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Best Financial Advisors in Columbia

2024

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SmartAdvisor by SmartAsset logo
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SmartAdvisor by SmartAsset

Columbia, SC
  • Estate Planning
  • Financial Planning
  • Investment Management
  • Retirement Planning

Why choose this provider?

SmartAsset's free, five-minute tool makes it easy to find qualified financial advisors in your area. The exclusive tool uses a quick survey to help SmartAsset's exclusive algorithm match you with up to three advisors based on your specific financial needs. Each advisor is a fiduciary, legally bound to work in your best interest, and rigorously vetted by SmartAsset. You can speak with each for free, sometimes within a matter of minutes, and choose whom you want to work with. Hundreds of thousands of smart investors and retirees have already used SmartAsset's simple, no-cost service to find the right financial advisors for them.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.0

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Price: Free Consultation

Columbia, SC

Why choose this provider?

Need help contacting a Financial Advisor in Columbia? Call our Concierge team at 848-Book-Pro (848-266-5776 from 6 am - 4 pm PT | Mon - Fri). They are standing by to help you get the service you need.

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Price: Free booking service | Call 848.Book.Pro!

Website
1320 Main St Suite 300, Columbia, SC 29201
  • Investment Management
  • Wealth Management
  • Financial Planning
  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

Why choose this provider?

Jeff Headrick is the Founder and CEO of Inspire and has over 20 years of experience serving investors. Jeff's team of Certified Financial Planners and Chartered Financial Analysts comprise a deep reserve of talent and experience that can help elevate your financial plan. Our mission is to preserve and grow your wealth to have the most significant impact today and for generations to come. We also have the support of Charles Schwab and The Vanguard Group, who provide institutional quality investments and thought leadership for our clients. Inspire is a boutique financial planning and wealth management firm specializing in individuals and families with $1MM to $10MM in investable assets.

License Verified:

License: 4516694

Investment Adviser Public Disclosure Database, SEC

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (32)
Google
5.0 / 5 (7)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1100 Shirley Street, Columbia, SC 29205
  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
  • Business Formation

Why choose this provider?

Pendleton Street Business Advisors provides services to clients in Columbia and all across the country. The firm develops financial strategies which help clients manage their business growth and reengineer financial cashflows. The company also specializes in business valuation and exit planning to assist business owners with selling their business or retirement. Pendleton Street Business Advisors was co-founded by John H. Barnes and Matt A. Morley, both of whom are certified advisers and former chief officers of WHM Capital Advisors.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (6)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2500 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205
  • Estate Planning
  • Insurance Products

Why choose this provider?

Abacus is an investment counsel and financial planning firm that has been serving families, individuals, and businesses in the metro area of Columbia since 1998. It offers various services, such as retirement planning, insurance, tax planning, risk management, and trust and estate planning. Its team of fiduciaries educates and advises clients throughout the financial planning process. Abacus has been involved in several organizations, including The Children's Trust of South Carolina, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, and Columbia Free Medical Clinic.

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
3205 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205
  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
  • Retirement Planning
  • Insurance Products

Why choose this provider?

Anchor Investment Management, LLC, is a financial advisory company serving the Columbia metro. The company was established in 2000 by W. Patrick Dorn, Jr. through his over three decades of experience in the financial and investment industry. Anchor Investment Management offers financial planning services that present a comprehensive way of handling the clients' expenses and assets, employee retirement plans for maximum retirement savings, and investment management to address short and long-term needs. The company also offers insurance and retirement planning.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
200 Center Point Circle, Columbia, SC 29210
  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Why choose this provider?

Calmwater Advisors is an independent wealth management firm that serves the residents of Columbia and the surrounding areas. It helps clients manage their financial lives through wealth strategies such as asset allocation and accumulation, alternative investments, risk management, and tax management. The firm also provides retirement planning, estate planning, and business planning services. Calmwater Advisors supports non-profit organizations such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Columbia Women's Shelter, and Wounded Warrior Project.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1715 Pickens Street, Columbia, SC 29201
  • Estate Planning
  • Retirement Planning
  • Insurance Products

Why choose this provider?

EFinancial Advisors is a firm that serves the Columbia area. It was founded on the mission of creating meaningful financial strategies to help its clients live sustainable lives. The firm's financial advisors make use of an approach that involves determining its customers' goals, designing their portfolios, and implementing and monitoring their strategies. Their services include wealth management, retirement planning, and estate planning. Moreover, they have experience handling financial strategies for small businesses. EFinancial Advisors also offers faith-based planning solutions.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2000 Center Point Road, Columbia, SC 29210
  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
  • Retirement Planning

Why choose this provider?

Cornerstone Financial Management is an independent asset management and financial planning company serving individuals and businesses in Columbia. Established in 2014, it provides a range of services, including investment management and insurance, college, and estate planning. The firm also offers guidance and assistance with long-term care and retirement planning as well as business succession planning and business retirement plan management. Cornerstone Financial Management founder Ken Calcutt has been in the financial planning industry since 2004. He is a SmartVestor Pro with Dave Ramsey.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (13)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
5301 North Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206
  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Why choose this provider?

DaVinci Financial Designs is a Columbia-based financial planning and investment advisory firm. Its philosophy entails analyzing the situation of each client and designing strategies focused on aligning the clients' available financial resources with their values. The company's financial plans involve risk management, tax planning, cash management, and business and estate planning. Additionally, the professionals from this firm offer investment advice and recommend financial products that address their clients’ needs. Principal and managing partner Jim Agostini is a Certified Financial Planner and a Chartered Financial Consultant.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
6208 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209
  • Estate Planning
  • Tax Planning

Why choose this provider?

