CFP®-certified financial advisors working with scientific professionals

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.

If you work in a scientific field, your income and career path might have unique patterns like grant cycles or project-based bonuses. Without an advisor who understands these nuances, you risk misaligning your financial goals with your professional realities. CFP® certification means these advisors have formal training in financial planning, which helps them navigate complex income streams and long-term goals.

  • Income variability insight. Ask how they plan for fluctuating earnings common in research or lab work.
  • Retirement timing. Confirm they consider your career milestones and potential sabbaticals when recommending savings strategies.
  • Tax implications. Scientific professionals often face specific deductions or credits; check how they incorporate these into your plan.
  • Grant and bonus management. See if they have experience handling irregular payments to optimize your cash flow and investments.

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

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Michele N

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Chapel Hill, NC

Phoenix Wealth Advisors Inc.

Michele Nettesheim is a CFP® with 21 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Phoenix Wealth Advisors Inc. in Chapel Hill, NC. She has been with Phoenix Wealth Advisors since 2018 and has prior experience at Raymond James Financial Services dating back to 2005. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved in a rental real estate business. Phoenix Wealth Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, and corporations. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning and asset management, combining fundamental and technical analysis with both long- and short-term strategies, and administers a wrap-fee program that integrates third-party manager models with in-house overlays.

General tax planning Wealth management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Executive Founder/Business Owner Educators, Teachers, and Academics Scientific Professional

Ian B

CFP®

Raleigh, NC

Open World Financial Life Planning

Hi! My name is Ian Bloom. I started my firm, Open World Financial Life Planning because I wanted to serve other nerds, not sell financial products. I focus on systematizing my clients’ financial lives to reduce their stress and worry, so that they can focus on their passions. As a nerd, I understand what it’s like to have hobbies and priorities outside of the norm. Whether your interests lie in gaming, programming, collecting, or something tamer, my goal is to make your financial life much more simple so that you have less stress and more time to focus on your interests. Life shouldn’t be about scrolling through google searches to solve a complex financial question. Your time should be spent doing the things you love and taking care of the people you care about. My philosophy on financial life planning was shaped through my experience getting my CFP® and RLP® designations, my bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and three years of amazing mentorship in the financial industry. Comprehensive financial life planning with my firm combines the skills I’ve developed through my experience and education, the perspective I have as a nerd and Millennial, and the drive I have to increase financial literacy within my community. I chose a fee-only structure for the firm in order to minimize conflicts of interest and make payment as transparent for my clients as possible. Having no product sales involved means I can focus on the perfect solution for my clients, not getting paid. Working with my firm starts with a complimentary first meeting in which we talk through your values, goals, and finances. If we decide to work together we will gather details on your finances, analyze and prioritize your goals, and eventually arrive at a plan through collaboration. I will help with the implementation of that plan, educating you on the what’s and why’s of each checklist item so that you feel comfortable with the changes. At the end of a year, we will review our progress and reassess the plan going forward. On the personal side of things, my passions lie in gaming. I love tabletop games, trading card games, and video games. I specifically love anything that is geared toward difficult strategic decisions. My passion for gaming is what got me so interested in financial strategies! Go ahead and book that first meeting to get started! It’s always FREE. If you're not sure yet, check out my books on Amazon to learn more about my financial philosophy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5P83

Cash flow / budgeting College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Business ownership considerations General estate planning guidance Technology Professional Scientific Professional Gen Y/Millennials (Born 1980-1995)
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Surin M

Series 65

Ann Arbor, MI

Milieu Personal Finance LLC

Surin Mong is a financial advisor at Milieu Personal Finance LLC with a Series 65 credential and one year of industry experience. He has prior experience at Choate, Hall & Stewart and several biotechnology firms, and is currently employed as an Associate Director of Licensing at the University of Michigan, where he focuses on developing and licensing academic innovations. Milieu Personal Finance LLC provides fee-only financial planning and discretionary investment management primarily for individual clients, including both non–high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals. The firm combines modern portfolio theory with passive and active strategies, offers ESG options, and emphasizes serving non-HNW clients through comprehensive and project-based engagements.

