Top Financial Advisors in the U.S

Methodology

To find the top financial advisors in the U.S., we first identified all firms registered with the SEC in the country. Next, we filtered out firms that don't offer financial planning services, those that don't primarily serve individual clients, and those that have disclosures on their record. The qualifying firms were then ranked according to the following criteria:

AUM: Firms with more total assets under management are ranked higher.
Individual Client Count: Firms that serve more individual clients (as opposed to institutional clients) are ranked higher.
Clients Per Advisor: Firms with a lower ratio of clients per financial advisor are ranked higher.
Years In Business: Firms that have been in business longer are ranked higher.
Fee Structure: Firms with a fee-only (as opposed to fee-based) compensation structure are ranked higher.

These stats are updated annually and accurate as of September 27, 2024. This list may include firms that have a business relationship with Affluent Plan, in which Affluent Plan is compensated for lead referrals. Such relationships have no impact on our rankings, and firms are included and ranked based strictly on the above criteria. Affluent Plan is not a client of the aforementioned firms. Affluent Plan did not receive compensation for including any of the firms on the aforementioned list.

Why Work With an Advisor?

It could be more important now than ever to review your retirement plan with a fiduciary financial advisor. Here’s why: The pandemic has shown us just how quickly decades of planning, investing and saving can potentially be completely upended. This may mean your current financial plan could potentially leave you without enough money to last your retirement.

Additionally, emotionally-charged decisions to sell off large quantities of stocks or other investments could lock in any potential losses, removing any chance for potential future growth. Research suggests people who work with a financial advisor could end up with about 15% more money to spend in retirement.¹

A 2023 Northwestern Mutual study found that 66% of U.S. adults admit their financial planning needs improvement. However, only 37% of Americans work with a financial advisor.²

Net worth from age 45 to 77

Final lifetime net worth with and without a financial advisor.

Disclaimer: This example demonstrates the potential final lifetime portfolio value, accounting for estimated investment returns, tax savings and inflation over different life stages for an individual starting with $500,000 at age 45, through age 77. Under a set of core assumptions, this consumer profile is projected to have a final lifetime portfolio value of approximately $3.24 million if retaining the services of a financial advisor – not accounting for additional savings or portfolio withdrawals – versus a final estimated lifetime portfolio value of $1.56 million without the services of a financial advisor. This example is based on the valuation framework presented in Affluent Plan's whitepaper “The Value of a Financial Advisor: What's It Really Worth?” (Nov. 2024). The value of professional financial advice is only an illustrative estimate and varies with each unique client's individual circumstances and portfolio composition. Carefully consider your investment objectives, risk factors, and perform your own due diligence before choosing a financial advisor.

Smart Financial Tools

As of: 02/09/2025 Ad disclosure

Find Vetted Financial Advisors Who Serve Your Area

Our above list may have kickstarted your financial journey, but you can take it to the next level using Affluent Plan’s free financial advisor matching tool. While the methodology is different and you may not be matched with one of the firms mentioned above, our exclusive tool will match you with vetted fiduciary advisors, obligated to work in your best financial interest.

By clicking your state below and completing our questionnaire, you can compare fiduciary financial advisors who serve your area and decide which to work with.

Legally Committed to Your Financial Success

Affluent Plan matches thousands of people with financial advisors each month. Advisors are vetted through our proprietary due diligence process. We only match with fiduciaries, so all of your financial advisor matches are legally committed to acting in your best interest.

The Affluent Plan Guarantee

Affluent Plan's advisor matching service is at no cost to you and there is no obligation to work with any of your advisors matches. You're in control. We are paid by our large network of fiduciary advisors to connect them with potential clients.

The criteria for the matching tool differs from the methodology for the list above and you may not be matched with the advisor firms mentioned in this article.