About
About
David L. Dunn
CPA/PFS, CFP®, CPWA®
CEO & Founder | Wealth Advisor
As CEO and Founder of David Dunn Wealth, David leads the firm’s strategic vision, ensuring that clients receive personalized, expert guidance in managing their financial lives. In addition to his role as a wealth advisor, he serves as Chief Investment Strategist for David Dunn Wealth. David’s mission is to help executives avoid critical mistakes with complex compensation packages so they can focus on what matters most: their careers, their families, and life beyond work.
With three decades of experience advising high-net-worth individuals, David specializes in equity compensation planning, tax strategy, and retirement optimization for executives at major technology and aerospace companies.
David holds multiple professional designations, including CPA, Personal Financial Specialist, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, and Certified Private Wealth Advisor® professional. Prior to founding David Dunn Wealth, he held the role of wealth advisor at Capital Planning LLC, where he focused on offering wealth management services for high net worth clients.
Prior to joining Capital Planning, David served on the audit staff of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). In this role, he worked closely with prominent corporations, providing audit services that strengthened financial transparency and strategic decision-making. His experience at PwC enhanced his expertise in financial matters, laying a strong foundation for his career in wealth management.
Educational Content: The Critical Mistakes Series™
Recognizing that financial success is built on avoiding critical mistakes, David created The Critical Mistakes Series™ – an educational video platform designed to help executives navigate complex financial decisions around equity compensation, retirement planning, and tax strategy. The series includes specialized content for 401k planning, RSU management, executive compensation, IRA strategies, investment planning, and retirement decisions. These resources are available on his website: www.daviddunn.com.
Practice Focus
David advises executives in the technology and aerospace industries, helping them navigate the complex decisions around equity compensation, deferred income, and retirement planning that create opportunities to optimize their wealth and accelerate financial independence.
Executive services:
- Executive Compensation & Open Enrollment Strategy
- RSU, Stock Option & ESPP Planning
- Deferred Compensation (NQDC & SERP) Analysis
- 401k Mega Backdoor Roth & Tax Optimization
- Equity Concentration Risk Management
- Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) Strategies
- Multi-Year Tax Planning & Roth Conversions
Wealth management services:
- Investment Management & Portfolio Design
- Retirement Income Planning & Distribution Strategies
- Estate Planning & Charitable Legacy Strategies
- Tax-Efficient Asset Location
- Risk Management & Insurance Planning
Education & Professional Designations
- B.A. in Business Administration (Accounting Concentration) – Washington State University
- Yale School of Management – Certified Private Wealth Advisor®
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – Washington State Board of Accountancy
- Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) – American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional
- Certified Private Wealth Advisor® professional
Previous Speaking Engagements
David has led financial planning workshops and investment strategy sessions for various organizations, including:
- Museum of Flight – Investment Strategies 101
- Boeing Executives – Financial Planning Workshops
- Boeing Leadership Network – Financial Planning Workshops
- Boeing Leadership Network (Retirees)
- Boeing Savings Bond Drive
Professional & Community Involvement
David is actively engaged in both professional and community organizations, including:
- Swedish Foundation Legacy Advisors Network – Member
- Museum of Flight Legacy Advisors Network – Member
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) – Member
- Northshore Youth Soccer, Basketball & Woodinville Little League Fastpitch – Former Coach
- Boy Scouts of America – Past Friends of Scouting Chairman & Merit Badge Counselor
- The Bear Creek School Booster Club – Past Board Member
Beyond Work
David lives in the Seattle area with his wife, Erica, where they’ve built a life centered on family, faith, and connection to the region’s natural beauty. Together they enjoy exploring the area’s scenic landscapes and welcoming friends into their home for dinner gatherings. As a father to six children, David values the time spent with family and remains actively involved in his local church community. His commitment to health and fitness reflects his appreciation for the active lifestyle the Pacific Northwest offers.
Meet Our Team
Meet the Team Behind Your Success
CEO & Founder | Wealth Advisor
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Compliance Manager
Portfolio Manager
Trader/ Portfolio Analyst
Director of Client Service and Engagement
Client Service Manager
CISO - Director of Technology
Client Service Manager
CPA/PFS
What is a CPA/PFS?
Requirements
Eligibility: You will need the following:
- Hold a valid CPA license and be a regular member of the AICPA.
- For the Standard and Certificate pathways, earn a minimum of 75 hours of PFP continuing professional development (CPD) within the 5 years preceding your PFS application.
- For the Experienced pathway, earn a minimum of 105 hours of PFP continuing professional development (CPD) within the 7 years preceding your PFS application.
- For the Standard and Certificate pathways, within the 5 years preceding the PFS application you have completed 2 years of full-time business or teaching experience (or 3,000 hours equivalent) in personal financial planning or, for candidates in academia, a qualified credential holder should be a full-time professor and have taught at least 4 accredited college courses with 50% of their material included in the PFS Body of Knowledge.
- For the Experienced pathway, within the 7 years preceding the PFS application you have completed 5 years of full-time business experience (or 7,500 hours equivalent) in personal financial planning
- Pass the PFS Exam – available both online and at testing centers.
Choose Us
Why Choose a CFP® Professional?
Most people think all financial planners are “certifed”, but this isn’t true. Just about anyone can use the title “financial planner.” CFP Board benefits the public by independently certifying financial planners. Although CFP Board does not guarantee their work, CFP® professionals have met rigorous qualifications for financial planning. Only those who have fulfilled CFP Board’s rigorous requirements can call themselves a CFP® professional.
