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Top Financial Advisors in Columbus, OH

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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 Columbus, Ohio

When looking for a financial advisor, it’s easy to get overwhelmed as there are so many options to choose from. That’s why SmartAsset sorted through firms in the Columbus, Ohio metro area to find the top 10 choices. Read the reviews below to find out which firm might best fit your needs and which serves your area. 

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Rank Financial Advisor Assets Managed Minimum Assets Financial Services More Information
1 Hamilton Capital Hamilton Capital logo Find an Advisor

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$3,757,878,034 $500,000
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
  • Selection of other advisors

Minimum Assets

$500,000

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
  • Selection of other advisors
2 Windsor Advisory Group, LLC Windsor Advisory Group, LLC logo Find an Advisor

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$1,878,988,676 Varies based on account type
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Selection of other advisors

Minimum Assets

Varies based on account type

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Selection of other advisors
3 Summit Financial Strategies, Inc. Summit Financial Strategies, Inc. logo Find an Advisor

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$1,560,747,194 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
  • Selection of other advisors

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
  • Selection of other advisors

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4 Gryphon Financial Partners Gryphon Financial Partners logo Find an Advisor

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$1,445,704,623 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio managment 
  • Selection of other advisors

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio managment 
  • Selection of other advisors
5 John E. Sestina and Company John E. Sestina and Company logo Find an Advisor

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$451,133,956 Varies based on account type
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Advisor selection
  • Educational seminars

Minimum Assets

Varies based on account type

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Advisor selection
  • Educational seminars
6 AA Financial Advisors, LLC AA Financial Advisors, LLC logo Find an Advisor

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$725,251,368 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning
  • Pension consulting services
  • Selection of other advisors

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Pension consulting services
  • Selection of other advisors
7 The Joseph Group Capital Management The Joseph Group Capital Management logo Find an Advisor

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$684,406,547 $500,000
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Publication of periodicals
  • Educational seminars

Minimum Assets

$500,000

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Publication of periodicals
  • Educational seminars
8 TCP Asset Management, LLC TCP Asset Management, LLC logo Find an Advisor

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$470,477,836 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
  • Selection of other advisors

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
  • Selection of other advisors
9 Frazier Financial Advisors, LLC Frazier Financial Advisors, LLC logo Find an Advisor

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$ 623,751,488 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Selection of other advisors

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Selection of other advisors
10 Waller Financial Planning Group, Inc. Waller Financial Planning Group, Inc. logo Find an Advisor

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$507,157,214 $3,000 minimum annual fee
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Advisor selection
  • Publication of periodicals

Minimum Assets

$3,000 minimum annual fee

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Advisor selection
  • Publication of periodicals

What We Use in Our Methodology

To find the top financial advisors in Columbus, we first identified all firms registered with the SEC in the city. 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.

Hamilton Capital

Hamilton Capital leads off our list of Columbus' top financial advisors. The fee-only firm's staff includes certified financial planners (CFPs), chartered financial analysts (CFAs), certified public accountants (CPAs) and a number of other, more specific financial certifications.

The firm has a $500,000 suggested asset minimum, and it requires wealth and investment management clients to pay a minimum quarterly annual fee of $1,250. Fees are based on a percentage of assets under management.

Hamilton Capital Background

Robert Matthew Hamilton, a CFP, owns the majority of the firm. He’s also its founder, chairman and CEO. In the past, Hamilton’s firm was named a best financial advisor for doctors by Medical Economics magazine and one of the nation’s best financial advisors for dentists by Dental Practice Management.

This firm offers investment management, wealth management, services to fiduciaries and 401(k) plans.

Hamilton Capital Investment Strategy

The firm believes its process is what sets it apart from other financial advisors. The investment committee uses fundamental analysis to assess asset classes, not just individual securities, which is the common method. The company looks at a six-month to 24-month timeline and invests for the long term.

Hamilton Capital doesn’t use model portfolios and highlights that it is “distinct from quantitative programs that simply reduce investing to mathematical formulas.” The firm specializes in top-down portfolio management and selects outside management firms for bottom-up security selection. This helps each manager complement each other’s style.

