79/100RFA Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.9★ from 922 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Financial Advisors in Chapel Hill, NC: 2026 rankings
206 financial advisors ranked by RFA ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest RFA Score in Chapel Hill: Student Loan Planner, RFA Score 79/100; 4.9★ from 922 Google reviews; open 7 days a week.
- 3
Most-reviewed: Paul Scheible, CPA, PLLC, 151 Google reviews at 4.9★, the most of 206 ranked after Student Loan Planner; ranked #3.
Rankings can't be bought. Financial advisors can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
206 Chapel Hill financial advisors are ranked here by RFA Score, from eight published factors. 18 open Saturdays and 4 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 5.0★ across 206 rated firms.
Top 10 financial advisors in Chapel Hill at a glance
Ranked by RFA Score from public data such as Google reviews, not by investment performance; sponsored listings are paid, shown separately and never change rank.
| Rank | Business | RFA Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Notable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Student Loan Planner | 79 | 4.9★ (922) | Chapel Hill | Sat · Sun · Evenings | Top score |
| 2 | SLP Wealth | 73 | 4.9★ (72) | Chapel Hill | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 3 | Paul Scheible, CPA, PLLC | 72 | 4.9★ (151) | Durham, 10 mi away | — | Most reviews |
| 4 | Hilltop Wealth Advisors | 71 | 5.0★ (29) | Chapel Hill | — | — |
| 5 | First Horizon Bank - Chapel Hill, NC - S Estes Dr | 70 | 4.6★ (29) | Chapel Hill | — | — |
| 6 | B & A Financial Services | 70 | 4.8★ (48) | Durham, 7 mi away | — | — |
| 7 | WOOMER Insurance | 69 | 4.8★ (126) | Apex, 17 mi away | — | — |
| 8 | Old Peak Finance | 69 | 5.0★ (17) | Chapel Hill | — | — |
| 9 | Cardinal Hill Wealth Management | 69 | 5.0★ (76) | Cary, 18 mi away | — | — |
| 10 | Woodward Financial Advisors | 69 | 5.0★ (13) | Chapel Hill | — | — |
All 206 financial advisors in Chapel Hill, in rank order
Ordered by RFA Score, a 0–100 score from eight published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Ranked by RFA Score from public data such as Google reviews, not by investment performance; sponsored listings are paid, shown separately and never change rank.
Scores below: based on 6 of 8 factors; registration and recency not yet collected. Hatched segments mark factors we don't have yet.
#2 SLP Wealth
Based in Chapel Hill
73/100RFA ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.9★ from 72 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Durham, 10 mi away
72/100RFA ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.9★ from 151 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Chapel Hill
71/100RFA ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 29 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Chapel Hill
70/100RFA ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.6★ from 29 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Durham, 7 mi away
70/100RFA ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.8★ from 48 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Apex, 17 mi away
69/100RFA ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.8★ from 126 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Chapel Hill
69/100RFA ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 17 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial advisor”.
Based in Cary, 18 mi away
69/100RFA ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 76 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Chapel Hill
69/100RFA ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Chapel Hill
68/100RFA ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.6★ from 17 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Chapel Hill
68/100RFA ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.7★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Cary, 15 mi away
68/100RFA ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.9★ from 50 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Durham, 7 mi away
68/100RFA ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 19 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Cary, 19 mi away
68/100RFA ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 56 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Raleigh, 20 mi away
68/100RFA ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.9★ from 72 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Apex, 16 mi away
68/100RFA ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.6★ from 87 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Durham, 12 mi away
67/100RFA ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 27 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
#19 Pelnik Insurance
Based in Cary, 19 mi away
67/100RFA ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.9★ from 61 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
#20 BSG Advisers
Based in Apex, 17 mi away
67/100RFA ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 45 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Chapel Hill
67/100RFA ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 7 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Durham, 6 mi away
67/100RFA ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.4★ from 26 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Raleigh, 23 mi away
67/100RFA ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 65 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Raleigh, 23 mi away
67/100RFA ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 63 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Cary, 18 mi away
67/100RFA ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 43 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Financial advisors ranked #26 to #50
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #50, in RFA Score order; each links to its profile. We publish the top 50 of 206 ranked financial advisors here; the rest are on their profiles.
