Top Financial Advisors in Ohio

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Fort Washington Investment Advisors, a fee-based firm in Cincinnati, leads off our list of the top financial advisors in Ohio. The firm works with high-net-worth individuals, families and family offices, as well as charitable organizations, corporations, retirement plans and pooled investment vehicles, among others. Fort Washington, which generally requires a minimum of $500,000 for private client group relationships, has more assets under management than any other practice on this list. 

The firm offers a range of advisory services, including institutional advisory services, private client wealth management, financial planning, family office services, private equity advisory services, sub-advisory services, collateral management, collective investment trust management, securities lending fund management, wrap fee program services and cash management solutions.

Fort Washington was founded in 1990 and is part of Western & Southern Financial Group. As a fee-based advisor, there is the potential for a conflict of interest, as the firm or its advisors could earn commissions for the sale of certain securities. However, the firm is bound by a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of its clients.

Fort Washington has a team of advisors who hold several professional certifications, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and chartered alternative investment analyst (CAIA).

The firm may invest clients’ money in a mix of stocks, bonds and other income-producing investments. This can include stock strategies focused on dividends or smaller companies, bond strategies designed for income or stability and more specialized investments like emerging markets debt or bank loans. Its methods of financial analysis may include fundamental, technical, quantitative, asset allocation and ESG analysis, though the exact approach depends on the particular client and strategy.

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Sequoia Financial Group is a large firm that also ranks atop our list of Akron's top financial advisors. It works primarily with individual clients, the majority of whom do not have a high net worth. It also works with institutional clients, such as pooled investments, charities, retirement plans and businesses.

Founded in 2000, Sequoia provides its clients with a range of financial advisory services. Investment portfolio management services may be tailored, but the firm may also make use of model portfolios. Advisors on staff hold the CFP®, CFA, chartered financial consultant (ChFC), enrolled agent (EA) designations, among others. 

Keep in mind that Sequoia advisors may also be licensed to sell insurance for commissions, which is a potential conflict of interest. However, the firm is legally required to act in clients' best interests as a fiduciary. 

As is the case with most financial advisory firms, Sequoia Financial Group looks to tailor its investment strategies to the needs of clients. While portfolios may be fully tailored from scratch, the firm may also use model portfolios to help invest according to the financial situation and investment objectives of each client individually. 

Advisors use such investments as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), real estate investment trusts (REITs) and others to populate client portfolios. They use a variety of analysis methods, including fundamental, technical and cyclical analysis.

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Located in Akron, Valmark Advisers is a fee-based advisory firm that works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations and other businesses. Institutional clients include insurance companies, investment companies, charitable organizations, foundations, banks, governmental agencies, endowments, ERISA plan sponsors and unaffiliated registered investment advisors.

Services offered at the firm include asset management, wrap fee programs, third-party manager programs, retirement plan advisory services, financial planning and consulting, sub-advisory services and annuity evaluation and servicing. Its programs include Valmark ACCESS, ACCESS Direct, TOPS, TOPS Core, VWS Flex, VWS Custom, ACCESS Plus and Valmark Wealth Solutions Strategist Portfolios.

Minimum investment requirements vary by program, ranging from $10,000 for the firm's TOPS Core offering to $1 million for TOPS Custom and VWS Custom, though some programs may allow exceptions. As a fee-based advisor, there is the potential for a conflict of interest because the firm or its advisors could earn commissions for the sale of certain securities or insurance products. However, the firm is bound by a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of its clients.

Advisors on staff hold the CFP® and CFA designations. 

When it comes to investment strategies, Valmark generally uses diversified, goal-based asset allocation models based on a client’s risk tolerance, time horizon and financial objectives. The firm may use investments such as ETFs, mutual funds, individual bonds, separate account managers and customized portfolio allocations. Certain programs may also include dollar-cost averaging, tax-loss harvesting and satellite holdings outside standard model allocations. The exact mix depends on the program selected and the needs of each client.

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MAI Capital Management is a fee-based advisor in Cleveland with roots dating back to 1973. The firm works with individuals, including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, sports professionals and trusts. Institutional clients include pension and profit-sharing plans, employee benefit plans, endowments, foundations, corporations and investment-related entities.

