Equity Compensation
Body: RSUs, stock options, and liquidity events are complicated. Luke helps clients manage the tax impact and turn equity into a real plan.
Claro Advisors
Luke Harder
Luke Harder helps professionals and business owners make smarter decisions with their money — starting with the tax side that's often overlooked.
About your advisor
- CFP®
- EA
Luke Harder
Private Wealth Advisor
Luke Harder believes money decisions only make sense when you can see the whole picture — your goals, your taxes, and your timeline together. As both a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and an Enrolled Agent, Luke sits at the intersection of financial planning and tax strategy, which means clients get integrated financial and tax planning in one relationship.
Luke works with professionals navigating equity compensation, business owners looking to maximize what they keep, and anyone facing a major financial moment — a liquidity event, an inheritance, a big life transition. He passed the CFP® exam at 22, earned his degree in Wealth Management from Suffolk University, and came to Claro after building his experience at Convergence Capital and Northwestern Mutual.
His philosophy is straightforward: clarity comes first, then confidence. When you know where you stand and where you're going, everything else gets easier.
Boston, MA
Specializations
What Luke Focuses On
Tax-Smart Planning
As an Enrolled Agent, Luke brings IRS-licensed tax expertise that goes beyond standard financial planning. Your portfolio and your tax situation are built to work together, not in silos.
Business Owner Strategy
The tax code offers real advantages to business owners. Luke helps you structure your success and connect your business goals to your personal wealth.
Inheritance & Transitions
Whether you've received an inheritance or are facing a major financial change, Luke helps you cut through the complexity and make a clear-headed plan.
Financial Planning Fundamentals
Retirement, education, insurance, real estate — Luke builds plans that put every piece in the right place and show you exactly how to get there.
Protection & Estate Strategy
A strong financial plan protects what you've built. Luke tailors insurance and estate strategies to your situation — not a template.
process
How It Works
01
Get Clear on What Matters
Before any numbers, we start with an honest conversation — what you've built, what you want, and what keeps you up at night. Your goals are the foundation everything else is built on.
02
Map the Full Picture
We look at your finances across every dimension: investments, taxes, equity, income, protection, and estate. Most people have never seen it all in one place. We change that.
03
Build Your Plan
You get a financial plan that's specific to you — not a template. We model the strategies, stress-test the assumptions, and make sure the tax side is accounted for at every step.
04
Put It Into Motion
We implement the plan together and make sure each piece is working the way it should. We work to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
05
Stay Ahead of It
Your life changes. Your plan should too. We meet regularly to review what's working, adjust for what's changed, and keep you on track.
Faqs
Common Questions
What types of clients do you typically work with?
Luke works primarily with professionals navigating equity compensation, business owners who want to keep more of what they earn, and individuals facing major financial transitions — like a liquidity event, inheritance, or career change. If you're at a point where you have real complexity and want someone who can address the investment and the tax side together, you're probably the right fit.
What does it mean that you're an Enrolled Agent?
An Enrolled Agent is a tax professional licensed by the IRS. It means Luke can go well beyond what most financial planners can do on the tax side. When he builds your financial plan, the tax strategy isn't bolted on at the end — it's built in from the start.
How do you charge for your services?
Claro Advisors is a fee-only, fiduciary RIA — which means we're compensated only by our clients, never by commissions or product sales. Our fees are based on assets under management, and that fee covers comprehensive financial planning, investment management, and ongoing access to your advisor. I'll walk you through the full fee structure in our first conversation.
What does the onboarding process look like?
It starts with a conversation — no paperwork, no pressure. We spend time getting to know each other, understanding what you're working with, and deciding together whether it makes sense to move forward. If it does, we begin building a plan that covers every part of your financial life and sets up a clear path forward.
How often will we meet, and how do I reach you?
We meet regularly — typically a few times a year for formal reviews, and more often when something changes or when a decision needs to be made. Luke is accessible between meetings and responsive when things come up. This isn't a once-a-year check-in relationship.
Start a conversation with Luke Harder
Important Disclosures
This microsite has been prepared by Luke Harder, CFP®, EA, a financial advisor with Claro Advisors Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser (CRD No. 160294). The information presented is intended to describe Luke's background, services, and general approach to financial planning. It does not constitute investment advice, a solicitation, or an offer to buy or sell any security.
Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Services and Scope: Claro Advisors provides investment management and financial planning services. References to tax planning describe general financial planning and tax analysis considerations. Luke Harder holds an Enrolled Agent (EA) designation, which is an IRS-licensed credential authorizing representation of taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. Tax planning and analysis services do not constitute legal advice. Clients should consult a qualified attorney for legal matters and confirm the scope of tax services with their advisor.
Investment Risk: All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy or financial plan will achieve its objectives. Actual results will vary depending on individual circumstances.
Tax Outcomes: Tax strategies and tax-aware planning approaches are intended to seek opportunities to improve after-tax outcomes. Tax results are not guaranteed and will vary based on each client's individual tax situation, applicable law, and other factors outside the adviser's control. Clients should consult a tax professional regarding their specific circumstances.
Financial Planning: Financial planning and goal-based strategies are designed to help clients work toward their objectives. Engaging in planning does not guarantee any specific financial outcome. Results depend on many factors, including market conditions, individual behavior, and circumstances that cannot be predicted or controlled.
Compensation: Claro Advisors is a fee-only registered investment adviser. Compensation is based solely on fees paid by clients. Claro Advisors does not receive commissions or compensation from product sales. A full description of our fee schedule and compensation arrangements is available in our Form ADV Part 2A at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/160294 or upon request.
Form ADV: Claro Advisors' Form ADV Part 2A and Part 2B, which describe our services, fees, conflicts of interest, and disciplinary history, are available upon request or at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/160294. Prospective clients are encouraged to review these documents before engaging our services.
CFP® Designation: The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification is granted by the CFP Board of Standards, Inc. to individuals who meet education, examination, experience, and ethics requirements. For more information, visit cfp.net.
Enrolled Agent (EA): The Enrolled Agent designation is a federally authorized tax practitioner credential granted by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Enrolled Agents have demonstrated competence in tax matters and are licensed to represent taxpayers before the IRS. The designation requires passing a comprehensive IRS examination and completing ongoing continuing education requirements.