# Financial advisors for founders in North Carolina > For founders in North Carolina, talk to a fee-only planner who has worked through a liquidity event, ideally well before you sign anything. The most valuable decisions, like QSBS eligibility and gifting shares, usually have to be made ahead of the sale. Records to start with include Addison Delage of CAPTRUST, Stephan Shipe of Scholar Financial Advising and Stephen Miller of Forward Wealth Management. Page: https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/founders-pre-exit/north-carolina/ 96 fee-only advisors listed; data last updated October 30, 2026. Fee-only means paid only by clients, never by commissions. ## Which financial advisor should I talk to as a founder in North Carolina? For founders in North Carolina, talk to a fee-only planner who has worked through a liquidity event, ideally well before you sign anything. The most valuable decisions, like QSBS eligibility and gifting shares, usually have to be made ahead of the sale. Records to start with include Addison Delage of CAPTRUST, Stephan Shipe of Scholar Financial Advising and Stephen Miller of Forward Wealth Management. - [Addison Delage](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/addison-delage/), CAPTRUST, Raleigh. Holds the CPA, CFP and CFA. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, percentage of assets. - [Stephan Shipe](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/stephan-shipe/), Scholar Financial Advising, Winston-Salem. Holds the CFP and CFA. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer. - [Stephen Miller](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/stephen-miller-4112825/), Forward Wealth Management, Charlotte. Holds the CFP and CFA. Fees on file: percentage of assets. - [Zachary Ashburn](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/zachary-ashburn/), Reach Strategic Wealth, Winston-Salem. Holds the EA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, one-time planning fee. - [Will Revels](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/will-revels/), PieCapital, Raleigh. Holds the CFP and CFA. Fees on file: percentage of assets, one-time planning fee. - [Travis Tracy](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/travis-tracy/), Fortitude Financial Planning, LLC, Raleigh. Holds the EA and CFP. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, ongoing planning fee. ## How many fee-only financial advisors in North Carolina work with founders? The Wellspent public graph lists 96 fee-only advisors for founders in North Carolina, at 51 firms. We counted every advisor record that lists this work, as of October 2026. ## Where are fee-only advisors for founders in North Carolina located? Of the 96 fee-only advisors for founders in North Carolina, 27 are in Charlotte, followed by 15 in Raleigh and 9 in Winston Salem. ## How do fee-only advisors for founders in North Carolina charge? The most common fee among fee-only advisors for founders in North Carolina is a percentage of assets, used by 88% of the 96 with fees on file. Many use more than one: 56% charge fixed fees and 29% charge by the hour. ## How much do fee-only financial advisors charge in North Carolina? Fee-only financial advisors in North Carolina charge a median of $4,500 a year for ongoing planning. We found this across the published prices of 33 North Carolina firms. ## How much does a one-time financial plan cost in North Carolina? A one-time financial plan from a fee-only firm in North Carolina has a median price of $1,950. We found this across the published prices of 19 North Carolina firms. ## What credentials should a financial advisor for founders have? For founders, look for the CPA, EA and CFP. In North Carolina, 42% of the 96 advisors listed hold the CFP. - CPA (2% of advisors listed): CPAs can model deal structure and the tax on proceeds. - EA (2% of advisors listed): Enrolled agents bring tax depth for multi-year planning. - CFP (42% of advisors listed): The CFP covers life after the exit, not only the sale. - CFA (11% of advisors listed): The CFA helps with investing a large sum at once. ## How do North Carolina advisors for founders compare with the rest of the US? 29% of fee-only advisors for founders in North Carolina charge by the hour, compared with 46% of the 3,000 listed across the US. That's the largest difference in the Wellspent public graph between the two groups. ## Does North Carolina tax income on top of federal tax? Yes. North Carolina has a state income tax, so a financial plan for a North Carolina resident should project it alongside federal tax. ## What happens to stock pay if you move to or from North Carolina? States often tax stock pay based on where you worked between grant and vesting, so a move to or from North Carolina can split that income across states. Tell any advisor about moves during a vesting period. ## What should I ask a financial advisor as a founder in North Carolina? - How many clients have you taken through an exit, and at what size? - How would you check whether my shares qualify for QSBS? - What should I do before a term sheet that I can't do after? - How would you invest the proceeds in the first year? - How will you plan for North Carolina tax alongside federal tax? - If I move before my grants vest, which states can tax them? ## How current is this list of fee-only advisors for founders in North Carolina? Wellspent last checked these records against SEC records in October 2026 and firm websites