Advice Tailored to Physicians
A WCI Preferred Recommended Advisor
Hello and welcome to all visitors from White Coat Investor! At Scholar Financial Advising, we specialize in providing hourly, fee-only financial planning services designed exclusively for DIY physicians. We understand the unique financial pressures you face—from tax efficiency and investment strategy to student loans and planning for a secure retirement—and we’re here to help.
Schedule an Introductory Call
Let’s find a time that works best for you to learn more about our tailored financial advisory services.
Why Work With Us?
100% Fiduciary, 100% of the Time
As a fiduciary firm, our commitment is to serve your best interests with no hidden agendas or undisclosed fees. Our advice is unbiased, based on rigorous analysis and tailored to your personal financial situation. We do not charge an AUM fee and do not sell products. We charge a flat fee for financial advice based on the complexity of your situation.
Empowering DIY Investors
Our clients are DIY investors. Our role is to partner with you to equip you with advanced financial strategies and specific advice so that you can easily act on recommendations (even down to the fund and dollar amount level).
Specialized in Physician Financial Challenges
From navigating the complexities of medical school debt to optimizing your investments for tax efficiency, our expertise focuses on creating executable financial strategies unique to healthcare professionals.
Expert Advice
We are a boutique advisory firm providing personalized financial advice by advisors who all hold a Ph.D. in Finance. We value having an educated and highly credentialed team and you should too.
In Practice: Physician Client Case Studies
Physician Finances: Dr. and Dr. Smith’s Financial Journey
Current State of Finances
Dr. John and Dr. Emily Smith are a married couple, both working as physicians in their mid-30s, earning a combined W-2 and 1099 income of $680,000 annually. Despite their substantial earnings, they are feeling the weight of their financial obligations. Mainly they don’t know what to prioritize and how everything should be organized especially with all of the new accounts they have access to (403(b), 401(k), 401(a), 457, old employer and IRA accounts).
They live in a beautiful four-bedroom house in a high-cost of living area, valued at $800,000, with a remaining mortgage of $700,000 at a 4% interest rate…
Career Pivot on the Horizon: Planning for Burnout Prevention and Financial Independence
Current State of Finances
Dr. Melissa Carter, a 45-year-old specialist in internal medicine, has built a thriving career over the past 15 years. She earns over $500,000 annually and has saved consistently, accumulating roughly $2.5 million in investable assets spread across her 401(k), backdoor Roth IRAs, and a growing taxable brokerage account. She and her husband, who works part-time, are raising two children in the Bay Area. Their home has appreciated significantly, adding to their overall net worth. Melissa is starting to feel the effects of burnout…
Legacy, Lifestyle, and Liquidity: Guiding the Kings Through Their Retirement Years
Current State of Finances
Dr. James King, a retired cardiologist now in his late 70s, spent over three decades in private practice. He and his wife, Elaine, enjoyed a high-earning lifestyle during his working years and were diligent savers. Today, they have approximately $6.5 million in investable assets, including taxable accounts, IRAs, a charitable remainder trust, and income from a diversified rental property portfolio.
The Kings have been fully retired for over a decade. Their children are grown and financially independent. While they’ve done much of the heavy lifting already—building wealth, creating estate documents, establishing charitable giving structures—they reached out for help with the next phase…
How Can We Help?
Investment Advice Tailored to Physicians
Our investment strategies consider the high earnings and retirement account options associated with the lumpy income of physicians from production bonuses, 1099 income, retirement matching, and physician group ownership and distributions.
Retirement Planning
Whether you are planning to retire soon, or are just out of residency, we’ll design an efficient plan that fits your specific situation and goals.
Insurance Planning and Asset Protection
Protecting your assets and future earnings is crucial. We guide you through selecting the right insurance options to cover your specific needs as a physician without the conflict of interest associated with selling financial products.
Debt Management and Student Loans
We’ll create strategies that make sense for paying off your medical school loans efficiently while balancing life’s other financial demands.
Estate Planning
We assist with strategizing for estate planning concerns both now and in the future. We want to make sure that the longevity of your wealth is taken into account opposed to being short sighted with your plans.
What’s Next?
Use the link below to choose whether you would like to fill out a form or schedule a call to receive a proposal for your financial plan. An initial call is completely free allows us to discuss whether our working together is a good fit.