Windsor Advisory Group

Windsor Advisory Group is a fee-only firm serving individual and institutional clients. The slight majority of the firm’s individual clients are high-net-worth. Its institutional clients include pooled investment vehicles, retirement plans, charitable organizations, insurance companies and corporations. Windsor's staff includes advisors with such certifications as certified financial planner (CFP), certified investment management analyst (CIMA) and certified public accountant (CPA).

Fees at Windsor may be based on a percentage of assets under management, a fixed rate or some combination of the two. Advisors do not make commissions for selling securities or financial products. The firm generally wants clients with a net worth of at least $10 million, but it has the discretion to lower this threshold.

Windsor Advisory Group Background

Windsor Advisory Group was founded in 2002. The firm is principally owned by Harry M. Dye, III (Trey), Jonathon S. Eesley, John Mozola and Clayton Hall. All four work as principals and advisors at the firm.

Windsor's services include:

  • Advisory services
  • Portfolio management
  • Private investment fund

Windsor Advisory Group Investment Strategy

Advisors at Windsor put together an individual investment plan for each client. Asset classes that may be used include:

  • Cash
  • Debt
  • Equities
  • Real estate
  • Private equity
  • Private debt
  • Commodities
  • Mutual funds
  • Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)

Summit Financial Strategies

Fee-only firm Summitt Financial Strategies manages a significant amount in AUM, and its team includes certified financial planners (CFP), chartered financial counselors (ChFC), chartered financial analysts (CFA) and a number of other certifications, many of which are more specified.

There is no minimum account size requirement, but you are subject to a $2,500 minimum annual fee for investment advisory services. The minimum fee is $10,000 for wealth management services and $500 for eSummit, an automated portfolio management system, also know as a robo-advisor.

Summit Financial Strategies Background

Summit was founded in 1994. Ted Saneholtz is the founder of Summit Financial, though it's now owned by Samantha Macchia, Brian Sutliff, Liam Hurley, Wendy Trout, Michael Scherer and Timothy Swain.

Summit Financial offers wealth management (including financial planning) and investment advisory services.

Summit Financial Strategies Investment Strategy

Summit Financial believes that markets are generally efficient. Modern portfolio theory, the popular investment theory of the last several decades, establishes that sentiment. According to Summit’s investment philosophy deck, advisors also believe “expected returns will depend on portfolio asset allocation.” 

The ratio of cash, core bonds, marked diversifiers and equities is what helps or hurts your portfolio in the long run. To build your portfolio, your advisor will ask you about your risk tolerance, time horizon, tax bracket, family situation and cash-flow needs. Generally, your assets will be invested in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, cash equivalents, individual equity and fixed-income securities.

Gryphon Financial Partners

Gryphon Financial Partners is a fee-based financial advisor firm managing billions in client assets under management (AUM). The majority of the firm’s individual clients are high-net-worth, though it also manages money for non-high-net-worth clients and charitable organizations. The firm also has a small institutional business managing money for pension and profit-sharing plans.

Gryphon's staff includes a couple of certified financial planners (CFPs), among others. Fees for services may be based on a percentage of assets under management, a fixed fee or an hourly fee. There is no minimum fee or investment at Gryphon.

Some of the advisors at Gryphon can sell securities on a commission basis. While this presents a potential conflict of interest, the firm's fiduciary duty means it must act in clients' best interests.

Gryphon Financial Partners Background

Gryphon was founded in 2014 and registered with the SEC in 2017. The managing members are Joel J. Guth and Catherine Z. Cory, who are also the firm's founders.

Services that Gryphon offers to clients include:

  • Investment management
  • Non-discretionary investment consulting
  • Financial planning
  • Estate planning
  • Retirement planning
  • Tax planning
  • Wrap fee programs

Gryphon Financial Partners Investment Strategy

Gryphon Financial Partners uses a number of types of analysis to come up with investment strategies for its clients. This includes fundamental analysis, charting and asset allocation. After coming up with a strategy, the following types of strategies may be used:

  • Long-term purchases
  • Short-term purchases
  • Margin transactions
  • Options trading
  • Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)

John E. Sestina and Company

Up next on our list of the top financial advisors in Columbus is John E. Sestina and Company, a large firm that currently works exclusively with individual clients. Of these individuals, about 90% are non-high-net-worth individuals. The remaining 10% have a high net worth, and the slight majority of the firm's assets under management come from these high-net-worth clients.

