CEO, EdCotney.com
Edward W. Cotney is a nationally recognized tax strategist, educator, author, and business succession planning expert dedicated to helping business owners, affluent families, and professional advisors preserve more wealth through advanced tax planning. With more than three decades of experience, Ed has built a reputation for translating the most complex areas of the Internal Revenue Code into practical strategies that create measurable financial outcomes.
As Founder of EdCotney.com, Ed works alongside CPAs, attorneys, financial advisors, and business owners on sophisticated planning involving business exits, capital gains tax mitigation, qualified retirement plans, charitable planning, estate tax reduction, asset protection, and family wealth preservation. His philosophy is simple: The Tax Code is a tool—not a burden.
Ed is also the Co-Founder and Chief Tax Strategy Officer of Financial Cloud Works (FINCW.com), developer of advanced tax-outcome analytics software which empowers banks, financial services, and professional advisors to model and communicate complex IRA, Roth conversions with QCD, and lifetime tax planning strategies with clarity and precision. The platform is designed to help advisors make more informed recommendations while delivering quantifiable value to their clients.
A respected educator, Ed has taught thousands of attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, and business owners through continuing education programs, national conferences, webinars, podcasts, radio interviews, and professional organizations. His engaging teaching style simplifies sophisticated planning concepts while emphasizing practical implementation and fiduciary responsibility.
Ed is the author of four books and countless You Tube tutorials:
- Tax Secrets Made Simple
- The Great IRA Tax Grab
- The Business Owners Guide to Tax Freedom
- The Business Owners Guide to Selling Your Business Tax Smart
His educational background reflects a lifelong commitment to learning. During twenty years of honorable service in the United States Air Force, Ed earned degrees in Physiology and Aviation Management while attending seven universities. He later became a Family Wealth Counselor, earned certification as a Philanthropic Developer, and achieved the Certified Exit Planner (CExP™) designation.
Before launching his independent practice, Ed spent more than a decade designing advanced tax and wealth strategies for several prominent estate planning law firms, helping families preserve wealth through integrated legal, tax, and financial planning. He also serves on the boards of several charitable organizations committed to strengthening families and communities.
Ed and his wife Laura reside near Carson City, Nevada. Together they enjoy fly fishing, camping, hiking, classic automobiles, wine tasting, and spending time with their children and grandchildren.
