Chris Wilbratte

Highly Effective Financial Strategies for Small Business Owners

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Echelon Financial Chris Wilbratte
Austin, TX

Serving Clients Nationwide

Highly Effective Financial Strategies for Small Business Owners

13 Certified Advisor Reviews™
Rate this Advisor

Areas of Focus

  • Employee Benefits
  • Estate Planning
  • Financial Life Planning
  • Inherited Wealth
  • Investment Management
  • Owning a Business
  • Real Estate Investing
  • Taxes

About Me

Hi, I'm Chris Wilbratte. I am a seasoned financial architect specializing in wealth management for business owners. With 30+ years of experience and as a business owner, I bring valuable experience to help my clients optimize their tax strategies and protect their wealth.

My passion for finance was ignited through discussions with my father, an esteemed economics professor. This passion drove me to pursue a double major in Finance and Marketing at UT Austin, solidifying my commitment to the world of finance.

I started my career at Fidelity Pension Services and founded Quantum Pension Services, where I honed my expertise in tax planning and wealth management. I co-founded Echelon Financial with Jim Morano, CPA. We combine tax planning and wealth management under one roof to deliver seamless and trusted solutions to our clients.

As a business owner myself, I understand the daily challenges you face. My specialization in tax strategy, wealth management, asset protection and exit planning equips me to help my clients navigate uncertain times.

I was a member of the Entrepreneurs Organization for over 15 years and served on the board of both the Austin and Dallas chapters.

Beyond my professional endeavors, I treasure my time spent with my family and our three dogs. I find solace in fly fishing, quail hunting, and rowing crew on Lake Austin. Additionally, I indulge my passion for learning by reading about history and business. Committed to giving back, I serve on the boards of the Rise School of Austin and Good Shepherd Episcopal School, contributing to my community.

Affiliations

  • The AGC

Primary Location

4201 Bee Cave Road, Suite C-101, Austin, TX 78746

Meeting Options

  • Video Conference
  • In-Person
  • Phone

Compensation Methods

  • Fee Based
  • One-time Financial Plan
  • Package Offers
  • Percentage of Assets Managed

What to expect in the first meeting

Click the 'Book Intro Call' button above to schedule a free introductory call. We'll get to know each other and I'll listen to understand your unique circumstances so we can determine the best way to proceed. I look forward to speaking with you.

Offers Investment Management

Yes

Offers Tax Preparation

Yes

About our Firm

Founded for the benefit of our clients who are business owners and entrepreneurs, Echelon Financial is an independent Austin-based Registered Investment Advisory Firm. We are committed to putting client interests first and to stewarding both wealth and wellbeing for those we serve. We have a singular measure of success: the results we get for our clients.

Fiduciary Standards:

✔️ Founded on Transparency
✔️ True Fiduciary Standards
✔️ Total Accountability
✔️ Transparent Costs
✔️ Your Interests Come First

WHY ECHELON FINANCIAL?

Like our clients, we are business owners and entrepreneurs. Work with professionals who live and breathe the challenges and opportunities you face every single day. This isn’t an intellectual exercise, it’s our life and profession.

RUN YOUR BUSINESS LIKE A PUBLIC COMPANY

As successful business owners, we face so many challenges every single day. Managing our team, market conditions, the economy, competition, and cashflow management to name a few. And with all of these constantly shifting priorities, it is important to control what you can control in your business and personal financial life.

You are taking so much risk that you need to implement strategies to minimize the risks that you can control, increase cashflow, and protect and grow your wealth. The wealthy and big corporations are systematic and focused in how they leverage these strategies. And you can do the same without an army of CPA’s or tax attorneys. The key is working with advisors who focus on business owners and use the same strategies in their business.

Our clients count on our decades of experience. Ultimately, they turn to us for the peace of mind that comes from knowing that all facets of their wealth are aligned and optimized to support the life they have created.

Echelon Financial is a member firm of The Fiduciary Alliance, LLC, which is a registered investment adviser. Advisor and its representatives are in compliance with the current filing requirements imposed upon SEC registered investment advisers by those states in which Advisor maintains clients. Advisor may only transact business in those states in which it is registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration requirements. Advisor’s web site is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to its advisory services, together with access to additional investment-related information, publications, and links. Accordingly, the publication of Advisor’s web site on the Internet should not be construed by any consumer and/or prospective client as Advisor’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, over the Internet. Any testimonials or endorsements contained on this page or in videos may be given by current clients or non-clients and may involve compensation. In all cases, the Firm will comply with the rules established by the SEC and client disclosure requirements.

Education

The University of Texas at Austin BBA, Finance and Marketing

Volunteer Experience

Chris has taken a leadership role in every organization in which he has been affiliated. In business, he served on the board of both the Dallas and Austin Entrepreneurs Organization. In the nonprofit community, he and his wife chaired the Producers for the Dallas Theatre Center. He also served on the board of the Good Shepherd Episcopal School when his children attended preschool there. His longest and most personally impactful service was for The Rise School of Austin. The Rise School of Austin is a preschool where typically developing and delayed learners are given the unique opportunity to learn together and from one another. Chris saw the lifelong impact that the school had for both the students and their families and knew he had to be involved. After supporting the school for one year, Chris was asked to serve on the Board of Directors and began a 12-year tenure during which he was Board Chair for 2 years. During his tenure, Chris and other board members raised enough money to build a new school, expand the number of classrooms, and guide the school to financially sound footing.

