Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in Illinois
One of the ways you can plan for your future is by finding a financial advisor who will help you figure out your financial goals and set up a plan to achieve them. If you use a financial advisor, it’s important that it’s someone who you feel comfortable with and who has a similar investing philosophy. With that in mind, here is SmartAsset’s list of the top financial advisor firms in Illinois. Determined through hours of research, this list outlines each firm’s fee structure, investing approach, services and more so you can better differentiate which firm might suit you. You can also use SmartAsset’s free financial advisor matching tool to be connected with advisors who serve your area.
Find a Fiduciary Financial Advisor
We match nearly 50,000 people with financial advisors per month. Get connected to an advisor that serves your area today.| Rank | Financial Advisor | Assets Managed | Minimum Assets | Financial Services | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vestgen Advisors, LLC Find an Advisor | $6,665,601,942 | None |
| Minimum AssetsNoneFinancial Services
|
| 2 | Savant Wealth Management Find an Advisor | $49,570,825,535 | $300,000 |
| Minimum Assets$300,000Financial Services
|
| 3 | Cresset Asset Management, LLC Find an Advisor | $78,936,263,960 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
| 4 | Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. Find an Advisor | $2,487,262,961 | None |
| Minimum AssetsNoneFinancial Services
|
| 5 | BMO Family Office Find an Advisor | $9,989,953,619 | Varies based on account type |
| Minimum AssetsVaries based on account typeFinancial Services
|
| 6 | IPI Wealth Management, Inc. Find an Advisor | $2,655,482,859 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
| 7 | Choreo, LLC Find an Advisor | $19,138,746,524 | Varies based on account type |
| Minimum AssetsVaries based on account typeFinancial Services
|
| 8 | Retirement Plan Advisors, LLC Find an Advisor | $3,540,242,913 | Varies based on account type |
| Minimum AssetsVaries based on account typeFinancial Services
|
| 9 | The Mather Group, LLC Find an Advisor | $11,710,038,016 | $1,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$1,000,000Financial Services
|
| 10 | Forum Financial Management, LP Find an Advisor | $8,690,717,334 | $25,000 |
| Minimum Assets$25,000Financial Services
|
What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in Illinois, 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:
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AUMFirms with more total assets under management are ranked higher. -
Individual Client CountFirms who serve more individual clients (as opposed to institutional clients) are ranked higher. -
Clients Per AdvisorFirms with a lower ratio of clients per financial advisor are ranked higher. -
Age of FirmFirms that have been in business longer 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.
VestGen Advisors
VestGen Advisors is a fee-based advisory firm in Chicago that works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, small businesses, trusts and estates. The firm also serves pooled investment vehicles, charitable organizations and qualified and non-qualified retirement plans. The firm does not prescribe a firm-wide minimum account size. Individual advisors may set their own minimums, and third-party manager programs may have separate minimum requirements that vary by manager.
As a fee-based firm, certain advisors may earn commissions through affiliated broker-dealers or receive insurance-related compensation in addition to advisory fees, creating a conflict of interest. Despite this conflict of interest, the firm has a fiduciary duty to act in clients' best interests.
VestGen offers a range of services, including discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning and consulting, retirement planning, estate planning, tax reduction strategies, education planning and insurance solutions. The firm’s investment approach may include fundamental, technical, charting, cyclical and quantitative analysis, as well as Modern Portfolio Theory. Portfolios may include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, options, variable annuities, alternative investments and non-U.S. securities.
Savant Wealth Management
Savant Wealth Management is a fee-only firm that works with both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals. It also serves institutions like pension plans, charities and corporations. Clients at Savant have access to a team that includes certified financial planners™ (CFPs®), certified public accountants (CPAs) and accredited investment fiduciaries (AIFs).
To open an investment account, clients generally need at least $300,000. Fees are based on a percentage of assets managed, typically ranging from 0.50% to 1.50%.
The firm focuses on helping clients manage finances through major life events such as marriage, retirement, or raising a family.
Savant builds long-term investment strategies using mutual funds and ETFs. Each portfolio is designed to match a client’s goals, risk level, timeline and income needs. The firm also considers taxes and liquidity when building and adjusting portfolios.
Cresset Asset Management
Cresset Asset Management works with both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals, as well as institutional clients like charities and pooled investment vehicles. It offers a variety of advisory services and charges asset-based and fixed fees. As a fee-based firm, it may receive third-party compensation, but it must still follow fiduciary standards.
Advisors at the Chicago-based firm hold many certifications, including Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®), chartered financial analysts (CFAs), and certified public accountants (CPAs), among other designations.
Cresset offers services such as portfolio management, financial planning, pension consulting and advisor selection. It uses multiple forms of investment analysis, including fundamental, technical and quantitative approaches.
Typical strategies include investing in traditional assets like stocks and bonds, as well as alternative assets such as hedge funds, private equity, real estate and derivatives. The firm also uses both long- and short-term trading strategies.
Bankers Life Advisory Services
Bankers Life Advisory Services primarily works with mass affluent individuals, high-net-worth individuals and sponsors or fiduciaries of employer-sponsored retirement plans. It also serves plan participants and beneficiaries, including IRA rollover clients. Bankers Life Advisory Services generally does not require a minimum account size for portfolio management, investment consulting or retirement plan consulting services.
The firm offers discretionary portfolio management, non-discretionary investment consulting, retirement plan consulting, wrap fee programs, portfolio rebalancing, quarterly performance reporting and assistance with third-party portfolio managers. Specific professional certifications for the firm’s advisors are not listed in the available firm materials.
