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Top Financial Advisor Firms in Arkansas

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This review was produced by SmartAsset based on publicly available information. The named firm and its financial professionals have not reviewed, approved, or endorsed this review and are not responsible for its accuracy. Review content is produced by SmartAsset independently of any business relationships that might exist between SmartAsset and the named firm and its financial professionals, and firms and financial professionals having business relationships with SmartAsset receive no special treatment or consideration in SmartAsset’s reviews. This page contains links to SmartAsset’s financial advisor matching tool, which may or may not match you with the firm mentioned in this review or its financial professionals.

Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in Arkansas

Finding the right financial advisor for you and your family is an important decision that could have a huge impact on your future and financial life. When looking for someone to make sense of your entire portfolio, it’s key that it be a person whose methods you trust and who is a good fit for your specific needs. SmartAsset dedicated hours of research to determining the top 10 financial advisor firms in Arkansas to help you find the one that’s right for you. If you don’t have a financial advisor yet, finding one doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have free introductory calls with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

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Rank Financial Advisor Assets Managed Minimum Assets Financial Services More Information
1 Cabana Asset Management Cabana Asset Management logo Find an Advisor

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$1,476,780,500 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting services

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting services
2 Greenwood Gearhart, Inc. Greenwood Gearhart, Inc. logo Find an Advisor

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$877,800,675 $500,000
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Advisor selection

Minimum Assets

$500,000

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Advisor selection
3 Legacy Capital Wealth Partners Legacy Capital Wealth Partners logo Find an Advisor

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$918,488,600 $500,000
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting services
  • Selection of other advisors (including private fund managers)

Minimum Assets

$500,000

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting services
  • Selection of other advisors (including private fund managers)
4 Lathrop Investment Management Corp. Lathrop Investment Management Corp. logo Find an Advisor

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$781,012,359 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Selection of other advisors (including private fund managers)

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Selection of other advisors (including private fund managers)
5 Meridian Investment Advisors Meridian Investment Advisors logo Find an Advisor

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$741,635,478 $500,000
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management

Minimum Assets

$500,000

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
6 The Arkansas Financial Group, Inc. The Arkansas Financial Group, Inc. logo Find an Advisor

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$667,274,942 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
7 Hexagon Capital Partners, LLC Hexagon Capital Partners, LLC logo Find an Advisor

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$729,928,980 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Selection of other advisors (including private fund managers)

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Selection of other advisors (including private fund managers)
8 Ifrah Financial Services, Inc. Ifrah Financial Services, Inc. logo Find an Advisor

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$377,880,448 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting services
  • Selection of other advisors (including private fund managers)
  • Publication of periodicals or newsletters

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting services
  • Selection of other advisors (including private fund managers)
  • Publication of periodicals or newsletters
9 Mustard Seed Wealth Management Mustard Seed Wealth Management logo Find an Advisor

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$313,017,596 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Educational seminars/workshops

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Educational seminars/workshops
10 Applied Capital LLC Applied Capital LLC logo Find an Advisor

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$233,797,486 $100,000
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management

Minimum Assets

$100,000

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management

What We Use in Our Methodology

To find the top financial advisors in Arkansas, we first identified all firms registered with the SEC in the state. Next, we filtered out firms that don't offer financial planning services, those that don't serve primarily 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 who 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.
  • Age of Firm
    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.

All information is obtained through public records and is updated annually after the firms’ form ADV filing. This list may include firms that have a business relationship with SmartAsset, in which SmartAsset 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. SmartAsset is not a client of the aforementioned firms, and did not receive compensation for including any of the firms on the aforementioned list.

Cabana Asset Management

Cabana Asset Management is at the top of our list of the best firms in Arkansas. This fee-based firm works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, trustees for collective investment trusts (CITs), collective investment funds (CIFs), investment companies, pension and profit sharing plans, corporations and private investment funds. 

The firm doesn't have minimum investment required to open an account.

Cabana Asset Management Background

Cabana Asset Management is a registered investment adviser (“RIA”) based in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The firm is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Arkansas. Cabana is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Cabana Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. 

Cabana’s day-to-day operations are managed by the CEO and co-Founder G. Chadd Mason, CFO and co-founder Louis Shaff, COO Christopher Carns and CCO Steven Weiss. 

Cabana Asset Management Investing Strategy

The firm's investing strategy utilizes the following methods for its clients, according to the firm:

Fundamental analysis. "Fundamental analysis is a technique that attempts to determine a security’s value by focusing on underlying factors that affect a company's actual business and its future prospects. The term refers to the analysis of the economic well-being of a financial entity as opposed to only its price movements."