in October 2026. Each advisor's page shows the date for that record. ## Advisors | Advisor | Firm | Location | Credentials | Fees | |---|---|---|---|---| | [Justin May](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/justin-may.md) | Old Peak Finance | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets | | [Charles Terry](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/charles-terry.md) | Shepherd Wealth Partners, LLC | Waxhaw, North Carolina | CAP, CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [Nick Foy](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/nick-foy.md) | Greenway Wealth Advisors, LLC | Charlotte, North Carolina | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee | | [Travis Tracy](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/travis-tracy.md) | Fortitude Financial Planning, LLC | Raleigh, North Carolina | CFP, EA, JD | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [Will Revels](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/will-revels.md) | PieCapital | Raleigh, North Carolina | CEPA, CFA, CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee | | [Evan Luongo](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/evan-luongo.md) | NoDa Wealth Management | Charlotte, North Carolina | CFP | One-time planning fee, Percentage of assets | | [Stephan Shipe](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/stephan-shipe.md) | Scholar Financial Advising | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | CFP, CFA, PhD | Flat fee or retainer | | [Nicholas Faulkner](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/nicholas-faulkner.md) | Testament Wealth Management | Cary, North Carolina | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer | | [Zachary Ashburn](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/zachary-ashburn.md) | Reach Strategic Wealth | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | CFP, EA, AFC | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee | | [John Sanders](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/john-sanders.md) | Portus Wealth Advisors | Charlotte, North Carolina | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees, Performance-based fees | | [William Bissett](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/william-bissett.md) | Portus Wealth Advisors | Charlotte, North Carolina | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees, Performance-based fees | | [Edward Fulbright](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/edward-fulbright.md) | Fulbright Financial Consulting, PA | Durham, North Carolina | CPA/PFS | Ongoing planning fee | | [Nicholas O'Kelly](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/nicholas-o-kelly.md) | Cadence Wealth Partners | Concord, North Carolina | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets | | [Sean Williams](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/sean-williams.md) | Cadence Wealth Partners | Concord, North Carolina | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets | | [Abby Bennett](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/abby-bennett.md) | Verum Partners | Charlotte, North Carolina | CExP, CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Addison Delage](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/addison-delage.md) | CAPTRUST | Raleigh, North Carolina | CFA, CFP, CPA | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets | | [Alexis Delia](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/alexis-delia.md) | Tilia Fiduciary Partners | Wilmington, North Carolina | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Matthew Miner](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/matthew-miner.md) | Miner Wealth Management, LLC | Raleigh, North Carolina | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Ryan Casey](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/ryan-casey.md) | Tilia Fiduciary Partners | Wilmington, North Carolina | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Walker Abney](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/walker-abney.md) | Tilia Fiduciary Partners | Wilmington, North Carolina | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Bert Bennett](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/bert-bennett.md) | West Fork Wealth Management | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Lisa Bowers](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/lisa-bowers.md) | RPO Wealth Partners | Charlotte, North Carolina | CFP | Fixed fees | | [Thomas Bengtson](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/thomas-bengtson.md) | Lakeshore Advisors | Charlotte, North Carolina | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Adam Boor](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/adam-boor.md) | Pursuit Wealth Strategies | Raleigh, North Carolina | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [David Childs](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/david-childs.md) | Spartan Planning | Greensboro, North Carolina | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Erika Mielke](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/erika-mielke.md) | Arbor Investment Advisors | Winston Salem, North Carolina | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Joshua Bailey](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/joshua-bailey.md) | Muirfield Wealth Advisors | Charlotte, North Carolina | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Kristopher