Also serving Chapel Hill
20 more financial advisors within 25 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a specialty we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.
How we ranked Chapel Hill financial advisors
We scored 206 Chapel Hill financial advisors on eight factors, weighted as shown. A firm is ranked when its specialty is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Sponsored businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Chapel Hill data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 30% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it (client experience, not investment results) | Measured |
| Registration | 20% | Active SEC, state or Canadian securities registration matched in public records (not yet measured) | Not yet collected |
| Review volume | 10% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 5% | Share of reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Specialty focus | 15% | How clearly the firm offers this specialty (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 5% | Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The firm has claimed its Ranked Financial Advisors profile (free or paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Partnered | 5% | The firm links to Ranked Financial Advisors from its own website with our badge, checked periodically | Measured |
How to choose a financial advisor
- Confirm the financial advisor and the firm are registered: Investor.gov and FINRA BrokerCheck in the US, the CSA National Registration Search in Canada. Read any disclosure events.
- Ask whether they act as a fiduciary on your account at all times, and get the answer in writing.
- Ask how they are paid: a percentage of assets, flat or hourly fees, a retainer, commissions, or a mix. Each creates different conflicts of interest.
- Read the firm’s Form CRS and Form ADV Part 2A brochure (fees, services, conflicts, disciplinary history) before you sign.
- Check designations with the body that grants them, such as the CFP Board for CFP® professionals.
- Ask about account minimums and who holds your money: your assets should sit with an independent custodian in your name.
- Compare at least two or three firms, and be wary of anyone who promises returns or pushes you to decide quickly.
Questions to ask a financial advisor
- Are you a fiduciary for all of the advice you give me, and will you put that in writing?
- How are you paid, in total dollars per year for an account like mine? Do you earn commissions or other payments from product providers?
- Which registrations and designations do you hold, and where can I verify them?
- Who will hold my assets, and how will I see statements directly from that custodian?
- What services are included in your fee, and what would cost extra with you as my financial advisor?
- Do you have a minimum account size or minimum fee?
- Have you or your firm had any complaints or disciplinary actions? Where would I see them?
- How often will we meet, and who will I work with day to day?
- What happens to my plan or accounts if you retire or leave the firm?
Terms explained
- Fiduciary
- Someone legally required to act in a client’s interest. In the US, registered investment advisers owe their clients a fiduciary duty of care and loyalty under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
- Registered investment adviser (RIA)
- A firm registered with the SEC or a state securities regulator to give investment advice for pay. Most firms managing $100 million or more register with the SEC; smaller firms usually register with their state.
- Investment adviser representative (IAR)
- A person who gives advice on behalf of a registered investment adviser, usually registered with the states where they work.
- Broker-dealer
- A firm that buys and sells securities for customers. US broker-dealers are members of FINRA; their registered representatives typically earn commissions.
- Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI)
- The SEC rule, in force since June 30, 2020, requiring broker-dealers to act in a retail customer’s best interest when recommending a security or account type.
- Form ADV
- The registration form every investment adviser files. Part 1 holds facts about the firm; Part 2A, the brochure, describes services, fees, conflicts of interest and disciplinary history in plain English.
- Form CRS
- A short relationship summary that advisers and broker-dealers give retail investors, covering services, fees, conflicts, standard of conduct and disciplinary history.
- CRD number
- The Central Registration Depository number FINRA and the SEC assign to each firm and registered person; use it to look them up on Investor.gov or BrokerCheck.
- Assets under management (AUM) fee
- A yearly fee set as a percentage of the money an advisor manages for you. Advisor surveys have put the median around 1% on accounts up to $1 million, lower on larger accounts.
- Fee-only
- An advisor paid only by clients, with no commissions or other payments from product providers.
