Kutscher, Benner Barsness & Stevens Financial Counsel (KBBS)

The four named principals — Chris Kutscher, Lee Benner, J.T. Barsness and Tom Stevens — collectively oversee investment decisions for client families. The firm does not employ a separate chief investment officer or external investment committee. Each principal brings a distinct professional background, typically spanning tax planning, estate law or institutional portfolio construction, and they evaluate opportunities collaboratively rather than through a centralized investment team.

KBBS operates as a multi-family office, serving several unrelated client families rather than a single fortune. Its principal partners function as outsourced family CFOs for each household they advise. This structure is distinct from a single-family office, which serves one family exclusively, and from a conventional wealth management practice that may handle investment management but not the broader tax and estate coordination functions.

KBBS concentrates on West Coast families with wealth tied to real estate operations and technology entrepreneurship. Its client base includes real estate operators with direct property holdings and early-stage technology founders who have experienced liquidity events or hold concentrated single-stock positions. The firm's Seattle location positions it to serve families navigating Washington State's distinct tax environment — no state income tax but significant federal estate tax exposure.

KBBS evaluates fund commitments, direct co-investments and real asset partnerships on a deal-by-deal basis for its client families rather than allocating to a standardized model portfolio. The investment approach emphasizes after-tax outcomes, blending direct real estate exposure with private credit and public market strategies. The firm does not pool client capital into proprietary funds or operate as a fund manager.

KBBS has historically included both income-producing commercial properties and development projects in the Seattle metro area within its client portfolios, drawing on the principals' direct relationships with local operators. The firm evaluates real estate opportunities alongside other asset classes rather than maintaining a dedicated real estate investment team. Its real estate exposure is typically structured to reflect individual client family circumstances and tax positions.

KBBS evaluates direct co-investment opportunities on a deal-by-deal basis for its client families, consistent with its multi-family office model. The firm does not publicly market co-investment opportunities to external investors or operate a co-investment fund. Co-investments are typically sourced through the principals' professional networks and existing relationships with fund managers and real estate operators in the Pacific Northwest.

KBBS operates on a fee-for-service basis typical of multi-family offices, charging client families directly for advisory services rather than earning commissions or product placement fees. This aligns the firm's incentives with client outcomes and distinguishes its model from brokerage or private bank structures where revenue may derive from product distribution. The firm has not publicly disclosed its specific fee schedule or minimum client thresholds.