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Financial Advisors in Columbia, SC: 2026 rankings

109 financial advisors ranked by RFA ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest RFA Score in Columbia: Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union, RFA Score 77/100; 4.8★ from 271 Google reviews.

  2. 8

    Most-reviewed: Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union, 363 Google reviews at 4.7★, the most of 109 ranked; ranked #8.

Rankings can't be bought. Financial advisors can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank

109 Columbia financial advisors are ranked here by RFA Score, from eight published factors. 5 open Saturdays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 5.0★ across 109 rated firms.

Top 10 financial advisors in Columbia 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.

Top 10 financial advisors in Columbia at a glance
RankBusinessRFA ScoreGoogle ratingBased inNotable for
1Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union774.8★ (271)ColumbiaTop score
2Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union774.9★ (161)Columbia—
3Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union764.9★ (135)Columbia—
4Capital City Financial Partners755.0★ (84)Columbia—
5HG Wealth Advisors, LLC755.0★ (83)Columbia—
6Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union754.8★ (120)Columbia—
7Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union754.7★ (195)West Columbia, 4 mi away—
8Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union754.7★ (363)Irmo, 11 mi awayMost reviews
9Harper Financial Planning LLC735.0★ (87)Cayce, 7 mi away—
10Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union734.4★ (124)Columbia—

All 109 financial advisors in Columbia, 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.

  5. #5 HG Wealth Advisors, LLC

    Based in Columbia

    75/100RFA Score

    Ranked #5 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 83 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.

    • 5.0★ from 83 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    Bank of America Plaza, 1901 Main St #1475, Columbia, SC 29201
    View profile for HG Wealth Advisors, LLC(803) 676-8236

  11. #11 Limehouse Financial

    Based in Lexington, 11 mi away

    73/100RFA Score

    Ranked #11 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 99 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.

    • 5.0★ from 99 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    140 Whiteford Way, Lexington, SC 29072
    View profile for Limehouse Financial(803) 359-2569

  16. #16 PAG Advisory Group

    Based in Columbia

    71/100RFA Score

    Ranked #16 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 25 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.

    • 5.0★ from 25 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    14 Office Park Ct, Columbia, SC 29223
    View profile for PAG Advisory Group(803) 832-7575

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 109 ranked financial advisors here; the rest are on their profiles.

financial advisors in Columbia, ranks 26 to 50
RankBusinessRFA ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
26Cornerstone Financial Management - The Templeton Group704.8★ (17)In Columbia
27Eric White: Primerica - Financial Services704.8★ (16)In Columbia
28Dyadic Financial Management, LLC695.0★ (12)In Columbia
29CFP Insurance695.0★ (12)In Columbia
30Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Lindsay Cox, CEPA®|AAMS®|CRPC™695.0★ (12)In Columbia
31Doug Jolley Retiring Sharp695.0★ (29)10 mi
32Beckett Financial Group694.8★ (16)2 mi
33Capital Wealth Group695.0★ (11)In Columbia
34The McDaniel Corporation694.6★ (14)In Columbia
35Bankers Life694.0★ (29)In Columbia
36Brightworks Financial Planning LLC694.9★ (34)12 mi
37United Community695.0★ (26)10 mi
38Mutual of Omaha® Advisors - Columbia694.7★ (12)In Columbia
39Milestone Wealth Advisors695.0★ (10)In Columbia
40Jamie Danford, CFP - Accumulus Financial Group, LLC695.0★ (10)In Columbia
41United Bank694.7★ (15)3 mi
42Ken Thompson: Primerica - Financial Services694.9★ (10)In Columbia
43Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: John B Whitaker, CFP®685.0★ (9)In Columbia
44Ivan Earle: Primerica - Financial Services685.0★ (9)In Columbia
45Ready 2 Retire684.9★ (10)2 mi
46BACE Financial685.0★ (8)In Columbia
47Senior Resource Services of Columbia685.0★ (8)In Columbia
48William K Peterson: Primerica - Financial Services685.0★ (8)In Columbia
49Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Ed Falco685.0★ (7)In Columbia
50Pendleton Street Business Advisors685.0★ (7)In Columbia

Also serving Columbia

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.

