Brava Financial is a fee-only registered investment advisor based in San Diego, California, founded in 2022 and led by Emily "Kelly" Nilsson. The firm operates on an advice-only model, meaning it does not manage investment portfolios or sell products, but instead focuses entirely on comprehensive financial planning. Brava Financial assists clients with a broad range of topics including business planning, cash flow and debt management, college savings, employee benefits optimization, estate planning, financial goal-setting, insurance review, investment analysis, retirement planning, risk management, and tax planning strategies. Services are delivered through ongoing retainer arrangements, project-based engagements, or hourly consulting.
Fee Structure
Brava Financial charges a recurring fixed fee for ongoing financial planning, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 annually, paid quarterly in arrears. This fee covers:
- Initial construction of a comprehensive financial plan
- Ongoing monitoring and plan updates as your situation and goals evolve
- Regular meetings and in-depth communication
- Guidance across retirement, tax, estate, and cash flow planning
- Project-based financial planning — $3,000 to $15,000 fixed fee or $450 per hour depending on the scope and complexity of your specific questions
- Hourly consulting — $450 per hour billed in arrears (or in 15-minute increments for Washington clients) for on-demand financial advice
