Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in California
Finding a quality financial advisor is important if you want to make sure you and your family are secure for the long run. But choosing a financial advisor firm in California can be a difficult task, given the size of the state and the sheer number of options out there. You want to make the right choice, finding a financial advisor firm that suits your unique financial situation. This list presents the top financial advisor firms in California, with details on the firms’ account minimums, areas of expertise and investment strategies provided in tables and reviews. You can also use the SmartAsset’s financial advisor matching tool to connect with advisors who serve your area.
Find a Fiduciary Financial Advisor
We match more than 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 | NFP Retirement, Inc. Find an Advisor | $96,454,495,427 | $25,000 |
| Minimum Assets$25,000Financial Services
|
2 | Hall Capital Partners, LLC Find an Advisor | $50,302,951,631 | Varies based on account type |
| Minimum AssetsVaries based on account typeFinancial Services
|
3 | Allworth Financial, L.P. Find an Advisor | $14,880,814,526 | $500,000 |
| Minimum Assets$500,000Financial Services
|
4 | Beacon Pointe Advisors, LLC Find an Advisor | $23,245,734,845 | $1,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$1,000,000Financial Services
|
5 | EP Wealth Advisors Find an Advisor | $17,057,000,000 | $500,000 |
| Minimum Assets$500,000Financial Services
|
6 | Jordan Park Group, LLC Find an Advisor | $13,733,377,380 | $100,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$100,000,000Financial Services
|
7 | Trilogy Capital, Inc. Find an Advisor | $1,650,789,006 | $5,500 |
| Minimum Assets$5,500Financial Services
|
8 | Baker Street Advisors, LLC Find an Advisor | $13,106,000,000 | $5,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$5,000,000Financial Services
|
9 | Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management Find an Advisor | $2,194,533,583 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
10 | Lido Advisors Find an Advisor | $13,102,066,742 | $1,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$1,000,000Financial Services
|
What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in California, 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:
- 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.
NFP Retirement
NFP Retirement is a fee-based firm that serves both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals, as well as pensions and profit-sharing plans.
The firm generally requires clients to have at least $25,000 in investable assets to start an advisory relationship. However, the firm may be willing to waive this stipulation under certain circumstances.
Certain on-staff advisors at NFP can receive commissions and other compensation from the sale of specific financial products. This creates a potential conflict of interest, though the firm's fiduciary duty means it must act in clients' best interests.
NFP Retirement Background
NFP Retirement was founded in 1980, and it's under the ownership of its larger company, NFP Corp. The firm is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, but it has branch offices around the U.S.
The firm offers services ranging from investment management to financial planning. Its institutional services are centered around the management of corporate retirement plans.
NFP Retirement Investing Strategy
NFP Retirement bases its investment strategy for each client based on the specifics of their situation. That means you and your advisor will have an in-depth conversation about your needs, desired future and any other factors that may play a role. This could involve your income and liquidity needs, risk tolerance, time horizon, long-term goals and more.
For the most part, NFP tends to invest client assets in some combination of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). It, however, isn't opposed to investing in individual securities as well.
Hall Capital Partners
Hall Capital Partners, a fee-only firm based in San Francisco. Its team holds several certifications, including the chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation.
The firm charges a minimum annual fee of $500,000, or $350,000 for accounts that also pay performance-based fees.
The firm's individual investor client base solely consists of high-net-worth individuals. It also serves pooled investment vehicles, pensions and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and other investment advisors.
Hall Capital Partners Background
Hall Capital Partners is an independent firm that is privately owned, primarily by the firm's partners. Its roots date back to 1994 when it began managing portfolios for select family offices and their private foundations.
The firm, which also has an office in New York, offers three main services:
- Customized global multi-asset class portfolios: The creation of custom, diversified portfolios for clients
- HCP pooled vehicles: Unregistered funds of funds that the firm or its affiliates manage
- Specialized mandates: Client investments in a certain asset class, including hedge funds, private equity or real assets
Hall Capital Partners Investment Strategy
Hall Capital Partners creates its global multi-asset class portfolios based on each client's unique financial situation. Though this largely shapes the firm's investment objectives, the firm also sticks to certain core investment principles across its client portfolios.
Generally, the firm maintains a long-term horizon, investing assets globally and in a highly selective manner. It diversifies assets across what it defines as "drivers of value," which include fixed income, equities, hedge funds, private equity and real assets.
