Top Financial Advisors in Washington

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Brighton Jones, a fee-only financial advisory firm based in Seattle, is the top-rated practice in the state of Washington, according to SmartAsset's metrics. Brighton Jones has more assets under management than any firm on this list. 

The firm has large team of advisors that hold a variety of professional certifications, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), certified public accountant (CPA), certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA), chartered financial analyst (CFA), and chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC) designations.  

Clients who are high-net-worth vastly outnumber those who aren’t. The firm also serves institutional clients, including pooled investment vehicles, pension and profit-sharing plans and charitable organizations. The firm does not set a minimum account size but does have a minimum quarterly fee of between $2,500 and $3,500.

Brighton Jones Background

Charles Brighton and Jon Jones founded the firm (and lent their names to it) in 1999. They are the majority owners and serve as managing director and CEO, respectively. Several other employees have small stakes. Headquartered in Seattle, it has offices in Austin, Texas, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Newport Beach, California, Philadelphia, Portland, Oregon, San Diego, San Francisco, Scottsdale, Arizona, Menlo Park, California, Tampa, Florida, and Washington D.C.

In addition to providing portfolio management services, the firm manages several affiliated and non-affiliated private funds and offers wealth management, retirement plan consulting, financial planning and financial wellness consulting.

Brighton Jones Investment Strategy

Brighton Jones invests client assets primarily in a range of debt instruments, including bonds and bond funds, as well as fixed-income securities, individual equities, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), based on the client’s investment objectives. Additionally, the firm may allocate assets to specific asset allocation strategies and recommend investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs), which carry risks typically associated with real estate, such as fluctuations in property values, economic conditions, interest rates and potential environmental issues.

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Freestone Capital Management, a fee-based advisor in Seattle, next up on our list. The Freestone advisory team holds a number of professional credentials, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified investment management analyst (CIMA), certified public accountant (CPA) and chartered alternative investment advisor (CAIA) designations, among others. 

The firm works with nearly as many individual clients below the high-net-worth threshold as above it. Freestone also serves pooled investment vehicles, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and corporations. Though there is technically no minimum investment, the firm seeks clients who can invest at least $1 million in discretionary assets ($500,000 if referred through Schwab Advisor Network service). 

However, the firm has an arrangement with a risk management company and receives compensation when advisory clients purchase insurance through the affiliated firm. While Freestone doesn't direcly receive sales commissions from the insurance policies that are sold, they do collect an annual fee from the risk management company. This is a conflict of interest that Freestone is required to disclose as fiduciary.  

Fees for discretionary investment advice are based on a percentage of assets under management. Generally, the annual minimum fee is $6,000 (except for clients referred by Schwab, in which case the minimum fee is $4,000). The firm may charge performance-based fees. 

Freestone Capital Management Background

Gary Furukawa founded Freestone Capital as a corporation in 1999 (it’s now a limited liability company). His wife, Della, and he indirectly own more than 25% but less than 50% of the firm through entities they control. He manages the firm, along with Erik Morgan, a senior partner who has a small stake.

 Services offered by the firm include:

• Discretionary and non-discretionary investment advising
• Private funds
• Financial planning
• Retirement plan solutions
• Insurance
• College planning
• Corporate benefits

Headquartered in Seattle, the fee-based firm also has an office in Anchorage, Alaska, several throughtout California.

Freestone Capital Management Investing Strategy

Freestone Capital Management employs a multi-faceted investment strategy that integrates both internal and external expertise across traditional and alternative asset classes. Their approach combines fundamental and quantitative analysis, utilizing a variety of data sources to inform security selection and portfolio construction.

Freestone typically diversifies portfolios across equity, fixed income and alternative investments, which may include U.S. and global securities, mutual funds, bonds, private equity and real estate. In addition, they offer access to private funds that follow specialized investment strategies, such as distressed investing, private placements, real estate and derivatives. Freestone may also partner with sub-advisers to manage portions of client portfolios.

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Saturna Capital Corporation in Bellingham is a fee-only advisory firm with a relatively small client list. The firm works with more than twice as many high-net-worth individuals as non-high-net-worth inviduals. Saturna also services investment companies, pooled investment vehicles, charitable organizations, corporations and other businesses. 