Capital City Financial Partners is a team of professionals that assists individuals and families in building financial strategies that benefit their retirement plans. It uses the Capital Confidence Plan to handle its clients' financial situations, needs, and goals. Serving Columbia and the surrounding communities, the group is led by managing partner and financial advisor Joshua Bradley, who started the practice in 2015. The firm has also been featured in business magazines such as Fortune, Entrepreneur, and Bloomberg Businessweek.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1201 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Why choose this provider?

CCM Investment Advisers is an advisory firm located in the Columbia metro. The firm has been in the industry for over 19 years. The firm specializes in client-focused investment programs such as fixed-income, moderate risk-balanced, low risk-balanced, equity, core balanced, and core balanced plus portfolios. It also helps clients in choosing the appropriate investment style for their needs. CCM Investment Advisers was established by Fowler W. Cary, Jr., following his career as a research analyst in 1972.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1704 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC 29201
  • Estate Planning
  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Why choose this provider?

Hobbs Group Advisors is a financial advisory and wealth management firm that serves clients in and around Columbia. Its services include audit and attestation, tax planning, retirement plan consulting, and insurance services. It also provides small business assistance, business consulting, business valuation, and forensic accounting. The firm's financial professionals manage the wealth of various industries, including non-profit organizations, construction, real estate, retail, manufacturing and distribution, and government. Hobbs Group Advisors has been in business for 30 years.

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1901 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201
  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Why choose this provider?

G3 Wealth Advisors provides financial planning services to Columbia and the nearby areas. It offers wealth management services to help clients sustain and meet their short- and long-term goals. It also provides retirement, business, estate, and education fund planning services. The company is also available for risk management solutions. One of its founding partners, George Starnes III, is a private wealth advisor who has been in the financial industry since 1982. Starnes III also holds the Chartered Life Underwriter and financial consultant designations.

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
6156 Saint Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29212
  • Estate Planning
  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Why choose this provider?

The McDaniel Corporation is a financial advisory firm serving Columbia and the surrounding areas. It provides investment analysis and planning, risk management, and tax strategies. The firm also handles retirement income planning and estate planning matters. Its advisors focus on the proper implementation of the clients' investments and insurances and send regular updates via review meetings, letters, and newsletters. The McDaniel Corporation is affiliated with H.S. Dent Financial Advisors Network.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.0
Google
4.0 / 5 (10)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Introduction

    There are many titles for financial professionals, so it's challenging to track what each one means. A financial advisor is probably the term you've heard most often. Financial advisor is a broad term for a professional who helps individuals or companies manage their finances, including investment choices. There are over 100 certifications that financial advisors can obtain.

    • Financial planners, wealth managers, and investment advisors are all financial advisors with different focus areas.
    • A financial planner helps an individual or a company make a plan to achieve long-term financial goals.
    • A wealth manager helps individuals maintain their wealth through various disciplines and services, such as taxes, estate planning, and investment advice.
    • An investment advisor offers investment advice and recommendations to individuals or organizations.
    There’s a misconception that you have to be extremely wealthy to use a financial advisor. In reality, they can be beneficial for people from any income level. Keep reading to find answers to the most commonly asked questions about financial advisors, so you know which type can fit your specific needs.

  • Is it beneficial to convert from a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA in Columbia, SC?

    More people are considering Roth IRAs due to the benefit of tax-free withdrawals in the future. With Roth IRA, you are also not forced to receive the required minimum distributions when you reach a certain age like in a traditional IRA. Meaning your fund can stay and grow tax-free in your account for longer. Talk to a local financial advisor in Columbia to know how a Roth IRA can also benefit your descendants.

  • What does it mean if your Columbia financial advisor is also a “Registered Investment Advisor?”

    A Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) manages investment portfolios and provides guidance on securities investments. Also, RIAs operate as a fiduciary. This means they have a legal obligation to prioritize your interests. This is what sets them apart from brokers. A Columbia financial advisor who is an RIA should be registered with the South Carolina Securities Division or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

  • How does the SECURE Act 2.0 affect your financial planning in Columbia, SC?

    Signed in 2022, the SECURE Act 2.0 implements several changes that can impact your financial and retirement plans. Under the Act, the age when retirees must receive required minimum distributions (RMD) is raised to 73 by 2023 and 75 by 2033. You can also continue to make IRA contributions beyond the retirement age. Your Columbia financial advisor can help you maximize investment and saving opportunities now that you can have more funds growing in your IRA.

  • What is the advantage of working with a fee-only financial advisor in Columbia, SC?

    Working with a fee-only financial advisor in Columbia eliminates conflicts of interest that usually occur in the buying and selling of financial products. Advisors affiliated with investment managers or insurance companies would have interest to recommend products that will generate the most commissions for them. Operating as fee-only means that the advisor is paid a percentage of the client's portfolio under their management, not by commission. This would benefit the client as the focus would be growing the client's portfolio.

  • Can you withdraw your 529 plan funds in South Carolina if your child does not want to go to college?

    Yes, you can make a withdrawal for non-qualified distributions. However, there will be a penalty of 10% on the capital gains of your 529 plan. Consider using the funds for other qualified, education-related purposes, such as transferring the plan to another child’s name for college use, using the funds to pay off student loans or your own education, or keeping the plan and transferring it to future grandchildren. Consult your Columbia financial advisor to determine which choice is financially sound.

  • Are financial advisors worth it?

    Whether or not a financial advisor is worth it depends on your personal situation. If your finances are fairly straightforward, then you may be better off handling it on your own. But if you have substantial assets or a complex investment portfolio, then hiring someone to handle it for you can be well worth the cost.