MAI generally suggests a $500,000 minimum for investment management accounts, while full-service wealth management generally calls for clients to have a net worth of at least $1 million and current income of at least $150,000.

Advisors on staff hold a wide range of professional credentials, including the CFP®, CFA, certified public accountant (CPA), accredited estate planner (AEP), certified private wealth advisor (CPWA), chartered life underwriter (CLU) designations, among others. 

Services offered at the firm include discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, portfolio construction, asset allocation, managed account programs, wealth management, estate and financial planning, tax strategy and tax preparation. MAI also provides family office services, retirement plan consulting, trust administrative services, insurance administration, private fund management, mutual fund advisory services and sub-advisory services.

As is the case with most financial advisory firms, MAI looks to tailor its investment strategies to the needs of clients. The firm may use equity, fixed-income, ETF, private investment and options strategies, as well as third-party manager allocations, depending on client objectives.

Client portfolios may include dividend, focused equity, select equity, core growth, high income equity and diversified equity strategies. The firm also manages taxable and tax-exempt fixed-income portfolios, ETF-based allocation models and private investments. However, the exact mix depends on each client's objectives and other factors.

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Clearstead Advisors in Cleveland is a fee-based financial advisory firm that does not require a minimum investment or account size. The firm works with high-net-worth individuals and families, as well as retirement plans, endowments, foundations, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, healthcare organizations, insurance companies, family offices and others. 

The firm offers private wealth management, financial and retirement planning, tax planning and preparation, trust administration, family office services, institutional consulting, outsourced services and retirement plan advisory services. Clearstead also provides sub-advisory services, investment research and due diligence, as well as discretionary and non-discretionary investment management.

Clearstead has a large team of advisors who hold the CFP®, CFA and CPA marks. 

When managing client assets, Clearstead may use fundamental, cyclical and technical analysis. The firm may provide asset allocation, portfolio rebalancing and performance monitoring, with investment strategies depending on the needs and objectives of each client.

Client portfolios may include ETFs, mutual funds, individual equities, fixed income, direct indexing and alternative investments. The firm may also use long-term and short-term purchases, hedging strategies and rules-based quantitative strategies. The exact mix of investments depends on the client's goals, financial circumstances and other relevant factors.

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Johnson Investment Counsel is a fee-only firm based in Cincinnati. It is also featured on SmartAsset’s top Cincinnati financial advisors list. The firm's individual clients include both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals. Institutional clients include investment companies, retirement plans, charities, government entities, insurance companies and businesses. The firm doesn't have a specific minimum account size for new clients.

To manage client assets as comprehensively as possible, this firm uses several pillars of financial management. These pillars include goal-based financial planning, investment management, retirement planning, insurance analysis, income tax planning and estate planning.

Professional credentials held by advisors on staff include the CFP®, CFA, CPA and certified trust and financial advisor (CTFA) designations, among others. 

Rather than have one advisor form each client’s portfolio and investment plan, Johnson Investment Counsel prefers to work as a group. The firm believes this plays to its collective experience and allows clients to benefit from the entire team’s knowledge. Portfolios are primarily made up of ETFs, stocks, bonds and mutual funds. However, the exact mix depends on each client's risk tolerance, time horizon and other factors.

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Prosperity Capital Advisors is a fee-based firm in Westlake, Ohio. The firm's individual clients include both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals. Institutional clients include trusts, corporations and other businesses, nonprofit organizations, fraternal organizations, state or municipal government entities, pension and profit-sharing plans and others.

The firm generally requires a minimum portfolio size ranging from $1,000 to $250,000, depending on the advisory services selected, though it may grant exceptions. However, as a fee-based firm, certain supervised persons may receive commissions from securities or insurance-related activities in addition to advisory fees.

Prosperity Capital Advisors provides its clients with a range of financial advisory services. These include financial planning and consulting, investment management, tax management, retirement planning, estate and legacy planning, protection planning, charitable planning and education planning. The firm also offers third-party asset management platform services, sub-advisory and co-advisory services, separately managed accounts, retirement plan services, donor-advised fund advisory, institutional fixed income portfolio management and advisory services for held-away accounts.

When it comes to investment strategies, Prosperity Capital Advisors may use both model portfolios and custom portfolio programs. Its investment approach generally emphasizes target asset-class allocation and draws on academic, behavioral, quantitative and fundamental research. Advisors may use tax-aware, sustainable, socially responsible, income-oriented and custom advisor-directed strategies, depending on the client and the service being provided.

