Flat-fee, college savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) financial advisors in West Des Moines, IA
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 out on how to balance savings growth with financial aid impact or state tax benefits. Flat-fee advisors charge a set price, so you know what to expect without surprises.
- Account type guidance. Confirm how they choose between 529 plans, UTMA accounts, or other options based on your family's goals and state rules.
- Financial aid impact. Ask how they help minimize your savings' effect on your child's eligibility for college aid.
- Investment strategy. Look for advisors who adjust investments as college approaches, balancing growth with risk reduction.
- Tax considerations. Since Iowa recently phased out taxes on retirement income, check how they incorporate current state tax rules into your plan.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Elizabeth J
Series 63, Series 65
West Des Moines, IA
Iowa Wealth Management, LLC
Elizabeth Johnson specializes in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, offering flat-fee consulting based on estimated hours, which suits families seeking predictable costs in West Des Moines. With nine years of experience and a firm managing $124 million for 136 clients, she combines fundamental and technical analysis for personalized investment management, differentiating her from advisors with purely asset-based fees or less tailored approaches.
Experience: 9 years
Avg account: $835,621
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Joseph T
CFP®
Springfield, MO
Forvis Mazars Wealth Advisors, LLC
Joseph Tonkovic offers flat-fee financial planning with a focus on college savings, including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, supported by his CFP® certification and experience at Forvis Mazars Wealth Advisors. His firm uses a committee-driven investment approach blending active and passive strategies, which may appeal to high-net-worth clients seeking coordinated tax and financial planning services beyond just college savings.
Experience: 2 years
Avg account: $2,545,861
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Andrew B
Series 66
West Des Moines, IA
LPL Financial
Andrew Blize specializes in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, offering flat-fee financial planning in West Des Moines, IA. With 10 years of experience at LPL Financial, a large firm serving diverse clients, he combines wealth management and tax-loss harvesting expertise, providing a broad investment approach compared to smaller or hourly-fee advisors nearby.
Experience: 10 years
Avg account: $399,489
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Lisa C
Series 63, Series 65
West Des Moines, IA
Advisory Alpha, LLC
Lisa Carlson specializes in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, offering flat-fee financial planning in West Des Moines, IA. With 10 years of experience and Series 63 and 65 licenses, she provides tailored strategies through Advisory Alpha, LLC, which emphasizes diverse investment approaches and serves both individual and high-net-worth clients, distinguishing her from advisors with narrower focuses or fee structures.
Experience: 10 years
Avg account: $269,985
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Matthew G
Series 63, Series 66
West Des Moines, IA
Empower Advisory Group
Matthew Gasser specializes in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, offering flat-fee options with one-time fees ranging from $199 to $499 and monthly subscriptions of $15 or $29. With nine years of experience and a background at major financial institutions, he works through Empower Advisory Group, a large firm focused on integrated financial planning and investment management in West Des Moines, IA.
Experience: 9 years
Avg account: $565,063
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