About
About Scott Ward, CFP®, AIF®, AIFA®
SVP, Wealth Advisor at Compound Planning, Inc., based in Birmingham, Alabama, and working with clients nationwide, including throughout the Southeast. Nearly 25 years of helping people make sense of their money.
Scott Ward at a glance
Scott Ward, CFP®, AIF®, AIFA® is SVP, Wealth Advisor at Compound Planning, Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser. He is based in Birmingham, Alabama, and works with clients nationwide, including throughout the Southeast. His planning focuses on 1031 exchanges, Delaware Statutory Trusts, and retirement planning for real estate investors, pre-retirees, and retirees. He has written for U.S. News & World Report since 2020 and is a CFP Board Ambassador.
Wealth advisor at Compound Planning
Scott Ward is a Senior Vice President and Wealth Advisor at Compound Planning, Inc., where he works with real estate investors, business owners, physicians, executives, and families approaching or living in retirement. Advisory services are offered through Compound Planning, Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser. You can read his Compound Planning bio and look up his record on the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure site.
His focus is tax-aware planning for people whose wealth is tied up in property, including 1031 exchanges, Delaware Statutory Trusts, and the move from active landlord to retirement. As a CFP® professional, Scott is required to act as a fiduciary when providing financial advice.
Background
Before joining Compound in 2024, Scott spent more than a decade at Johnson Sterling in Birmingham and about nine years at GuideStone Financial Resources in Dallas, working with retirement plan sponsors and participants. He holds a B.A. from William Jewell College and an M.A. from The University of Alabama.
Writing and service
Scott has written for U.S. News & World Report since 2020, on investing, retirement, taxes, and real estate. He serves as a CFP Board Ambassador and is a past President of the Financial Planning Association of North Alabama. He also explains financial topics on YouTube.
- Role
- SVP, Wealth Advisor
- Credentials
- CFP®, AIF®, AIFA®
- Based in
- Birmingham, AL
- Serves
- Clients nationwide, including throughout the Southeast
Credentials
- CFP® professional: Scott holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification. Verify with CFP Board.
- AIF® designation: Accredited Investment Fiduciary®.
- AIFA® designation: Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst®.
Verify Scott's credentials
- CFP Board: Verify CFP® certification →
- SEC: View his Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (CRD #4145290) →
Listed as Alan Scott Ward.
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About Scott: common questions
Who is Scott Ward, CFP®?
Scott Ward, CFP®, AIF®, AIFA® is SVP, Wealth Advisor at Compound Planning, Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser. He is based in Birmingham, Alabama, works with clients nationwide, including throughout the Southeast, and focuses on 1031 exchanges, Delaware Statutory Trusts, and retirement planning.
Where does Scott Ward work with clients?
Scott meets clients in person around Birmingham, Alabama, including Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover, and Shelby County, and works with clients nationwide, including throughout the Southeast, by video and phone.
How can I verify Scott Ward's credentials?
You can verify his CFP® certification with CFP Board and review his record on the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure site, where he is listed as Alan Scott Ward (CRD #4145290).
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