CFP®-certified, college savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) financial advisors in Knoxville, TN
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.
You might be planning for your child's education and want to make the most of college savings options like 529 plans or UTMA accounts. Without focused guidance, it's easy to overlook how federal tax implications and local tax factors can affect your savings growth and withdrawals. CFP® certification means these advisors have formal training in financial planning, including education funding strategies.
- Federal tax impact. Ask how they help you navigate tax benefits and penalties specific to college savings accounts.
- Account selection. Confirm they explain differences between 529 plans and UTMA accounts to match your family's needs.
- Withdrawal timing. Timing distributions matters to avoid unintended tax consequences; see how they plan for this.
- Local tax considerations. While Tennessee has no state income tax, sales and property taxes can influence your overall plan; check their approach.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
-
Wesley B
CFP®, Series 66
Knoxville, TN
Cogentblue
Wesley Brown's 17 years of experience and CFP® certification equip him to guide Knoxville families through college savings options like 529 plans and UTMA accounts, considering federal tax impacts and withdrawal timing. His firm, CogentBlue, offers discretionary portfolio management using modern portfolio theory and serves a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals and businesses, with flexible flat-fee and hourly financial planning services.
Experience: 18 years
Avg account: $4,228,020
-
Gail H
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Knoxville, TN
LPL Financial
Gail Hatfield's CFP® certification and expertise in college savings plans, including 529s and UTMA accounts, equip her to address the specific tax and withdrawal timing considerations important for education funding in Knoxville, TN. Working with LPL Financial, a large firm offering flat-fee financial planning, she serves a diverse client base and brings eight years of industry experience, distinguishing her from advisors with narrower focuses or different fee structures.
Experience: 8 years
Avg account: $399,489
-
Patrick E
CFP®, Series 66
Knoxville, TN
Uprise Advisers LLC
Patrick Elliott's 17 years of experience and CFP® certification equip him to guide Knoxville families through college savings options like 529 plans and UTMA accounts, considering federal tax impacts and withdrawal timing. His firm, Uprise Advisers LLC, offers fixed pricing and uses modern portfolio theory, focusing on individual clients via an online platform without managing assets, which may appeal to those seeking transparent fees and independent advice.
Experience: 18 years
Avg account: $0
-
Gaines W
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Knoxville, TN
Merrill
Gaines Walker offers specialized guidance in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, leveraging his CFP® certification and 43 years of experience to navigate tax implications and withdrawal timing effectively. Based in Knoxville and affiliated with Merrill, a large firm, he serves diverse professionals including doctors and attorneys, charging a 1.10% AUM fee for managed strategies under $2 million, which may suit mid-career high earners seeking comprehensive wealth management.
Experience: 44 years
Avg account: $860,085
-
Derrick H
CFP®, ChFC®
Knoxville, TN
Oppna Wealth LLC
Derrick Hanson, a CFP® and ChFC® based in Knoxville, specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, supported by seven years of industry experience. As the sole advisor at Oppna Wealth LLC, he offers personalized financial planning with a 1.50% annual AUM fee, integrating estate planning, taxes, and retirement income to provide comprehensive guidance beyond just education funding.
Experience: 7 years
Avg account: $379,161
Want help finding the right advisor?
Answer a few questions to see advisors matched to you.
Advisors focused on
People also searched
Popular in Knoxville, TN
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”)