City Guide

How to Choose a Financial Advisor in CHARLESTON, SC

A data-driven guide based on 112 registered advisors in CHARLESTON
01

Local Market Overview

There are 112 registered financial advisors in CHARLESTON, South Carolina. Approximately 80% report fee-based compensation, while 4% include commission-based compensation. The average firm serving CHARLESTON manages $5.5B in assets.

Registered Advisors
112
In CHARLESTON, SC
Avg Firm AUM
$5.5B
Assets under management
Top Credential
—
Community Profile

CHARLESTON has a population of 149,960 with a median household income of $83,891. The median age is 36.3.

Advisor density: 7.5 per 10K residents
Median income: $83,891
Compensation Types Reported
Percentage of AUM
80% of advisors · 90 total
Subscription fees
30% of advisors · 34 total
Performance-based fees
26% of advisors · 29 total
Hourly charges
13% of advisors · 14 total
Other: DEVELOPMENT, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION AND OTHER FEES
13% of advisors · 14 total
Commissions
4% of advisors · 5 total
02

What to Look For

Check their credentials
The CFP (Certified Financial Planner) is the gold standard for comprehensive financial planning. A CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) signals deep investment expertise, while a ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) covers insurance and estate planning.
Understand fee structures
Fee-only advisors charge only for their advice (hourly, flat fee, or % of AUM). Fee-based advisors may also earn commissions on products they sell. Commission-only advisors earn money from product sales. Fee-only is generally considered the least conflicted model. See South Carolina fee analysis →
Verify their registration
Every legitimate advisor should be registered with the SEC or their state. Check FINRA BrokerCheck for disciplinary history, disclosures, and registration status. All advisors on AdvisorOS are sourced from official SEC/FINRA registration data.
Ask about account minimums
Some advisors require $250,000 or more to open an account. Others work with any portfolio size. Ask upfront to avoid wasting time on advisors who aren't a fit.
Review their Form CRS
The Form CRS (Client Relationship Summary) is a 2-page document every advisor must provide. It explains services, fees, conflicts of interest, and disciplinary history in plain language. Ask for it before your first meeting.
03

Browse Advisors in CHARLESTON

112 advisors in CHARLESTON, SC

Search the full directory of registered financial advisors in CHARLESTON. Compare credentials, specialties, and firm details — all based on SEC and FINRA public data.

Browse CHARLESTON AdvisorsAll Cities in South Carolina
04

Frequently Asked Questions

How many financial advisors are in CHARLESTON, SC?
There are 112 registered financial advisors in CHARLESTON, South Carolina, according to SEC and FINRA registration data.
What credentials should a financial advisor in CHARLESTON have?
Look for CFP (Certified Financial Planner) for comprehensive planning, CFA for investment management, or ChFC for insurance and estate planning.
Are financial advisors in CHARLESTON required to be fiduciaries?
Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) have a fiduciary duty to act in your best interest. Broker-dealers follow a suitability standard. Always ask your advisor about their fiduciary status and get it in writing.
What do financial advisors in CHARLESTON charge?
Fees vary widely. Fee-only advisors typically charge 0.5%–1.5% of assets under management, $150–$400/hour, or flat fees of $1,000–$7,500+ per plan. Commission-based advisors may not charge fees directly but earn commissions on products.
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Browse CHARLESTON Advisors by Specialty
Investment ManagementRetirement PlanningWealth ManagementFinancial PlanningFee-Only AdvisoryFinancial Education
More Research
What Do Financial Advisors Cost in South Carolina? →National Fee Analysis →