Amid economic uncertainty, the best financial advisors can provide a steady hand to investors in any stage of life or with any level of wealth.
Whether you’re early in your career or nearing your golden years, financial advisors can help you meet key milestones and address planning needs such as saving for retirement, investing a windfall, funding college education, managing portfolio income or shaping your legacy.
But finding a good financial advisor isn’t easy.
To identify financial advisors who may best meet your needs, you can ask people you know for referrals and use resources such as CNBC’s Financial Advisor 100. Verify advisors’ credentials and check for complaints via the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s BrokerCheck or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure, then interview those on your short list.
We created CNBC’s Financial Advisor 100 in 2019 to recognize the country’s best financial advisors and top financial advisory firms. CNBC accepts no payment for placement.
Our team uses data analysis, with data partner AccuPoint Solutions, and editorial review to compile CNBC’s Financial Advisor 100 list. For 2025, the process began with 40,563 registered investment advisor firms, or RIAs, and that list was reduced to 1,015 that met CNBC’s requirements. CNBC surveyed the finalists for more details about their practice and verified responses against publicly available resources. Then AccuPoint used CNBC’s weighted criteria to rank the firms. (Read more about the methodology below.)
For 2025, CNBC’s top advisors collectively manage $223 billion. The firms have an average of 32 years in business.
2025 Financial Advisor 100 List
2025 RankFirmHQTotal AUMYears in the businessAccounts under management1Parsons Capital ManagementProvidence, Rhode Island$2B311,8642Heritage Investment GroupPompano Beach, Florida$1.9B322,3583Beaird Harris Wealth ManagementDallas, Texas$1.9B293,1884The Burney CompanyReston, Virginia$3.4B514,4945Pittenger & AndersonLincoln, Nebraska$3.1B302,2016Dana Investment AdvisorsWaukesha, Wisconsin$9.5B451,6117Howland Capital ManagementBoston, Massachusetts$3.3B584778Verus Financial PartnersRichmond, Virginia$1B321,9079RTD Financial AdvisorsPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania$2.3B4274110TFC Financial ManagementBoston, Massachusetts$1.7B451,90011SJS Investment ServicesSylvania, Ohio$2.5B302,87312Ferguson Wellman Capital ManagementPortland, Oregon$10B501,06713Obermeyer Wealth PartnersAspen, Colorado$2.9B2766014Henry H. Armstrong AssociatesPittsburgh, Pennsylvania$1.1B4152515Cadinha & Co.Honolulu, Hawaii$1B461,42016FMP Wealth AdvisersAustin, Texas$1.1B372,74917Edgemoor Investment AdvisorsBethesda, Maryland $1.4B2678318Destination Wealth ManagementWalnut Creek, California$4.1B285,73219Austin AssetAustin, Texas$1.7B372,13820Trumbower Financial AdvisorsBethesda, Maryland$1.8B2995121California Financial AdvisorsSan Ramon, California$2.2B273,53822Eubel Brady & Suttman Investment & Wealth ManagementMiamisburg, Ohio$1.8B321,82223Woodley Farra Manion Portfolio ManagementIndianapolis, Indiana$2.2B301,38024Steele Capital ManagementDubuque, Iowa$3B294,18425Sage Financial GroupConshohocken, Pennsylvania$3.6B3666026Salem Investment CounselorsWinston-Salem, North Carolina$4.2B463,00027Roffman Miller Wealth ManagementPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania$3.2B351,61028Albion Financial GroupSalt Lake City, Utah$2B432,26029Wingate Wealth AdvisorsLexington, Massachusetts$1.4B392,89130North Star Asset ManagementNeenah, Wisconsin$3B283,29031Foster & Motley Wealth ManagementCincinnati, Ohio$2.7B2885732Conrad Siegel Investment AdvisorsHarrisburg, Pennsylvania$10.1B231,01133Lee Financial CompanyDallas, Texas$1.4B501,67734Chilton Capital ManagementHouston, Texas$3.2B292,10035Sheets Smith Wealth ManagementWinston-Salem, North