Independent advisory firm
Independent advisory firm
Private wealth. Thoughtfully managed.
Investments, liquidity, tax-aware planning, and estate priorities, coordinated through one accountable advisory relationship. For founders, executives, professionals, and multigenerational families navigating important financial decisions.
Investments, liquidity, tax-aware planning, and estate priorities, coordinated through one accountable advisory relationship. For founders, executives, professionals, and multigenerational families navigating important financial decisions.
CFA® CHARTERHOLDER · FEE-ONLY STRUCTURE · CUSTODY AT CHARLES SCHWAB
CFA® CHARTERHOLDER · FEE-ONLY STRUCTURE · CUSTODY AT CHARLES SCHWAB
CFA® CHARTERHOLDER · FEE-ONLY STRUCTURE · CUSTODY AT CHARLES SCHWAB
Getting started
Your first 90 days
We start with the decision that needs attention now. Together, we build the full financial picture, agree on priorities, and put a plan into action, with clear responsibilities at each step.
We start with the decision that needs attention now. Together, we build the full financial picture, agree on priorities, and put a plan into action, with clear responsibilities at each step.
0–30
Build the full picture
Build the full picture
A consolidated balance sheet, liquidity view, priority list, and inventory of the people and documents already involved.
A consolidated balance sheet, liquidity view, priority list, and inventory of the people and documents already involved.
31–60
Set the priorities
Set the priorities
An ordered plan for cash flow, portfolio policy, tax-aware actions, estate priorities, and the decisions that must come first.
An ordered plan for cash flow, portfolio policy, tax-aware actions, estate priorities, and the decisions that must come first.
61–90
Put the plan into action
Put the plan into action
Implemented portfolio actions, coordinated professional follow-through, and a twelve-month decision calendar.
Implemented portfolio actions, coordinated professional follow-through, and a twelve-month decision calendar.
Consequential decisions
Where the work comes together
Liquidity and transition planning
Liquidity and transition planning
A coordinated roadmap for business-sale proceeds, retirement, cash flow, concentrated wealth, and the decisions that follow.
A coordinated roadmap for business-sale proceeds, retirement, cash flow, concentrated wealth, and the decisions that follow.
Investment management
Investment management
An evidence-informed investment strategy built around liquidity, taxes, time horizon, and the role each asset serves.
An evidence-informed investment strategy built around liquidity, taxes, time horizon, and the role each asset serves.
Professional coordination
Professional coordination
We coordinate with your attorney, CPA, insurance professionals, trustees, and custodian, with clear responsibilities for each.
We coordinate with your attorney, CPA, insurance professionals, trustees, and custodian, with clear responsibilities for each.
Who we’re best suited for
Built for complexity. Selective by fit.
Long-term planning across generations, entities, trusts, liquidity needs, and family priorities.
Advice before and after a sale, concentrated equity, executive compensation, or a major career transition.
Families approaching a business sale, retirement, succession, inheritance, or another major financial inflection point.
Planning for peak earning years, ownership interests, equity compensation, retirement choices, and major career transitions.
01
Multigenerational families
Multigenerational families
Families coordinating investments, estate priorities, tax considerations, philanthropy, and long-term stewardship across generations.
02
Founders and executives
Founders and executives
Founders and executives navigating concentrated equity, business liquidity, succession, or another decision with lasting consequences.
03
Families in transition
Families in transition
Families approaching a business sale, retirement, succession, inheritance, or another major financial inflection point.
04
Professionals
Professionals
Accomplished professionals with complex income, limited time, and a preference for one coordinated financial relationship.
The relationship
How the firm supports your family
You have a clear lead adviser, a written record of decisions, and agreed next steps. We coordinate the people involved and keep the work moving as your needs change.
You have a clear lead adviser, a written record of decisions, and agreed next steps. We coordinate the people involved and keep the work moving as your needs change.
Leadership
Leadership
Cooper Taylor, CFA®, leads client relationships today and remains responsible for recommendations, communication, and follow-through.
Cooper Taylor, CFA®, leads client relationships today and remains responsible for recommendations, communication, and follow-through.
Coordinated specialists
Coordinated specialists
Your attorney, CPA, insurance professionals, trustees, and custodian work from explicit responsibilities and shared priorities.
Your attorney, CPA, insurance professionals, trustees, and custodian work from explicit responsibilities and shared priorities.
Qualified custody
Qualified custody
Client assets are held at Charles Schwab, an independent qualified custodian, rather than by Sounding Line.
Client assets are held at Charles Schwab, an independent qualified custodian, rather than by Sounding Line.
Continuity
Continuity
Plans, decisions, and next steps are documented so your family’s priorities remain clear as the firm grows.
Plans, decisions, and next steps are documented so your family’s priorities remain clear as the firm grows.
The Name
Measure carefully before moving forward
A sounding line was used to understand depth before a vessel advanced. Sounding Line is built around the same idea: measure what matters, move deliberately, and help families navigate complexity with confidence.
A sounding line was used to understand depth before a vessel advanced. Sounding Line is built around the same idea: measure what matters, move deliberately, and help families navigate complexity with confidence.
Common Questions
The essentials, answered directly.
Yes. Sounding Line is compensated only by clients, never through commissions or product sales.
We do not publish an asset minimum. We work best with U.S.-based clients whose financial lives involve meaningful complexity and who value a direct, long-term relationship.
A simple, transparent annual percentage of the assets we manage — billed quarterly, with no hidden layers or surprise charges.
Cooper Taylor, CFA®, leads client relationships today. As Sounding Line adds capability, each client will continue to have a clear lead advisor, coordinated support, and firm-level accountability from strategy through implementation.
Client assets are held at Charles Schwab, an independent qualified custodian, rather than by Sounding Line.
Sounding Line works with U.S.-based clients where the firm is properly registered or exempt from registration.
Sounding Line leads financial planning, portfolio management, tax-aware investment implementation, reporting, and ongoing advice. Legal documents, tax returns, insurance, and trust administration remain with the appropriate outside professionals.
The relationship typically moves from discovery and financial organization to a coordinated plan, portfolio implementation, professional coordination, and an ongoing decision calendar. The sequence is tailored to the work that matters most first.
Sounding Line organizes the financial decisions, documents the relevant trade-offs, and coordinates agreed next steps. Your attorney, CPA, and other specialists remain responsible for advice and work within their professional scope.
The Next Step
Start with the decision in front of you.
We’ll discuss the decision, the people already involved, and what you need from an adviser. You will know whether the relationship is a fit and what happens next.