Bothell's Boutique Financial Advisors — Built for the Life You've Worked Toward

A5 Financial is a Bothell-based, fee-only fiduciary firm where every client works directly with John Carruthers CFP® and Neil Fenning CFP® — not a rotating cast of junior staff.

 

Whether you're approaching retirement, managing equity compensation from a Seattle-area tech job, or looking for a clearer picture of your financial future, we work with you the way a knowledgeable friend would: straight talk, no jargon, and a plan built around your actual life.

Bothell Roots, Fiduciary Standards, Boutique Attention

We're not a national firm with a local address. A5 Financial is genuinely rooted in the Bothell and broader Seattle–Eastside community — and that matters in how we work.

 

As fee-only fiduciaries, we're legally and ethically required to act in your interest. There are no product sales, no hidden incentives, and no pressure to fit your situation into a pre-packaged solution. What you get is straightforward, independent advice from two CFPs who know this region and the people who live here.

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How We Build a Plan Together

What We Help Bothell Clients Navigate

Every client we work with comes to us with something specific on their mind. Here's where we spend most of our time:

 

  • Retirement income planning — We build income ladders using CDs, bonds, and annuities to create principal-protected cash flow, paired with a growth sleeve to keep your portfolio working long-term.
  • Investment management — Risk-adjusted allocation designed for where you are in life, not a generic model portfolio.
  • Tax planning and Roth conversions — We map out withdrawal sequencing and conversion strategies to reduce what you hand over to the IRS over time.
  • Equity compensation planning — RSUs, ESPPs, and stock options require a plan. We work with tech professionals throughout the Seattle area to manage concentration risk and optimize timing.
  • Women and wealth — We work with women navigating financial decisions independently or as the primary household financial manager.

Who We Typically Work With in Bothell

Most of our clients fall into one of a few categories — though the common thread is that they want a real relationship with the people advising them, not a ticket number.

 

  • Pre-retirees between 50 and 65 who are getting serious about the transition
  • Current retirees who want ongoing management and tax-efficient income
  • Tech employees at Amazon, Microsoft, Google, or local startups with equity compensation to untangle
  • Women who are ready to take a more active role in their long-term financial picture

 

If you're in Bothell or anywhere in the surrounding area — Kenmore, Woodinville, Kirkland, or Redmond — we're close by and easy to reach.

How We Build a Plan Together

We keep the process simple and unhurried. Here's what it looks like from first conversation to ongoing relationship.

 

Step 1: A Conversation, Not a Pitch

 

We start with a no-pressure discovery meeting — in person or virtual — to understand your situation, your goals, and whether we're the right fit for each other.

 

Step 2: A Clear Financial Picture

 

We map out where you stand today: income, assets, tax exposure, equity compensation, and retirement timeline. Nothing gets assumed.

 

Step 3: A Plan You Actually Understand

 

We build a written strategy tailored to your goals — including income projections, tax sequencing, and investment allocation — and walk through it with you until it makes sense.

 

Step 4: Ongoing Partnership

 

We don't hand you a plan and disappear. We meet regularly, adjust as your life changes, and stay reachable when questions come up.

What We Help Bothell Clients Navigate

Who We Typically Work With in Bothell

Frequently Asked Questions About Working With a Bothell Financial Advisor

  • What does fee-only mean, and why does it matter?

    Fee-only means we're paid directly by you — not through product sales or third-party arrangements. That structure removes the conflicts of interest that can exist at firms where advisors are compensated for recommending specific products. You get advice that's driven by what's right for your situation.

  • Do I have to come into an office, or can we meet virtually?

    Both work. We meet with clients in person in Bothell and throughout the Eastside, and we're equally comfortable working with clients virtually. Many of our clients prefer a mix of both.

  • I have RSUs and stock options from my tech job. Is that something you handle?

    Yes — equity compensation planning is one of our core areas. We work with tech employees across the Seattle area to build strategies around RSU vesting schedules, ESPP participation, and stock option timing, including how these intersect with your tax picture and broader financial plan.

  • When should I start working with a financial advisor?

    The most common answer is: earlier than you think. If you're within 10 to 15 years of retirement, carrying significant equity compensation, or simply feeling like your financial picture has gotten complex enough to need a clear strategy, that's a reasonable point to start the conversation.

  • What makes A5 Financial different from a larger firm?

    The biggest difference is continuity. At A5 Financial, you work with John and Neil directly — not a junior advisor or a rotating team. That means the people who know your situation are the same people making recommendations and picking up the phone when you call.