Technical analysis. "Technical analysis is a technique that relies on the assumption that current market data (such as charts of price, volume, and open interest) can help predict future market trends, at least in the short term. It assumes that market psychology influences trading and can predict when stocks will rise or fall."

Economic analysis. "Economic analysis, among other things, involves evaluation of economic indicators of money supply, interest rates, earnings, and changes in gross domestic product."

 

Greenwood Gearhart, Inc.

Greenwood Gearhart, a fee-only firm, works primarily with individuals and high-net-worth individuals. The firm also serves charities, pension and profit-sharing plans.

Greenwood Gearhart typically requires clients keep at least $500,000 in assets under its management or pay a minimum annual fee of $5,000. Three of the firm's advisors includes one certified financial planner (CFP) and two chartered financial analysts (CFA).

Greenwood Gearhart Background

Greenwood Gearhart has been providing financial advisory services for nearly 40 years. Mary Ann Greenwood established it in 1982 but has since moved on from the firm. The Investment Advisor Principal, G. Brock Gearhart, as well as the Managing Director of Investment Management, Johann Komander, are responsible for decisions on all recommendations and directs the investment decision-making process. President Lisa A. Brown was named in 2021.

The firm's services include financial planning, general investment management and corporate retirement planning. More specifically, it also offers clients trust and IRA strategy management, employee benefit package review, financial organization, individual retirement planning, compliance monitoring and more.

Greenwood Gearhart Investment Strategy

To ensure that its final investment decisions will likely benefit a client’s account, Greenwood Gearhart takes an extremely thoughtful look across all securities to find the best options. This involves not only an evaluation of the company in question, but also of the current overall market and industry outlook.

In general, investments that show long-term potential are the ones that Greenwood Gearhart gravitates toward. The firm's investment strategy seeks to provide a balance between traditional cash-flowing companies and 21st Century "new economy" companies that are foward looking.

Legacy Capital Wealth Partners

Legacy Capital Wealth Partners is a fee-based financial advisor firm headquartered in Little Rock. The firm requires clients to maintain a minimum of $500,000 in assets under management. Most of the firm’s clients are individuals and high-net-worth individuals, although Legacy also works with charities, corporations, pension and profit-sharing plans. 

The majority of the fees the firm charges clients are based on a percentage of their assets under management. However, some advisors also sell insurance products for commissions. Despite the potential conflict of interest that commission-based compensation may create, the firm's advisors are bound by fiduciary duty to act in clients’ best interests.

Legacy offers a range of services to clients, including asset management, risk management, estate planning and life insurance.

Legacy Capital Wealth Partners Background

Although Legacy has been in business for more than four decades, it first registered with the SEC as an investment advisor in 2018, making it one of the younger firms on this list. It is owned by parent companies Legacy Capital Wealth Holdings, LLC and Trent Capital, LLC. Legacy President Matthew Jones and managing partner Jason Prather own Legacy Holdings, while the firm's managing principal, David Trent, controls Trent Capital. 

In February 2023 the firm opened an office in the northwestern part of the state staffed by new three advisors who had been managing $650 million at broker-dealer Arvest Wealth Management. Two of the three, Brian Wood and Michael Peebles, are chartered financial analysts (CFA) and the third is a certified financial planner (CFP).

Legacy Capital Wealth Partners Investment Strategy

Legacy Capital Wealth Partners strives to get to know its clients and understand their financial situations, risk tolerance, investment goals, tax situations, liquidity constraints and more. Using this information, Legacy typically implements a long-term investing strategy that requires securities to be held for at least a year. 

The firm relies on a variety of strategies, third-party managers and funds. Assets are typically invested in low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and separate account managers. However, the firm may also invest your assets in alternative investments that have less downside risk.

Lathrop Investment Management Corp.

Lathrop Investment Management in Little Rock, is No. 4 on our statewide list. The firm's client base is split between individuals and high-net-worth individuals, and also includes some pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and businesses.

As fee-only firm, Lathrop charges a minimum annual fee of $5,000. Advisors do not make money from commissions for selling securities or insurance products to clients.

Lathrop has four chartered financial analysts (CFAs) on staff. 

Lathrop Investment Management Background

Founded in 1981 by Gregory C. Lathrop, Lathrop Investment Management has a longer track record than any other firm on this list.  Lathrop is still the sole owner of the firm and acts as a financial advisor and president of the company.

The firm’s services include:

Lathrop Investment Management Investment Strategy

Lathrop primarily relies on fundamental analysis when selecting securities for client portfolios. The firm conducts its own research and supplements it with research from brokerage firms. The firm typically invests client assets in 25 to 35 companies. While Lathrop primarily constructs portfolios using individual stocks, bonds and cash, advisors may rely on mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) when clients don't have enough money to invest in a variety of invididual companies. 

