Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in Decatur, Georgia
Financial advisors can help with a multitude of financial goals, including retirement planning, tax planning and investing. To help you find a financial advisor in Decatur, Georgia, SmartAsset has created this list of the top firms in the city. Look through the details of each firm, including their account minimums, investment strategies and more, to figure out which option is best for you. SmartAsset's free matching tool can simplify your search process by connecting you directly to vetted 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 |
Ferguson Shapiro LLC
Find an Advisor
|
$288,888,340 | $100,000 |
|
Minimum Assets$100,000Financial Services
|
| 2 |
Minerva Planning Group
Find an Advisor
|
$135,620,719 | $1,000,000 |
|
Minimum Assets$1,000,000Financial Services
|
Let us help match you with up to three vetted fiduciary financial advisors.Answer a few questions to get matched. |
|||||
What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in Decatur, 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:
-
![]()
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.
Ferguson Shapiro LLC
At Ferguson Shapiro LLC, the top-rated firm in Decatur, clients who do not have a high-net-worth edge out those who do. The small firm also works with retirement plans, charitable organizations and businesses. While there are no individual account minimums, there is a $100,000 investment minimum for family households.
Ferguson Shapiro is a fee-based firm, which means some of its advisors sell certain insurance products and securities on a commission basis. However, the firm is legally bound by its fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of clients, no matter what.
Certifications held at the firm include certified financial planner (CFP), chartered life underwriter (CLU) and chartered financial consultant (ChFC).
Ferguson Shapiro Background
Ferguson Shapiro was founded in 2018 by principal Kevin Ferguson and partner Maury Shapiro. Today, Ferguson is the firm's principal owner. Between the two of them, they have over 50 years of experience in the private wealth management industry.
This firm offers financial planning and portfolio management services. The latter is available on both a discretionary and non-discretionary basis; the firm offers a wrap-fee program as well. Financial planning services typically relate to matters of tax planning, cash flow planning, insurance planning, estate planning, retirement planning and investment planning.
Ferguson Shapiro Investment Strategy
Ferguson Shapiro's investment strategies are designed to take the individual needs of clients into account. First, advisors take note of each client's financial assets, liabilities and cash flows. The firm then creates a financial plan and constructs a portfolio that seeks to help clients meet their long- and short-term goals. This involves taking into account net capitalization, credit risk and an optimal asset allocation for each client.
The firm permits clients to impose reasonable restrctions on the management of their money, but reserves the right to deem these restrictions inappropriate. Typically, advisors invest in stocks, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, fixed-income securities and variable annuities, though they may use other investments on occasion.
Minerva Planning Group
Minerva Planning Group has a client base that is split pretty evenly between high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals. For Minerva's portfolio management services, the minimum account size is $1 million.
Minerva is a fee-only firm. This means that it only receives advisory fees directly from clients, and does not take third-party commissions. The firm's staff includes one certified financial planner (CFP) and two chartered financial analysts (CFAs).
Minerva Planning Group Background
Minerva Planning Group was founded in 1987 by Sandra Porter, making it the oldest firm on this list. The firm is now run by her nephew, Micah Sanders Porter, who acts as president and CEO. Micah Porter is the sole owner of the firm.
The firm's offerings include financial planning, portfolio design and management services. Financial planning at this firm is comprehensive in nature, though it may zero in on areas like general finances, taxes, cash flow, insurance and investments. Portfolio design helps clients determine a proper investment strategy, whereas portfolio management focuses on the ongoing handling of investments.
Minerva Planning Group Investment Strategy
Minerva Planning Group bases its investment strategies on the individual needs of each client. This involves having a series of personal discussions with clients to determine their risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, financial goals and any other factors that could be relevant. In general, though, the firm generally applies a long-term approach to the building of its investment portfolios.
The firm tends to stick to low-cost mutual funds and exchange-traded funds when investing client assets. Though much less common, the firm is also open to investing in individual stocks, bonds and options as well. Your tax situation will affect the composition of your portfolio.
