Ranked #1 in Santa Maria
Based in Santa Maria
68/100RFA Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.9★ from 36 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Financial Planners in Santa Maria, CA: 2026 rankings
20 financial planners ranked by RFA ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest RFA Score in Santa Maria: Creations Coastal Financial & Insurance Services - Santa Maria, RFA Score 68/100; 4.9★ from 36 Google reviews.
- 12
Most-reviewed: Bank of America Financial Center, 88 Google reviews at 2.1★, the most of 20 ranked; ranked #12.
Rankings can't be bought. Financial advisors can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
20 Santa Maria financial planners are ranked here by RFA Score, from eight published factors. 3 open Saturdays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 5.0★ across 20 rated firms.
Top 10 financial planners in Santa Maria 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 | Creations Coastal Financial & Insurance Services - Santa Maria | 68 | 4.9★ (36) | Santa Maria | — | Top score |
| 2 | Terry Dworaczyk - Private Wealth Advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC | 60 | 4.2★ (10) | Santa Maria | — | — |
| 3 | Bank of America Financial Center | 59 | 2.1★ (53) | Santa Maria | Sat | — |
| 4 | Bank of America Financial Center | 59 | 2.0★ (73) | Santa Maria | Sat | — |
| 5 | Sherri Banta Group | 58 | 5.0★ (16) | San Luis Obispo, 19 mi away | — | — |
| 6 | Monarch Wealth Strategies - Santa Maria | 57 | 5.0★ (4) | Santa Maria | — | — |
| 7 | Associated Professional Advisors | 57 | 4.0★ (4) | Santa Maria | — | — |
| 8 | Mustang Private Wealth | 57 | 5.0★ (15) | San Luis Obispo, 24 mi away | — | — |
| 9 | First Command Financial Advisor - Vanita Kibbe | 56 | 5.0★ (3) | Santa Maria | — | — |
| 10 | Advisor Associate - Santa Maria | 56 | 5.0★ (3) | Santa Maria | — | — |
All 20 financial planners in Santa Maria, 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.
Based in Santa Maria
60/100RFA ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.2★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Santa Maria
59/100RFA ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 2.1★ from 53 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Santa Maria
59/100RFA ScoreRanked #4 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Financial planner”, 2.0★ from 73 Google reviews.
Based in San Luis Obispo, 19 mi away
58/100RFA ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 16 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Santa Maria
57/100RFA ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Santa Maria
57/100RFA ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in San Luis Obispo, 24 mi away
57/100RFA ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 15 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Santa Maria
56/100RFA ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Santa Maria
56/100RFA ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in San Luis Obispo, 23 mi away
56/100RFA ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 12 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Arroyo Grande, 14 mi away
56/100RFA ScoreRanked #12 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Financial planner”, 2.1★ from 88 Google reviews.
Based in Arroyo Grande, 15 mi away
56/100RFA ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.9★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Arroyo Grande, 14 mi away
54/100RFA ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Grover Beach, 15 mi away
54/100RFA ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Arroyo Grande, 15 mi away
54/100RFA ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.2★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Arroyo Grande, 15 mi away
52/100RFA ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Lompoc, 18 mi away
51/100RFA ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.7★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Lompoc, 20 mi away
50/100RFA ScoreRanked #19 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Financial planner”, 1.2★ from 40 Google reviews.
Based in Orcutt, 6 mi away
46/100RFA ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial advisor”.
Also serving Santa Maria
20 more financial planners 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 Santa Maria financial planners
We scored 20 Santa Maria financial planners 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 Santa Maria 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 planner
- Confirm the financial planner 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 planner
- 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 planner?
- 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 planners in Santa Maria: frequently asked questions
Which financial planner has the highest RFA Score in Santa Maria?
By RFA Score, the highest-ranked financial planner in Santa Maria, CA is Creations Coastal Financial & Insurance Services - Santa Maria with an RFA Score of 68/100. It has 4.9★ from 36 Google reviews. Terry Dworaczyk - Private Wealth Advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC (#2) and Bank of America Financial Center (#3) follow. We ranked 20 financial planners on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many financial planners are there in Santa Maria?
RankedFinancialAdvisors ranks 20 financial planners serving Santa Maria, CA. 8 of them are based in Santa Maria; 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 planners in Santa Maria work on weekends?
3 of 20 ranked financial planners post Saturday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Bank of America Financial Center (#3), Bank of America Financial Center (#4) and The James Financial Group (#16). Many advisors meet by appointment, including evenings or by video, outside their posted office hours.
What Google rating do Santa Maria financial planners have?
The median Google rating among 20 rated financial planners in Santa Maria is 5.0★, with a median of 8 reviews. Bank of America Financial Center has the most, 88 reviews, and ranks #12. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does RankedFinancialAdvisors rank financial planners?
Each financial planner 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 planners outside Santa Maria count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 25 mi of the Santa Maria city center, our service radius for financial planners. 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 planners 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 planner do?
Financial planners build a written plan across a client’s goals: cash flow, savings, investments, insurance needs, taxes, retirement and estate. Many charge a flat or hourly fee for the plan, an ongoing retainer, or a share of the assets they manage.
How are financial planners in Santa Maria ranked?
By RFA Score: public signals such as the Google rating and review count, how clearly the firm offers financial planning 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 planner’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 planner in Santa Maria 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 planners 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 Santa Maria
- November 2026: RFA Scores recalculated for 20 financial planners serving Santa Maria.
More financial planners and Santa Maria pages
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