How do I choose a financial planner for retirement?

Finding the right person or a financial advisory firm to help with your retirement planning might take some effort, but the effort is worth it. Financial advisors might have different specializations, look for one who has had past experience in retirement planning. Also, this could translate to a long - term relationship, so it's important to find someone whom you like, trust and respect

How do I know if my financial advisor is a fiduciary?

A fiduciary is any person or firm who acts on behalf of another individual or firm to manage their assets. Fiduciary financial advisors provide their client the highest quality of care while maintaining 'good faith', meaning they wouldn't act in favor of anyone else's interests, including their own. The best way to be certain that a financial advisor is a fiduciary is to simply ask.

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Find Top Financial Advisors in Athens, Tennessee

Q: What does a financial advisor do?

Financial advisors help their client by providing financial advice and strategy to build wealth and eliminate risk. They assess the client's risk appetite, their unique needs and requirements, their short-term and long-term goals and guide them towards adopting the right financial plan, retirement plan, estate plan or education plan etc. as necessary. Learn more about the roles & benefits of a financial advisor.

Q: Is it worth paying for a financial advisor?

Financial advisors strategize financial planning and help you make the right decision about your investments. They weigh the pros and cons, and are breast with the latest industry updates regarding tax issues and investment vehicles. These valuable insights guide you to make investments that meet your financial requirements and goals such as buying a house, education, having a baby or securing your retirement.

Q: What is the difference between a financial planner and a financial advisor?

A financial advisor is any person who helps their client manage their money by giving valuable investment insights to help financial decision making. A financial planner is also a financial advisor but specializes in creating comprehensive plans for their clients to match their specific goals

Q: When should I hire a financial advisor?

A financial advisor can help you manage your finances especially when you don't have the time to do it yourself or when there are major changes in your life, such as getting married or having a baby. Even if you've managed your investment on your own, the best financial planners can vet your plan and assess it from a different perspective, to add surety to your decisions.

Q: How do I choose the right financial advisor?

While choosing a financial planner to help you with your investment decisions, it's important to do some spadework. Meet different consultants and compare and contrast their advice. Pick up clues that demonstrate their experience and integrity. It is also important to verify the credentials of an independent financial planner before making a decision.

Looking for a financial advisor? Look no further than WiserAdvisor. It is an excellent place to start your search to compare pre-screened and trustworthy financial advisors and firms to find the one that meets your needs. It is important for those who want to make informed decisions about their finances to consider working with a financial advisor, as seeking assistance from a skilled professional can provide you with insights that can greatly impact your financial journey. On our directory for Athens, Tennessee, you can find a vetted financial professional proficient in services including financial planning, investment management, and more. We also recommend using our free advisor match tool to compare up to 3 financial advisors matched to your specific needs.

How To Find Trusted Financial Advisors in Athens, Tennessee

Athens has 2 WiserAdvisor vetted Financial Planners and Advisors on the online list below for you to choose from. These financial advisors in Athens, Tennessee have an average of 12 years of experience.

NOTE: The list of vetted financial advisors in Athens, Tennessee mentioned below does not include all the advisors in our network due to their compliance listing restrictions. More vetted advisors may be available when you use our free match service to compare financial advisors near you in Athens, Tennessee.

Qualified Financial Advisors in Athens, Tennessee

VETTED

Financial Advisor	Experience	AUM	Minimum Assets	Fee Structure
Travis CullmanCFP^®, CPFASageSpring Wealth Partners136 Concord RdKnoxville, TN 37934	12 Years	Not Specified	$100,000	Fee-Only
Edelman Financial Engines, LLC1111 North Northshore DriveKnoxville, TN 37919	N/A	$0	Not Specified	Fee-Only

Financial Advisor

Travis CullmanCFP^®, CPFASageSpring Wealth Partners136 Concord RdKnoxville, TN 37934

Experience12 Years

AUMNot Specified

Minimum Assets$100,000

Fee StructureFee-Only

Financial Advisor

Edelman Financial Engines, LLC1111 North Northshore DriveKnoxville, TN 37919

ExperienceN/A

AUM$0

Minimum AssetsNot Specified

Fee StructureFee-Only

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Information on Qualified Financial Advisors in Athens, Tennessee

VETTED

Travis CullmanCFP^®, CPFA

SageSpring Wealth Partners

About Travis Cullman

Growing up in the Lone Star State, Travis learned the meaning of hard work at an early age. Patching fence and feeding cows, Travis spent his childhood as a ranch hand helping his dad maintain 800 acres beneath the sweltering Texas sun. Cowboy boots and blue jeans were not only functionalthey were necessary protection from thorns, ticks, and every other challenge of nature that ranch work presented!

Travis began his financial planning career with SageSpring Wealth Partners. After marrying his college sweetheart, Travis saw an unfulfilled need in East Tennessee, so he started his own branch in Knoxville to serve the city and the surrounding communities.

