Waverly Advisors
Partner, Regional Director, Wealth Advisor
CFPยฎ, CDFAยฎ, CPA, QKA

Sandy Carlson

Sandy joined Waverly in April of 2024 when McShane Partners was acquired by Waverly Advisors, LLC. She serves as Partner, Regional Director and Wealth Advisor at Waverly. Sandy brings over twenty-five years of wealth management experience that includes income taxation, retirement planning, insurance, banking, trust administration and estate planning. Sandy enjoys getting to know her clients and working to help provide them with creative and integrated solutions for accumulating, preserving and transferring wealth. This includes working with each clientโ€™s existing advisors to include their CPA, Attorney, and Insurance Agent to ensure that their comprehensive plan is coordinated and achieves the goals they have laid out.

Sandyโ€™s prior experience includes employment with the Tallahassee, Florida CPA firm, Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A. (โ€œTHFโ€), where she earned her Certified Public Accountant designation. While at THF, she concentrated on tax planning and preparation for High-Net-Worth Individuals, Trusts, Estates and worked as a Third-Party Administrator assisting business owners and Plan Sponsors with plan design consulting, compliance testing and tax reporting. Prior to THF, Sandy worked at Synovus Trust Company in both the Personal Trust Area and the Retirement Plan Services Division, where she earned her CERTIFED FINANCIAL PLANNERยฎ designation. She holds her Series 65 license and is a Registered Investment Advisor Representative. In addition, she holds the Qualified 401(K) Administrator (QKA) designation by the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries and is a Certified Divorce Financial Analystโ„ข and is a trained Collaborative Divorce Financial Neutral.

As a member of the Carmel Country Club, Sandy enjoys playing golf, tennis and pickleball.

Areas of Expertise

The framework is organized intoย six primary pillars, each with detailed sub-specialties that advisors can select as self-identified areas of expertise.ย 

Investment strategy & portfolio management

Comprehensive investment oversight across public and private markets.

Wealth Planning & Strategy

Holistic financial planning and multi-generational wealth stewardship.

Private Markets & Alternative Investments

Access to private equity, private credit, real estate, and real assets.

Family Enterprise & Business Advisory

Business transition, succession planning, and family governance.

Tax, Estate & Legacy Planning

Tax optimization, estate structuring, and multigenerational legacy design.

Specialized Clients Needs

Customized solutions for unique life events and complex situations

Serving with Purpose

A Culture of Connection

Waverly takes its name from a meadow of quaking aspen trees, an ecosystem where individual trees are connected by a shared root system. Since 1999, that idea has inspired our firm: strong relationships, shared values, and the belief that we are better together.

Comprehensive Wealth Management, Connected by Design

Like an aspen grove, every part of a clientโ€™s financial life is interconnected. As an independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), we bring together investment management, financial planning, tax strategy, trust and estate planning, and family office services to create coordinated solutions that simplify complexity and support long-term success.

A Culture Rooted in Service

Our culture of stewardship is guided by Integrity, Family, Grace, Team, Drive, Empathy, and Community. These values shape every client relationship, every decision, and every interaction. They are the foundation that keeps our people connected and ensures a consistent, high-touch experience across the firm.

The Difference Is Our People

While many firms offer financial advice, our greatest differentiator is our people. Waverlyโ€™s advisors, planners, investment professionals, tax specialists, and support teams work together to deliver thoughtful guidance and personalized solutions. It is this collaborative approach, and our commitment to serving clients with excellence and care, that transforms financial advice into lasting relationships.

Education

  • Bachelor of Science in Finance
    Florida State University

Professional Affiliations

  • Former Board of Directors of the Financial Planning Association of Charlotte
  • Member of North Carolina Association of CPAโ€™s
  • Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Community Involvement

  • Sustainer Member of The Junior League of Charlotte
  • Member of St. Johnโ€™s Episcopal Church – Former Alter Guild Chair and Endowment Board Member
  • Former Board Member of Charlotte Speech and Hearing

Ask Me About

  • Retirement Planning
  • Investment Management
  • Tax Planning
  • Retirement Planning
  • Generational Wealth Planning