Meridian Investment Advisors

Meridian Investment Advisors, a fee-only firm, is No. 5 on our list of the top firms in Arkansas. This Little Rock-based company has an advisory team that includes two chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and one certified financial planner (CFP).

The firm works with both individuals and high-net-worth individuals. It requires clients to keep at least $500,000 under management. Meridian also has institutional clients, including pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, state or municipal government entities and other corporations.

Meridian's fees are all based on a percentage of assets under management. Its advisors do not earn commissions for selling securities or insurance products, unlike some advisors at fee-based firms. 

Meridian Investment Advisors Background

Meridian is among the oldest firms on our list. Founded in 1983, Meridian is principally owned by Pat D. Moon and Lewis W. Van Ness, both of whom remain advisors and managing principals of the business.

Meridian offers the following services:

  • Investment management
  • Automated investment program
  • Retirement services for defined contribution plans
  • Life strategy
  • Retirement income planning

Meridian Investment Advisors Investment Strategy

A client's tolerance for risk is the most important variable that Meridian advisors consider when developing an investment strategy for the client. Common stocks and bonds — including U.S. Treasury securities and high quality U.S. corporate bonds — are typically used in client portfolios. The firm also utilizes mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

To evaluate and select investments, Meridian primarily uses fundamental analysis, which involves using metrics to determine the intrinsic value of an asset and factors that could impact its future value.

The Arkansas Financial Group, Inc.

The Arkansas Financial Group is a fee-only financial advisory firm based in Little Rock that does not require a minimum investment to open a new account. The majority of clients are high-net-worth individuals, although the firm also works with individuals who do not have a high net worth, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, trusts and corporations. 

The firm has four certified financial planners (CFPs), one certified public accountant (CPA), one chartered financial consultant (ChFC) and one accredited investment fiduciary (AIF).

The Arkansas Financial Group Background

The Arkansas Financial Group has been in business since 1985. President and CEO Frederick Adkins owns the firm with vice presidents Kristina Bolhouse and Ralph Broadwater. 

Clients can take advantage of a range of services, including investment management, pre- and post-retirement planning, tax planning, estate planning and insurance analysis.

The Arkansas Financial Group Investment Strategy

The Arkansas Financial Group believes that an individualized approach is necessary to successfully manage client portfolios. As a result, the firm pays close attention to a client's needs from the outset. During introductory conversations, the client and their advisor will discuss risk tolerance, financial objectives, time horizon and any specific investment needs they might have.

The client's assets will then be allocated, likely among exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds and bonds. The firm will reevaluate the portfolio at the beginning of each quarter to ensure that its investments are on track. If it’s not, the firm may adjust its strategy.

Hexagon Capital Partners

Hexagon Capital Partners, located in Rogers, is a fee-only firm that has revenue mainly coming from advisory fees charged as a percentage of clients’ assets under management. However, because several Hexagon Capital advisors are also licensed insurance agents and may be compensated for selling insurance products to clients, the firm is considered fee-based. Despite the conflict of interest that commissions can create, Hexagon Capital is a fiduciary and must act in its clients' best interests. 

As for Hexagon Capital’s client base, it consists of individuals, high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations and corporations. 

The firm’s staff includes two certified investment management analysts (CIMAs). There is no minimum account size requirement.

Hexagon Capital Partners Background

Founded in 2019, Hexagon Capital specializes in portfolio management, financial planning, as well as independent manager selection. Its financial planning offerings include business planning, cash flow forecasting, trust and estate planning, insurance planning, charitable giving and other options.

Brent T. Henry, Dustin C. Colebank, Joshua McCaslin and John M. Hudson own the firm.

Hexagon Capital Partners Investment Strategy 

Hexagon Capital conducts fundamental, technical, cyclical and charting methods of analysis when conducting investment research. The firm primarily allocates client assets among mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and independent investment managers. Some accounts may also include individual debt and equity securities or options. Investment strategies include long-term purchases, short-term purchases, as well as strategic asset allocation.

Ifrah Financial Services, Inc.

Ifrah Financial Services, No.9 on our list, has a team of seven certified financial planners (CFPs). Ifrah has no set minimum account size so the majority of its clients are non-high-net-worth individuals.

Ifrah Financial Services also serves estates, trusts, charitable organizations, high-net-worth individuals, businesses, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans.

As a fee-only firm, its advisors do not work for commissions. Instead, clients pay advisory fees that are based on a percentage of their assets under management. 

Ifrah Financial Services Background

Ifrah Financial Services was founded in 2006. Ownership is split between the firm's president and CEO Patrick Ifrah, chairman of the board and financial planner Stephen DeSalvo and Micah Brown, a director and financial planner.

