Stephan Shipe
Scholar Advising
winston-salem, NC
- CFP®
- Ph.D.
- CFA®
Contact Stephan
Schedule Free ConsultationStephan can help you with
- Tax Strategy
- Equity Compensation Strategy
- Multigenerational Wealth Transfer
- Complex Tax Optimization
- Retirement Planning
- Business Exit and Succession Planning
- Charitable Giving and Foundation Design
- Legacy and Family Governance
Stephan specializes in
- Business Owner/Entrepreneur
- Technology Professional/Engineer
- Corporate Officer
- Medical Professional
- Other
- Financial Independence
- DIY
Expertise
- Investment Analysis and Planning
- Portfolio Guidance
- Retirement Planning
- Benefits and Compensation Planning for Employees
- Equity Stock and Options Planning for Employees
- Tax Efficient Withdrawal Planning
- Tax Optimization
- Insurance and Risk Management
- Estate and Legacy Planning
- Charitable Giving
- Cash Flow Analysis
- Saving and Investing for College
- College Search Scholarship and Funding Planning
- Late Stage College Funding and Planning
- Financial Behavior and Wellness Education
- Life Event Planning
- Windfall Planning
- Real Estate Planning
- Digital Assets and Currencies
- Family Office Services
- International or Cross Border or Expat Planning
- Business Finance Planning
- Benefits and Compensation Planning for Employers
- Equity Stock Options Planning for Employers
- CFO Services
- Exit Planning
- Intergenerational Planning
Pricing
Flat-fee and Hourly:
All new client relationships begin with a comprehensive initial plan, starting at $5,000 and typically ranging from $10,000–$15,000 depending on your unique financial situation. Visit our case studies page for examples. Contact us for your complimentary personalized proposal outlining your exact fee. After your initial plan is complete, we provide one-off hourly advice at our rate of $385/hour, exclusively to current clients who have a plan on file presented within the past 12 months.
As a fee-only advisory firm, we avoid conflicts of interest tied to commissions or referral fees. Our flat-fee structure is based on the complexity of your needs, not your assets. Our services are built around allowing clients to receive high-quality, objective advice without paying a percentage of their portfolio. We do not have required minimums, but we recommend at least $2 million in assets.
We are happy to buck the trend by providing financial advice on a flat-fee and hourly basis, as opposed to the current norm of paying a percentage of net worth through Assets Under Management (AUM) fees.
About
Stephan Shipe, Ph.D., CFA, CFP®Owner, Lead Advisor
Dr. Stephan Shipe is the founder and lead advisor of Scholar Advising. He holds a Ph.D. in Finance with a specialization in econometrics from Florida State University and is both a CFA® charterholder and CFP® professional.
Since founding Scholar Financial Advising in 2018, Stephan has focused on helping clients navigate complex financial situations. His research on investor behavior, executive compensation, and advisor fee transparency has been published in academic journals and cited in regulatory discussions. He has taught finance at Wake Forest University, the University of New Hampshire, and Florida State University, and brings a data-driven, client-focused perspective to every engagement.
Scholar Financial Advising is a specialty firm built for complex wealth. Our clients are independent-minded DIY investors, typically with at least $2 million in assets, who need more than generic advice. They prefer to stay in control of their financial accounts, but value having a trusted partner backed by expertise to navigate consequential decisions.
Our team of expert Ph.D. and CFP advisors specialize in the challenges that come with complex wealth, including equity compensation, private business ownership and exits, multigenerational planning, and charitable giving. As a fee-only fiduciary, we deliver highly customized planning without AUM fees or commissions. Every recommendation is objective, strategic, and tailored to your goals. We operate under a collaborative advising model that ensures each client benefits from the insight and precision of multiple specialists. When your financial life becomes more complex, we help you move forward with clarity, purpose, and confidence.
Our Services:Flat Fee Comprehensive Financial Plans: For clients who want depth and expert-level planning without handing over their portfolio or paying an AUM fee.
All new client relationships begin with a comprehensive initial plan starting at $5,000 based on your unique financial situation. Typical complexity plans fall between $10,000 and $15,000. Visit our case studies page for examples. After your initial plan is complete, we provide hourly advice at our rate of $385/hour, exclusively available to current clients with a plan on file presented within the past 12 months. This is so that our advice remains accurate and consistent.
Signature Client Program (Monthly Retainer): We provide monthly retainer services to clients who want extensive and ongoing financial monitoring and support. Through our family office, we provide CFO-level guidance with family financial education and legacy coaching, responsive and holistic planning, and coordination with your other professionals like CPAs, attorneys, and business consultants.
All retainer clients start with a flat-fee comprehensive plan ranging from $15,000–$30,000 followed by a bespoke strategy that fits within one of our three service tiers: $3,000, $6,000, or $10,000 per month.
Next Steps:Contact us for a complimentary personalized proposal outlining your exact fee.
Learn more about Scholar Advising, our services and our fees.
- Services: Financial planning, Tax Strategy
- Ideal Client: A DIY investor who doesn’t want to pay AUM but wants advice.
- Location: Winston-Salem, NC
- Scholar Financial Advising Application, ADV2
- Website, info@scholarfinancialadvising.com, (336) 360-6833