ABOUT AREAS OF EXPERTISE TEAM COMMUNITY TELL A FRIEND
“The best part of my job is watching my clients succeed.”
William Pettus
Financial Life Advisor | CFP™
CA Insurance License #0E88518
(310) 643-7472 william@cradvisors.com
William Pettus is a compassionate, experienced financial advisor who is currently celebrating his 18th year in the financial services industry. William understands that financial success is built on strong relationships and a collaborative approach.
“Our work aspires to make you more successful and less stressed toward a better life, but alone it won’t solve for happiness,” he says. “I want to work with people who enjoy collaboration, are somewhat disciplined with their finances, and have big hearts.”
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, he takes pride in providing personalized service and doesn't see clients through the lens of their money. His mindset led him to join California Retirement Advisors, where he and his colleagues have access to a breadth of expertise in their collaborative approach.
“We don’t see people with a dollar sign over their head at CRA,” he says. “We don’t want to treat people like a transaction. I gravitated to CRA because we have respect for our clients and good relationships with them. I just work to be the best version of an advisor that I can be.”
Who William Serves
Dedicated to creating comprehensive financial plans, William offers advice on investments, assets, insurance and work benefits to project whether clients are on track to achieve their retirement and life goals. He believes in a goals-driven approach, emphasizing collaborative thinking and open communication to ensure a mutually rewarding partnership.
William’s Clients
William's favorite part of his job is witnessing his clients achieve their goals, whether it's sending their children to college, purchasing a home, or enjoying a well-planned retirement. Since he’s been in the business for so long, he has seen his clients accomplish huge financial dreams. “I’ve helped clients start a college account when their kids were two years old. Seeing the outcome of that 18 years later is extremely rewarding.”
Background
Before joining CRA, William worked in the financial services industry in Los Angeles, where he developed insights into financial decision-making and expertise. His parents, who met in Hawaii in the 1960s, instilled in him a strong work ethic and a love for sports, including baseball and soccer.
In his free time, William loves traveling and experiencing new cultures. He recently spent four weeks in Japan, exploring Kyoto, the Japanese Alps, and Hiroshima. William also has a passion for visiting countries like Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia, where he seeks authentic access to the culture, untouched landscapes, and where he can appreciate how beautiful and peaceful the world can be.
Ready to Retire?
Areas of Expertise
Financial Planning
The foundation to a confident and successful retirement begins with a customized financial plan-design based on your unique situation, values, wants, needs, dreams, and resources.
Investment Advice
Because your goals are unique, I believe your investment portfolio should be, too. You and I will engage in a collaborative process that takes the guesswork out of investing.
Tax Reduction
I proactively minimize taxable events before they occur and position your money to be as tax-advantaged as possible based on your unique situation. It’s not about what you make, it’s what you keep.
Retirement Guidance
Start preparing for the best years of your life. If you are too busy and don’t have the time, knowledge, or interest to confidently plan for your own retirement, I will help you do it.
IRA & 401(K) Rollovers
From early, required, in-service and charitable distribution planning, to Roth conversions and legacy planning, to avoid complicated tax traps for your heirs, I will help navigate this complex and constantly evolving landscape with care and precision.
Insurance Management
From long-term care, to annuities, life insurance and more, I can help you understand, plan for and implement appropriate insurance strategies.
Income Distribution & Planning
How you take your money out matters! I will help you design an income plan that mitigates tax risks, provides flexibility, and maximizes your net income.
Inheritance & Estate Planning
From maintaining current designated beneficiary forms and titling on your accounts, to organizing essential financial and legal documents, to working with estate planning attorneys to implement legal work to ensure your wishes are seamlessly carried out—I aim to address all these considerations as part of a comprehensive approach.
My Team
L to R, Front Row: Ricky Ackerman, Chris Cordoba, Arcadia Berjonneau; Middle Row: Anthony Fratello, Sherrie Delaine, William Pettus; Back Row: Nguyen Le, Paula Buckley
C O M M U N I T Y
William is proud to volunteer
Project Healing Waters
Ronald McDonald House of Pasadena
St. Jude Children’s Hospital
Next Steps
Once we meet, here is what is next on the journey.
We'll create your asset map from a discovery questionnaire
This will allow us to have a productive conversation and you'll receive a visual summary we can build on together.
Meet With Me
Share your story and your financial goals. I will ask and answer questions to learn how I can best help you achieve your goals.
Are We a Good Fit?
This is a no-pressure relationship! We each consider if I am a good fit to realistically help you meet your financial goals. If so, we can discus how to begin working together.
Review Service Offerings
You'll learn our planning philosophy, process, service options and costs.
Engage on Your Terms
You'll receive our financial planning agreement based upon the service you select to begin.