How Founders Can Protect Wealth Before a Liquidity Event: A Hypothetical $5.8M GRAT Transfer
How a GRAT can move pre-IPO or pre-sale equity growth to heirs free of gift tax, with a hypothetical $5.8M founder example and the risks to weigh.
Independent · Fee-only · Fiduciary · Houston, TX
Financial planning for every client, and a portfolio built around you
Integrity Financial Planning is a fee-only fiduciary financial advisor in Houston. A CFA charterholder and a CPA/PFS, CFP® professional work together on your planning, your Personal Index Portfolio, and the taxes in between.
- Fee-only, no commissions
- Fiduciary at all times
- CFA · CPA/PFS · CFP® · RLP®
- Over 50 years combined experience
Published fees
Investment management
1.0%/yr
On the first $1 million; 0.85% above that.
Financial planning
Included
Part of the investment management fee. No separate planning charge.
Introductory meeting
Free
No obligation, by video or in person.
Commissions
None
Fee-only. Paid only by our clients.
What we do
Three practice areas, one team
Financial planning
Comprehensive planning available to every client, built around measurable results: retirement income you can count on, a lower lifetime tax bill, and recommendations tracked to completion.
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Personal Index Portfolios
Low-cost indexing and your personal values in one portfolio of individual stocks and ETFs, managed by a CFA, with optional active tax management for taxable accounts.
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Tax planning for business owners
Entity and exit structure, QSBS, retirement plan design, and depreciation decisions made years before a sale, led by a CPA/PFS who works alongside your CPA. Custom engagement, priced separately; may be offset by investment management fees.
Learn more →Why Integrity
Two specialists, one team
Most firms give you either a planner or a portfolio manager. At Integrity you get both: Todd Smurl, CFA has spent 30 years managing portfolios for banks and wealth-management firms, and Ryan Firth, CPA/PFS, CFP®, RLP® brings tax and financial planning. Neither of us sells products or takes commissions, so the only thing we are paid to do is give you good advice. We do tax planning, not tax preparation: we are not a CPA firm and we coordinate with your tax preparer rather than replacing them.
We are members of the Institute for the Fiduciary Standard and publish our fees on this site.
Who we work with
- Retirees and pre-retireesRetirement income, Social Security and Medicare timing, RMDs, and turning a portfolio into a paycheck.
- Business ownersEntity choice, cash balance plans, QSBS, and planning for the sale of a Houston business.
- Expats and cross-border familiesForeign assets, foreign business interests, and U.S. tax rules that follow you around the world.
- Values-based investorsFaith-based and ESG portfolios that exclude what you object to without giving up index-like returns.
- Oil and gas professionalsConcentrated employer stock, deferred compensation, and layoffs and buyouts that come with the cycle.
Insights
Recent writing
Is Cost Segregation Still Worth It Now That 100% Bonus Depreciation Is Back?
The 2025 tax law made 100% bonus depreciation permanent for property acquired after Jan. 19, 2025. What it means for cost segregation and recapture.
The $15 Million Exit Mistake: How Section 1202 QSBS Eliminates Capital Gains Tax on a Business Sale
Selling a C-corp? See if your shares qualify for the Section 1202 $15M gain exclusion, the new 3–5 year tiers, and what to do years before an exit.
Common questions
How do I get started?
Start with a free introductory meeting. Schedule one online or contact us and we'll discuss your situation, what you need, and whether we're a fit. There is no obligation.
Are you a fiduciary?
Yes, at all times. We are a fee-only registered investment adviser and a member of the Institute for the Fiduciary Standard. We are compensated only by our clients and accept no commissions or product incentives.
What does fee-only mean?
Fee-only means the only money we earn comes from our clients, as advisory fees or planning fees. Fee-based advisors also earn commissions on products. We are fee-only.
How much do you charge?
Personal Index Portfolios are billed at 1.0% per year on the first $1 million, 0.85% on assets over $1 million up to $10 million, and a negotiable rate above $10 million. Financial planning is included as part of the investment management fee; there is no separate planning charge. Tax planning for business owners is not included in the investment management fee. Each project is a custom engagement, priced and agreed separately before work starts. The project fee may be reduced by investment management fees you pay us. Full details are on the fees page.
As seen in
Featuring Todd Smurl's work prior to founding Integrity Financial Planning.
Talk with a CFA and a CPA/PFS, CFP® about your situation
A free introductory meeting, no obligation. Financial planning is included as part of the investment management fee, so there is no separate planning charge.