Large-firm, college savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) financial advisors in Sanford, NC

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, like saving in a 529 plan or UTMA account, you want an advisor who understands how to balance growth with the timing of tuition payments. Without this focus, you might end up with investments that are too risky or too conservative for your child's education timeline. Large-firm advisors often have access to a wide range of resources and specialists to support your college savings goals.

  • Education cost forecasting. Ask how they estimate future tuition and related expenses to align your savings plan.
  • Tax implications. Confirm they explain how different accounts affect your taxes now and during college withdrawals.
  • Investment risk management. Look for strategies that adjust as your child gets closer to college age, protecting your savings from market swings.
  • Account flexibility. Check if they discuss options for changing beneficiaries or using funds for other education-related costs.

Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.

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Dargan M

CFP®, Series 63, Series 66

Sanford, NC

Edward Jones

Dargan Moore is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Sanford, NC, holding the CFP® designation with 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2002. Outside of his advisory role, Moore owns a sole proprietorship focused on designing and building wooden furniture and serves as a board member on the Finance Committee for the St. James Santee Brick Church Restoration Committee in McClellanville, SC. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm operates a nationwide network of over 23,700 advisors and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

General estate planning guidance Multi-generational wealth transfer Retirement income strategy General retirement planning Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive Women Professionals Widow/Widower

Bobby P

Series 66

Wilmington, NC

Wells Fargo Clearing

Bobby Pulgarin is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management based in Pinehurst, North Carolina. He serves families and business owners throughout Central and Coastal North Carolina, providing personalized financial strategies aimed at growing and protecting wealth. His client focus areas include liquidity management, managing new wealth, and personal retirement planning, with expertise in retirement planning, investment management, and 401(k) and business retirement plans. Bobby holds professional designations as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned a High School Diploma from Lee Christian School and an Associate's Degree from Central Carolina Community College. Bobby’s approach centers on building long-term relationships grounded in integrity and clarity by understanding clients’ priorities and delivering strategies that align with their goals. Outside of his professional work, Bobby enjoys antiquing, chess, fishing, hunting, spending time with family, traveling, and watching movies. His philosophy emphasizes helping families and business owners uncover what matters most and create personalized financial plans to pursue their objectives.

General retirement planning Wealth management Founder/Business Owner
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Timothy W

Series 63, Series 65

Sanford, NC

Truist Advisory Services

Timothy Wilson is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 18 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked with Truist Advisory Services and its affiliated entities since 2018, formerly with BB&T Investments. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, employing a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary strategies supported by third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools.

Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Johnathan S

Series 63, Series 66

Sanford, NC

Cetera

Johnathan Stephens is a financial advisor with Cetera in Sanford, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and 16 years of industry experience. He has worked at Cetera since 2025 and previously spent nine years with Concourse Financial Group Securities Inc. Stephens also operates Legacy Asset Strategies, through which he provides financial and investment services, including advice on annuity, disability, and long-term care insurance products. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual, employer-sponsored retirement, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through a large network of independent advisors, utilizing both affiliated and third-party investment managers across diverse program structures.

Wealth management Tax-loss harvesting Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Business exit / sale strategy Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Carter M

Series 66

Sanford, NC

Davenport & Company LLC

Carter Mathis is a financial advisor at Davenport & Company LLC with five years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Fidelity Investments and Edward Jones. Outside of his advisory roles, he was involved with Pole Vault Carolina for two years. Davenport & Company serves individual and institutional clients, including banks, pension plans, trusts, and nonprofits, providing asset management, brokerage, fixed income, public finance, and investment banking services. The firm’s advisory division offers separately managed accounts, model delivery, and financial planning, supported by dedicated portfolio teams and a Manager Research group.

Options & derivatives strategies Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired
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Hassan A

Series 63, Series 65

Rockville, MD

LPL Financial

Hassan Al Kadhimi is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and two years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. He is also involved with NIHFCU Wealth Advisors, a related business entity. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, and institutional platforms, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Wealth management Retirement income strategy College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Tax-loss harvesting Annuities Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Richard B

Series 63, Series 66

Austin, TX

Charles Schwab

Richard Brandi is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab based in Austin, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 32 years of industry experience. He has been with Charles Schwab and Charles Schwab Bank ssb since 2003 and 2005, respectively. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and affiliated managed-account and financial planning services. The firm offers a mix of non-discretionary and discretionary investment guidance, leveraging multi-asset model portfolios and research from its Schwab Center for Financial Research.

