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Trevor Ausen, CFP®, RICP®

Helping equity-compensated professionals build their Authentic Life.

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Authentic Life Financial Planning Trevor Ausen, CFP®, RICP® He/Him
Minneapolis, MN

Serving Clients Nationwide

Helping equity-compensated professionals build their Authentic Life.

(612) 208-7499

Website

Areas of Focus

  • Employee Stock Options
  • Equity Compensation Options
  • Financial Life Planning
  • Retiring Early (F.I.R.E)
  • Tax-Efficient Planning

About Trevor Ausen, CFP®, RICP®

Hi, I'm Trevor Ausen, Founder and Financial Planner of Authentic Life Financial Planning.

I am an experienced financial planner with more than 10 years in financial planning. I have experience advising clients with equity compensation, small businesses, rental properties, and retirement withdrawal strategies.

I really enjoy working with professionals with equity compensation. Authentic Life Financial Planning was started to help these professionals define their Authentic Life and align their finances to make that life a reality. I work with clients nationwide.

I live in Minneapolis, MN with my wife, Annie, our newborn son, and our cats, Penguin and Oreo. I enjoy sailing, live music, and travel. My favorite destination so far is Sydney, Australia, although Norway and the Bahamas are close runners-up. Those of us from Minnesota know that it’s really hard to beat summertime in northern Minnesota.

Professional Designations

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ®
  • Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP)

Affiliations

  • CFP Board
  • Fee Only Network
  • Financial Planning Association
  • Kinder Institute of Life Planning
  • National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
  • XY Planning Network

Primary Location

Minneapolis, MN, 55410

Video

Meeting Options

  • Video Conference
  • In-Person
  • Phone
Book Intro Call

Compensation Methods

  • Fee Only
  • Flat Fee
  • One-time Financial Plan
  • Percentage of Assets Managed
  • Subscription

What to expect in the first meeting

Click the 'Book Intro Call' button above to schedule a free 30 minute conversation. 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

About Authentic Life Financial Planning

Authentic Life Financial Planning is a fee-only financial planning firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, founded by Trevor Ausen to help equity compensated professionals align their finances with their goals.

Who We Serve

We specialize in helping tech professionals, especially those with equity compensation, take control of their finances. We work with clients navigating stock options, RSUs, and ISOs, as well as those managing small businesses, rental properties, and retirement withdrawal strategies, and we serve clients virtually nationwide even though our home base is Minneapolis.

Our Services

We offer an Initial Financial Life Plan, a one-time, comprehensive plan designed to help clients assess their current financial situation, define their ideal life, and map out the changes needed to make it a reality. For clients who want continued support, our Ongoing Planning service provides regular reviews and guidance on equity compensation, tax strategies, cash flow, and investments as life evolves.

Why Work With Us

Fee-only means that the only way we are paid is through the fees paid by our clients; we do not receive any compensation from commissions on insurance or investment products. This allows us to sit on the same side of the table as our clients and act as a guide to the best financial decisions for them, regardless of how we are paid.

Education

University of St. Thomas

Hobbies and Interests

  • Family
  • Music
  • Sailing
  • Soccer
  • Traveling

SEC Lookup

View Disclosure

Who We Serve

  • Corporate Executives
  • Data Scientists
  • Engineers
  • Families
  • Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE)
  • Gen Y / Millennials
  • Gen Z
  • Mid-Career Professionals
  • Startup Employees
  • Technology Professionals
  • Young Families

Wealthtender® is a trusted, independent financial directory and educational resource governed by our strict Editorial Policy, Integrity Standards, and Terms of Use. While we receive compensation from featured professionals (a natural conflict of interest), we always operate with integrity and transparency to earn your trust. Wealthtender is not a client of these providers. Testimonials may not be representative of other clients’ experiences and do not guarantee future performance or success.

Get answers to frequently asked questions regarding the services offered by Trevor Ausen, CFP®, RICP® View Disclosures

FAQs

Who does Authentic Life Financial Planning work best with?
We specialize in working with professionals in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, especially those who receive equity compensation such as stock options, RSUs, or ISOs. We also have experience advising clients with small businesses, rental properties, and retirement withdrawal strategies, and we serve clients virtually across the country.
Are you a fiduciary, and what does that mean?
Authentic Life Financial Planning is Registered Investment Adviser and is a fiduciary 100% of the time. Being a fiduciary means that I am legally obligated to give advice that is in your best interest. It may surprise you that this is actually NOT a requirement to be a financial advisor in the U.S. However, I believe that taking on that additional responsibility is the right way to do business and allows me to give advice in a way that has the least amount of conflicts of interest. It also mean that I will disclose any conflicts of interest when they come up.
Can you help me understand my stock options or RSUs?
Yes, guiding clients through equity compensation is a core focus of our practice. We help professionals understand their stock options, RSUs, and ISOs, including the tax implications and strategies to consider as these awards vest or are exercised.
Do I need to have a certain amount of assets to work with you?
No. Because we have a flat ongoing fee plus an AUM fee, you can work with us even if you're just starting out or only have accounts with your employer.
Can you work directly with my CPA or Attorney?
Yes! While I am not a tax preparer or attorney, I proactively collaborate with your other professionals, if you have them, and can refer you to one if you don’t. This ensures that our planning is done in coordination with other professionals to make sure your multi-year tax planning, AMT tracking, and tax return reporting are all completed accurately.
How do I avoid an unexpected Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) bill when exercising Incentive Stock Options (ISOs)?
AMT is triggered when you exercise ISOs based on the spread between your strike price and the Fair Market Value (FMV) at exercise. Reducing AMT requires strategic timing, modeling multi-year tax projections, calculating AMT safe harbors, and tracking AMT credits when you do trigger AMT to reduce your future tax bill.
How are private company tender offers or secondary sales taxed?
Participating in a private tender offer involves balancing capital gains vs. ordinary income tax treatment, state tax sourcing rules, and tax lot selection. Depending on whether you hold vested ISOs, NSOs, or shares acquired via prior exercise, proper selection of tax lots before execution can significantly reduce your immediate tax liability.

FAQ Disclosures

Still have questions? Contact us today and we’ll be happy to help.

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