David Wagner is the Co-Founder, CEO, and Chief Investment Officer at Tidecrest Wealth Management. In his role, he leads and directs the company's strategy while creating tailored investment portfolios. David specializes in portfolio management, financial planning, investment selection, retirement planning, and qualified account consulting.
Before entering the wealth management business two decades ago, David was a senior advisor in the Private Client Services (PCS) division within the international accounting firm Arthur Andersen. While working in the accounting field, David gained valuable experience in areas such as taxation, financial statement analysis and estate planning, which helped lay a firm foundation for his career in wealth management. He holds several designations, including Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), and Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Prior to launching Tidecrest Wealth Management, David spent time advising clients at Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley. David is also an active member of the CFA Institute, the CFA Society of Orange County, and the Financial Planning Association.
David's educational background includes a B.A. in Business Economics with an emphasis in Accounting from the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB). He later obtained an MBA from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, with an emphasis in Financial Markets and Investments. While earning his MBA, David concurrently earned a Graduate Certificate in Financial Analysis and Valuation from the Center for Investment Studies at USC.
David is deeply motivated by helping clients achieve their financial goals, being a trusted resource, and sharing his knowledge to benefit others. He finds great satisfaction in working closely with clients to construct customized plans and believes that the greatest value he can provide is serving as a trusted advisor who leverages his expertise for their benefit.
A native of Newport Beach, David currently resides in Corona del Mar, California, with his wife, Brooke, their daughter, and two sons. In his free time, he enjoys surfing, skiing, travel, golf, hockey, and prone paddle boarding.