<?xml version="1.0"?>
<informationTable xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/document/thirteenf/informationtable" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>3M CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>88579Y101</cusip><value>327</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1857</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1857</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>AT&amp;T INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>00206R102</cusip><value>408</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>10054</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>10054</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC DEL</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CL B NEW</titleOfClass><cusip>084670702</cusip><value>241</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1668</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1668</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>COCA COLA CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>191216100</cusip><value>260</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>6149</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>6149</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>EXXON MOBIL CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>30231G102</cusip><value>446</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>5107</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>5107</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>GENERAL ELECTRIC CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>369604103</cusip><value>478</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>16147</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>16147</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>446150104</cusip><value>113</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>11424</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>11424</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>INTEL CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>458140100</cusip><value>239</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>6331</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>6331</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHS</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>459200101</cusip><value>265</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1669</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1669</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>ISHARES INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CORE MSCI EMKT</titleOfClass><cusip>46434G103</cusip><value>315</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>6907</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>6907</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>JOHNSON &amp; JOHNSON</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>478160104</cusip><value>472</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>3992</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>3992</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>L BRANDS INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>501797104</cusip><value>226</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>3200</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>3200</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>MCDONALDS CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>580135101</cusip><value>234</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>2028</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>2028</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>MERCK &amp; CO INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>58933Y105</cusip><value>205</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>3289</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>3289</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>MICROSOFT CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>594918104</cusip><value>206</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>3580</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>3580</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>PFIZER INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>717081103</cusip><value>364</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>10755</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>10755</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>PHILIP MORRIS INTL INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>718172109</cusip><value>224</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>2307</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>2307</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>POWERSHARES ETF TR II</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>EMER MRKT PORT</titleOfClass><cusip>73936T763</cusip><value>12941</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>722142</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>722142</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>POWERSHARES ETF TR II</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>DEV MKTS EX-US</titleOfClass><cusip>73936T789</cusip><value>10114</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>275209</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>275209</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>POWERSHARES ETF TRUST</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>FTSE US1500 SM</titleOfClass><cusip>73935X567</cusip><value>9739</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>92410</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>92410</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>POWERSHARES ETF TRUST</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>FTSE RAFI 1000</titleOfClass><cusip>73935X583</cusip><value>41923</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>447894</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>447894</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>PROASSURANCE CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>74267C106</cusip><value>508</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>9681</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>9681</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>SCHWAB STRATEGIC TR</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>SCHWB FDT EMK LG</titleOfClass><cusip>808524730</cusip><value>1558</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>65634</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>65634</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>SERVISFIRST BANCSHARES INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>81768T108</cusip><value>567</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>10928</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>10928</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>SOUTHERN CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>842587107</cusip><value>529</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>10313</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>10313</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>SYNOVUS FINL CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM NEW</titleOfClass><cusip>87161C501</cusip><value>680</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>20912</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>20912</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>TOTAL SYS SVCS INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>891906109</cusip><value>1538</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>32615</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>32615</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>TRACON PHARMACEUTICALS INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>89237H100</cusip><value>142</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>21318</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>21318</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>91324P102</cusip><value>483</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>3450</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>3450</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>VANGUARD INDEX FDS</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>TOTAL STK MKT</titleOfClass><cusip>922908769</cusip><value>2783</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>24994</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>24994</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>VANGUARD INTL EQUITY INDEX F</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>FTSE EMR MKT ETF</titleOfClass><cusip>922042858</cusip><value>11556</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>307104</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>307104</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>VANGUARD SCOTTSDALE FDS</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>VNG RUS2000IDX</titleOfClass><cusip>92206C664</cusip><value>13492</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>135489</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>135489</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>VANGUARD SCOTTSDALE FDS</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>VNG RUS1000IDX</titleOfClass><cusip>92206C730</cusip><value>58300</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>585142</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>585142</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>VANGUARD TAX MANAGED INTL FD</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>FTSE DEV MKT ETF</titleOfClass><cusip>921943858</cusip><value>13100</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>350167</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>350167</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>VULCAN MATLS CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>929160109</cusip><value>877</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>7713</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>7713</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>WAL-MART STORES INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>931142103</cusip><value>210</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>2915</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>2915</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>WELLS FARGO &amp; CO NEW</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>949746101</cusip><value>217</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>4891</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>4891</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable></informationTable>