Carolina$1.2B431,05236Cornerstone CapitalPalo Alto, California$1.3B4727537JMG Financial GroupDowners Grove, Illinois$6.3B405,76338Petersen Hastings Wealth AdvisorsKennewick, Washington$1.5B633,33139Bristlecone AdvisorsBellevue, Washington$2.1B261,26340Signet Financial ManagementParsippany, New Jersey$1B371,90741KEB Wealth AdvisersSpringfield, Illinois$1B212,16842Birch Hill Investment AdvisorsBoston, Massachusetts$2.6B1819043Van Hulzen Asset ManagementEl Dorado Hills, California$2B262,84244Smith Salley Wealth ManagementGreensboro, North Carolina$2.3B222,79145Telos Capital ManagementSan Diego, California$1.4B162,32246Henssler FinancialKennesaw, Georgia$3.5B381,69547Rather & KittrellKnoxville, Tennessee$1.8B253,12948Nicholas Hoffman & CompanyAtlanta, Georgia$7.1B172,21549Pinnacle AdvisorsMansfield, Ohio$1.9B283,51350Meritage Portfolio ManagementOverland Park, Kansas$2.4B342,80651BLBB AdvisorsMontgomeryville, Pennsylvania$3B611,58752Index Fund AdvisorsIrvine, California$5.2B262,15953Sheaff Brock Investment AdvisorsIndianapolis, Indiana$1.8B241,11454Certified Financial GroupAltamonte Springs, Florida$2.9B362,43755Howard Financial ServicesDallas, Texas$1.4B301,48556Acropolis Investment ManagementSt. Louis, Missouri$2.7B231,10057Guyasuta Investment AdvisorsPittsburgh, Pennsylvania$2.3B421,37058Tanglewood Total Wealth ManagementHouston, Texas$1.5B461,28759WealthCrossingRichmond, Virginia$1.2B201,28960Sather Financial GroupVictoria, Texas$2.1B2644861Northeast Investment ManagementBoston, Massachusetts$2.9B401,59762Phillips FinancialFort Wayne, Indiana$2.2B213,08463WBH AdvisoryBaltimore, Maryland$1.6B392,14964Brownson, Rehmus & FoxworthChicago, Illinois$4.2B103,35965SFMG Wealth AdvisorsPlano, Texas$2.4B2390066Patriot Investment Management GroupKnoxville, Tennessee$1.7B324,13667Heritage Financial ServicesWestwood, Massachusetts$3.1B301,28768Bedel Financial ConsultingIndianapolis, Indiana$2.7B375,00069Moisand Fitzgerald TamayoOrlando, Florida$1.3B274,80070Wealthquest CorporationCincinnati, Ohio$2.1B191,58271Allegheny Financial GroupPittsburgh, Pennsylvania$4.9B4812,95072Advance Capital ManagementSouthfield, Michigan$4.5B3915,66173Waters, Parkerson & Co.New Orleans, Louisiana$2.6B521,89874Windward Capital ManagementLos Angeles, California$1.3B2920775Avity Investment ManagementGreenwich, Connecticut$2B5582876Investment Consulting GroupDavenport, Iowa$2.7B3549277Conservest Capital AdvisorsWynnewood, Pennsylvania$1.8B3230078Prudent Management AssociatesPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania$1.1B4161679Zemenick & WalkerSt. Louis, Missouri$2.4B2625680Cabot Wealth ManagementBeverly, Massachusetts$1B411,74881Garde CapitalSeattle, Washington$2.2B1549082Silvercrest Asset Management GroupNew York, New York$36.4B231,23483Anderson Hoagland & Co.St. Louis, Missouri$1.2B4538384Octagon Financial ServicesMcLean, Virginia$1.3B4146185Charter Oak Capital ManagementPortsmouth, New Hampshire$1.4B191,35986Retirement Income SolutionsAnn Arbor, Michigan$2.6B161,26887Halbert Hargrove Global AdvisorsLong Beach, California$3.5B364,67188CRA Financial ServicesNorthfield, New Jersey$1.4B211,36689Evergreen Capital ManagementBellevue, Washington$5.2B413,14790Wescott Financial AdvisoryPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania$4B3850091Chevy Chase Trust CompanyBethesda, Maryland$12.7B265,21892Captrust Wealth AdvisorsHolland, Michigan$1.8B102,91293YHB Investment AdvisorsWest Hartford, Connecticut$2.1B351,16594PlancorpSt. Louis, Missouri$8B421,60095Mainstay Capital ManagementGrand Blanc, Michigan$4.5B253,46396Constellation Wealth AdvisorsCincinnati, Ohio$4.6B162,45497Trek FinancialScottsdale, Arizona$2.4B2711,05798Palisade Capital ManagementFort Lee, New Jersey$4.2B352,41299RubinBrown AdvisorsSt. Louis, Missouri$3.2B223,918100Apriem AdvisorsIrvine, California$1.4B272,914
What is a fiduciary financial advisor?
