The Top Financial Advisors in Downers Grove, IL

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JMG Financial Group, a large fee-only financial advisory firm with billions of dollars in assets under management, is the top-rated practice in Downer's Grove.

JMG's staff comprises dozens of professionals, including certified financial planners (CFPs), certified public accountants (CPAs) and chartered financial analysts (CFAs). The firm primarily works with high-net-worth individuals, but also has non-high-net-worth individuals and retirement plans as clients. To receive investment management services, you generally need a minimum account size of $1 million. The firm may waive this requirement at its discretion. 

As a fee-only firm, JMG Financial Group collects fees only from its clients. It doesn't earn commissions from other sources such as third-party financial services firms. 

JMG Financial Group Background 

JMG Financial Group was founded in 1985. Anthony D. Cecchini, who joined the firm in 1997, currently serves as CEO. He leads a team that specializes in both discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services. This means you can let the firm manage your portfolio and make all investment decisions, or you can work with the firm’s advisors and place reasonable restrictions on certain investments. 

JMG can also provide stand-alone financial planning services. Depending on your needs, your plan may address: 

• Retirement planning
• Cash flow planning
• Estate consulting services (not involving legal or accounting advice/services)
• Budget analysis and review

JMG Financial Group Investment Strategy

JMG Financial Group's primary investment strategy is strategic asset allocation, which involves setting targets for much how money should be invested across specific asset classes. The firm may also use tactical asset allocation, a more active method of portfolio management used to capitalize on market trends. 

Once an asset allocation is set, the firm may invest client assets in individual stocks and fixed income securities, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), private funds and unaffiliated sub-advisors. 

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Capstone Financial Advisors, another fee-only firm, is next on our list. Its team includes 12 certified financial planners (CFPs), four certified public accountants (CPAs) and one accredited investment fiduciary (AIF). Capstone also has a chartered alternative investment analyst (CAIA), financial paraplanner qualified professional (FPQP) and personal financial specialist (PFS) on staff. As a fee-only practice, Capstone's revenue comes from the fees that clients pay for advisory services, not commissions from third-parties like insurance companies. 

The minimum account size at Capstone varies based on the services provided.

Capstone Financial Advisors Background 

Capstone Financial Advisors was founded in 1999. The firm’s president, Troy Bute, is also the primary owner of the business. He leads a team that specializes in portfolio management services provided on either a discretionary and non-discretionary basis, depending on the client’s preference. The firm also may manage certain accounts with the help of sub-advisors it has screened and selected. 

Also, the team at Capstone can provide advice on the following topics:

• Education funding
• Tax and cash flow management
• Insurance planning
• Death and disability needs analysis
• Retirement savings 

Capstone Financial Advisors Investment Strategy 

Capstone Financial Advisors develops investment portfolios based on the needs and risk tolerance of its individual clients. The team generally invests client assets across no-load or load-waived mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, individual equities, and individual bonds. Weightings allocated to these securities or asset classes in general depend on the financial profile of the client, time horizon and other factors.

The firm places significant emphasis of asset class decisions, underlying portfolio costs and tax efficiency. 

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TC Wealth Partners is a fee-only investment advisory firm rated No. 3 on our list. The firm's team has a variety of certifications, including the certified financial planner (CFP), certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA) and certified trust and financial advisor (CTFA) designations. The firm also has team members with the certified pension consultant (CPC) designation, among others. 

Account minimums at TC Wealth Partners range from $300,000 for individual management services to $5 million for the firm's Family CFO Services. The advisors at TC Wealth Partners work on a fee-only basis. They don’t earn sales commissions from third-party vendors.

TC Wealth Partners works with individual clients, both with and without high net worths. The firm also advises charities, corporations and other business entities. 

TC Wealth Partners Background

TC Wealth Partners has been a registered independent advisor since 2016, but traces its roots back to the formation of the Trust Company of Illinois in 1993. The firm is owned by TCI Holdings, which in turn is owned by the Trust Company of Illinois and several clients. While this creates a potential conflict of interest — the firm may be incentivized to to favor clients with ownership stakes — TC Wealth Partners says it mitigates this conflict "by treating each client fairly and always acting in each client's best interest."

In addition to providing financial planning and investment management services to individuals, the practice advises sponsors of corporate retirement plans. Its advisors can also provide guidance on such various financial topics as: 

• Retirement planning
• Cash flow planning
• Tax and income planning
• Estate planning
• Insurance management
• College funding

TC Wealth Partners Investment Strategy 

TC Wealth Partners conducts interviews with clients in order to gauge their risk profile and investment goals. Its investment management team uses this information to devise an asset allocation that can help clients meet these goals without taking on more risk than they can handle. The firm allows clients to place reasonable restrictions on certain investments. 

Your portfolio may invest in the following securities: 

• Mutual funds
• Exchange-traded funds
• Individual equity and bond portfolios
• Qualified and accredited investor vehicles

The weighting of securities or asset classes generally depends on your risk tolerance, time horizon and other factors.

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Bentley Financial Group, a fee-based firm, is the final practice on our list of the top-rated firms in Downers Grove. Account minimums vary based on the type of accout a client opens. These account sizes range from as little as $15,000 for the firm's Optimum Market Portfolio's Program to $250,000 for the Personal Wealth Portfolios Program. 

Bentley's current client base is entirely composed of individuals without high-net-worths, although the firm is open to working with pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charities, government entities and corporations. 

The Bentley team has two certified public accountants (CPAs) and two certified financial planners (CFPs) on staff (advisors may hold more than one professional designation). However, as a fee-based firm, Bentley advisors may earn commissions in their independent capacities as broker-dealer representatives or insurance agents. While this presents a conflict of interest, the firm has a fiduciary duty to always act in its clients' best interests. 

Bentley Financial Group Background

Founded in 2002 by John R. Gritis, Bentley Financial Group provides asset management through accounts that are held at LPL Financial. Bentley also offers financial planning services that may include insurance, tax, retirement and estate planning. 

Gritis remains a 40% owner of the business, while Michael and Jeffrey Gritis each own 30% stakes. 

Bentley Financial Group Investment Strategy

Bentley Financial Group tailors its investment advice to the individual needs of its clients and reviews client portfolios on a regular basis. The firm typically provides advice on various types of investments, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), variable annuity subaccounts, real estate investment trusts (REITs), equities, and fixed income securities. 

Investment advice is typically formulated using a combination of fundamental, technical and charting methods of analysis. The firm may then use both long- and short-term trading strategies to help clients meet their investment goals.