Ifrah Financial Services offers a bevy of personal financial planning services, including retirement planning, budgeting, estate planning, cash management, tax planning and insurance.

Ifrah Financial Services Investment Strategy

Upon opening an account at Ifrah Financial Services, the firm dives into your current financial situation and goals. It then builds a plan outlining how you can achieve your financial goals while taking into account your stated risk tolerance and time horizon.

The firm typically uses a variety of investments, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs), exchange-listed securities, corporate debt securities, mutual funds, U.S. government securities, variable annuities and other similar investments.

Clients may also use model asset allocations offered through services like FOLIOfn or Charles Schwab.

Mustard Seed Wealth Management

Mustard Seed Wealth Management, No. 10 on our list of the top firms in Arkansas, has a client base primarily composed of individuals without a high net worth. However, the firm also works with high-net-worth individuals, charitable organizations as well as pension and profit-sharing plans. Mustard Seed does not have a minimum account size requirement. 

The firm's advisory team includes three certified financial planners (CFPs) and one certified public accountant (CPA). As a fee-only firm, Mustard Seed's revenue comes from the advisory fees that clients pay, not commissions from selling third-party products and services. 

Mustard Seed Wealth Management Background

Based in Magnolia, Mustard Seed was founded in 2002 by J. David Ashby, a former college professor, and one of his former students, Darla Williams. 

Today, Mustard Seed offers a variety of services to individual clients and businesses, including:

  • Comprehensive financial planning
  • Portfolio design and management
  • Retirement planning
  • Estate planning
  • Tax planning
  • Educational funding
  • Insurance and risk assessment
  • Investment planning
  • Succession planning
  • Employee benefits

Mustard Seed Wealth Management Investment Strategy

Mustard Seed advisors work with clients to develop investment objectives and individual risk profiles. This involves examining a client's risk tolerance and time horizon. The firm's investment strategies are based on the principles of modern portfolio theory, which seeks to maximize returns while limiting risk. 

The firm uses custom and commerical software to make asset allocation decisions. It typically recommends low-cost mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as well as individual bonds. However, Mustard Seed does not limit its investment advice to these assets alone. 

Applied Capital LLC

Applied Capital is another fee-based firm located in Little Rock. Applied Capital's client base is primarily composed of individuals and high-net-worth individuals with a minimum requirement account size of $100,000. 

Applied Capital's advisory team includes several accredited professionals based out of three different offices in Arkansas and Tennessee. The Little Rock office has one certified financial planner (CFP) on staff.

Because several Applied Capital advisors can earn commissions on the sale of certain insurance products, the firm is considered fee-based. Despite the potential conflict of interest that commissions may create, Applied Capital is a fiduciary and must always act in its clients best interests. 

Applied Capital Background

Applied Capital is principally owned by Brad Raines, who began his investment career in 2007. Raines founded Applied Capital three years later and then opened an office in Nashville, Tennessee in 2015. Three years later, the firm added its North Little Rock office.

Applied Capital offers investment management and financial planning services. Clients can work with the firm on a number of needs, including budgeting, retirement planning, insurance needs, education planning, as well as tax and estate planning. 

Applied Capital Investment Strategy

Applied Capital takes individual clients' goals, objectives, time horizons and risk profiles into accont when building investment portfolios. 

The firm may invest in mutual funds, equities, bonds, fixed income, debt securities, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), real estate investment trusts (REITs), insurance products and government securities. As for specific investment strategies, the firm uses long-term purchases, short-term trading and margin transactions. 

How Long $1mm Lasts in Retirement

SmartAsset's interactive map highlights places where $1 million will last the longest in retirement. Zoom between states and the national map to see the top spots in each region. Also, scroll over any city to learn about the cost of living in retirement for that location.

Least
Most
Rank City Housing Expenses Food Expenses Healthcare Expenses Utilities Expenses Transportation Expenses

Methodology We analyzed data on average expenditures for seniors, cost of living and investment returns to determine how many years of retirement a $1 million nest egg would cover in cities across America.

First, we looked at data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on the average annual expenditures of seniors. We then applied cost of living data from the Council for Community and Economic Research to adjust those national average spending levels based on the costs of each expense category (housing, food, healthcare, utilities, transportation and other) in each city. Using this data, SmartAsset calculated the average cost of living for retirees in the largest U.S. cities.

We assumed the $1 million would grow at a real return (interest minus inflation) of 2%. Then, we divided $1 million by the sum of each of those annual numbers to determine how long $1 million would cover retirement expenses in each of the cities in our study. Cities where $1 million lasted the longest ranked the highest in the study.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Council for Community and Economic Research