Private / alternative investments Real estate investing Multi-state taxation College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.)
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Thaddeus P

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Grand Rapids, MI

Advance Wealth Management Service, LLC

Thaddeus Phelps is a CFP® professional with 28 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Advance Wealth Management Service, LLC since 2019 and previously spent 14 years with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. In addition to his advisory work, Phelps owns a tax preparation business and an accounting support service, and he serves in fiduciary roles such as trustee and executor. Advance Wealth Management Service, LLC provides investment advisory and financial planning services primarily to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm offers discretionary investment management through a wrap asset management program and emphasizes an individualized approach with asset allocation supported by fundamental, sector, and technical analysis, including risk management strategies such as put options and conservative cash instruments.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Charitable giving & philanthropy General estate planning guidance General tax planning Options & derivatives strategies
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Paul K

CFP®, Series 65

Zimmerman, MN

Longview Financial, Inc.

Paul Kinneberg is a CFP® and Series 65-registered advisor with 24 years of industry experience. He has been the principal and sole advisor at Longview Financial, Inc. since 2000 and also holds a long-term corporate role at CenturyLink. Longview Financial, Inc. provides personalized, fee-only financial planning and investment management primarily for individual clients. The firm uses a strategic asset allocation approach with a core-and-satellite framework, combining passive index and ETF core holdings with active funds when appropriate, and manages client assets on a non-discretionary basis with an emphasis on individualized advice.

General tax planning College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Cash flow / budgeting

Justin S

CFP®, ChFC®, Series 66

Prairie Village, KS

Edward Jones

Justin Scicluna is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Prairie Village, KS, holding the CFP®, ChFC®, and Series 66 designations with 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2013. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients, including a range of household types, pension plans, corporate clients, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers various advisory programs, discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, and affiliated investment products through a nationwide network of over 23,700 financial advisors.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) General estate planning guidance Multi-generational wealth transfer Retirement income strategy General retirement planning Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Jeffrey P

Series 66

Dacula, GA

Merrill

Jeffrey Park is a financial advisor at Merrill with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Merrill and affiliated firms since 2011, including roles at JPMorgan Chase Bank and J.P. Morgan Securities. Outside of his advisory work, he is a sole owner and co-owner of family rental properties in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management
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Scott M

Series 63, Series 65

New York, NY

Morgan Stanley

Scott Mahoney is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in New York, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley since 2009, including roles at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved with Giants Foot Cubed LLC. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a large SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a wide range of advisory programs and financial planning services supported by structured planning tools and broad investment resources.

General estate planning guidance
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Elizabeth B

Series 66

New York, NY

J.P. Morgan Securities

Elizabeth Brown is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in New York, NY, where she has worked since 2012. She has 26 years of industry experience. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to clients such as corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities.

Wealth management Executive Founder/Business Owner
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Wesley P

Series 63, Series 66

Fort Worth, TX

Wells Fargo Clearing

Wesley Pool is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at JPMorgan Securities LLC for seven years. Outside of finance, he has been involved with #TagMeBro LLC and Fry Street Public House. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions.

Retired Founder/Business Owner
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Willie M

Series 63, Series 66

Cary, NC

Equitable Advisors

Willie Myles is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Cary, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. He has worked at Equitable Advisors since 2016, previously serving at Axa Advisors and MSI Financial Services. Outside of advising, he is a co-chairman of a fundraising campaign for Alpha Light Fund Inc., a nonprofit focused on renovating the House of Alpha. Equitable Advisors serves a range of clients including individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, providing financial planning, retirement consulting, and asset management through a network of representatives and third-party managers. The firm offers various investment vehicles and ERISA fiduciary services, relying on third-party program sponsors and an affiliation with a publicly traded parent company.

Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Business exit / sale strategy Concentrated stock management Equity Recipients (RS/RSU, SOP, ESPP) Long-term care insurance Founder/Business Owner Retired Executive Approaching retirement Sandwich Generation
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