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Top Financial Advisors in Winston Salem, NC

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This review was produced by SmartAsset based on publicly available information. The named firm and its financial professionals have not reviewed, approved, or endorsed this review and are not responsible for its accuracy. Review content is produced by SmartAsset independently of any business relationships that might exist between SmartAsset and the named firm and its financial professionals, and firms and financial professionals having business relationships with SmartAsset receive no special treatment or consideration in SmartAsset’s reviews. This page contains links to SmartAsset’s financial advisor matching tool, which may or may not match you with the firm mentioned in this review or its financial professionals.

Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has a relatively large selection of financial advisor firms to choose from. To help you sort through your options, SmartAsset has compiled this list highlighting the top firms in the city. We highlight a number of important factors for each firm, including their minimums, investment strategies, available services and more. To expand your search, try SmartAsset’s financial advisor matching tool. It connects you with up to three advisors who serve your area.

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Rank Financial Advisor Assets Managed Minimum Assets Financial Services More Information
1 Salem Investment Counselors Inc. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. logo Find an Advisor

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$2,995,104,546 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning services
  • Portfolio management

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning services
  • Portfolio management
2 Sheets Smith Wealth Management Sheets Smith Wealth Management logo Find an Advisor

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$965,128,890 $500,000
  • Financial planning services
  • Portfolio management
  • Selection of other advisors

Minimum Assets

$500,000

Financial Services

  • Financial planning services
  • Portfolio management
  • Selection of other advisors
3 Arbor Investment Advisors Arbor Investment Advisors logo Find an Advisor

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$813,415,141 $1,000,000
  • Financial planning services
  • Portfolio management
  • Publication of periodicals or newsletter
  • Consulting pursuant to ERISA 404C

Minimum Assets

$1,000,000

Financial Services

  • Financial planning services
  • Portfolio management
  • Publication of periodicals or newsletter
  • Consulting pursuant to ERISA 404C
4 Three Magnolias Financial Advisors Three Magnolias Financial Advisors logo Find an Advisor

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$270,160,000 $100,000
  • Investment management
  • Financial planning
  • Workplace retirement plans

Minimum Assets

$100,000

Financial Services

  • Investment management
  • Financial planning
  • Workplace retirement plans
5 Timonier Timonier logo Find an Advisor

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$292,117,614 Varies based on account type
  • Financial planning services
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting services

Minimum Assets

Varies based on account type

Financial Services

  • Financial planning services
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting services
6 Horizon Financial Services, LLC Horizon Financial Services, LLC logo Find an Advisor

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$160,753,086 $250,000
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
  • Selection of other advisors
  • Educational workshops

Minimum Assets

$250,000

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
  • Selection of other advisors
  • Educational workshops
7 Cannon Wealth Management Services Cannon Wealth Management Services logo Find an Advisor

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$146,593,158 None
  • Retirement planning
  • Financial planning

Minimum Assets

None

Financial Services

  • Retirement planning
  • Financial planning
8 Cassia Capital Partners LLC Cassia Capital Partners LLC logo Find an Advisor

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$184,474,020 $250,000
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management

Minimum Assets

$250,000

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management

What We Use in Our Methodology

To find the top financial advisors in Winston Salem, we first identified all firms registered with the SEC in the city. Next, we filtered out firms that don't offer financial planning services, those that don't serve primarily individual clients and those that have disclosures on their record. The qualifying firms were then ranked according to the following criteria:

  • AUM
    Firms with more total assets under management are ranked higher.
  • Individual Client Count
    Firms who serve more individual clients (as opposed to institutional clients) are ranked higher.
  • Clients Per Advisor
    Firms with a lower ratio of clients per financial advisor are ranked higher.
  • Age of Firm
    Firms that have been in business longer are ranked higher.
  • Fee Structure
    Firms with a fee-only (as opposed to fee-based) compensation structure are ranked higher.

All information is obtained through public records and is updated annually after the firms’ form ADV filing. This list may include firms that have a business relationship with SmartAsset, in which SmartAsset is compensated for lead referrals. Such relationships have no impact on our rankings, and firms are included and ranked based strictly on the above criteria. SmartAsset is not a client of the aforementioned firms, and did not receive compensation for including any of the firms on the aforementioned list.

Salem Investment Counselors Inc

Salem Investment Counselors Inc is a fee-only firm. Clients of the firm include a nearly even mix of regular individuals and high-net-worth individuals, plus a small number of institutional clients, all of which are charitable organizations. 

Many of the advisors at Salem are chartered financial advisors (CFAs) and some are also certified public accountants (CPAs). Fees are generally charged based on a percentage of assets under management. There is no minimum account size at this firm.

Salem Investment Counselors Background

Salem was founded in 1979. It is wholly owned by its partners, President David B. Rea, VP Dale M. Brown, Secretary/Treasurer Jeffrey C. Howard, VP Kenneth S. Jones, VP Mark Thompson and VP Joseph McCaffrey.