The firm does have a $1 million account minimum, which can be waived in certain situations. Saturna is a fee-only firm, despite owning a brokerage services company. That's because Saturna Capital advisors – who are registered representatives of the broker-dealer – do not receive commissions or other incentives related to advisory clients' brokerage activities. 

Certifications held by advisors at the firm include the certified public accountant (CPA), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designations, among others. 

Saturna Capital Corporation Background

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This financial advisor firm is based in Bellevue. Its team of advisors hold a variety of professional certifications, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified public accountant (CPA) designations. Other certifications include accredited estate planner (AEP) and chartered life underwriter (CLU).

Coldstream Wealth’s client base consists of both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals. The practice specifically lists corporate executives, business owners, multi-generational families and professional athletes as the types of clients it serves. It also provides services to businesses, charitable organizations, pension and profit-sharing plans and investment companies. There is a $2 million account minimum. 

Investment advisory services are provided on a fee basis, but advisors who are representatives of brokers or insurance agents may receive commissions in their separate capacities. The receipt of third-party compensation from these sales transactions are a conflict of interest that prospective clients should understand and keep in mind. However, the firm is legally required to act in clients' best interests as a fiduciary. 

Coldstream Wealth Management Background

In business since 1996 (though under the name Coldstream Capital Management), Coldstream Wealth takes the Coldstream part of its name from a British regiment that was known for its integrity and dedication. Currently, only employees and board members are the owners. 

The firm is unusual in that it assigns a team to manage each client portfolio. Each team includes a wealth manager, portfolio manager, wealth management associate, wealth planner, client service associate and chief investment officer (and investment strategy group). As one might surmise, the team provides a full range of wealth management services. It also offers financial planning and consulting.

Coldstream Wealth Management Investing Strategy

In reviewing securities, the firm applies fundamental, technical and cyclical methods of analysis. It combines its internal expertise with external portfolio management in global equity, global fixed income, and alternative investment strategies.

When constructing client portfolios, it may allocate assets to domestic, international and emerging markets, as well as a range of equity capitalizations, from large- to small-cap stocks. The firm may also use a full range of fixed-income instruments, alternative investments, including hedge fund strategies, private equity, venture capital and leveraged buyouts. Tangible assets, including public and private real estate, commodities and other natural resources, may also factor into a client's portfolio.

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Empirical Wealth Management in Seattle is a fee-based firm with a minimum account size requirement of $3 million. The firm works mostly with individuals, but also has institutional clients including corporations and businesses, government entities, charitable orgaizations, as well as pooled investment vehicles.

Some advisors earn commissions from insurance sales, which is a conflict of interest. Still, all advisors are bound to act in the best interest of the client when serving as an advisor.

Advisory fees are based on a percentage of assets under management, and a wrap-fee program is available.

Advisors at the firm hold professional credentials like the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified public accountant (CPA), chartered financial consultant (ChFC) and chartered alternative investment analyst (CAIA) designations.

Empirical Wealth Management Background

Kenneth Smith founded Empirical Financial Services (EFS) in December 2009 as a spin-off from Empirical Wealth Management, a Oregon-based company he helped start in 2006. On Dec. 31, 2012, EFS purchased Empirical Wealth Management, LLC from its remaining original members and merged both companies as a Washington limited liability company under the name of Empirical Financial Services, LLC – doing businesse as Empirical Wealth Management. Smith remains the firm's principal owner and CEO.

Services offered include retirement planning, estate planning, tax preparation, insurance and real estate services, executive consulting services and portfolio management through a wrap fee program.

Empirical Wealth Management Investment Strategy

Empirical approaches investing by following modern portfolio theory (MPT), which emphasizes building diversified portfolios using various asset classes that interact differently with one another. Their portfolios typically include 12-21 distinct asset classes.Empirical primarily invests in low-cost mutual funds and ETFs but may also select individual securities for larger accounts.

The firm bases their asset allocation decisions on research by Eugene Fama and Kenneth French, focusing on balancing risk and long-term goals. Empirical’s investment strategies include both long-term and short-term purchases, with a focus on building diversified portfolios that align with each client’s unique objectives.

