CFP®-certified, college savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) financial advisors in Rochester, NY
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 custodial accounts. Without careful planning, you might miss opportunities to reduce future tax burdens or limit financial aid eligibility.
- Tax impact awareness. Ask how they balance contributions to 529s versus other savings vehicles to optimize tax benefits and financial aid.
- Account ownership strategy. Confirm whether they recommend custodial accounts or 529 plans based on your family's control preferences and financial goals.
- Education cost projections. A good advisor will model future college costs realistically, not just rely on current tuition rates.
- Estate tax considerations. In New York, small increases above exemption limits can trigger large estate taxes; check how they incorporate this into your savings plan.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Bryan G
CFP®
Rochester, NY
Oak Crest Advisory, LLC
Bryan Gray is a CFP® professional in Rochester, NY, specializing in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, with four years of industry experience and a background in tax and accounting. His firm, Oak Crest Advisory, uses a strategic asset allocation with a passive management style and offers flat-fee pension consulting, distinguishing him from advisors focused solely on active management or commission-based fees.
Experience: 5 years
Avg account: $479,632
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Zachary E
CFP®
Rochester, NY
Seneca Financial Advisors LLC
Zachary Erskine is a CFP® professional in Rochester, NY, specializing in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, with seven years of experience. His firm serves high-net-worth clients and offers flat-fee comprehensive financial planning, combining tax planning and investment consulting with a long-term strategic asset allocation approach, distinguishing him from advisors focused solely on standard college savings.
Experience: 7 years
Avg account: $2,312,897
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Katharine B
CFP®, Series 66
Rochester, NY
Linden Financial Consultants, LLC
Katharine Bressington is a CFP®-certified advisor in Rochester, NY, specializing in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, with additional expertise in estate planning and budgeting. She offers fee-only, hourly financial planning through Linden Financial Consultants, which employs a long-term buy-and-hold investment approach using low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, distinguishing her with a focus on diversified asset allocation and independent advice.
Experience: 4 years
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Joseph M
CFP®, ChFC®, Series 63
Rochester, NY
Novem Group
Joseph McPherson's 41 years of experience and CFP® certification equip him to guide college savings strategies in Rochester, NY, including 529 plans and UTMA accounts. His firm, Novem Group, offers both discretionary and non-discretionary investment services with a blend of fundamental, cyclical, and technical analysis, and he provides flat-fee financial planning, distinguishing him from advisors with purely asset-based fees.
Experience: 42 years
Avg account: $390,736
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Melinda L
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Rochester, NY
LPL Financial
Melinda Lenzi's 20 years of experience and CFP® certification equip her to guide college savings strategies in Rochester, NY, including 529 plans and UTMA accounts. Affiliated with LPL Financial, a large firm offering flat-fee financial planning, she also brings expertise in tax-loss harvesting and retirement plans, providing a broad perspective beyond just education funding.
Experience: 20 years
Avg account: $399,489
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