Our Financial Planning Process

Continual financial planning process that loops through Discover, Analyze, Plan, Implement and Review.

Each of us take different paths to arrive to where we are today. Some come from wealthy families never having needed to worry about finances. Others come from modest means, shaping how we view and preserve money. Or perhaps, you came into wealth suddenly through an inheritance or sale of a business.

No matter where your journey has taken you, putting a financial plan in place will allow you to weather any storms that may come. Meeting with White Cloud Wealth Management is an important first step to provide clarity and foresight along the path.

Our process for determining what you value and prioritize is outlined in the process below. Going through this process frequently helps us tailor a plan that will illuminate a clear path to reaching your financial goals.

1 Goal and Financial Discovery

We gather information both about your values and your financial circumstances. We identify your goals and priorities of where you are compared to where you want to be. We understand your whole picture before moving to the next step. We define our role in your plan and create an engagement.

Understand where you came from, and what your values are.
Gather information from tax returns and investment accounts.
Determine where your debts and obligations are.
Learn about your goals and priorities for the future.

2 Analyze Goals

With the information from our discovery we examine your possibilities. We look at the advantages and disadvantages of your current course of action; as well as look at your alternative paths and possibilities.

Are you taking full advantage of tax havens.
Do your current holdings accurately reflect your time horizon and risk tolerance.

3 Financial Planning

We develop and present planning recommendations. During this phase we select recommendations and strategies to accomplish your goals. We educate you on the financial science behind our process.

Create structure and parameters to guide financial choices keeping your goals in mind.
Ensure a thorough understanding of your plan and financial concepts, so you're comfortable with why parameters are in place.

4 Implement Plan

We help you decide which course of action is best. We implement the plan through follow up and division of responsibilities.

Track your accounts and progress toward goals through our online system.
Independent reporting ensures that you're in control, while we administer to your accounts.

5 Review Plan

We review your plan quarterly, semiannual, or annually to make sure we are on track. We make adjustments as necessary.

Set intervals for reviewing your plan.
Adjust and refine your plan for any changes life may throw your way.
Begin the process again.

Our History

After successfully serving clients for over 12 years, Sean West founded White Cloud Wealth Management in 2019. White Cloud Wealth Management gets its namesake from the beautiful mountain ranges in Central Idaho.

Vision for your Financial Well-Being

Each of us travels a unique financial journey through life. We believe that with a plan and a map each of us can reach new heights.

No matter how far along in life's journey you are, sitting down with a knowledgeable financial planner at White Cloud Wealth Management will bring clarity to how to achieve life's goals.

Our Services

We specialize in Financial and Strategic Planning related to:

Tax Planning
Financial Planning
Asset Management
Individual or Family Retirement Plans
Business

How we operate

Client Centered Business

White Cloud is focused on one thing; Our clients' goals. Seeing our efforts provide comfort, clarity and direction to an individual's or family's life brings us immense joy. Both a privilege and responsibility that we don't take lightly.

Compass, map, and telescope on white background

Our Promise to Clients

White Cloud was founded on a principle that a clear understanding of your strategy focusing on your goals can guide decisions, leaving space to enjoy your life.

Partners in Your Financial Goals

We count our clients among our friends. Our relationship and understanding grows over the years. Your successes are our successes. Your joy is our joy, and likewise, your challenges are our challenges. We look forward to travelling this route with you.

Transparent Fees

As a true fiduciary asset management fees are charged in arrears. This is in the client’s best interest. We charge flat fees for business and financial planning.

Holistic Understanding

Our priority is to know you and what matters most to you. By seeing the big picture we give better advice and create a game plan to help get from where you are to where you want to be.

Consistent Advice

We use time tested principles in our process. We use financial science to make investment decisions. As a fiduciary we make decisions in the clients best interest.

Our People

Certified Financial Planner

Sean West, CFP®

With over a decade and a half of experience guiding clients toward financial freedom, Sean West is committed to helping business owners, families, and individuals make work optional in retirement. Specializing in retirement income and tax planning, Sean believes that every financial decision should be grounded in financial science, time-tested principles, and a thorough planning process. His approach is built on transparency, trust, and a genuine commitment to his clients’ peace of mind.

Since starting as a financial advisor in 2007, Sean has worked as a senior advisor, steering clients through ever-evolving financial landscapes with clarity and confidence. Under his leadership, White Cloud has become a go-to destination for those seeking to build, preserve, and protect their wealth. Sean is a CFP® Certified Financial Planner and did his studies through Boston University's College for Financial Planning. Prior to becoming an advisor, he received his bachelor’s degree in business management from BYU Idaho.
Sean believes in building long-term relationships with clients by listening and truly understanding what clients value. By understanding and seeing the whole picture Sean ensures each client is empowered to make prudent financial decisions about their future.

Outside the office, Sean’s passion for planning extends to his love for adventure and the great outdoors. He’s an avid backpacker, hunter, skier, and water skier, never missing a chance to reconnect with nature. A true family man, Sean is happily married to his wife, Kim, and together they enjoy making memories with their four children. Sean enjoys serving in the church and community. Whether exploring mountain trails or enjoying a cozy family night in, Sean finds joy in every moment, on and off the clock.

Wealth Management Advisor

Jacob Nye

Jacob “Jake” Nye joined the team in 2023 after graduating from BYU Idaho with a bachelor’s in finance. He completed a financial planning minor at BYU Idaho and is an aspiring Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Originally from eastern Idaho, Jake’s upbringing was marked by frequent moves driven by his father’s military service. Living in diverse places gave him the chance to meet people from all walks of life and immerse himself in different cultures, yet Jake’s heart always remained in Idaho. These experiences shaped his appreciation for his roots and helped him realize he wanted something deeper—a career where he could build lasting relationships with those he served. Financial advising turned out to be the perfect fit.

Now at White Cloud, Jake continues a legacy of trust, integrity, and client-first service. He combines expertise with a personal touch, taking the time to understand each client’s unique goals and challenges. With an approach tailored to each client’s values, Jake helps them traverse life with confidence. From navigating complex tax planning to optimizing retirement income and building robust investment portfolios, Jake simplifies the process allowing clients to focus on what matters most.

Jake’s greatest joy comes from spending time with his family. As a devoted husband to Maddy and a proud father to their daughter, he cherishes the moments they share exploring the great outdoors, experimenting in the kitchen, and discovering new places. In his free time, he embraces white-water rafting and hunting to push his limits and connect with nature. Passionate about everything he does, Jake finds purpose in being anxiously engaged in a good cause.

Client Service Specialist

John Robertson

John joined White Cloud in 2024 after a distinguished 20-year career with the U.S. Department of State. His assignments took him from Washington, DC to such diverse locations as Nepal, Australia, Egypt, Peru, the Netherlands, and Afghanistan.
John earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Texas at Austin, equipping him with a strong foundation in law and public policy. Later, he pursued a Master of Arts (M.A.) at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where he deepened his knowledge in international security and strategic planning. This combination of academic credentials and field experience uniquely positions him to approach challenges with a broad, analytical perspective, making him a valuable asset to White Cloud and its clients.

Outside of his professional life, John is an outdoor enthusiast who takes full advantage of each season. He is an avid skier who enjoys the thrill of winter sports, and during the warmer months, he can often be found hiking scenic trails or cycling through new routes. His love for the outdoors fuels his energy and focus, qualities he brings into his role at White Cloud.

As part of the White Cloud team, John is committed to delivering service that is both personable and efficient. His approach to client care emphasizes responsiveness and thorough attention to detail. Whether you are a new client or have an established relationship with White Cloud, John ensures that your needs are met promptly and professionally.

About Us