Services offered at Salem include asset management and financial planning.

Salem Investment Counselors Investing Strategy

Salem believes that equities should be at the heart of a client’s portfolio and that portfolio strategies should meet clients' objectives while matching risk tolerance. Fixed-income investments are also used, as are mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), cash and cash equivalents and venture capital/private equity funds.

Sheets Smith Wealth Management

Sheets Smith Wealth Management is a fee-only firm. The team's education and professional certifications include MBA degrees, chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified financial planner (CFP) and chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC).

Clients of the firm are mostly individuals, many of whom do not have high net worths. Institutional clients include pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and other investment companies. 

Fees at Sheets Smith are generally based on a percentage of assets under management with different rates based on whether equity or fixed income is the principal investment. The minimum account size is $500,000.

Sheets Smith Wealth Management Background

The firm was founded in 1982 by John Sheets and William (Bill) Smith. Sheets remains the principal owner of the firm.

Services include investment management, wealth preservation strategies and financial planning.

Sheets Smith Wealth Management Investing Strategy

Advisors at Sheet Smith seek to build a portfolio for each client with return expectations that match the risk tolerance the client has expressed. For equities, advisors look for good companies with shares trading at reasonable prices, allowing for good long-term investments. For fixed-income, advisors look to give investors a range of maturity dates.

Arbor Investment Advisors

Arbor Investment Advisors is a fee-only firm. Clients of the firm - which has a minimum account size of $1 million - are mostly individuals, the majority of whom are high-net-worth. Institutional clients include pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and corporations.

Some of the team members of the firm have certified financial planner (CFP) and/or chartered financial advisor (CFA) certifications.

Investment advisory fees are based on a percentage of assets under management. Financial planning fees are sometimes billed hourly.

Arbor Investment Advisors Background

The firm was founded in 1998 and is owned by Scott E. Cawood, Scott D. Jones, William E. Hollan III, Paige P. Birchfield, April Y. Beason and Erika L. Mielke. Cawood serves as the CEO and chief investment officer.

Services offered at the firm include investment advice, employee stock option evaluation, financial planning, consulting, estate planning and insurance planning.

Arbor Investment Advisors Investing Strategy

Arbor generally uses asset allocation models that it implements with various types of funds, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs), no-load open-ended mutual funds and closed-end funds. Individual securities recommendations are generally only discussed if a client comes into the relationship already holding shares.

Three Magnolias Financial Advisors

Three Magnolias Financial Advisors is a fee-based advisory firm that works with clients in the areas of retirement planning, financial planning and investment management. The firm works with individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, trusts, estates and charitable organizations. The firm may impose a minimum portfolio value of $100,000 for asset management services. 

As a fee-only firm, there is a potential conflict of interest as the advisors may earn a commission for the sale of certain securities. However, the firm and its advisors are bound to a fiduciary duty that requires them to put the needs of the client first.

Three Magnolias Financial Advisors Background

The firm was founded in 2001 and was branded as its current brand in 2009. The firm provides financial planning and portfolio management services to its clients. The firm has a team of four financial advisors today. 

Three Magnolias Financial Advisors Investing Strategy

Three Magnolias Financial Advisors primarily invests in mutual funds, ETFs, annuities, REITs and common stocks and bonds. The firm applies a traditional fundamental analysis including financial strength ratios, price-to-earnings ratios, dividend yields and growth rateto-price earnings ratios. The firm will work with each individual client to fully provide the right solution to meet their goals. 

Timonier

Timonier is a fee-only firm. Clients of the firm include individuals and high-net-worth individuals, plus institutional clients including pension plans and charitable organizations. The minimum account size is $1 million but certain other services require a minimum of $2 million. All minimums, though, may be waived or lowered at the firm's discretion.

Financial designations earned by advisors at Timonier include certified financial planner (CFP), certified public accountant (CPA), chartered financial analyst (CFA), accredited asset management specialist (AAMS), chartered retirement plan specialist (CRPS), certified investment management analyst (CIMA) and global financial steward (GFS).

Wealth management fees are charged based on the percentage of assets under management. Investment consulting fees are charged either hourly or on a flat basis. No one at the firm earns commissions for selling securities, but some advisors are also real estate agents.

Timonier Background

Timonier was founded in 1997 as Baker Capital Advisors and reorganized in 2009 as Timonier. The firm’s principal owners are Nicholas Baker (who serves as president) and Janice French (who serves as VP and chief compliance officer).

Services offered include wealth management, investment consulting, retirement planning, estate planning, college funding plans, cash flow analysis and retirement plan consulting.

