Stephan Shipe

Scholar Financial Advising is an independent, flat-fee fiduciary firm built for individuals and families with complex financial lives. Our clients prefer to stay in control of their financial accounts and value a trusted partner with the expertise to navigate consequential decisions.

Our team of finance professors, Ph.D.s, CFA charterholders, and CFP® professionals specializes in the decisions that come with complex wealth, including equity and deferred compensation, concentrated stock, private business ownership and exits, retirement timing, multigenerational planning, and charitable giving. We charge no AUM fees, accept no commissions, and do not take custody of client accounts. Every plan is reviewed by multiple advisors before it reaches the client, so each recommendation reflects the full team’s perspective.

Stephan Shipe founded the firm in 2018. He holds a Ph.D. in Finance with a support area in econometrics from Florida State University and is a CFA Charterholder and CFP® professional. His research on investor behavior, executive compensation, and investor protection has been published in the Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, the Journal of Empirical Finance, and the Journal of Investing, and led to work with regulators on investment advisor fee disclosure laws. He serves on the finance faculty at Wake Forest University and has taught at the University of New Hampshire and Florida State University. He hosts The Scholar Wealth Podcast, and our team has been featured in more than 300 media placements.

Today we serve clients in more than 40 states and advised on more than $2.3 billion in assets in 2025.

Our Services and Fee Structure

The Scholar Method: Every client relationship begins with The Scholar Method, a comprehensive flat-fee engagement covering eleven areas of your financial life, from retirement and investments to taxes, equity compensation, insurance, and estate planning. Our team analyzes, models, and stress tests your full picture, then walks through the plan with you in a working session. The initial engagement ranges from $10,000 to $30,000 based on the complexity of your situation. Please visit the case studies page on our website for examples.

Ongoing Advisory: After the initial plan, the relationship continues on a custom monthly retainer. Retainer clients receive two strategy meetings and two check-ins each year, year-round access to a dedicated advisor and associate, coordination with your CPA, attorney, and other professionals, and an annual rebuild of the full analysis. There is no asset minimum.