Katy Cook
Ph.D.
Abacus Financial Planning
Principal
Katy Cook
Ph.D.
Abacus Financial Planning
Principal
I give clients the information, analysis, and guidance they need to move forward with financial decisions. - Katy Cook, Ph.D.
Hourly and project planning for stock awards, stock options, and building a DIY paycheck for retirement. Located in Kirkland, WA, serving clients locally and across the country.

Katy Cook is a fee-only financial planner located in Kirkland, WA and serving the Seattle area and clients across the country. Abacus Financial Planning provides comprehensive and objective financial planning, investment management services and retirement planning to help women, their families, and people historically underserved by the financial industry organize, grow and protect their assets through life’s transitions. As a fee-only, fiduciary, and independent financial advisor, Katy Cook is never paid a commission of any kind, and has a legal obligation to provide unbiased and trustworthy financial advice.
Katy Cook is a Principal at Abacus Financial Planning and decided to change careers and go into financial planning after creating her parents’ retirement plan. She saw firsthand the peace of mind that comes with having a roadmap to guide investing and spending decisions. She has also seen how that plan can be tested with health concerns and a global pandemic.
Katy helps women, their families, and anyone historically underserved by the financial industry use money to live the life they want. She enjoys helping people explore financial scenarios and understand the long-term impact of small (and large) choices.
Prior to being a financial planner, Katy spent a decade in teaching and independent consulting focused on “data for do-gooders.” She completed a BS in Mathematics at the University of Texas at Austin and a financial planning certificate with Boston University. She holds a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Princeton University, where she was a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow.
While teaching, Katy gravitated to the “guide on the side” model of teaching, rather than the “sage on the stage” model. This is a great fit in financial planning, where Katy provides gentle support on the side. She continues to teach finance and business classes at Southern New Hampshire University.
Katy volunteers with non-profit organizations that support children, family health, and education through board and committee work. She previously served in AmeriCorps offering financial support services for people with low income or developmental disabilities. She serves as a volunteer tax preparer, though you can’t pay her enough money to do your taxes.
Katy enjoys spending time with her friends and family, and on weekends, you can find her sorting Lego pieces into 25 categories.
Katy Cook 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.
Money is complicated.
Abacus Financial Planning guides you through the complexity so you can make the right decisions for you and your family.
Abacus Financial Planning is a fee-only fiduciary focused on giving tailored financial advice to women, their families, and people historically underserved by the financial industry. We specialize in helping people make decisions around retirement and equity compensation (and sometimes a combination of the two). We offer financial planning and investment management services.
Fee-Only, Fiduciary, Independent: Three Important Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Financial Advisor.
Specialties
- Comprehensive Financial Planning
- Equity compensation
- Retirement Income Planning
- Investment Management
Ideal Clients
- Retirees and Near Retirees
- Equity comp - RSUs and stock options
- Multigenerational families
Working Together
- Virtual Meetings
- Clearly Defined Fees
- Hourly Engagements
- No Product Sales
- Complimentary Initial Consultation
Professional Designations & Affiliations
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Katy Cook is a NAPFA Associate Member
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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Katy Cook is a member of the Garrett Planning Network. Click here to learn more.
Everyone needs competent, objective financial advice from time to time. The Garrett Planning Network has a nationwide membership with hundreds of independent, Fee-Only financial planners providing advice to people from all walks of life, without minimum account requirements, sales commissions, or long-term commitments. Our members proudly embrace their fiduciary duty, always placing their clients' best interests first.
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Katy Cook is an Associate 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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Katy Cook is Quoted on Policy Genius: "The 5 biggest reasons Americans are anxious about their money this year"
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Katy Cook is Quoted on CBS News - Moneywatch: "Rules for Roth IRAs: Can you have more than one?"
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Katy Cook is Quoted on Policy Genius: "44% of Americans aren't financially prepared for long COVID"
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Katy Cook is Featured on University of Washington Bothell News: "Students see impact with data visualization class"
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Katy Cook Volunteers on the Fiscal and Audit Committees for Within Reach
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Katy Cook is an Adjunct Professor at Southern New Hampshire University
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Katy Cook is a Member of The Western Washington Financial Advisors Network, a group of independent, fee-only financial advisors who are passionate about helping our clients reach their goals
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Katy Cook is a Member of the Financial Planning Association of Puget Sound
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Katy Cook is the Owner of Big Red Abacus, an RIA Providing Financial Plannings Services to Firms
Contact Katy Cook
Office Locations:
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11335 NE 122nd Way
Suite 105
Kirkland, WA 98034