# Deaton Smith

> Deaton Smith is a fee-only financial advisor at Thayer Financial in Hickory, North Carolina, who holds the CFP and ChFC credentials. Deaton charges a percentage of assets (ongoing planning from $10,000 a year and 1.15% a year on the first tier of assets managed) and focuses on retirement planning, tax planning and estate & legacy planning.

Page: https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/deaton-smith/
Built from public directory listings; last checked April 21, 2026.

## Facts

- **Firm:** Thayer Financial
- **Based in:** Hickory, North Carolina
- **Fee model:** Percentage of assets
- **Fees (firm's website):** ongoing planning from $10,000 a year; 1.15% a year on the first tier of assets managed; a $1,000,000 asset minimum
- **Assets under management (firm):** $106.4M across 493 accounts
- **Credentials:** CFP, ChFC
- **Specialties:** Retirement planning, Tax planning, Estate & legacy planning, Small business owners
- **CRD:** 6600354 (https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/individual/summary/6600354)
- **SEC registration:** Investment adviser representative in NC, TX
- **Exams passed:** Series 65 (2016), Series 63 (2016)
- **Firm size:** 2 employees
- **Disclosures:** None reported
- **Website:** https://thayerfinancial.com

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Deaton Smith a fee-only financial advisor?

Yes. Deaton Smith is listed in the XY Planning Network directory (XYPN members are fee-only). SEC records as of October 27, 2026 show no broker registration and no commission compensation reported by Deaton's firm.

### How does Deaton charge for financial advice?

Deaton charges a percentage of assets.

### How much does Deaton charge?

According to Thayer Financial's website, checked October 28, 2026: ongoing planning from $10,000 a year; 1.15% a year on the first tier of assets managed; a $1,000,000 asset minimum.

### Where is Deaton Smith based?

Deaton Smith is based in Hickory, North Carolina.

### What does Deaton specialize in?

Deaton's specialties include retirement planning, tax planning, estate & legacy planning and small business owners.

### What credentials does Deaton Smith hold?

Deaton Smith holds the CFP and ChFC credentials.

### Is Deaton Smith registered with the SEC?

Yes. Deaton Smith is registered as an investment adviser representative in NC and TX (CRD 6600354), per SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure data as of October 27, 2026.

### How much does Thayer Financial manage?

Thayer Financial reports $106.4M across 493 accounts in assets under management.

### How do I contact Deaton Smith?

Through Deaton's website, thayerfinancial.com.

## Sources

- XY Planning Network directory listing (https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/find-an-advisor/deaton-smith-10883): XYPN members are fee-only
- SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure and Form ADV: registration, exams, and firm facts, data as of October 27, 2026
- The firm's website (https://www.thayerfinancial.com/): specialties, clients served, and fees, checked October 28, 2026

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Source: Wellspent, the public graph of fee-only advisors (https://find.wellspent.co). No paid placement.