Badges

Hobbies and Interests

  • Family
  • Fishing
  • Reading

Who We Serve

  • Business Owners
  • Entrepreneurs

To make Wealthtender free for readers, we earn a nominal monthly fee from financial advisors and firms in exchange for marketing services (including being featured on this profile page), subject to terms of use. This compensation creates a natural conflict of interest when we favor their promotion over others. Wealthtender is not a client of these advisors or firms. Testimonials may not be representative of other clients’ experiences and do not guarantee future performance or success.

Write a Review


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Investing with Peace of Mind

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Aug 23, 2024
Chris Wilbratte's knowledge of investing and his advice over the years I've been his client have given me the peace of mind I needed after a very difficult time when the stock market upended so many hopes and dreams for many people. I'm not a numbers guy and I've never really understood the investment process, but Chris has a way of calming you down and explaining everything so that even a beginning investor can feel confident with his decisions. Chris keeps you updated with frequent emails and is always available to answer or return your calls. I'm very fortunate to have him handling my account.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for Benjamin Carter
Benjamin Carter

5 Stars

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Oct 23, 2023
Chris Wilbratte at Echelon has provided me with years of guidance on a wide range of financial matters. His experience and expertise with navigating the financial aspects of life events has been for me, personally, priceless. He has gone out of his way on multiple occasions to assist with aspects of these transitions by offering sound advice and options based on his knowledge of financial policies. He’s always been both willing and able to lay out options in detail and speak to how each option will play out. I’d recommend Chris, without hesitation, for all things financial - to anyone with financial goals.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for Phibi Vassallo
Phibi Vassallo

5 Stars

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Oct 23, 2023
Everyone that I have spoken with over the years has been very friendly and very helpful! They provide great information in a timely manner. That’s very important to me!
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for Jill Conn
Jill Conn

5 Stars

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Oct 17, 2023
I have worked with Chris and his team for 7 years. He is a trusted advisor and has been great in guiding me through my financial decisions. He is responsive, personable and helpful. Highly recommend!
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for Cheryl Dillon
Cheryl Dillon

5 Stars

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Oct 4, 2023
I began working with Chris Wilbratte early in my teaching career. I've always found him to be responsive and helpful. Now that I'm closer to retiring, I reach out to Chris more often. He does an excellent job of explaining what I need to know and answering my questions. Additionally, Kelly in Client Services is very friendly and helpful. In short, the customer service is amazing, and I am very confident in the financial guidance I receive.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for Karen Matt
Karen Matt

5 Stars

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Sep 20, 2023
Chris and the Echelon team have been incredibly helpful with my tax strategy and preparation. They were able to move swiftly and meet deadlines. I would recommend them to other business owners.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Tax Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for Tanner Shepard
Tanner Shepard

5 Stars

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
May 6, 2023
Echelon Financial has been a wonderful. The tax analysis and planning has been top notch and extremely beneficial for both my family and clients. I recommend them highly.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Tax client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for Kareem Hajjar
Kareem Hajjar

5 Stars

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Apr 10, 2023
We have been working with Chris Wilbratte at Echelon Financial for nearly ten years now and couldn't be happier. Chris has become like family. He is professional, understanding, knowledgeable, and very relatable. He always makes time to meet with us to walk through our finances and investments and offer advice. Chris takes the time to explain everything and constantly helps us make the right decisions to secure our financial future. He has helped us develop our financial plan tailored to our financial goals and retirement objectives. He also holds our Wills and understands our wishes for our son should something happen to us, and that is a huge piece of mind to know that Chris will make sure that he is taken care of. There are no hidden commission fees; he is honest, transparent, and has his client's best interests in mind. We also use Echelon Financial Tax and CPA services for our personal and business taxes, and Kyle, the CPA, is incredible and knowledgeable about tax laws. I am so happy we have Chris and his fantastic team for our financial and accounting needs, and I have recommended his services to friends and family. Give them a call today! ​
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for Chrystal Huth
Chrystal Huth

5 Stars

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Apr 5, 2023
Echelon has been a respected business customer of my company as well as service provider to me on a personal level. All interactions have been very professional. I definitely would recommend them to anyone needing financial guidance.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for Mike Loughrey
Mike Loughrey

5 Stars

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Apr 5, 2023
Professional, friendly service at each interaction.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for JUDITH BRYANT
JUDITH BRYANT

5 Stars

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Apr 4, 2023
Chris has been a great advisor over the last decade, from when we started a family to a major life transition now. He’s walked me through products I need (and those I don’t), and helped me think through taxation and business planning for my goals. I’m so grateful.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for Adam Boyd
Adam Boyd

5 Stars

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Apr 4, 2023
I’ve known Chris for over a decade and he has managed my accounts for just as long. He’s extremely informative and patient when explaining the strategies he will be executing. I am very satisfied with the level of service and how quickly he responds to any questions or concerns I have. Even through these past few years he has kept me informed with the current market and eased any concerns I have with my accounts. I highly recommend him to everyone I know and have complete trust in him. Lastly, he’s just a really good guy.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for Andrew Chittamai
Andrew Chittamai

5 Stars

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Apr 1, 2023
I’ve worked with Chris and his team for the last 12 years. He has been a phenomenal sounding board and provided great and selfless advice. He has steered me away from things that would’ve made him money but we’re in my best interest because he knew my long-term goals. I trust him and recommend him to people I know regularly.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for adam boyd
adam boyd