- Fee-based
- An advisor who charges client fees and may also earn commissions on some products. It is not the same as fee-only.
- CFP® professional
- A person certified by the CFP Board after meeting education, exam, experience and ethics requirements. The CFP Board requires them to act as a fiduciary when giving financial advice.
Financial advisors in Chapel Hill: frequently asked questions
Which financial advisor has the highest RFA Score in Chapel Hill?
By RFA Score, the highest-ranked financial advisor in Chapel Hill, NC is Student Loan Planner with an RFA Score of 79/100. It has 4.9★ from 922 Google reviews. It is open 7 days a week. SLP Wealth (#2) and Paul Scheible, CPA, PLLC (#3) follow. We ranked 206 financial advisors on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many financial advisors are there in Chapel Hill?
RankedFinancialAdvisors ranks 206 financial advisors serving Chapel Hill, NC. 14 of them are based in Chapel Hill; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 25 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
Which financial advisors in Chapel Hill work on weekends?
18 of 206 ranked financial advisors post Saturday hours and 4 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Student Loan Planner (#1), SLP Wealth (#2) and Sherman Financial, LLC (#21). Many advisors meet by appointment, including evenings or by video, outside their posted office hours.
What Google rating do Chapel Hill financial advisors have?
The median Google rating among 206 rated financial advisors in Chapel Hill is 5.0★, with a median of 12 reviews. Student Loan Planner has the most, 922 reviews, and ranks #1. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does RankedFinancialAdvisors rank financial advisors?
Each financial advisor gets a 0–100 RFA Score from eight published factors, led by reputation (30%), specialty focus (15%), review volume (10%) and claimed profile (10%). A firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only firms with a confirmed specialty and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do financial advisors outside Chapel Hill count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 25 mi of the Chapel Hill city center, our service radius for financial advisors. Each listing shows where the firm is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 5% of the RFA Score, so a nearby firm gets a small edge.
Can financial advisors pay to rank higher on RankedFinancialAdvisors?
No. The RFA Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured firms may appear above the list, labelled Sponsored and showing their honest rank.
What does a financial advisor do?
Financial advisors help clients plan and manage their money, from budgeting and saving to investing, retirement and estate questions. In the US they work as registered investment adviser representatives, as broker-dealer representatives, or both.
How are financial advisors in Chapel Hill ranked?
By RFA Score: public signals such as the Google rating and review count, how clearly the firm offers financial advice and how close it is. Paid placements never change the order, and the score does not measure investment performance.
How do I check a financial advisor’s registration and record?
Search the person and the firm on Investor.gov (the SEC’s adviser search) and on FINRA BrokerCheck. A firm’s Form ADV and any disciplinary history are public there.
Is every financial advisor in Chapel Hill a fiduciary?
Not necessarily. Investment adviser representatives owe a fiduciary duty on advisory accounts; broker-dealer representatives follow Regulation Best Interest when they recommend a security. Ask which applies to your account and read the firm’s Form CRS.
How much do financial advisors charge?
Fees depend on the firm and the service: a percentage of assets managed each year, a flat or hourly planning fee, a retainer, or commissions. Ask for the fee schedule in writing and read the firm’s Form ADV Part 2A brochure or, in Canada, its relationship disclosure.
Update log for Chapel Hill
- November 2026: RFA Scores recalculated for 206 financial advisors serving Chapel Hill.
- November 2026: 1 duplicate listing merged.
More financial advisors and Chapel Hill pages
Financial advisors near Chapel Hill
- Financial advisors in Carrboro, NC196 ranked
- Financial advisors in Durham, NC232 ranked
- Financial advisors in Morrisville, NC245 ranked
- Financial advisors in Apex, NC243 ranked
- Financial advisors in Mebane, NC69 ranked
- Financial advisors in Cary, NC252 ranked
- Financial advisors in Holly Springs, NC220 ranked
- Financial advisors in Graham, NC80 ranked
- Financial advisors in West Raleigh, NC247 ranked
- Financial advisors in Burlington, NC77 ranked