Barney](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/kristopher-barney.md) | 30/40 Wealth | Cornelius, North Carolina | CFA | Percentage of assets | | [Matthew Snuggs](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/matthew-snuggs.md) | Pursuit Wealth Strategies | Raleigh, North Carolina | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Pamela Rigsby](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/pamela-rigsby.md) | Pursuit Wealth Strategies | Raleigh, North Carolina | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Philip Bailey](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/philip-bailey.md) | Muirfield Wealth Advisors | Charlotte, North Carolina | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Scott Cawood](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/scott-cawood.md) | Arbor Investment Advisors | Winston Salem, North Carolina | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Scott Jones](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/scott-jones.md) | Arbor Investment Advisors | Winston Salem, North Carolina | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [William Hollan](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/william-hollan.md) | Arbor Investment Advisors | Winston Salem, North Carolina | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Bryan Llewellyn](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/bryan-llewellyn.md) | Llewellyn Financial | Charlotte, North Carolina | | Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee, Percentage of assets | | [Evan Grey](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/evan-grey.md) | Grey Private Capital | Charlotte, North Carolina | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets | | [Jennifer Pcholinsky](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jennifer-pcholinsky.md) | Balentine Wealth Advisors | Raleigh, North Carolina | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [John Maddison](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/john-maddison.md) | Balentine Wealth Advisors | Raleigh, North Carolina | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Stephen Miller](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/stephen-miller-4112825.md) | Forward Wealth Management | Charlotte, North Carolina | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets | | [James Gorzynski](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/james-gorzynski.md) | Certified Exit Planners | Charlotte, North Carolina | | One-time planning fee, Flat fee or retainer | | [Jason Barbera](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jason-barbera.md) | Heritage Wealth Advisors | Durham, North Carolina | CFA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Shawn Hudspeth](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/shawn-hudspeth.md) | Tilia Fiduciary Partners | Wilmington, North Carolina | | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Thomas Favor](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/thomas-favor.md) | Tilia Fiduciary Partners | Wilmington, North Carolina | | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Andrew Lee](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/andrew-lee.md) | Linkside Financial | Charlotte, North Carolina | | Percentage of assets | | [Brenton Bersin](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/brenton-bersin.md) | Linkside Financial | Charlotte, North Carolina | | Percentage of assets | | [Dana Strickland](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/dana-strickland.md) | Scholar Financial Advising | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | | Flat fee or retainer | | [Evan Mills](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/evan-mills.md) | Scholar Financial Advising | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | | Flat fee or retainer | | [Jeffrey Martin](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jeffrey-martin-7327812.md) | RPO Wealth Partners | Charlotte, North Carolina | | Fixed fees | | [Kevin Blocker](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/kevin-blocker.md) | Linkside Financial | Charlotte, North Carolina | | Percentage of assets | | [Noah Lewis](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/noah-lewis.md) | Scholar Financial Advising | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | | Flat fee or retainer | Showing the first 50 of 96. The full list, page by page: https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/founders-pre-exit/north-carolina/?page=2 ## Related - [Retirement planning in North Carolina](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/retirement-planning/north-carolina.md) - [Estate planning in North Carolina](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/estate-planning/north-carolina.md) - [Tax planning in North Carolina](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/tax-planning/north-carolina.md) - [Family wealth transfer in North Carolina](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/family-wealth-transfer/north-carolina.md) - [Retirees in North Carolina](https://find.wellspent.co/audiences/retirees/north-carolina.md) - [Pre-retirees in North Carolina](https://find.wellspent.co/audiences/pre-retirees/north-carolina.md) ## About this data Sources and verification: https://find.wellspent.co/methodology/ Query the directory programmatically: https://api.wellspent.co/mcp (MCP, read-only, no auth).