Financial advisors for founders in North Carolina
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.
Where to start
Chosen from what each record shows: credentials that fit this work and fees on file, one advisor per firm.
- Addison Delage CAPTRUST, Raleigh Holds the CPA, CFP and CFA. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, percentage of assets.
- Stephan Shipe Scholar Financial Advising, Winston-Salem Holds the CFP and CFA. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer.
- Stephen Miller Forward Wealth Management, Charlotte Holds the CFP and CFA. Fees on file: percentage of assets.
- Zachary Ashburn Reach Strategic Wealth, Winston-Salem Holds the EA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, one-time planning fee.
- Will Revels PieCapital, Raleigh Holds the CFP and CFA. Fees on file: percentage of assets, one-time planning fee.
- 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.
Plus 32 in other cities.
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.
- CPA2% in North Carolina
- CPAs can model deal structure and the tax on proceeds.
- EA2% in North Carolina
- Enrolled agents bring tax depth for multi-year planning.
- CFP42% in North Carolina
- The CFP covers life after the exit, not only the sale.
- CFA11% in North Carolina
- 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.
Dark bars are North Carolina. Light bars are all US advisors for founders.
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.
All 96 advisors
| Advisor | Firm | City | Credentials | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin May Tax-focused wealth management for executives & founders | Old Peak Finance | Chapel Hill | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Charles Terry | Shepherd Wealth Partners, LLC | Waxhaw | CAP, CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Nick Foy | Greenway Wealth Advisors, LLC | Charlotte | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Travis Tracy | Fortitude Financial Planning, LLC | Raleigh | CFP, EA, JD | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Will Revels | PieCapital | Raleigh | CEPA, CFA, CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Evan Luongo | NoDa Wealth Management | Charlotte | CFP | One-time planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Stephan Shipe Flat-fee, team-reviewed planning for DIY investors and families with complex wealth, from equity compensation to business exits. | Scholar Financial Advising | Winston-Salem | CFP, CFA, PhD | Flat fee or retainer |
| Nicholas Faulkner | Testament Wealth Management | Cary | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Zachary Ashburn | Reach Strategic Wealth | Winston-Salem | CFP, EA, AFC | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| John Sanders | Portus Wealth Advisors | Charlotte | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| William Bissett | Portus Wealth Advisors | Charlotte | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Edward Fulbright | Fulbright Financial Consulting, PA | Durham | CPA/PFS | Ongoing planning fee |
| Nicholas O'Kelly | Cadence Wealth Partners | Concord | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Sean Williams | Cadence Wealth Partners | Concord | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Abby Bennett | Verum Partners | Charlotte | CExP, CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Addison Delage CAPTRUST is a leading independent investment research and advisory firm providing comprehensive wealth management services to individuals and institutions. | CAPTRUST | Raleigh | CFA, CFP, CPA | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Alexis Delia | Tilia Fiduciary Partners | Wilmington | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Matthew Miner | Miner Wealth Management, LLC | Raleigh | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Ryan Casey | Tilia Fiduciary Partners | Wilmington | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Walker Abney | Tilia Fiduciary Partners | Wilmington | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Bert Bennett | West Fork Wealth Management | Chapel Hill | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Lisa Bowers | RPO Wealth Partners | Charlotte | CFP | Fixed fees |
| Thomas Bengtson | Lakeshore Advisors | Charlotte | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Adam Boor | Pursuit Wealth Strategies | Raleigh | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| David Childs | Spartan Planning | Greensboro | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Erika Mielke | Arbor Investment Advisors | Winston Salem | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Joshua Bailey | Muirfield Wealth Advisors | Charlotte | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Kristopher Barney | 30/40 Wealth | Cornelius | CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Matthew Snuggs | Pursuit Wealth Strategies | Raleigh | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Pamela Rigsby | Pursuit Wealth Strategies | Raleigh | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Philip Bailey | Muirfield Wealth Advisors | Charlotte | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Scott Cawood | Arbor Investment Advisors | Winston Salem | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Scott Jones | Arbor Investment Advisors | Winston Salem | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| William Hollan | Arbor Investment Advisors | Winston Salem | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Bryan Llewellyn | Llewellyn Financial | Charlotte | Not listed | Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
| Evan Grey | Grey Private Capital | Charlotte | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Jennifer Pcholinsky | Balentine Wealth Advisors | Raleigh | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| John Maddison | Balentine Wealth Advisors | Raleigh | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Stephen Miller | Forward Wealth Management | Charlotte | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets |
| James Gorzynski We increase your company value by 72% to prepare for a sale | Certified Exit Planners | Charlotte | Not listed | One-time planning fee, Flat fee or retainer |
| Jason Barbera | Heritage Wealth Advisors | Durham | CFA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Shawn Hudspeth | Tilia Fiduciary Partners | Wilmington | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Thomas Favor | Tilia Fiduciary Partners | Wilmington | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Andrew Lee | Linkside Financial | Charlotte | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Brenton Bersin | Linkside Financial | Charlotte | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Dana Strickland | Scholar Financial Advising | Winston-Salem | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer |
| Evan Mills | Scholar Financial Advising | Winston-Salem | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer |
| Jeffrey Martin | RPO Wealth Partners | Charlotte | Not listed | Fixed fees |
| Kevin Blocker | Linkside Financial | Charlotte | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Noah Lewis | Scholar Financial Advising | Winston-Salem | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer |
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