David Carlson
CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, CKA®, MBA
Sound Investment Management, LLC
President & Wealth Advisor
David Carlson
CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, CKA®, MBA
Sound Investment Management, LLC
President & Wealth Advisor
As a fee-only financial planner, my focus is to offer unbiased financial advice to help you achieve your life goals. - David Carlson, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, CKA®, MBA
Fee-Only financial planner located in Irvine, CA, serving clients locally and across the country

David Carlson is an Irvine, CA fee-only financial planner. Sound Investment Management, LLC provides comprehensive financial planning, personalized investment management, private wealth management and institiutional consulting services to help entrepreneurs, organize, grow and protect their assets through life’s transitions. As a fee-only, fiduciary, and independent financial advisor, David Carlson is never paid a commission of any kind, and has a legal obligation to provide unbiased and trustworthy financial advice.
David Carlson, President of Sound Investment Management, LLC, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. David is dedicated to giving his clients exceptional financial management services. His seasoned, wise counsel coupled with his genuine care for his clients’ well-being differentiates him among other advisors.
David has over twenty-five years of experience in a diversified background of financial planning, investment oversight, estate planning, philanthropic planning, foundation administration, trust administration, corporate finance and real estate. He graduated from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business in Los Angeles, California where he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree specializing in finance and investments. He also achieved the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation from The American College of Financial Services.
As a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA®), biblically-wise financial advice is an important pillar in his practice. David also earned a bachelor’s degree from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) and the Fee-Only Network.
Outside of work, David enjoys traveling, outdoor activities and spending time with his beloved wife and their three children.
David Carlson is a Member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors - highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.
NAPFA members live by three important values:
- To be the beacon for independent, objective financial advice for individuals and families.
- To be the champion of financial services delivered in the public interest.
- To be the standard bearer for the emerging profession of financial planning.
The mission of Sound Investment Management is to guide our clients through life’s transitions to a more prosperous and peaceful future.
We believe it is important to always serve our client’s best interests. To accomplish this, we provide experienced counsel, holistic financial planning, and evidence-based investment management with utmost care for each individual client.
What this means for you:
- Enhancing wealth by helping you make wise financial decisions.
- Simplifying your life with a collaborative approach to financial management.
- Protecting your assets from tragedy, and unwelcomed third parties.
- Ensuring your legacy through a well thought out wealth transfer plan.
- Making a difference through charitable giving for those interested.
Fee-Only, Fiduciary, Independent: Three Important Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Financial Advisor.
Specialties
- Investment Management
- Comprehensive Financial Planning
- Retirement Planning
- Tax Planning
- Estate Planning
Ideal Clients
- Retirees and Near Retirees
- Business Owners and Executives
- Multi-Generational Families
- Sudden Money Situations
- Clients in Transition
Working Together
- In-Office Meetings
- Virtual Meetings
- Clearly Defined Fees
- No Product Sales
- Complimentary Initial Consultation
Professional Designations & Affiliations
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David Carlson is a NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor
The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors—highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.
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David Carlson is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional - Click for Verification
CFP® professionals are held to strict ethical standards to ensure financial planning recommendations are in your best interest. What’s more, a CFP® professional must acquire several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam before they can use the CFP® designation.
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David Carlson is a Member of the XY Planning Network
The XY Planning Network is the leading organization of fee-only financial advisors who are focused on working with Generation X and Generation Y clients. Our mission is to connect consumers with best-in-class financial advisors who specialize in working with clients just like you.
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David Carlson is a Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®)
Chartered Financial Consultant® designations are granted upon completion of seven required courses and two elective courses. Those who earn the designation are understood to be knowledgeable in financial matters and to have the ability to provide sound advice.
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David Carlson is a Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®)
A Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) is a professional designation for individuals specializing in life insurance and estate planning. Individuals must complete five core courses and three elective courses, and successfully pass all eight two-hour, 100-question examinations in order to receive the CLU® designation.
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David Carlson is Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA®) - Click to verify and learn more.
The CKA® is a designation granted by Kingdom Advisors to individuals who have demonstrated themselves to be able to apply biblical wisdom in counsel, technically competent, ethical, accountable, and a biblical steward.
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Sound Investment Management, LLC is an Approved Dimensional Funds Advisor
Dimensional believes an advisor can work closely with you to understand your financial needs and provide a range of wealth management services, while encouraging the discipline essential to long-term investment success. Financial advisors who work with Dimensional operate independently from Dimensional and vary in the extent to which they use Dimensional funds.
Contact David Carlson
Office Locations:
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9870 Research Dr
Suite 209
Irvine, CA 92618