CFP®-certified, college savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) financial advisors in Grand Rapids, MI
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. Without careful planning, you might miss opportunities to balance education savings with other financial goals or overlook how state-specific rules affect your options.
- Tax-advantaged account knowledge. Confirm how they navigate 529 plan benefits and limitations, including state tax implications.
- Education cost forecasting. Ask how they estimate future college expenses and adjust savings strategies accordingly.
- Coordination with overall finances. Look for advisors who integrate college savings with your pension and retirement plans, especially given local industry factors.
- CFP® training relevance. Their certification means they understand comprehensive financial planning, which helps align education funding with your broader goals.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Thaddeus P
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Grand Rapids, MI
Advance Wealth Management Service, LLC
Thaddeus Phelps is well-equipped to assist with college savings in Grand Rapids, MI, leveraging his CFP® certification and 28 years of industry experience. His firm offers flat-fee financial planning and discretionary investment management, emphasizing individualized asset allocation and risk management, which can help balance education funding with broader financial goals.
Experience: 29 years
Avg account: $463,417
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Tyler P
CFP®, Series 63, Series 66
Grand Rapids, MI
J. W. Cole Advisors, Inc.
Tyler Pell's 25 years of experience and CFP® certification equip him to guide college savings strategies using tax-advantaged accounts like 529 plans, tailored to Grand Rapids, MI. Working with J.W. Cole Advisors, a large SEC-registered firm, he offers flat-fee planning and integrates education funding with broader financial goals, distinguishing him from advisors with smaller practices or different fee structures.
Experience: 26 years
Avg account: $255,702
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Andrew B
CFP®, Series 66
Grand Rapids, MI
Innovia Wealth, LLC
Andrew Boatright's CFP® certification and six years of experience equip him to handle college savings strategies, including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, in Grand Rapids, MI. Serving high-net-worth clients at Innovia Wealth, LLC, he offers flat-fee financial planning and integrates education funding with broader wealth management, leveraging a customized, diversified investment approach and family office services.
Experience: 7 years
Avg account: $3,865,403
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Jennifer S
CFP®, Series 66
Grand Rapids, MI
Merrill
Jennifer Scharphorn's 25 years of experience and CFP® certification equip her to navigate college savings strategies, including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, with a focus on integrating these with broader wealth management and retirement planning. Based in Grand Rapids and affiliated with Merrill, she offers a large-firm resource advantage and serves mid-career professionals and high earners, charging a 1.10% AUM fee for managed strategies under $2 million.
Experience: 26 years
Avg account: $860,085
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Casey T
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Grand Rapids, MI
LPL Financial
Casey Tjalsma's 24 years of experience and CFP® certification equip him to guide college savings strategies using 529 plans and UTMA accounts in Grand Rapids, MI. Affiliated with LPL Financial, a large firm offering diverse advisory solutions, he provides flat-fee financial planning and serves a broad client base, distinguishing him from advisors with narrower focuses or different fee structures.
Experience: 24 years
Avg account: $399,489
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