Business ownership considerations Cash flow / budgeting College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Retirement income strategy Scientific Professional University Employee Mid-Career Professionals

Warren W

Series 66

Houston, TX

Merrill

Warren White is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He holds the Professional Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and supports clients in managing their financial goals. Warren earned a Doctorate and a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Texas at Austin. His academic background underpins his expertise in financial advising within the wealth management sector.

Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management Retired Scientific Professional Established Professionals Married/Couples/Partners Parents

Scott D

CFP®, CPA

El Dorado Hills, CA

Thrive Financial Planning

Scott has had an interest in finance and investing ever since his first job delivering newspapers when he was eleven years old. He grew up in the home of a physician and scientist, studied finance and accounting and worked in Silicon Valley for a few years. After all these experiences, he has settled into the profession he always envisioned. He works with individuals and families in the medical, scientific and technology fields to understand their financial goals and dreams and develop a uniquely tailored financial plan. He strives to remove the pain points in his clients' financial lives, increase their confidence about the future and reduce the costs associated with their financial decisions. He loves the opportunity to provide this service. Scott is married and has four children. He enjoys music, along with his wife and daughter, and can sometimes be found building LEGOs with his three sons. He has also lived and traveled various places in the world and loves learning about history and culture.

General retirement planning Wealth management Doctor or Medical Professional Scientific Professional Gen X (Born 1965-1980)
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Sarah C

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Boston, MA

Santander Securities LLC

Sarah Currier Barrella is a CFP® professional with 26 years of experience in financial advisory services. She currently works at Santander Securities LLC and Santander Bank, NA, having previously held positions at TD Bank and Citizens Securities, Inc. Barrella is based in Boston, MA. Santander Securities LLC serves a broad retail client base with approximately $3.14 billion in regulatory assets under management across 10,800 client relationships. The firm offers investment advisory services, portfolio management through wrap-fee programs, and financial planning, operating both as a registered investment adviser and a FINRA-registered broker-dealer.

ESG / Sustainable investing Tax-loss harvesting General retirement planning Income planning Founder/Business Owner
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Elanna G

CFP®, Series 66

Cleveland, OH

Cambridge Investment Research Advisors

Elanna Gould is a CFP® professional with six years of experience, currently advising at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors in Cleveland, OH. Her background includes roles at PepsiCo and The Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Center, as well as academic experience at The Ohio State University. She is also an independent insurance agent for various companies. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a broad client base, including individuals, retirement plans, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services through a network of independent professionals. The firm provides a range of portfolio management options, proprietary and third-party strategies, and various custody platforms tailored to client objectives.

Wealth management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Retirement income strategy Annuities Self-Employed
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Ethan S

CFP®, Series 65

Auburn Hills, MI

Plante Moran FInancial Advisors

Ethan Siekkinen is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with Plante Moran Financial Advisors. He has one year of industry experience and previously worked at J Wilson Wealth Management. Outside of financial advising, he has experience in the lawn care business with Rizzo Lawn Care. Plante Moran Financial Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm provides investment advisory, financial planning, and estate-planning services, utilizing a range of investment strategies and managing both discretionary and non-discretionary assets.

Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Concentrated stock management Wealth management Executive Founder/Business Owner
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Jace H

CFP®, Series 63, Series 66

Rockwall, TX

Rockwall Wealth Management

Jace Hart is a CFP® with nine years of industry experience and currently serves as a financial advisor at Rockwall Wealth Management. His prior experience includes roles at Leo Wealth, LPL Financial, and Fidelity Brokerage Services. Rockwall Wealth Management provides portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm emphasizes diversified, low-cost ETF model portfolios with a focus on tax efficiency, liquidity, and systematic macro tilts, offering both traditional and advanced investment strategies tailored to client objectives.

Active portfolio management Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Retirement income strategy
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Jeffrey M

CFP®, ChFC®, Series 66

Greenville, DE

Investment Management & Planning LLC

Jeffrey Macdonald is a CFP® and ChFC® with 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Investment Management & Planning LLC since 2010 and is also affiliated with LPL Financial LLC. Investment Management & Planning LLC provides fee-based investment advisory and comprehensive financial planning primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients, offering portfolio management on both discretionary and non-discretionary bases. The firm emphasizes ongoing account supervision and individualized asset allocation, often utilizing LPL-sponsored platforms and model portfolios.

General retirement planning Business succession planning Tax strategies for small businesses Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired Mid-Career Professionals Established Professionals

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