Top college savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) financial advisors working with high-net-worth individuals in Portland, OR
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.
When you're planning for college expenses and want to use tax-advantaged accounts like 529 plans or UTMA (Uniform Transfers to Minors Act) accounts, you need an advisor who understands how to balance growth with your timeline. A common mistake is focusing only on investment returns without considering how distributions might affect financial aid or taxes.
- Tax impact awareness. Confirm how they manage account withdrawals to minimize state and federal income taxes, especially given Oregon's relatively high income tax rates.
- Financial aid strategy. Ask how they coordinate college savings with expected aid eligibility, since some accounts count differently in aid calculations.
- High-net-worth nuances. These advisors understand how large assets can affect gift tax rules and estate planning when funding college savings.
- Account selection guidance. Inquire about their approach to choosing between 529 plans, UTMA accounts, or other vehicles based on your family's goals and flexibility needs.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
-
Jennifer D
CFP®
Portland, OR
Birch Elliott Financial, LLC
Jennifer De Thomas specializes in college savings strategies for high-net-worth clients in Portland, combining 14 years of experience with a CFP® certification. She offers flat-fee financial planning and employs a primarily passive investment approach using index funds and municipal bonds, which may appeal to families seeking tax-efficient growth and comprehensive planning beyond just college savings.
Experience: 14 years
Avg account: $936,496
-
Sean B
CFP®, Series 65
Portland, OR
Burgess Financial Planning
Sean Burgess specializes in college savings strategies for high-net-worth clients in Portland, combining 12 years of experience with CFP® certification to navigate tax-advantaged accounts like 529 plans and UTMA accounts. His independent, fee-only firm emphasizes diversified, passive ETF portfolios and offers flexible fee options including hourly planning and discretionary investment management, distinguishing him from advisors with less tailored investment approaches.
Experience: 13 years
Avg account: $515,875
-
Mark H
CFP®, CFA®
Portland, OR
Index Fund Advisors, Inc.
Mark Higgins specializes in college savings strategies for high-net-worth clients in Portland, leveraging his CFP® and CFA® credentials and 13 years of industry experience. His firm, Index Fund Advisors, Inc., emphasizes index-based portfolio management with tax and risk management, charging a 0.90% annual fee, which may appeal to those seeking a disciplined, theory-driven approach to 529 and UTMA accounts.
Experience: 3 years
Avg account: $2,503,043
-
Danika W
CFP®, Series 65
Seattle, WA
Xena Financial Planning, LLC
Danika Waddell specializes in college savings strategies for high-net-worth clients in Portland, OR, with expertise in 529 plans and UTMA accounts. She offers comprehensive financial planning with a flat-fee structure ranging from $10,000 to $36,000 annually, emphasizing passive investment management and portfolio construction based on Modern Portfolio Theory, which may appeal to clients seeking integrated planning and investment guidance.
Experience: 7 years
Avg account: $885,267
-
Neil R
CFA®
Portland, OR
Neil A. Rue, CFA Investment Advisor
Neil Rue specializes in college savings strategies for high-net-worth clients in Portland, leveraging his CFA expertise and eight years of experience to manage tax-efficient withdrawals and asset allocation. His independent, fee-only practice emphasizes low-cost index funds and strategic rebalancing, catering to clients with $500,000+ in assets, which distinguishes him through a focused, cost-conscious investment approach.
Experience: 9 years
Avg account: $1,803,333
Want help finding the right advisor?
Answer a few questions to see advisors matched to you.
Advisors focused on
People also searched
Popular in Portland, OR
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”)