Best Financial Advisors in Columbia, South Carolina

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Contributor, Benzinga
May 12, 2021

Quick Look: Best Financial Advisors in Columbia, South Carolina Near You

  • Best for Tax Planning: Abacus Planning Group
  • Best Robo-Advisor: M1 Finance
  • Best for Long-Term Investing: Anchor Investment Management
  • Best for Personalized Approach: Hobbs Group Advisors
  • Best Portfolio Analysis: Personal Capital
  • Best for Young Professionals: DaVinci Financial Designs
  • Best for Retirement Planning: J.E. Wilson Advisors

South Carolina’s capital city has a lot to offer — recreation, culture and a buzzing business ecosystem. Plan your financial future in Columbia with a professional financial advisor.

A financial advisor or financial planner can help you manage your investments, make smarter contributions to your 401(k) or IRA and build a plan for your financial future. 

Ready to build a relationship with the right firm? Start with our list of the best financial advisors in Columbia, South Carolina.

Best for Tax Planning: Abacus Planning Group

Abacus Planning Group has offered financial services to residents of Columbia, South Carolina since 1998. Advisors can discuss your objectives, time horizons, income expectations and goals to construct your personalized portfolio.

The firm also offers financial planning services that include income tax review, estate planning, education planning and more. Advisors continuously update your investments and financial plan to consider any changes in tax laws. Portfolio management fees range from 0.25% to 1% of total investments annually.

ABACUS PLANNING GROUP, INC.

ABACUS PLANNING GROUP, INC.

$1,044,694,378
  • A percentage of assets under your management
  • Hourly charges
  • Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)
No minimum
21
47
Yes
22
4
  • Financial planning services
Address

2500 DEVINE STREET COLUMBIA SC, 29205-2400

Phone number

803-933-0054

M1 Finance
Best For
  • Customizable Auto Investing
securely through M1 Finance's website

Best Robo-Advisor: M1 Finance

M1 Finance is a great way to manage your money online. You can save, invest, spend and borrow on a single platform. Choose from different portfolios of stocks, bonds and even fractional shares. Once you have $10,000 in savings, you’ll be able to borrow at a rate as low as 2%.

You can open a FDIC-insured checking account with no monthly maintenance fees. You’ll have access to a 1% cashback debit card and a 1% APY on your checking account when you upgrade to an M1 Plus account. M1 Finance doesn’t charge any commission or platform fees.

Best for Long-Term Investing: Anchor Investment Management

Anchor Investment Management was founded in 2000 to offer investment management and financial planning services. Its investment strategy focuses on long-term, tax-efficient results.   

Anchor is a no-fee, fiduciary firm, so there is minimal conflict of interest and advisors always act in your best interest. Annual portfolio management fees are 1% of invested assets. Fees for the retirement plan advisory service can be negotiated but generally range from 0.25% to 0.5% annually of invested assets.

ANCHOR INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

ANCHOR INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

$491,002,803
  • A percentage of assets under your management
  • Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)
$500,000
7
350
Yes
48
6
  • Financial planning services
  • RETIREMENT PLAN & CONSULTING
Address

3205 DEVINE STREET COLUMBIA SC, 29205

Phone number

803-790-6654

Best for Personalized Approach: Hobbs Group Advisors

Hobbs Group Advisors was founded in 2007. The firm’s staff includes Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), portfolio managers, insurance experts and various investment advisors. Advisors stress a personalized approach to portfolio management and financial planning.

You can find help with insurance planning, estate planning, budgeting, retirement planning and lifestyle planning. Wealth management fees can range from 0.85% to 1.75% of total invested assets annually. The minimum annual fee is $5,000 per year.

HOBBS GROUP ADVISORS LLC

HOBBS GROUP ADVISORS LLC

$142,188,754
  • A percentage of assets under your management
  • Hourly charges
  • Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)
$100,000
4
161
Yes
89
4
  • Financial planning services
  • Pension consulting services
  • Selection of other advisers (including private fund managers)
  • CONSULTING
Address

1704 LAUREL STREET COLUMBIA SC, 29201

Phone number

803-540-3034

Empower
Best For
  • High Net Worth Individuals
securely through Empower's website

Best Portfolio Analysis: Personal Capital

Personal Capital offers cash and wealth management tools. Start by uploading your financial information and use the tools to guide your budget, retirement plan, track your finances or analyze your cash flow.

You’ll have unlimited advice from a registered financial advisor once your investment account hits $100,000. Personal Capital also maintains a helpful blog where you can read up on the latest expert information. You’ll pay an all-inclusive fee of 0.89% annually on $1 million of invested assets.

Best for Young Professionals: DaVinci Financial Designs

DaVinci Financial Designs can help you curate your financial life. DaVinci advisors guide retirement and estate planning, gift-giving, education planning, tax planning, mortgages, debt and cash flow analysis.  

You can choose to open a wealth management account or seek out financial planning services separately. You can also opt for the combined Life Design Service with a portfolio management account. Fees for Life Design Services combined with wealth management services range from 1% to 1.65% annually. 

DAVINCI FINANCIAL DESIGNS

DAVINCI FINANCIAL DESIGNS

$294,094,273
  • A percentage of assets under your management
  • Hourly charges
  • Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)
No minimum
4
461
Yes
89
8
  • Financial planning services
  • Selection of other advisers (including private fund managers)
Address

5301 N. TRENHOLM ROAD SUITE 200COLUMBIA SC, 29206

Phone number

803-741-0134

Best for Retirement Planning: J.E. Wilson Advisors

J.E. Wilson has offered retirement planning and investment management services for over 35 years. J.E. Wilson Advisors works with you to establish a framework for achieving your goals. The firm specializes in helping retired individuals maintain their lifestyle even in the face of increasing living costs. Most clients are in their late 40s to early 60s.

The firm also operates 50 Wealth, a compilation of educational materials aimed at individuals preparing to retire. Investment management fees range from 0.40% to 1% of total invested assets.

JE WILSON ADVISORS, LLC

JE WILSON ADVISORS, LLC

$107,344,104
  • A percentage of assets under your management
  • Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)
No minimum
2
67
Yes
59
4
  • Financial planning services
  • Pension consulting services
Address

2431 DEVINE STREET COLUMBIA SC, 29205

Phone number

803-799-9203

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

Which certifications should my financial planner have?

A

Your financial planner should carry either a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) or a Chartered Financial Analyst™ (CFA®) certification. They may also have additional qualifications.

Q

Can financial advisors help mitigate debt?

A

Yes. Your financial advisor can help you pay off debt faster to help you save time and money. They might make recommendations on how to structure your debt and determine how to pay it off.

Q

Do I need a financial advisor for retirement?

A

Not necessarily. But working with a financial advisor can help you develop a plan for reaching your retirement goals. If you’re already in retirement, working with a financial advisor can help you with tax-efficiency and optimize your cash flow.

Work with a Financial Advisor

Advisors offer expert knowledge and experience to help you manage your finances. The right firm and advisor can answer your questions and provide recommendations to help you get your finances where they need to be. 

Methodology

To determine the top financial advisors in Columbia, South Carolina, we pored through all SEC-registered advisory firms that have an office in Columbia. We winnowed the list by only including advisors that are registered fiduciaries, have no past disclosures and have minimal personal conflicts of interest. To further break down the list to the true top advisors in the area, we gave weight to advisors that offer both investment management and planning, have no conflicts of interest, have offices in multiple states, have a wrap fee program and over $50 million in assets under management.