Hi. 👋
I’m Daniel Scherer.
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Location
San Diego, CA
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Credentials
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®)
I’ve always felt pulled toward financial advising: analytical problem-solving combined with deep personal relationships. Early in my career, however, I couldn’t find advisors delivering the quality of service I’d want for my own parents. So I took a detour, spending years in investment banking, venture capital, and private equity where I specialized in acquiring businesses from retiring owners.
The experience was invaluable, but after years of closing deals, something was missing. I wanted lasting relationships, not completed transactions. And then I found Root. I knew immediately that this place was different. It felt like discovering Uber in a world of taxis.
Today, I help people simplify their financial lives so that money stops being a source of stress and starts being a foundation for the life they’re meant to live. I have a particular heart for business owners preparing to exit. Having sat on the buyer’s side of countless acquisitions, I know exactly how buyers think, and I get to use that knowledge to serve families I genuinely care about.
Outside of the office, I live in San Diego with my wife and three daughters, who keep life beautifully chaotic. As a former Stanford wrestler, I’ve channeled that competitive drive into half marathons and triathlons.
If you’re a business owner approaching a transition, or someone ready to step into retirement with intention and clarity, I’d love to connect. Let’s build a plan worthy of the life you’re called to live.
Team Banyan
Banyan Team
Though they didn’t take home Root Olympic gold (or silver... or bronze), Team Banyan makes up for it with unmatched heart—and more trips to Disneyland than anyone else. This team’s foundation is joy, connection, and a deep belief that great things come from showing up with optimism and a strong team spirit.
At Root, teams are designed to deliver exceptional client care through structure, support, and collaboration. Each includes a team of Lead Advisors, Associates, and Client Service professionals—guided by a Senior Advisor to provide insight and mentorship. Clients get the benefit of a dedicated relationship, backed by a well-rounded team working together toward shared success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Once you start working with Root, you’ll have a kickoff meeting where we dive deep into your goals, values, and current financial picture. From there, we begin building a personalized plan through a series of focused meetings—covering income, investments, taxes, estate planning, and more—designed to help you live the life you want, not just the one you can get by on. Planning continues with ongoing support and regular check-ins to keep your strategy aligned as life evolves.
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Your money is typically held at Charles Schwab, an independent custodian—think of it like a secure grocery cart where you own everything inside. The accounts stay in your name, and we act as your advisor with limited authority to manage them on your behalf. We don’t work for Schwab or earn commissions, so every recommendation we make is in your best interest.
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Transferring your investment accounts is simple and secure thanks to the ACAT system, which moves assets “in-kind”—meaning nothing is sold or changed during the transfer. Whether you’re moving an IRA or brokerage account, your investments stay exactly the same; the only difference is where you log in. We don’t make any changes to your portfolio until you approve a personalized plan built around your goals and tax strategy.
Transferring your investment accounts is simple and secure thanks to the ACAT system, which moves assets “in-kind”—meaning nothing is sold or changed during the transfer. Whether you’re moving an IRA or brokerage account, your investments stay exactly the same; the only difference is where you log in. We don’t make any changes to your portfolio until you approve a personalized plan built around your goals and tax strategy.
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We charge a transparent, tiered percentage based on the assets we actively manage—starting at 1% for the first $1 million and decreasing as your assets grow. There are no commissions, hidden fees, or extra charges for tax or estate planning, and billing is done monthly for flexibility. If we’re not delivering value that exceeds the cost, you’re free to walk away—no long-term commitments.
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Our fee reflects the value of having a trusted partner focused on your entire financial life—so you don’t have to become your own advisor. We provide both quantifiable benefits (like tax strategies and withdrawal planning) and priceless peace of mind, helping you make confident, intentional decisions about retirement, lifestyle, and legacy. Ultimately, you’re investing in your time, clarity, and confidence—not just spreadsheets and returns.
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No—James and Ari don’t personally oversee every client, but every plan follows the same high standards they’ve set through our structured team approach. Each client is supported by a dedicated team including a lead advisor, senior advisor, associate advisor, and client service associate—all trained through Root’s internal program to deliver a consistent, personalized experience rooted in our philosophy.
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At Root, we focus on proactive tax planning, not tax preparation. We help clients identify opportunities like Roth conversions, tax gain/loss harvesting, charitable strategies, and optimizing income to manage healthcare costs or subsidies—all in coordination with your broader financial goals. While we don’t file your taxes, we collaborate closely with your CPA to ensure everything is implemented smoothly and strategically.
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We work with people from all walks of life. Most of the people we serve have built portfolios of at least $1 million (excluding current 401(k)s if under age 59.5, real estate, and 529 plans) and are ready to delegate. We ask to manage all assets that are available for direct management so we can deliver advice that’s fully integrated across your financial life.
All advisory relationships are subject to a $10,000 minimum annual fee. If your fees under our standard asset-based schedule fall below that amount, the minimum will be applied. This structure is designed for standard advisory relationships where assets are limited but planning needs fall within our typical scope.
If your situation involves more complexity, such as business ownership, multiple entities, or advanced planning needs, and asset-based billing isn’t available, we may instead recommend working together under a flat-fee planning arrangement that reflects the scope of work involved. In those cases, a separate agreement would outline the services and cost.
If we’re not the right fit, we’ll do our best to answer your questions and connect you with someone who might be.