Financial planning services at the firm carry a minimum $4,000 annual fee. Portfolio management services, on the other hand, carry a minimum investment requirement of $100,000. John E. Sestina and Company is a fee-only firm.

John E. Sestina and Company Background

John E. Sestina and Company was founded in 1970, making it the oldest firm on our Columbus list. MTBW, LLC is the sole shareholder of the firm. MTBW, LLC is in turn owned by four entities: Lukan Enterprises, LLC (owned by Stephen A. Lukan), Int2Own, LLC (owned by Tyler V. Cook), Hilde, LLC (owned by Anthony W. Payne) and Constantinovich, LLC (owned by Craig A. Constantinovich). Each of the listed individuals are financial advisors at John E. Sestina and Company.

John E. Sestina and Company provides clients with full service financial planning, portfolio management and financially educational seminars. It may provide multiple services at the same time.

John E. Sestina and Company Investment Strategy

John E. Sestina and Company tailors its advisory services to the financial needs and investment objectives of its clients. It does so on a client-by-client basis, so it's rare that two investment strategies are exactly the same. Advisors primarily use mutual funds to invest client assets, but may also use fixed-income securities, real estate funds, insurance products, equities, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), bonds, commodities, venture capital funds and more.

Advisors at John E. Sestina and Company heavily rely on modern portfolio theory to inform their investment decisions. It primarily trades investments on a long-term basis.

AA Financial Advisors

AA Financial Advisors (Antolio & Associates) is a fee-based firm that works mostly with non-high-net-worth clients. Among the over 700 clients AA Financial Advisors serves, other clients are high-net-worth, those with pension and profit sharing plans, charitable organizations and corporations or other businesses.

AA Financial Advisors' team consists of certified financial planners (CFPs), chartered life underwriters (CLUs) and chartered financial consultants (ChFCs) designations. In addition, the firm has no minimum account size requirement.

AA Financial Advisors' Background

AA Financial Advisors was founded in 1985 and is owned by F7 Company, LLC. The firm offers services such as income tax planning, estate tax minimization, retirement plan income optimization, retirement plan contribution maximization, health/benefits insurance, life insurance, long-term care insurance, employee stock ownership plans and more.

AA Financial Advisors' Investment Strategy 

AA Financial Advisors' investment strategy consists of three main components: Foundational approach, strategic asset management and intelligent portfolios.

The foundational approach is designed to allow the firm to customize client's portfolios with mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, diversified passive or active portfolios, individual bonds real estate investments and private equity. The firm will also incorporate tax management strategies to help improve after-tax returns.

Intelligent portfolios are used with technology to bring automatic rebalancing and it comes with no transaction fees. The strategy comes with opening an account digitally. With strategic asset management, the strategy comes with technical analysis which is designed to protect the client's portfolio from market downturns.

The Joseph Group Capital Management

The Joseph Group Capital Management has a $500,000 minimum asset requirement, though the firm is willing to waive this. This is also a fee-only operation, meaning all of its compensation comes from client-paid fees.

The firm's staff includes certifications such as certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial analyst (CFA), chartered alternative investment analyst (CAIA), qualified kingdom advisor (QKA), certified public accountant (CPA), chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC), chartered retirement plans specialist (CRPS) and more.

The Joseph Group Capital Management Background

Twin brothers, Mark and Matt Palmer, founded The Joseph Group Capital Management in 1999. They indirectly remain the majority owners of the firm. Mark has a law degree, and Matt has a Master's degree.

Services offered by the firm include investment management, retirement plan services and wealth advisory services. 

The Joseph Group Capital Management Investment Strategy

Working with The Joseph Group Capital Management means your portfolio will use a set strategy developed by the firm’s advisors. The five strategies are: the conservation strategy, the provision strategy, the harvest strategy, the abundance strategy and the home grown stock portfolio. Each strategy corresponds with a risk level (volatility) and objective. If you have a smaller account, the firm has the provision seed strategy, the harvest seed strategy and the abundance seed strategy. 

