Our Team

Les Merrithew entered into the financial planning profession in 1980 as a tax preparer. To this date the firm has a practice of over 400 individual tax returns. Les obtained his Real Estate License in 1978 and his Insurance License in 1982. In 1985 Les became a Registered Representative and in 1986 he earned his designation as a Certified Financial Planner licensee. In 1987, Les became a Registered Securities Principle. In 1993, Les became a Registered Investment Advisor with the California State Department of Corporations. Now the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.

Les has lectured at San Diego State University and for the Inland Society of Tax Consultants as well as conducting several seminar series and teaching introductory courses in personal finance at a local high school. Les continues to be quoted in National and Local news articles and National Publications.

Les is a member of many professional societies including:

• National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
• Financial Planning Association
• Inland Society of Tax Consultants
• National Association of Tax Practitioners
• National Association of Enrolled Agents

Les has currently completed a course of study in Life Planning through Money Quotient. Life Planning gives financial answers to life’s questions.

Les focuses his expertise in the areas of tax Planning and preparation, estate planning and administration, retirement planning and real estate.

Les prides himself on maintaining close client relationships. His practice has grown primarily through the unsolicited referrals of his current clients who, on average, have been with him for 10 to 12 years.

Brandon graduated with a BA in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego in 1995. He entered into the financial planning field as a broker holding his series 6, 63 and Life Agent Licenses. In 1996, he helped form Merrithew & Associates (later to become Merrithew & Thorsten, Inc.). He is both a Certified Financial Planner licensee (2000) and an Enrolled Agent (1997).

Brandon is a member of both the Financial Planning Association and the Inland Society of Tax Consultants.

Brandon presents seminars to many organizations on a variety of topics from changes in the tax code, to investment philosophy & strategy.

In addition Brandon has completed the course of study in Life Planning and along with Les gives a series of Seminars in Life Planning.

Brandon and Les work together in all aspects of the financial planning process. They are equally involved with every client situation. This gives our clients the ability to speak with two different people about their situations rather than relying on the availability of only one advisor.

Brandon focuses his expertise in the fields of portfolio construction, investment management, tax planning, retirement planning and the financial planning "process."