The firm has advisors on staff who have earned the CFP®, CFA, certified estate planner (CEP) and certification for certified long-term care designations. 

The firm uses a range of investments, including mutual funds, ETFs, individual equities, fixed income, defined outcome ETFs, alternative investments and options-based strategies. Its platform includes models associated with Vanguard, BlackRock, Dimensional Fund Advisors and Orion. More specifically, investments will depend on the particular client.

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Ancora Private Wealth Advisors is a fee-based firm located in Cleveland that works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals and families. Institutional clients include pension plans, profit-sharing plans, 401(k) plans, foundations, endowments, businesses and qualified plan trustees. The firm generally requires a $750,000 minimum account size, though related accounts may be combined and the firm may waive or reduce the minimum at its discretion.

The firm offers a range of financial advisory services, including customized portfolio management, lifetime planning and wealth advisory services, corporate retirement plan consulting and asset allocation consulting. The firm also offers held-away account management, insurance solutions, credit and cash management solutions, third-party manager due diligence and proxy voting services.

The Ancora team includes advisors who hold the CFA and chartered alternative investment analyst (CAIA) marks. However, as a fee-based firm, Ancora has a potential conflict of interest because certain employees may earn commissions in addition to advisory fees.

When it comes to investment strategies, Ancora looks to tailor its approach to the needs of each client. The firm builds custom portfolios based on client risk profiles and objectives, and it may use top-down research, fundamental analysis, technical analysis, tactical asset allocation and fixed income analysis. Portfolios may include equities, mutual funds, ETFs, fixed income, cash equivalents, special situations, real assets and alternative investments. However, the exact mix depends on each client's risk tolerance, objectives and other factors.

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Bahl & Gaynor is a fee-based advisory firm based in Cincinnati. The firm works with both non-high-net-worth individuals and high-net-worth individuals. Institutional clients include pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, corporations, state or municipal government entities, investment companies and insurance companies.

As a fee-based firm, Bahl & Gaynor may have potential conflicts of interest related to certain third-party compensation or client-paid costs. However, the firm states that it acts as a fiduciary. Bahl & Gaynor generally requires $1 million for individually managed accounts and has a $10,000 minimum annual fee, though either minimum may be negotiable or waived. Minimums for separately managed account (SMA) and wrap fee programs are set by the program sponsor.

Services offered at the firm include individually managed accounts, model portfolio accounts, discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, sub-advisory services, wrap fee and dual contract SMA program management and advisory services to registered mutual funds and ETFs. The firm may incorporate financial planning elements into portfolio management, but it does not provide standalone tax, insurance or legal advice.

A number of advisors on staff hold the CFP® and CFA marks. 

When it comes to investment strategies, Bahl & Gaynor generally focuses on dividend-growth equity strategies. Its strategies include large-cap dividend growth, small-cap dividend growth, income growth and small/mid-cap income growth. The firm may also use fixed income, ETFs, options, real estate, limited partnerships and alternative investments when appropriate for a client's objectives and eligibility. More specifically, investments will depend on the client.

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Carnegie Investment Counsel, a fee-only firm in Pepper Pike, wraps up our list of the top financial advisors in the Buckeye State. Carnegie generally requires clients to maintain at least $500,000 in assets under management. The firm works with individuals and high-net-worth individuals. Institutional clients include charitable organizations, retirement plans, corporations, government entities, independent trust companies, other investment advisors and associations. 

Carnegie Investment Counsel provides clients with a range of financial advisory services. These include investment management, wealth management, financial and investment planning, selection of other advisors, corporate retirement plan services, nonprofit investment management, association investment services and held-away account management.

The firm's advisory certifications include the CFP®, CPA, accredited investment fiduciary (AIF) and certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA) designations. 

When it comes to investment strategies, Carnegie Investment Counsel offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management based on each client's goals, objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance. The firm may use long-term trading, short-term trading, margin transactions and options writing, depending on the client's circumstances.

The firm’s analysis may include fundamental, technical, charting, cyclical and ESG analysis. Carnegie Investment Counsel can also incorporate faith-based or socially responsible investing preferences when appropriate.