A fiduciary financial advisor acts in the best interest of the client, regardless of how that affects their business or bottom line.
Some financial advisors, such as RIAs, are bound by the fiduciary standard. However, investment brokers must follow a suitability standard, which means that recommendations may be appropriate but not necessarily the best option.
What steps should someone take when choosing a financial advisor?
Finding the right financial advisor may require some homework, but you can start with referrals from trusted colleagues, friends or family members.
Depending on your needs, you can check for advisors’ active credentials, such as certified financial planner, or CFP; certified public accountant, or CPA; or chartered financial analyst, or CFA.
You can also check for regulatory violations and customer complaints, also called disclosures, via BrokerCheck from FINRA, and the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website from the SEC. State regulators may provide more information for smaller firms.
Before choosing a financial advisor, you should meet and interview prospective candidates. These 10 questions from the CFP Board could help narrow down your list:
1. What are your qualifications and credentials?
2. What services do you offer?
3. Will you have a fiduciary duty to me?
4. What is your approach to financial planning?
5. What types of clients do you typically work with?
6. Will you be the only advisor working with me?
7. How will I pay for your services?
8. How much do you typically charge?
9. Do others stand to gain from the financial advice you give me?
10. Have you ever been publicly disciplined for unethical or unlawful actions in your career?
What’s the difference between a fee-only financial advisor and a commission-based advisor?
Before hiring a financial advisor, it’s important to understand their compensation structure and how it could influence their recommendations.
Typically, financial advisors are paid via commission, fees or a hybrid of the two. Fee-only means the advisor does not receive a commission from products. Some fee-only examples may include flat amounts for one-time projects, hourly fees, monthly retainers or assets under management, or AUM.
Commission-based advice may be the lowest-cost option for advice about a specific financial product. However, commission-based advice can present a conflict of interest in some cases.
By comparison, AUM is generally a set percentage each year, but the amount paid varies based on the size of your portfolio. Some advisors paid via AUM have minimum asset requirements, which can be less inclusive to investors with a smaller portfolio.
What are the pros and cons of using a robo-advisor vs. a human financial advisor?
Robo-advisors are algorithms developed by companies to automatically invest your money based on your risk tolerance. Some robo-advisors offer additional features, such as access to a human advisor and tax-loss harvesting, which uses losses to offset other portfolio gains.
By contrast, a human financial advisor can offer tailored, comprehensive financial planning to meet specific goals. This may include guidance on investing, taxes, insurance, retirement planning, estate planning and other areas.
More from CNBC’s Financial Advisor 100:
Here’s a look at more coverage of CNBC’s Financial Advisor 100 list of top financial advisory firms for 2025:
In 2024, the median robo-advisor fee was around 0.25% of assets per year, based on 16 U.S.-based platforms, according to Morningstar’s 2025 Robo-Advisor Report. However, fees can be significantly higher, depending on the platform. To compare, financial advisors typically charge around 1% of assets under management, or 100 basis points, depending on the size of your portfolio.