The firm developed the strategies based on the idea that clients have one of four common goals for their money: to protect principal and maintain liquidity, to sustain a certain lifestyle over an extended period of time, to grow assets toward a long-term goal or to get to a higher level of wealth by growing capital.

TCP Asset Management

TCP Asset Management is the second-to-last firm on our list. This firm works almost entirely with just one type of client: non-high-net-worth individuals. It also has a handful of high-net-worth clients, as well as a single business client.

TCP doesn't have a minimum account size requirement. It is, however, a fee-based firm. Advisors at the firm can sell insurance and securities to clients in exchange for commissions, and this is a potential conflict of interest. Despite this, the firm is still a fiduciary. This makes it legally obligated to act in the best interests of clients at all times.

TCP Asset Management Background

Founded in November of 2016, TCP Asset Management is one of the youngest firms on our Columbus list. It became an SEC-registered investment advisor one year later, in 2017. The firm is princiaplly owned by Phillip J. Susi, Joshua Richard Allen, Philip Hunter Bervig and Branda Rhae Allen.

TCP provides clients with financial planning and portfolio management services. It also provides access to model portfolios to help clients achieve their financial goals.

TCP Asset Management Investment Strategy

As is the case with most financial advisory firms, TCP Asset Management works with clients to determine their overall financial profile and objectives so that they can tailor their advisory services to each client. This process involves meeting with clients and gathering such information as a client's risk tolerance, tax levels and income.

Advisors at TCP Asset Management use both fundamental and technical methods of analysis to help inform investment decisions. Advisors trade investment on a long-term basis.

Frazier Financial Advisors

Frazier Financial Group, a fee-based firm, has over 500 clients with most of them being non-high-net-worth individuals. Other clients are high-net-worth individuals and those who are tax-exempt. The firm has a team that consists of certified financial planners (CFPs), chartered financial analysts (CFAs), certified fund specialists (CFSs), retirement plan advisors (RPA) and enrolled agents (EAs). 

The firm has no minimum account size requirement. 

Frazier Financial Group's Background

Frazier Financial Group was founded in 1997 and is owned by Joshua J. Frazier, James A. Frazier, Brian T. Houts, Benjamin M. Foor and Andrew C. Gephart. The firm's advisory services include financial planning, investment management services, investment management of assets as well selections of other advisors. In terms of financial planning, Frazier Financial Group offers services for estate planning and trustee oversight.

Frazier Financial Group's Investment Strategy 

Frazier Financial Group's investment strategy depends on each client's unique situation. The firm works to pick the right investments that are preferred by the client's objectives in terms of risk tolerance as well as financial information and needs. The firm uses multiple strategies which are:

  • Fundamental analysis
  • Cyclical analysis
  • Charting analysis
  • Technical analysis
  • Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT)
  • Short Sales

Waller Financial Planning Group

Waller Financial Planning Group (WFPG) is a fee-only firm managing hundreds of millions in client assets. The firm's clients include individuals with and without a high net worth and charitable organizations. For advisory services, clients either pay asset-based fees, hourly fees or fixed fees. 

Some of WFPG’s advisors’ industry credentials include the certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial consultant (ChFC), accredited estate planner (AEP), chartered financial analyst (CFA), financial paraplanner qualified professional (FPQP) and chartered advisor in philanthropy (CAP) designations. The firm does not have a minimum account size requirement, but it does have a $3,000 minimum annual fee.

Waller Financial Planning Group Background

WFPG began its operations in 1985. Founded by Larry Waller, the firm is also equally owned by Charles A. Kerwood, III, Jason A. Eliason, Jason E. Farris and Christopher O. Olsgard. WFPG’s primary advisory services include portfolio management and financial planning.

The firm also participates in a wrap fee program, and it offers periodicals and newsletters. 

Waller Financial Planning Group Investment Strategy 

WFPG mainly uses economic analysis to determine market trends, and the firm relies on other data sources for mutual fund research, according to its firm brochure. The firm’s portfolio construction process consists of asset allocation, sub-asset allocation, active and/or passive allocations, asset location and manager selection. 

The firm largely invests in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds.

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