Allworth Financial
Allworth Financial is a fee-based firm with a $500,000 account minimum.
Advisors at the firm hold multiple certifications, including certified financial planners (CFPs) and certified fund specialists (CFSs), among other designations.
As a fee-based firm, some advisors collect commissions in addition to advisory fees. This creates a potential conflict of interest, but advisors still must act in the client's best interests.
Allworth serves both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and business entities.
Allworth Financial Background
Founded in 1993, Allworth has been an investment advisor since June 1996. The firm is owned and controlled by subsidiaries of the Ontario Teacher's Pension Plan and Lightyear Capital.
Allworth offers investment management, financial planning, retirement planning, tax planning and estate planning, among other services.
Allworth Financial Investment Strategy
Allworth typically builds client portfolios using low-fee mutual funds, no-load mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The firm generally does not attempt to time the market but it will increase cash holdings when appropriate.
Beacon Pointe Advisors
Beacon Pointe Advisors is a fee-based firm located in Newport Beach. Individuals with and without a high net worth make up the majority of the firm's client base. Institutional clients also include banks or thrift institutions, pooled investment vehicles, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, government entities, insurance companies and businesses.
You'll need to have a minimum of $1 million to become a client at Beacon Pointe.
The firm's advisors hold multiple certifications, including certified financial planners (CFPs) and chartered financial analysts (CFAs), among other designations.
Because some of Beacon Pointe's advisors sell insurance and securities on a commission basis, the firm is considered fee-based. Despite the potential conflict of interest that commission-based compensation creates, Beacon Pointe is a fiduciary and must act in its clients' best interests.
Beacon Pointe Advisors Background
Founded in 2002, Beacon Pointe is independently owned. However, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P., an outside investor, owns a stake in the firm.
Beacon Pointe provides consulting services and portfolio management, but also offers educational seminars and publishes periodicals. The firm will also help clients select third-party investment managers.
Beacon Pointe Advisors Investment Strategy
Beacon Pointe's investment strategies focus on asset preservation and growth.
The firm uses asset allocation modeling programs and its own analysis to develop investment plans for its clients. Advisors rely on "core" asset classes of domestic and foreign equities, emerging markets, U.S. fixed income, global fixed income, public and private real estate, hedge funds, real assets and others.
The firm's investment philosophy is heavily based on diversification. "Proper asset allocation diversification produces a portfolio with more appealing risk/return characteristics than investing in one single asset class or with one investment manager," the firm states.
EP Wealth Advisors
EP Wealth Advisors, a fee-only firm headquartered in Torrance, works with non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, pensions and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and corporations.
The minimum account size here is $500,000, though the firm may be willing to waive this.
The firm's large team of advisors features certified financial planners (CFPs), accredited investment fiduciaries (AIFs), chartered divorce financial analysts (CDFAs) and other accredited professionals.
Fees are generally based on assets under management, though hourly fees may also apply.
EP Wealth Advisors Background
EP was founded in 2004 when two other firms - Premier Financial Management, LLC and Enright Financial Consultants, Inc. - merged. EPWA Holding Company, LLC is the principal owner of the firm.
Investment management and financial planning are the primary services offered at EP, although the firm also provides tax preparation services, estate planning, retirement planning and help selecting other advisors, including private fund managers.
EP Wealth Advisors Investment Strategy
Advisors at the firm use charting, technical analysis, fundamental analysis and cyclical analysis to make investment choices for clients. Long- and short-term purchases may be used, plus margin transactions and options trading.
Investments and asset allocations are typically based on a client's financial situation, their objectives, risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs and other factors. The firm primarily invests in mutual funds and equity securities, although ETFs, corporate debt, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, municipal debt and U.S. government securities may also be used.
Jordan Park Group
Jordan Park Group is a fee-only firm in San Francisco with a minimum account size of $100 million.
The firm serves high-net-worth investors, pooled investment vehicles, charities and other investment advisors.
Jordan Park Group generally charges an investment advisory fee that is based on a percentage of the client’s assets under management.
Jordan Park Group Background
Founded in 2017, Jordan Park Group is owned by Frank Ghali, the firm's CEO. Ghali owns the firm through a separate holding company called Jordan Park Holding Company, LLC.
Jordan Park provides investment management and financial advice services to clients. The firm also offers family office services, which include comprehensive financial planning services.