Travis true calling is working directly with clients, helping them plan their financial futures in a manner that aligns with their values and ensures their families will be confident in their finances. To help meet these goals, Travis leads Cullman Wealth Team and incorporates the expertise of attorneys, accountants, and other professionals to provide exceptional service and advice.

In order to meet the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in the industry, Travis is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER" practitioner*. Travis enjoys working with fellow Dave Ramsey fans and supporting Financial Peace University coordinators.

Travis and his wife, Rebekah, live in Knoxville and are active members of Christ Covenant Church. They are enthusiastic fans of Dave Ramsey and the broader message of financial literacy and behavioral change pioneered by Ramsey Solutions. Travis work and personal life are both guided by his faith and the Christian principles of honesty, generosity, compassion, and integrity. Outside of work, Travis enjoys music, football, fishing, woodworking, and spending time with his wife and four young childrenBryan, Brynleigh, Tyler, and Zakai.

About SageSpring Wealth Partners

SageSpring Wealth Partners operates as a family. We build our relationships through trust. Over time, we come together to serve you in your pursuit of financial independence and a plan for the future.

Advisory Services Provided

Financial Planning, Portfolio Management, Retirement Planning, 401K Rollovers, Wealth Management, Financial Planning for Individuals, Financial Planning for Businesses, Investment Advice & Management, Tax Advice and Services, Estate Planning & Trusts

Qualifications

CRD# 6153106 Firm CRD# 283515Series 65

Compensation/Fee

Fee-Only, Flat Fee, Based on Assets

Office Location

136 Concord Rd,Knoxville,TN 37934

Phone Number

865-686-5202

VETTED

Edelman Financial Engines, LLC

About Edelman Financial Engines, LLC

Get a free financial plan

What if you didn't need to be ultra-wealthy for personal, top-to-bottom financial guidance and investment advice? Since 1986, we've helped millions of people get the ball rolling on their financial plans — with straightforward guidance built around their story and where they're headed next. Today, we're proud to be one of America's top independent investment advisory firms as ranked by Barron's (awarded September 2025, based on prior 12-month data through June 30), with nearly 1.25 million clients and more than $314 billion assets under management (as of March 31, 2026) — and prouder still of the trust clients place in us.

The Barron's Top 100 RIA Firms list, an annual ranking of independent advisory firms, is based on qualitative and quantitative criteria. Firms elect to participate but do not pay to be included in the ranking.

Qualifications

Firm CRD# 104510

Compensation/Fee

Fee-Only, Based on Assets

Office Location

1111 North Northshore Drive,Suite S-200,Knoxville,TN 37919

Phone Number

877-208-7414

WiserAdvisor Reviews

Note: The client testimonials appearing above may not necessarily be representative of all client experiences with WiserAdvisor. You may click on the number of total reviews hyperlinked above to review the entirety of the reviews WiserAdvisor has received. WiserAdvisor did not pay any compensation in consideration of such reviews.

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FINRA/SEC Registered Advisors

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I Want to Take Charge.

Help me find and compare top vetted financial advisors in my area.

FINRA/SEC Registered Advisors

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Top Financial Advisory Firms in Athens, Tennessee

Athens, Tennessee is home to several reputable financial advisory firms specializing in multiple advisory services such as investment management, retirement planning, estate planning, tax strategies, and risk management.

Most firms in Athens, Tennessee are registered with the SEC and follow a fiduciary standard. This means that they are legally obligated to act in the best interest of their clients. Being part of one of the largest and most diverse financial advisory markets in the country, the firms are well-versed in serving individuals and businesses with complex financial needs.

Methodology

To identify the top financial advisors and advisory firms in Athens, Tennessee, all SEC-registered firms based in the city were first identified. Each firm was subsequently assessed based on the number of clients and affiliated advisors, AUM, fee structure, and the range of advisory services they provide. The associated advisors and firms were then ranked according to the following criteria:

AUM:Firms are ranked based on the size of their AUM, with those having larger AUMs being ranked higher.

Number of Clients:Firms catering primarily to individual clients were ranked higher.

Fee Structure:Firms employing a fee-only compensation structure are ranked higher.

Age of Firm:Established firms with proven longevity are ranked higher.

Clients per Advisor:Firms having a lower client-to-advisor ratio are ranked higher.

Advisory Services Offered:Firms offering a broad range of advisory services are ranked higher.

Please note: All information is sourced from publicly available records and updated once a year, ensuring any changes in credentials, services, or regulatory status are reflected and up to date. Firms are selected and ranked independently, according to the criteria described above.

WiserAdvisor features the firms listed above in the 'Top Advisory Firms' section based on objective criteria, without any influence from existing affiliations. No firm receives preferential treatment due to any relationship with WiserAdvisor.


ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.Nashville, TN	4565	62140	$651,482,000,000	A percentage of AUM, Subscription fees, Fixed fees, Commission Based, Performance Based
NEPHILA ADVISORS LLCNashville, TN	37	37	$14,371,072,726	Other (COST + 10%)
ARCLINE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LPNashville, TN	48	9	$13,961,190,744	A percentage of AUM, Performance Based
FIRST HORIZON ADVISORS, INCMemphis, TN	236	8945	$12,356,541,464	A percentage of AUM, Fixed fees
GERBER/TAYLOR MANAGEMENT LLCMemphis, TN	42	208	$10,409,129,905	A percentage of AUM, Fixed fees, Performance Based
B. RILEY WEALTH ADVISORS, INC.Memphis, TN	457	20038	$7,645,255,735	A percentage of AUM, Hourly charges, Fixed fees
GSV EQUITY HOLDINGS, LLCKnoxville, TN	35	15	$5,914,756,890	Other (CARRIED INTEREST)
SOUTHEASTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.Memphis, TN	25	49	$5,271,901,660	A percentage of AUM, Performance Based
SANFORD C. BERNSTEIN & CO., LLCNashville, TN	0	33	$3,707,000,000	A percentage of AUM, Subscription fees, Fixed fees, Commission Based, Performance Based, Other (SEE SCHEDULE D, MISCELLANEOUS)
WEAVER C. BARKSDALE & ASSOCIATES, INC.Nashville, TN	13	135	$3,592,626,047	A percentage of AUM
HIGHLAND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLCMemphis, TN	19	1038	$3,409,849,227	A percentage of AUM, Performance Based, Other (SUBSCRIPTION FEES)
POINTER MANAGEMENT, LLCChattanooga, TN	16	6	$3,036,041,800	A percentage of AUM, Performance Based
THOROUGHBRED FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLCBrentwood, TN	34	6330	$2,913,693,892	A percentage of AUM, Fixed fees, Commission Based
PRINCIPAL STREET PARTNERS, LLCMemphis, TN	12	724	$2,872,187,942	A percentage of AUM, Fixed fees, Performance Based, Other (12B-1 FEES)
NEWSOUTH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INCMemphis, TN	11	175	$2,618,008,797	A percentage of AUM, Performance Based

Firm Name

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.Nashville, TN

No. of Advisors4565

AUM$651,482,000,000

No. of Clients62140

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Subscription fees, Fixed fees, Commission Based, Performance Based

Firm Name

NEPHILA ADVISORS LLCNashville, TN

No. of Advisors37

AUM$14,371,072,726

No. of Clients37

Fee StructureOther (COST + 10%)

Firm Name

ARCLINE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LPNashville, TN

No. of Advisors48

AUM$13,961,190,744

No. of Clients9

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Performance Based

Firm Name

FIRST HORIZON ADVISORS, INCMemphis, TN

No. of Advisors236

AUM$12,356,541,464

No. of Clients8945

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Fixed fees

Firm Name

GERBER/TAYLOR MANAGEMENT LLCMemphis, TN

No. of Advisors42

AUM$10,409,129,905

No. of Clients208

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Fixed fees, Performance Based

Firm Name

B. RILEY WEALTH ADVISORS, INC.Memphis, TN

No. of Advisors457

AUM$7,645,255,735

No. of Clients20038

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Hourly charges, Fixed fees

Firm Name

GSV EQUITY HOLDINGS, LLCKnoxville, TN

No. of Advisors35

AUM$5,914,756,890

No. of Clients15

Fee StructureOther (CARRIED INTEREST)

Firm Name

SOUTHEASTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.Memphis, TN

No. of Advisors25

AUM$5,271,901,660

No. of Clients49

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Performance Based

Firm Name

SANFORD C. BERNSTEIN & CO., LLCNashville, TN

No. of Advisors0

AUM$3,707,000,000

No. of Clients33

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Subscription fees, Fixed fees, Commission Based, Performance Based, Other (SEE SCHEDULE D, MISCELLANEOUS)

Firm Name

WEAVER C. BARKSDALE & ASSOCIATES, INC.Nashville, TN

No. of Advisors13

AUM$3,592,626,047

No. of Clients135

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM

Firm Name

HIGHLAND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLCMemphis, TN

No. of Advisors19

AUM$3,409,849,227

No. of Clients1038

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Performance Based, Other (SUBSCRIPTION FEES)

Firm Name

POINTER MANAGEMENT, LLCChattanooga, TN

No. of Advisors16

AUM$3,036,041,800

No. of Clients6

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Performance Based

Firm Name

THOROUGHBRED FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLCBrentwood, TN

No. of Advisors34

AUM$2,913,693,892

No. of Clients6330

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Fixed fees, Commission Based

Firm Name

PRINCIPAL STREET PARTNERS, LLCMemphis, TN

No. of Advisors12

AUM$2,872,187,942

No. of Clients724

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Fixed fees, Performance Based, Other (12B-1 FEES)

Firm Name

NEWSOUTH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INCMemphis, TN

No. of Advisors11

AUM$2,618,008,797

No. of Clients175

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Performance Based

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a financial advisor do?

Is it worth paying for a financial advisor?

What is the difference between a financial planner and a financial advisor?

When should I hire a financial advisor?

How do I choose the right financial advisor?