The firm generally builds customized, goal-based portfolios based on a client’s risk tolerance, time horizon and investment objectives. Its process may include asset allocation, periodic rebalancing, fundamental analysis, technical analysis, cyclical analysis and the use of third-party model portfolios.
BMO Family Office
BMO Family Office primarily works with ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, including those with a net worth of at least $100 million or investable assets of at least $50 million. It also serves single- and multi-family offices, private foundations, endowments and pooled investment vehicles.
BMO Family Office generally requires $50 million for discretionary investment management accounts and $100 million for non-discretionary advisory accounts. Members of the firm’s advisory team include professionals who hold the chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation, as well as the SASB-FSA credential. As a fee-only firm, BMO Family Office does not receive commissions, 12b-1 fees or compensation from fund managers for investment recommendations.
BMO Family Office offers a range of services, including discretionary investment management, non-discretionary investment advisory services, family wealth strategy, investment reporting, limited-mandate consulting, retirement plan advisory services and donor-advised fund advisory services. The firm uses strategic and tactical asset allocation, manager selection and portfolio monitoring. Client portfolios may include cash, fixed income, equities, mutual funds, ETFs, separate accounts, commingled funds, limited partnerships, hedge funds, private markets, real assets, structured products, individual securities and derivatives.
IPI Wealth Management
IPI Wealth Management works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, businesses, retirement plans, trusts, estates and nonprofit organizations. The Decatur, Illinois-based firm was founded in 1996 and registered with the SEC as an investment adviser in 1999.
IPI Wealth Management offers services such as private portfolio management, model portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan sponsor services, participant advice and retirement rollover advice. Its financial planning services may address retirement planning, estate planning, education planning, insurance and risk management, cash flow, budgeting, tax planning, business succession and asset allocation.
IPI Wealth Management primarily uses strategic asset allocation, with portfolios generally diversified across asset classes, sectors, domestic and international investments, equities and fixed income. The firm may also use long-term purchases, short-term purchases, trading, margin transactions and option writing where suitable.
Certain model portfolios may use tactical adjustments based on market conditions, and the firm also selects and monitors third-party managers for TAMP offerings.
Choreo
Choreo is a fee-based financial firm that works with individuals, families, pensions and retirement plans, as well as charities, businesses and other institutional clients. The firm generally requires clients to have at least $1 million in investable assets, but may lower this amount or waive its $8,000 annual minimum fee at its discretion.
Choreo builds globally diversified portfolios designed for long-term goals. The firm avoids emotional decisions or market timing and instead uses a steady investment process based on each client’s risk level, goals and time frame.
Each plan is customized to fit the client’s full financial picture. This includes income needs, liquidity, taxes and future plans. The firm aims to provide clear strategies that are built to adapt as life changes.
Retirement Plan Advisors
Retirement Plan Advisors works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, employers, retirement plan participants and institutional clients. It also serves institutions like pension and profit-sharing plans, defined benefit plans, charitable organizations, government entities and pooled employer plans.
To open a managed account, clients generally need at least $25,000, though this minimum may be waived. The WealthPort program typically has a $5,000 minimum, while PortfolioPlus does not have a minimum investment amount. Financial planning services have a minimum fee of $150.
Retirement Plan Advisors offers services such as financial planning, discretionary investment management, retirement plan consulting, plan design and implementation, participant enrollment and guidance, recordkeeper search and oversight, fee benchmarking and fiduciary advisory services.
The firm uses charting, fundamental and technical analysis when evaluating investments. Its strategies may include long-term purchases, short-term purchases, strategic asset allocation with tactical components and frequent trading when appropriate. Client portfolios generally use no-load or load-waived mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and collective investment trusts.
The Mather Group, LLC
The Mather Group, LLC (TMG) is a fee-only firm that serves both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth clients, as well as insitutional clients like retirement plans and charities. When you work with TMG, you’ll have access to wide range of professionals, including Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®) and chartered financial analysts (CFAs), among other designations.
TMG typically requires clients to have at least $1,000,000 to open an investment account. It charges fees for investment advisory services based on a percentage of your assets under management, generally ranging from 0.25% to 2.00%.
The firm describes itself as a “full-service wealth partner” that offers clients a variety of financial planning services, including retirement planning, risk mitigation, debt management and budget and cash flow. TMG also says that it uses research to develop low-cost portfolios with a focus on income generation and risk management, as well as tax strategies that aim to lower liability and optimize benefits.
Forum Financial Management
Forum Financial Management is a fee-based financial firm headquartered in Lombard, Illinois. It works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, families, business owners and other advisory firms, as well as institutions like retirement plans, trusts, estates, charities and corporations.
Advisors at Forum Financial Management hold professional credentials and licenses that include certified public accountant (CPA), Enrolled Agent, registered representative, insurance agent or broker, attorney and investment adviser representative designations.
The firm generally requires clients to have at least $25,000 in assets under management for portfolio management services. Clients with less than $335,000 in investable assets who use both portfolio management and financial planning services may be subject to a negotiable minimum annual fee, capped at $4,000.
Forum Financial Management offers a variety of advisory services, including portfolio management, financial planning, retirement planning, retirement plan consulting, tax strategy, estate planning, college planning, charitable planning and business succession planning.
Forum Financial Management generally uses long-term, evidence-based investment strategies built around diversification and asset allocation. Its approach references Modern Portfolio Theory, the Capital Asset Pricing Model and the Fama-French Five Factor Model.