Nick Faulkner, CFP®
Fee-Only Financial Planner for High-Income Professionals & Pre-Retirees
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Serving Clients Nationwide
Fee-Only Financial Planner for High-Income Professionals & Pre-Retirees
Areas of Focus
- Estate Planning
- Financial Life Planning
- Investment Management
- Retirement Planning
- Taxes
About Nick Faulkner, CFP®
Nick Faulkner is a native of Pinehurst, North Carolina, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and holds a degree in Business Administration (concentration in Finance) from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.Nick is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Integra Wealth, LLC. An independent, fee-only, objective advice oriented comprehensive financial planning and registered investment advisor firm that does not permit the receipt of compensation by commission sales or commission products.
Q&A with Nick Faulkner
What’s the biggest misconception about your job?
A lot of people think you need to be 65+ and have $1 million saved before working with a financial advisor makes sense. That couldn’t be further from the truth. While we absolutely provide tremendous value to those nearing or in retirement, good financial planning can benefit people at any life stage. Whether you’re early in your career, growing your family, running a business, or navigating a major life change, a fee-only advisor can help you align your finances with your goals — and the earlier you start, the better.
You chose to be a fee-only advisor. What does that mean, and why does it matter?
Being fee-only means we don’t earn commissions or sell products — ever. We’re paid directly by our clients, which keeps our advice fully aligned with your best interests. We also operate as fiduciaries, which means we’re legally and ethically obligated to always act in your best interest. It’s shocking that not all advisors follow this standard — but we believe it's the only right way to serve clients.
What do you wish more people understood about creating a financial plan?
I wish people could see just how detailed and thoughtful the process is behind the scenes. We review everything: tax returns, estate documents, insurance coverage, investment accounts, cash flow, and more. Your financial life is like a puzzle — we gather all the pieces and build a plan that brings the full picture into focus. It’s not one-size-fits-all; it's highly personal and built around your life and goals.
Why is it so important to create a financial plan before getting investment advice?
Great investment advice only works when it's rooted in a solid financial plan. Too often, people think investing is the main event — but it's just one part of the story. It’s like going to the doctor’s office and they give you a full diagnosis of what’s wrong with you while being blindfolded and having noise cancelling headphones – it’s pointless. Your plan should guide your investments, not the other way around. That’s why we start with deep planning — including tax strategy, estate planning, insurance, and cash flow — and then align your portfolio with your goals.
Professional Designations
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ®
Affiliations
-
Fee Only Network
- Financial Planning Association
- National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
- Financial Planning Association
Primary Location
1101 Seabrook Ave. Cary, NC 27511
Additional Locations
📍 101 West 21st St. Chattanooga, TN 37408
Meeting Options
- Video Conference
- In-Person
- Phone
Compensation Methods
- Fee Only
- Flat Fee
- Hourly Rate
- Percentage of Assets Managed
What to expect in the first meeting
Click the 'Book Intro Call' button and complete the brief form to get in touch. We offer a complimentary 30 to 60-minute consultation to learn more about you, explain our process, and see if we’re a good fit. No pressure, no sales pitch — just a conversation where we will learn about you personally, your goals, values, and concerns, so that we can assess where you are today vs. where you want to go. I look forward to speaking with you.Offers Investment Management
Yes
About Integra Wealth
At Integra Wealth, we’re a fee-only, independent Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm committed to helping individuals and families make confident, well-informed financial decisions.With offices in Chattanooga, TN and Cary, NC, we specialize in comprehensive financial planning that goes beyond investments — integrating retirement, tax, estate, insurance, and cash flow strategies into one cohesive plan.
As fiduciaries, we don’t sell products or earn commissions — our only focus is doing what’s best for you. Whether you're planning for retirement, navigating equity compensation, or simply seeking clarity around your finances, we’re here to provide guidance that’s personal, objective, and built around your goals.
Why Choose Us?
We combine transparent, objective advice with advanced planning services.
✔️ Fee‑only, fiduciary‑first philosophy
We never receive commissions, and our clients’ interests always come first.
✔️ Client‑centered, comprehensive planning
From discovery to ongoing progress meetings, our process is built to support your evolving needs.
✔️ Deep experience paired with fresh perspective
Over 20 years of leadership from David, coupled with innovative insights from Nick’s recent tenure at top financial institutions.
✔️ Highly credentialed leadership:
Both David and Nick are CFP® professionals, bound by rigorous ethical standards.
Education
University of North Carolina Wilmington, Bachelor's Degree, Finance
Hobbies and Interests
- Family
- Fishing
- Golf
SEC Lookup
View DisclosureWho We Serve
- Business Owners
- Christians
- Corporate Executives
- Dual Income Family
- Engineers
- Entrepreneurs
- Families
- Government Employees
- Intergenerational Families
- Living in Retirement
- Newly Engaged / Newlywed
- Parents
- Physicians
- Professional Athletes
- Technology Professionals
- Young Families
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