Top college savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) financial advisors in Columbia, SC
The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.
Saving for college often starts when you want to make the most of tax-advantaged accounts like 529 plans or UTMA (Uniform Transfers to Minors Act) accounts. A common mistake is not aligning the savings plan with your child's timeline and your overall financial goals, which can reduce the benefits.
- Account type guidance. Confirm which college savings vehicles they recommend and why, ensuring they fit your family's financial situation and education plans.
- Investment strategy. Ask how they adjust investment risk as your child approaches college age to balance growth and preservation.
- Financial aid impact. Understand how your savings might affect eligibility for need-based aid and how the advisor plans around that.
- Coordination with other goals. Check if they consider your retirement and other financial priorities when planning college savings.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
-
Denise J
Series 66
Columbia, SC
Edward Jones
Denise Junis specializes in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, supported by her Series 66 license and two years of industry experience in Columbia, SC. Working with Edward Jones, a large firm managing over $1 trillion in assets, she offers a range of advisory strategies with an annual program fee up to 1.35%, which may suit clients seeking comprehensive wealth management alongside college savings.
Experience: 2 years
Avg account: $246,728
-
Ann B
Series 66
Columbia, SC
LPL Financial
Ann Bone specializes in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, supported by seven years of experience and a Series 66 designation. Operating within LPL Financial, a large firm offering both advisory and brokerage services, she provides flat-fee financial planning, which may appeal to clients seeking transparent pricing and access to in-house research resources in Columbia, SC.
Experience: 8 years
Avg account: $399,489
-
Derek B
Series 63
Columbia, SC
Empower Advisory Group
Derek Bailey's 24 years of experience and expertise in college savings, retirement planning, and Social Security optimization make him well-equipped to guide families in Columbia, SC through tax-advantaged education savings like 529 plans. Working with Empower Advisory Group, a large firm offering flat-fee and subscription pricing, he combines proprietary planning tools with a focus on long-term portfolio returns, distinguishing him from advisors with narrower scopes or different fee structures.
Experience: 25 years
Avg account: $565,063
-
Scot B
Series 63
Columbia, SC
HMS Financial Services, LLC
Scot Bytnar offers expertise in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, supported by 19 years of experience and a Series 63 designation. Operating independently at HMS Financial Services in Columbia, SC, he utilizes a strategic asset allocation approach with globally diversified portfolios, which may appeal to clients seeking personalized planning alongside retirement and tax strategies.
Experience: 19 years
Avg account: $316,916
-
Gary L
CFA®, Series 63, Series 65
Columbia, SC
Barbco Financial
Gary Langham specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, leveraging his CFA® credentials and expertise in tax planning to optimize education funding in Columbia, SC. His firm, BarbCo Financial, emphasizes low-cost, tax-efficient passive index investing with flexible flat-fee arrangements, serving both individual and high-net-worth clients, which may appeal to those seeking cost transparency and tailored portfolio management.
Experience: 3 years
Want help finding the right advisor?
Answer a few questions to see advisors matched to you.
Advisors focused on
People also searched
Popular in Columbia, SC
Find advisors by type
Not sure where to start?
We'll help you think it through—whether you ultimately need an advisor or not. Warmer helps you compare advisors clearly, so you can choose with confidence.
For advisor listings, we rely on sources including public filings and data provided by advisors, and we cannot guarantee that all information is current or accurate. Advisors are independent and may not have reviewed or updated this information. Please review an advisor’s Form ADV and do your own diligence before deciding whether to work with them.
Advisor matching and introductions are provided by FinanceHQ LLC (“FHQ”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warmer and an SEC-registered investment advisor. We receive compensation from certain participating advisors for introductions or referrals. This creates a conflict of interest because we have an incentive to recommend advisors who compensate us, including those who pay us more. You pay no fee to use our matching service, and advisor fees are not increased because of a referral or introduction. We do not review the ongoing performance of advisors, manage or hold assets, guarantee performance, or provide advice about specific investments.
By using our service, you agree to our Terms of Service and Advisory Agreement, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. Please review FHQ’s ADV Part 2A and Form CRS. Logos provided by Logo.dev
© 2026 Warmer Holdings Inc. (“Warmer”)