Jordan Park Group Investment Strategy
The investment process at Jordan Park Group looks specifically at areas including public equities and fixed income, private equity, real estate, natural resources, derivative overlay strategies, transaction structuring, risk management, special situations and impact investing.
Trilogy Capital, Inc.
Trilogy Capital is a fee-based firm that serves both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as retirement plans, charities, and corporations.
Trilogy's advisory staff holds multiple certifications, including certified financial advisors (CFPs) and accredited investment fiduciaries (AIFs), among other financial financial certifications.
As a fee-based firm, certain advisors at Trilogy can sell financial products on a commission basis. This may create a conflict of interest, but the firm is a fiduciary and is required to act in the client's best interests.
Trilogy Capital Background
According to the firm's brochure, Jeff Motske founded Trilogy in 2015. He is also the principal owner.
Today, Trilogy offers clients a variety of services, including retirement planning, wealth and asset management, estate planning, investment strategies, education planning and insurance services.
Trilogy Capital Investment Strategy
While Trilogy advisors will tailor portfolios to their clients' specific needs, the firm invests in a wide range of securities from individual stocks and bonds, mutual funds and ETFs to real estate investment trusts and alternative investments.
Trilogy uses both fundamental and technical analysis in researching and evaluating potential investments.
Baker Street Advisors
Baker Street Advisors is a fee-only firm that serves high-net-worth individuals and charities.
The firm requires a $5 million account minimum, but according to Baker Street's brochure, that requirement could get waived based on discretion.
The team at Baker Street holds multiple certifications, including certified public accountants (CPAs), chartered financial analysts (CFAs), certified financial planners (CFPs) and certified private wealth advisors (CPWAs), among other designations.
Baker Street Advisors Background
Baker Street Advisors was founded in 2003. In 2015, AMG Wealth Partners acquired a majority equity interest in the firm. The firm's brochure says that the "remaining equity interests are held by Baker Street’s Partners."
Services provided by the advisory include:
- Investment management
- Wealth planning
- Family office services
- Taxable transition management
Baker Street Advisors Investment Strategy
Baker Street says that it prepares strategic plans for clients based on their long-term and short-term financial needs, objectives, risk tolerance and tax status.
Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management
Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management works with both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals, as well as investment companies, retirement plans, charities and businesses.
When it comes to becoming a client, Gerber Kawasaki doesn't require a specific minimum account balance.
As a fee-based firm, as some advisors can receive commissions from the sale of insurance products to clients. Although this presents a potential conlict of interest, the firm's fiduciary duty means it must act in clients' best interests.
Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management Background
Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management has been in business since 2010. The firm was founded by Ross Gerber and Danilo Kawasaki. This duo still owns the firm today.
The firm offers a variety of services, including:
- Wealth Management Services
- Exchange Traded Fund Sub-Adviser Services
- Financial Planning
- Selection of Other Advisers
- Pension Consulting Services
- Other Business Services
Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management Investing Strategy
According to Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management's SEC-filed Form ADV, its "investment advice is tailored to meet our clients' needs and investment objectives." To make sure this relationship is as clear as possible, your advisor will personally discuss with you the circumstances currently surrounding your finances.
Then, once your investment plan is in place, your advisor will continue to monitor your situation and account for any changes in your situation or goals. This process is called rebalancing, and it'll be done on an as-needed basis.
Lido Advisors
Lido Advisors is a fee-based firm that serves both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth clients, as well as banking or thrift institutions, investment companies, pooled investment vehicles, charities, insurance companies, corporations and ERISA pooled plans.
Certain Lido representatives are also representatives of a securities broker-dealer and those individuals may receive commissions or fees for the sale of these products in a client’s advisory account.
Advisors at the firm hold multiple certifications, including certified financial planner (CFP), certified public accountant (CPA), certified investment management analyzt (CIMA) and accredited investment fiduciary (AIF), among other designations.
Lido Advisors generally requires a $1 million account minimum.
Lido Advisors Background
Lido Advisors was founded in 2001 and is majority-owned by pooled investment vehicles that are advised by affiliates of Charlesbank Capital Partners LLC.
The remaining part of the firm is also owned own directly or indirectly by its chief executive officer Jason Ozur, president Ken Stern, chairman and founder Gregory Kushner and other Lido employees.
Lido Advisors Investment Strategy
Lido Advisors uses stocks and bonds and aims to invest in assets that are not highly correlated.
The firm offers clients investment management, asset allocation and financial planning, among other services.