Unranked financial advisors serving Columbia
BusinessGoogle ratingDistance
A. J. Brooker Financial Associates5.0★ (2)In Columbia
Arrow Financial Services5.0★ (2)In Columbia
Calmwater Advisors5.0★ (2)In Columbia
CCM Investment Advisers Llc5.0★ (1)In Columbia
Cornerstone Wealth Advisors5.0★ (2)In Columbia
Edelman Financial Engines4.0★ (2)In Columbia
Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Jonathan C Mauffray, CRPC™4.5★ (2)In Columbia
Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Ted Hewitt II5.0★ (2)In Columbia
Elam Financial Group5.0★ (2)In Columbia
First Command District Advisor - Ryan Gay, ChFC®|RICP®|CFP®5.0★ (2)In Columbia
Hobbs Group Advisors, LLC5.0★ (2)In Columbia
Kirkland & King Financial5.0★ (2)In Columbia
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management3.0★ (2)In Columbia
Northwestern Mutual Steven Diaz Financial Advisor5.0★ (2)In Columbia
Orlando D Price: Primerica - Financial Services5.0★ (2)In Columbia
Stidom Financial Advisors5.0★ (2)In Columbia
The Salmond Group - Morgan Stanley5.0★ (2)In Columbia
U.S. Small Business Administration - Columbia, SC5.0★ (2)In Columbia
United Community Loan Office1.0★ (2)In Columbia
Wallick Investments, LLC5.0★ (2)In Columbia

How we ranked Columbia financial advisors

We scored 109 Columbia 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.

Read the full method: formula, sources and exclusions

RFA Score factors and weights
FactorWeightComputed fromIn Columbia data
Reputation30%Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it (client experience, not investment results)Measured
Registration20%Active SEC, state or Canadian securities registration matched in public records (not yet measured)Not yet collected
Review volume10%Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the listMeasured
Recency5%Share of reviews from the last 12 monthsNot yet collected
Specialty focus15%How clearly the firm offers this specialty (its Google category and name)Measured
Proximity5%Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it isMeasured
Claimed profile10%The firm has claimed its Ranked Financial Advisors profile (free or paid earn the same)Measured
Partnered5%The firm links to Ranked Financial Advisors from its own website with our badge, checked periodicallyMeasured

How to choose a financial advisor

  1. 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.
  2. Ask whether they act as a fiduciary on your account at all times, and get the answer in writing.
  3. 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.
  4. Read the firm’s Form CRS and Form ADV Part 2A brochure (fees, services, conflicts, disciplinary history) before you sign.
  5. Check designations with the body that grants them, such as the CFP Board for CFP® professionals.
  6. Ask about account minimums and who holds your money: your assets should sit with an independent custodian in your name.
  7. 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 Columbia: frequently asked questions

Which financial advisor has the highest RFA Score in Columbia?

By RFA Score, the highest-ranked financial advisor in Columbia, SC is Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union with an RFA Score of 77/100. It has 4.8★ from 271 Google reviews. Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union (#2) and Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union (#3) follow. We ranked 109 financial advisors on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many financial advisors are there in Columbia?

RankedFinancialAdvisors ranks 109 financial advisors serving Columbia, SC. 38 of them are based in Columbia; 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 Columbia work on weekends?

5 of 109 ranked financial advisors post Saturday hours. Many advisors meet by appointment, including evenings or by video, outside their posted office hours.

What Google rating do Columbia financial advisors have?

The median Google rating among 109 rated financial advisors in Columbia is 5.0★, with a median of 10 reviews. Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union has the most, 363 reviews, and ranks #8. 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 Columbia count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 25 mi of the Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia

  1. November 2026: RFA Scores recalculated for 109 financial advisors serving Columbia.
  2. November 2026: 2 duplicate listings merged.

More financial advisors and Columbia pages