If you’re new to investing, most experts recommend starting with your workplace 401(k), rather than a robo-advisor, and contributing at least up to your employer’s matching contribution. Without a workplace plan, you could consider a Roth individual retirement account, which provides tax-free growth, among other benefits.
Fidelity recommends aiming for at least 15% of pretax income for retirement, including your employer match. The most popular 401(k) investment, target-date funds, also offer automated asset allocation, depending on your planned retirement date.
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Financial advisor FAQs
What are the requirements for a certified financial planner?
Certified financial planners, or CFPs, meet four requirements: education, exam, experience and ethics. They must complete a CFP Board-registered program and hold a bachelor’s degree. Professionals also must prove knowledge and competency by passing an exam, completing experience hours and meeting ongoing ethics and continuing education standards.
What are the red flags or warning signs of a bad financial advisor?
- There are hundreds of thousands of financial advisors in the U.S., and picking the right one can feel overwhelming. However, there are ways to check for red flags and narrow down your prospect list.
- One red flag is a lack of transparency about advisor compensation, which is required in Form ADV Part 2A for RIAs.
- Another red flag could be an advisor who pushes products without a firm understanding of your goals, risk tolerance and timeline.
- You can verify credentials via issuing organizations, such as the CFP Board. You can also find regulatory violations and customer complaints via FINRA’s BrokerCheck and the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website.
How do you choose a financial advisor for retirement planning?
- Advisors who specialize in retirement planning typically have expertise in investment management, portfolio distribution, taxes, Social Security, Medicare, long-term care, legacy planning and other key issues.
- Credentials such as CFP or RICP — retirement income certified professional — may signal expertise, but you should also weigh years of experience and other specialized training.
- While interviewing prospects, you should ask about their philosophy for retirement income and lifetime tax planning.
- The right candidate will discuss their holistic approach to meeting your financial goals, rather than immediately pushing products.
What are common financial strategies recommended by financial advisors?
- If you’re struggling with cash flow or debt issues, your financial advisor may start by reviewing your monthly income and spending to create a realistic budget.
- With a clearer picture of cash flow, an advisor can make investing recommendations based on your goals, risk tolerance and timeline.
- Your advisor may also recommend tax strategies, based on your financial goals, to help minimize your yearly and lifetime tax liability.
- Long-term investing goals may include funding education for your children or saving for retirement.
- It’s also important to address legacy goals by creating an estate plan.
How do I find the best financial advisor near me for young professionals?
- Young professionals may seek a financial advisor to help juggle competing financial priorities while building their career.
- Key planning issues may include starting to invest, paying off student loans, navigating employee benefits, buying a first home and saving for a wedding or having children.
- Some financial advisors work with younger investors and don’t have minimum asset requirements. These planners may charge one-time, hourly or monthly fees rather than a percentage for assets under management.
- You can use directories from the CFP Board, XY Planning Network or the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors to find a fiduciary financial advisor.
Methodology: How we picked the best financial advisors for 2025
CNBC used data analysis and editorial review to compile its seventh annual Financial Advisor 100 list.
For 2025, we started with 40,563 RIAs from the SEC’s regulatory database. That list was filtered to 1,015 firms, and the finalists completed surveys to verify key details. CNBC conducted an editorial review of entries, before data partner AccuPoint Solutions applied our proprietary weighted criteria to narrow down the list and rank the firms.
Among other criteria, we considered:
- Assets under management
- Firm location and states registered
- Regulatory and compliance records
- Firm size and years in business
- Number of certified financial planners
- Number of investment advisors registered with the firm
You can learn more by reading our full methodology for determining the best financial advisors.
CNBC personal finance reporters Jessica Dickler, Gregory Iacurci, Lorie Konish, Annie Nova and Ana Teresa Solá contributed to this story.
CNBC receives no compensation from placing financial advisory firms on our Financial Advisor 100 list. Additionally, a firm’s or advisor’s appearance in our ranking does not constitute an individual endorsement by CNBC of any firm or advisor.
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