If you’re thinking about hiring a financial advisor, you might start by googling “top wealth management firms near me.”
That can be a helpful first step, but it won’t tell you what really matters. The best firm isn’t always the biggest one. It’s the one that’s actually on your side.
Here’s the truth: not every advisor has to put your interests first. That may surprise you, but it’s real. Some operate under what’s called the suitability standard, which means they only have to recommend something that’s “good enough.”
Others, like KEEN Capital, work under a fiduciary standard. That means we are legally required to act in your best interest, all the time, no matter what.
This list isn’t just a roundup of names. It’s a guide to five firms we think stand out in South Carolina and what to look for when you’re choosing someone to help manage your money and your future.
1. KEEN Capital: Greenville and Columbia (also serves clients virtually)
KEEN Capital is a fiduciary wealth management firm, but we’re not your typical boutique shop. Our team includes Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA), CFP® professionals and CPAs, which means we bring deep expertise across investments, taxes, retirement planning, and real-world decision-making. We don’t just build portfolios. We design coordinated strategies that are built to hold up when life gets unpredictable.
We also don’t sell annuities or commission-based products. Everything we do is transparent and grounded in your best interest. That includes our Income Distribution Model, which is how we help clients turn their savings into consistent, usable cash flow in retirement.
Here’s how that plays out.
When the markets dip or a big headline hits, like tariff news or inflation spikes, our clients aren’t calling in a panic. One client recently asked if they should skip their distribution for the month. They didn’t need to. We had already set aside four years of income in stable assets. That’s the kind of planning that gives you real confidence.
Because we’re fiduciaries, our job isn’t to pitch you anything. It’s to listen to your goals, model different scenarios, and build a long-term strategy that gives you control and clarity. And because we have both CFPs and CPAs in-house, we can go deeper on the tax impact, the retirement timelines, and the strategy behind every decision you make.
Whether you’re preparing for retirement, managing complex equity compensation, or trying to turn a growing portfolio into a reliable income stream, KEEN Capital is built to help you navigate all of it with advice that is grounded, flexible, and fully in your corner.
Visit: keeninvestors.com
2. Global View Investment Advisors: Greenville and Columbia
Global View is a fee-only fiduciary firm that has been providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement guidance for nearly two decades. Their advisors don’t work on commission, and their services are built around transparency and long-term planning.
They emphasize a collaborative process, and many of their clients are busy professionals or retirees who want help coordinating tax strategy, investment growth, and legacy planning. With offices in both Greenville and Columbia, they offer an in-person experience but also serve clients virtually.
Their team includes advisors with CFP® and CFA credentials, and they clearly state that they receive no compensation from third parties. That kind of clarity goes a long way when you’re looking for advice you can trust.
Visit: globalviewinv.com
3. Apollon Wealth Management: Mount Pleasant
Apollon is one of the larger firms in the state, with billions in assets under management and offices around the Southeast. Their advisors work with individuals, business owners, and institutions, offering financial planning, investment advice, and retirement services.
They do operate on a fee-based model, which includes both fee-only and commission-based structures. That means it is important to ask whether the specific advisor you work with is a fiduciary at all times. The firm does employ CFP® professionals and offers a wide range of service models, from hourly planning to ongoing portfolio management.
Apollon may be a good fit if you want a larger team with national reach and planning flexibility. Just make sure you ask the right questions to understand how your advisor is compensated and whether they follow a fiduciary standard at all times.
Visit: apollonwealthmanagement.com
4. The Fiduciary Alliance: Greenville
As the name suggests, this firm was built on the idea that advice should always be in the client’s best interest. The Fiduciary Alliance focuses on both employer retirement plan management and individual wealth planning, with a strong emphasis on education and clarity.
Their team includes advisors with institutional backgrounds and a commitment to transparency. They don’t sell proprietary products, and their compensation model is structured to reduce conflicts of interest.
If you are a business owner looking for retirement plan consulting or an individual who wants help from a planning-focused firm that puts the fiduciary message front and center, this could be a good fit.
Visit: fiduciaryalliance.org
5. Tandem Investment Advisors: Charleston
Tandem is an investment-focused RIA based in Charleston that manages several billion in client assets. They are best known for their disciplined equity strategy and in-house portfolio management team. Their approach emphasizes long-term, risk-managed investing with a focus on U.S. companies.
While Tandem does operate under the fiduciary standard as an SEC-registered investment advisor, their service model is more investment-driven than comprehensive. If you are looking for a hands-on portfolio manager and already have tax or financial planning support elsewhere, they may be a strong choice.
They don’t market financial planning as a primary service, so it’s worth asking how they coordinate with your tax advisor or estate planner. That said, for pure asset management, Tandem has a strong reputation and a long track record of results.
Visit: tandemadvisors.com
What to Ask Before You Choose
No matter which firm you talk to, it’s worth slowing down and asking a few important questions.
Are you a fiduciary at all times?
Not just on paper, but in every account and recommendation. Some advisors switch roles depending on what they are selling.
How do you get paid?
Fee-only means the advisor only gets paid by you. Fee-based or commission models may create conflicts, especially when products are involved.
Can I see a sample plan?
You should be able to review a sample financial plan or investment strategy. If the conversation turns into a product pitch, that is a red flag.
How will you help me use my money, not just grow it?
This is where a lot of advisors fall short. You don’t just need investment advice. You need a strategy for how to turn your savings into spendable, tax-smart income. Make sure they have a clear answer here.
Final Thoughts
The best financial advisor for you isn’t the one with the biggest office or the most impressive website. It’s the one who listens to what matters to you, puts your interests first, and gives you a clear plan for how to use your wealth with confidence.
That’s how we work at KEEN Capital. We combine deep planning expertise, a clear fiduciary promise, and a structure that helps you understand where your income will come from – not just for the next year, but for the next decade and beyond.
If you’re ready to explore what working with a fiduciary really feels like, we’d love to talk.
Book a no-pressure intro call here and let’s take the first step together.