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Merriman Wealth Management, known simply as Merriman, is the next firm on our list of the top financial advisors in Washington state. Based in Seattle, this large firm works almost exclusively with individual clients. Of these clients, just over 50% are non-high-net-worth individuals, though the majority of the firm's assets under management comes from its high-net-worth clients. When it comes to institutional clients, the firm works with a single pooled investment vehicle along with charitable organizations and corporatoins.

Merriman is a fee-only firm. Despite being affiliated with some other businesses, advisors don't sell financial products for commissions, and are therefore not subject to the same conflicts of interest that fee-based advisors face. The firm doesn't have a set account minimum, though one specific type of account has a $250,000 minimum. Instead, the firm charges a minimum annual fee of $5,000. 

Merriman Background

While Merriman was founded in 1983, it only registered with the SEC as an investment advisor in 2013. The firm is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Focus Financial Partners, LLC. The firm is managed by CEO Jeremy Burger and Kristi de Grys, who oversees operations, investments and compliance. 

Merriman works with its clients to provide investment programs and investment portfolios as well as comprehensive wealth management services and management of assets that are "held away."

Merriman Investment Strategy

Merriman Wealth Management aims to tailor its investment advisory services to the needs and objectives of its clients. Advisors look to build well-balanced and globally-diversified portfolios that can help client achieve their financial goals. 

Merriman MarketWise and Merriman TrendWise are two of the firm's core investment products. The former is a globally diversified core investment approach that primarily utilizes low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, with portfolios actively rebalanced to maintain target allocations based on academic research. The latter strategy employs a trend-following approach to manage risk, aiming to reduce losses during bear markets by investing in ETFs, ETNs and mutual funds. The TrendWise program is mainly geared toward clients who prefer active risk management.

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Next is LNW, a fee-only investment advisory firm with billions in client assets under management. LNW's client base primarily consists of high-net-worth individuals. The firm also works with non-high-net-worth individuals, pooled investment vehicles and charitable organizations.

This Seattle-based firm has a significant account minimum: $10 million. However, the firm notes that it serves families with between $1 million and $200 million in investable assets. However, the firm is fee-only, so you won't have to worry about the potential conflict of interest that could arise from an advisor receiving commissions from the sale of financial products to clients that they advise.

The firm employs dozens of Certified Financial Planners™ (CFP®), as well as a host of advisors with the chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified public accountant (CPA) designations, among others. 

LNW Background

LNW traces its roots back to 1967, but only officially registered with the SEC as an investment advisor in 2001. The firm, whose legal name is LNW Wealth Management, LLC, is wholly-owned by Laird Norton Trust Company, a Washington statechartered non-depository trust company.

The firm offers personalized wealth management services tailored to the unique financial needs of wealthy individuals and families with complex holdings. Their core services include investment management, wealth planning and collaborative professional services. Wealth planning covers areas like retirement planning, liquidity analysis, philanthropy and estate planning. LNW also coordinates with clients' other advisors, such as attorneys and CPAs, for integrated financial strategies. 

In addition to its headquarters in Seattle, LNW has offices in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 

Laird Norton Wealth Management Investment Strategy

As is the case with many other financial advisor firms, LNW tailors its investment management services, investment advice and investment strategies to the financial needs and investment objectives of its clients. Each client relationship begins with the creation of an investment policy statement that outlines the client's time horizon, risk tolerance and investment targets. From there, advisors can figure out strategies that best meet the needs of clients.

LNW’s portfolios are globally diversified and regularly rebalanced, incorporating both active management and a core-satellite approach. The firm also integrates alternative investments such as hedge funds, private debt, real assets and private equity to complement traditional portfolios. LNW emphasizes tax efficiency and offers impact investing options that align portfolios with clients' social and environmental values.

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Founded in 1966, Badgley Phelps Wealth Managers is the oldest firm on our list of the top financial adivsors in the Evergreen State. This fee-only firm manages billions in assets, mostly on a discretionary basis. Its team has chartered financial analysts (CFAs), Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®) and other credentialed preofessionals on staff. 

To be a client of the firm, which primarily serves high-net-worth individuals, you’ll generally need at least $1 million. (The minimum may be waived under special circumstances.) The practice also serves trusts, estates, corporations and other busineses, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable institutions, foundations and endowments. 

