Financial Advisor, ACT Advisors
Fee-only fiduciary financial advisor in Asheville, NC—serving professionals and families nationwide.
Ruth Hays is a Financial Advisor at ACT Advisors, a fee-only fiduciary wealth management firm based in Asheville, North Carolina. She helps established professionals and families bring clarity and structure to complex financial decisions—integrating investment strategy, tax awareness, and long-term planning into a cohesive, coordinated plan.
It’s really about bringing structure and clarity to the “noise” of your financial life. Instead of looking at your investments in a vacuum, we align them with your tax situation and your long-term goals. My job is to help ensure your financial decisions feel intentional and part of a coordinated plan, rather than just reacting to whatever the market is doing that day.
Most of the people I work with are established professionals or families who are doing well but have reached a point where their financial lives are getting complicated. They aren’t just looking for a “stock picker”—they want a fiduciary partner who can pull all the pieces together into one cohesive strategy.
Goldman gave me a really disciplined, institutional foundation. Because I spent time in both the “engine room” of operations and in a client-facing role, I understand the technical side of how these strategies are actually built. I take that high-level experience and translate it into a more personal, holistic planning approach for my clients here.
I focus on the “why” behind the move. It’s easy to get distracted by individual financial events, but I help my clients zoom out. When you understand exactly how one decision connects to the rest of your life, it’s much easier to move forward with greater clarity instead of second-guessing yourself.
It’s a big term that basically means I’m legally and ethically required to act in your best interest. I don’t accept commissions or sell products, so there’s no hidden agenda. My advice is designed to align with your best interest, which allows us to focus entirely on your long-term success rather than short-term sales incentives.
Not at all! While I love living and working here in Asheville, I work with clients all across the country. We handle most of our meetings virtually, so you get the same level of dedicated service and strategy regardless of your zip code.
Ruth Hays is a fee-only Financial Advisor at ACT Advisors, a fiduciary wealth management firm based in Asheville, North Carolina. She works with established professionals and families to bring structure and clarity to complex financial decisions, helping them align their resources with long-term goals.
Before returning to her hometown of Asheville, Ruth spent five years at Goldman Sachs, where she built a strong foundation in both investment analysis and client service. After beginning her career in Salt Lake City, she joined an advisory team in the firm’s Atlanta office and was promoted to Vice President. That experience continues to shape her disciplined, detail-oriented approach to financial planning and portfolio strategy.
Ruth holds degrees from Furman University and the University of Georgia. She maintains her Series 65 license and is actively pursuing her Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation.
Her path to ACT Advisors is rooted in a long-standing family connection. More than 40 years ago, her father met future ACT partner Sarah Barnhill in graduate school. That connection provided early insight into the role thoughtful, long-term financial planning can play across generations and helped shape Ruth’s decision to enter the profession.
Today, Ruth is passionate about helping clients make informed, confident decisions as they navigate their financial lives.
Ruth lives in Asheville, NC with her husband, their daughter, and their goldendoodle. She enjoys running, hiking Asheville’s trails, and spending time outdoors.
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ACT Advisors® — Asheville, NC headquarters • Serving clients nationwide • Office: (828) 398-2802 • Contact us