Timonier Investment Strategy

Advisors at Timonier use a holistic approach to wealth management. Asset allocation is considered the primary determinant of long-term portfolio success. The firm invests in a variety of securities, including but not limited to mutual funds, variable annuities, real estate, stocks, bonds and cash and cash equivalent holdings.

Horizon Financial Services

Horizon Financial Services is a fee-based firm. Professional certifications on the team include certified public accountant (CPA) and certification for long-term care (CLTC).

The minimum account size at Horizon Financial Services is $250,000. But, according to the firm's brochure, this requirement can be reduced based on Horizon's discretion.

Clients at the firm are generally non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as charitable organizations and corporations or businesses. 

Asset management services are charged as an asset-based fee and consulting fees are charged at an hourly rate.

Some advisors may earn commissions for selling insurance, as they are licensed insurance agents. This is a potential conflict of interest, but advisors are bound by their fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the client.

Horizon Financial Services Background

Horizon Financial Services has been in business since July 2011. The principal owner is John Joseph Brais.

The firm offers both discretionary and non-discretionary direct asset management services.

Horizon Financial Services Investing Strategy

The firm's methods of analysis include charting analysis, fundamental analysis and technical analysis. In developing guidance for a client, Horizon Financial Services’ analysis may include cash flow analysis, investment planning, risk management, tax planning and estate planning.

The firm also uses both long-term and short-term investment strategies. Advisors tailor specific strategies based on the client’s situation.

Cannon Wealth Management Services

Cannon Wealth Management is a fee-based firm that works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals and entities. There is no minimum account size requirement in order to work with the firm. 

As a fee-based firm, there is the potential for a conflict of interest since the firm's advisors could earn commissions for the sale of certain securities. However, the firm is required to put the needs of the client first through its fiduciary duty.

Cannon Wealth Management Services Background

Cannon Wealth was founded in 2002. Today, William "Barry" Amburn (CPA) serves as a partner of the firm with Joseph "Joey" C. Perkins JR. and Raymond "Chip" H. Wilcox. The firm offers the services of investment planning, tax planning, estate planning, retirement planning and insurance needs and analysis. 

Cannon Wealth Management Services Investing Strategy

CWMS offers investment management services on a discretionary basis and a non-discretionary basis. All investment advice provided is customized to each client's investment objectives and financial needs. The information provided by the client, together with any other information relating to the client's overall financial circumstances will be used by CWMS to determine the appropriate portfolio asset allocation and investment strategy for the client.  

Cassia Capital Partners

Cassia Capital Partners is a fee-only advisory firm, which means that it receives compensation solely from clients. Clients of the firm include individuals and high-net-worth individuals, trusts, estates, endowments, foundations and business entities. The minimum account size is $250,000, but it can be waived or lowered at the firm's discretion.

Wealth management fees are charged based on the percentage of assets under management. Consulting fees are charged at a fixed or hourly rate. 

Cassia Capital Partners Background

Cassia Capital Partners was founded in October 2011. The firm is owned and operated by James R. Helvey III (who serves as managing partner) and Charles D. Barham III (who serves as managing partner and chief compliance officer). 

Services offered include portfolio management services and consulting services. More specifically, they cover establishing an investment strategy pursuant to client goals, asset allocation, portfolio construction as well as investment management and supervision.

Cassia Capital Partners Investment Strategy

Clients of Cassia Capital Partners enter into an agreement with advisors before engaging the firm's services. The agreement defines the terms, conditions, authority and responsibilities of each party, based on the services offered listed above. 

The firm mainly uses a fundamental analysis method in developing investment strategies for clients. However, it may also employ cyclical analysis and other risk-based methods when formulating investment decisions.

The firm uses various sources for research, including financial media companies, third-party research materials, online sources and reviews of company activities (including annual reports, external research and press releases). 

How Long $1mm Lasts in Retirement

SmartAsset's interactive map highlights places where $1 million will last the longest in retirement. Zoom between states and the national map to see the top spots in each region. Also, scroll over any city to learn about the cost of living in retirement for that location.

Least
Most
Rank City Housing Expenses Food Expenses Healthcare Expenses Utilities Expenses Transportation Expenses

Methodology We analyzed data on average expenditures for seniors, cost of living and investment returns to determine how many years of retirement a $1 million nest egg would cover in cities across America.

First, we looked at data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on the average annual expenditures of seniors. We then applied cost of living data from the Council for Community and Economic Research to adjust those national average spending levels based on the costs of each expense category (housing, food, healthcare, utilities, transportation and other) in each city. Using this data, SmartAsset calculated the average cost of living for retirees in the largest U.S. cities.

We assumed the $1 million would grow at a real return (interest minus inflation) of 2%. Then, we divided $1 million by the sum of each of those annual numbers to determine how long $1 million would cover retirement expenses in each of the cities in our study. Cities where $1 million lasted the longest ranked the highest in the study.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Council for Community and Economic Research