Badgley Phelps Wealth Managers Background

Like many financial advisory firms, Badgley Phelps is a part of Focus Financial Partners and is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary by  Focus LLC. In turn, Focus LLC is majority-owned, indirectly and collectively, by investment vehicles affiliated with Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC.

Badgley Phelps provides an array of wealth management-related services, including wealth transfer planning, asset protection, investment management, cash flow planning, college planning, retirement planning, estate planning, tax planning, foundation management, risk management, legacy planning, philanthropic planning and investment policy development.

Badgley Phelps Wealth Management Investment Strategy

When it comes to equity securities, Badgley Phelps Wealth has four investment strategies: consistent growth, relative value, small and mid cap and international. Both the consistent growth equity strategy and the relative value equity strategy generally hold between 30 to 40 stock positions, and the Russell 1000 Growth Index serves as their relative benchmark. The small- and mid-cap strategy and the international strategy invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds. 

The firm also employs fixed income and alternative investment management.

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Northwest Asset Management is a fee-based firm that works mostly with individual clients (both with and without a high net worth), plus institutional clients like pension and profit sharing plans, charitable organizations and corporations.

Fees could be asset-based, fixed or hourly. Some advisors also earn commissions for selling insurance products. This is a conflict of interest, because third-party compensation gives advisors a financial incentive to make certain recommendations over others. However, the firm's fiduciary status requires it to act in clients' best interests. 

Advisors at Northwest Asset have earned numerous certifications including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified public accountant (CPA) and chartered market technician (CMT) designations, among others. 

Northwest Asset Management Background

The firm was founded in 2008 by managing member Greor Allen Headrick, who remains the principal owner.

Northwest Asset Management offers a comprehensive range of financial services tailored to meet clients' unique needs. Their investment management approach is highly personalized, focusing on goal setting, risk assessment, strategy development and continuous monitoring. In addition, the firm provides advisory services for retirement plans, financial planning and consulting on a variety of financial matters. The firm can also partner with outside portfolio managers, offers sub-advisory services to other advisors and provides tax preparation services. 

Northwest Asset Management Investment Strategy

Northwest Asset Management utilizes a range of investment strategies designed to align with the specific financial goals of each client. The firm relies on both fundamental and technical analysis to assess securities, understanding that market changes can pose risks. Following the principles of modern portfolio theory, Northwest prioritizes diversification across various asset classes to minimize risk and promote long-term growth.

Their portfolios typically include cash equivalents, high-quality bonds, and stocks from U.S. and international markets, sometimes incorporating emerging markets, REITs, and commodity indexes. Asset allocations are customized based on the client’s long-term goals and risk preferences, with adjustments made only when those objectives evolve.

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Evergreen Capital Management is a fee-only advisory firm based in Bellevue that typically requires clients maintain a minimum account size of $1 million. The firm’s client base primarily comprises individuals and high-net-worth individuals, although they also serve corporations and businesses, private investment funds and charitable organizations. 

As a fee-only firm, Evergreen’s advisors do not sell commissioned products like securities or insurance. Instead, the firm’s compensation comes from the fees that clients pay for advisory services. As for fees, Evergreen charges an asset-based fee for portfolio management, as well as performance-based fees. 

Advisors on staff hold a number of professional credentials, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), certified public accountant (CPA), chartered financial analysts (CFA) and certified exit planning advisor (CEPA) designations. 

Evergreen Capital Management Background

Evergreen Capital Management was founded in 1983. The firm is currently led by Co-chief investment officer David Hay, who holds indirect ownership. Evergreen operates from two primary offices located in Bellevue and San Francisco. Additionally, the firm manages satellite offices in Lake Oswego, Oregon, and Napa, California. 

The firm provides comprehensive financial planning services for most investment management clients, including a written financial plan at no additional cost upon request. This plan usually features a personal balance sheet and various projections. Additionally, the firm offers reports, financial statement projections, and analyses designed to aid in the development and implementation of a financial plan.

Evergreen Capital Management Investment Strategy

Evergreen employs a variety of investment strategies including dynamic asset allocation, seeking global opportunities, and tactical macro approaches. They focus on dividend appreciation, dynamic equity selections and effective cash management. 

Their typical investment vehicles encompass individual stocks, corporate and government bonds, mutual funds and ETFs. Evergreen also invests in partnership interests in real estate, oil and gas interests, as well as private funds.