke Award, Wells Fargo Bank. The Golden Spoke award is designated to the top 1-2% of bank employees across various business lines.
About Zak
Zak brings nearly a decade of diverse experience in the financial services industry, specializing in providing custom-tailored investment management, and in-depth financial planning for high-net worth individuals, families, and business owners. At Wealthstone, he prioritizes understanding each client's unique needs, family dynamics, and financial aspirations. Zak is committed to creating tailored financial plans that accommodate the varied life and financial situations of his clients, including Corporate Executives, Business Owners, Retirees, Affluent Families, Medical Professionals, and successful young professionals.
Leveraging modern, advanced technology from some of the industry’s leading providers, and the investment resources provided by our firm's custodian, Charles Schwab, Zak offers comprehensive portfolio risk reports, advanced market insights, active portfolio monitoring, and in-depth financial planning services. Additionally, Zak leverages his in-depth knowledge of the private markets to educate qualified clients on the value of adding alternative investments, such as, private equity, to their portfolios.
Zak holds the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification, having completed the CFP® education curriculum at the Boston Institute of Finance, passing a rigorous 6-hour exam, meeting the CFP Board’s experience requirements, and passing their background check. His education covered Estate Planning, Tax, Insurance, Retirement Planning, Portfolio Management, and Personal Finance. With a solid foundation in financial planning, Zak guides his clients through complex topics in an easily understandable and engaging manner.
He earned his B.A. in Political Science from Arizona State University’s School of Politics and Global Studies and is an MBA candidate at USC Marshall's School of Business. His strong foundation in Finance and Global Politics enables Zak to analyze the decisions shaping our world today, along with their impact on client portfolios and long-term financial plans.
Furthermore, Zak has spoken publicly on topics related to equity compensation planning, specializing in helping individuals navigate the complexities of their equity compensation structures, taxation, and investment strategies. He has advised stock-plan participants from numerous Fortune 100 companies.
Outside of work, Zak enjoys spending time with his family and friends, traveling, exploring new restaurants, playing golf, and simply enjoying quality time at home.
In addition to his finance expertise, Zak is a self-proclaimed espresso aficionado, having delved into the nuances of espresso, from bean variations and roasting times to the precision in coffee-ground weight per shot, tamp pressure, yield, water quality, milk types, and latte art. Making a perfect latte is a blend of practice, education, and passion.
Q&A
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According to the CFP® Board, “CFP® professionals take a holistic, personalized approach to bring all the pieces of your financial life together. As part of the CFP® certification, CFP® professionals also have made a commitment to CFP Board to act as a fiduciary when providing financial advice to a client. This means they have agreed to put your best interests first, so they can provide you confidence today and a secure tomorrow.”
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Our firm operates on a Fee-Only system, which means our full-service wealth managements clients pay a percentage based fee which depends on their assets under management. Our full-service clients also receive regular pre-scheduled meetings, in-depth financial planning, on-going portfolio reports, active management, monthly newsletter with market insights and constant access to us via phone, text, and email. We do not charge commissions for trades, and additionally prioritize minimizing expenses in areas such as fund expenses while maximizing tax-efficiency. We also offer a monthly subscription service which provides a limited scope of engagement, and is generally appropriate for young professionals who are just getting started on their wealth accumulation journey, or DIY investors who would like the occasional second opinion on investment or financial decisions, but prefer to make the trades themselves.
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As a young banker nearly a decade ago, I quickly recognized the profound impact of sound financial advice. Sharing my knowledge on building credit or budgeting, and witnessing the substantial improvements in the financial and personal lives of those I advised, ignited my passion for this path. Through promotions and sponsorships to obtain various industry licenses, I began catering to wealthier clients, and my guidance evolved from basic financial advice to more intricate, impactful strategies.
Achieving my CFP® designation marked a turning point: I became deeply engrossed in devising intricate planning and strategies for complex financial situations. My expertise now spans retirement planning, estate and tax strategies, business transactions, and managing equity awards such as stock options, RSUs, and PSUs, among others. While the thrill of selecting successful stocks is undeniable and the financial gains satisfying, my true motivation lies in making significant financial impacts beyond just picking stocks.
Whether it’s uncovering an estate planning approach that could save a family millions in estate taxes, advising someone on the brink of retirement about their options and lifestyle prospects, or assisting a business owner in developing a tax-efficient retirement savings strategy that not only saves money immediately but also enhances their long-term savings, these are the moments that truly drive me. It's about creating substantial, meaningful financial transformations for my clients, and that's what I strive for every day.