As part of their certification, CFP® professionals commit to high ethical standards. What’s more, a CFP® professional must acquire several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam before they can call themselves a CFP® professional.
WHAT SETS A CFP® PROFESSIONAL APART
When you hire a CFP® professional, you work with an advisor who has met rigorous qualifications for financial planning. Most important, a CFP® professional has made a commitment to CFP Board to act in the best interests of their client.
FINANCIAL PLANNER WITHOUT CFP® CERTIFICATION
It’s easy for someone to call themselves a financial planner.
May not be required to put your best interests first.
Level of financial planning knowledge varies.
Years of experience varies.
CFP® PROFESSIONAL
Meets requirements established by CFP Board.
Has demonstrated the knowledge required to deliver holistic financial planning.
Must have a minimum of 2 years of financial planning experience.
CFP® professionals commit to putting your best interests first and risk losing certification for ethical violations.
Faqs
10 Questions To Ask Your Financial Advisor
Choosing the right financial advisor is a key decision that can bring confidence and reduce stress. Take time to ask important questions—whether through a referral or online search—to find the advisor who best fits your needs.
Ask about the credentials your advisor holds, and learn how he or she stays up to date with current changes and developments in the financial planning field. CFP® professionals commit to CFP Board to expand their knowledge and stay informed through mandatory continuing education.
Also, ask for a brief description of the advisor’s work experience and how it relates to his or her current practice. CFP® professionals have at least two years of personal financial planning experience.
Credentials, licenses and background are all factors that determine the services an advisor can offer. Ask your advisor what products, services and advice he or she can offer that match your needs.
You should ask the financial professional to commit to you, in writing, that she/he will have a fiduciary duty to you. A fiduciary is someone who will put your interests ahead of theirs. This is important because there may be situations where the interests of the financial professional conflict with your interests. A fiduciary has an obligation to disclose the conflicts of interest and continue to put your interests first. That may seem like common sense, but not all financial professionals have a fiduciary obligation.
One benefit of working with a CFP® professional is that all CFP® professionals, as part of their certification, commit to CFP Board to act as a fiduciary at all times when providing financial advice to a client. CFP Board may sanction a CFP® professional who does not abide by this commitment, but CFP Board doesn’t guarantee a CFP® professional’s services. You want a financial advisor who has made a commitment to you to act as a fiduciary. Therefore, whomever you choose as your financial professional, including a CFP® professional, you should be sure to ask for—and get—a written engagement that requires them to have a fiduciary obligation to you.
Ask the advisor if he or she will create a comprehensive financial plan for you. Also, ask if he or she will implement the plan and recommendations and/or work with other professionals to do so. In some instances, other professionals will implement the recommendations or you may want to implement them yourself.
Some financial advisors prefer to work with clients whose assets fall within a particular range, so it’s important to make sure the advisor is a good fit for your individual financial situation. When you search for a CFP® professional using our Find a CFP® Professional tool, you can specify your investable asset range to find an advisor who has indicated that he or she accepts new clients with your level of assets. Investable assets include cash, checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual funds and retirement accounts. You can also search by focus area or language(s) spoken.
If you have any unique circumstances, make sure to mention them to the advisor so that you are able to decide if the advisor is a good fit for your circumstances. A CFP® professional may self-disclose in their profile if he or she specializes in a certain area, such as working with small business owners or with women.
Some financial advisors work with clients directly, and other financial advisors have a team of people that work with them to serve clients. Ask who will be working with you, and ask whether the advisor works with professionals outside his/her own practice. If yes, ask for a list of their names, roles and qualifications.
You can pay for financial advice in several ways. You may pay a fee based on a percentage of the investable assets the financial advisor manages for you. You may pay an hourly rate or a fixed fee by the service. You may also be able to pay a monthly or quarterly retainer fee (also known as a subscription fee) for the services of a CFP® professional on an ongoing basis. Some CFP® professionals may earn a commission on a transaction. Typically, a commission is compensation for buying or selling a financial asset, such as a stock. A CFP® professional is able to disclose that information to you along with the fee structure. Your advisor should clarify how he or she expects to be paid for services rendered.
How much you pay will depend on your needs and circumstances. The advisor should provide you with an estimate of possible charges based on the services that will be utilized and any products that will be used to implement your plan.
Ask the advisor to describe any potential conflicts of interest. For example, advisors who sell insurance policies, securities or mutual funds may have a business relationship with the companies that provide these products. You get to decide whether to accept the conflict or work with someone else.
As part of their certification, CFP® professionals make a commitment to CFP Board to abide by CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct and place your interests first when providing financial advice, even when they have a conflict of interest. That commitment includes disclosing conflicts of interest to clients and getting clients’ consent. CFP Board may sanction a CFP® professional who does not abide by this commitment, but CFP Board doesn’t guarantee a CFP® professional’s services. Whomever you choose as your financial professional, including a CFP® professional, you should be sure to ask for—and get—a written engagement that requires them to place your interests first when providing financial advice, even when they have a conflict of interest
Ask your advisor if he/she has ever been publicly disciplined by any organization that oversees his or her conduct. Information about financial advisors who are subject to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or Securities and Exchange Commission oversight is available through FINRA’s BrokerCheck and the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure databases. Information also is available on the websites for the state securities or insurance regulator in the states in which a CFP® professional is licensed for securities or insurance. As a nonprofit professional body, CFP Board has its own process for enforcing its standards. CFP Board disciplinary history of a CFP® professional can be found through our Verify tool.