Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in El Dorado Hills, CA
If you’re looking for a financial advisor in El Dorado Hills, California, we can point you in the right direction. The experts at SmartAsset spent hours gathering and analyzing data on local registered investment advisor (RIA) firms to find the top ones. To simplify your search even more, use our advisor matching tool. It connects you with up to three fiduciary advisors.
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 | Van Hulzen Asset Management Find an Advisor | $1,309,148,564 | $500,000 |
| Minimum Assets$500,000Financial Services
|
| 2 | Steadfast Financial Solutions, Inc. Find an Advisor | $587,045,099 | $40,000 |
| Minimum Assets$40,000Financial Services
|
| 3 | MW Investment Strategy  Find an Advisor | $55,381,689 | $1,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$1,000,000Financial Services
|
| 4 | Lagunitas Asset Management  Find an Advisor | $104,000,000 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in El Dorado Hills,, 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:
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AUMFirms with more total assets under management are ranked higher. -
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Individual Client CountFirms who serve more individual clients (as opposed to institutional clients) are ranked higher. -
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Clients Per AdvisorFirms with a lower ratio of clients per financial advisor are ranked higher. -
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Age of FirmFirms that have been in business longer are ranked higher.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this article. 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.
Van Hulzen Asset Management
At the top of our list, Van Hulzen Asset Management oversees hundreds of millions in assets. With headquarters in El Dorado Hills, the California investment advisor also has branches in Folsom, Jackson and Shingle Springs. It works with various client types including individuals and institutions.
The advisory team includes two certified financial planners (CFPs), one certified public accountant (CPA) and one accredited wealth management advisor (AWMA). The minimum account size depends on the account type. For customized portfolio solutions, the firm requires a minimum $500,000 minimum investment, while for its private client services program, the minimum is $2 million. Clients can add multiple accounts to meet these minimums.
Van Hulzen Asset Management also provides investment management services to Iron Horse Fund, a mutual fund. This arrangement can present a conflict of interest in situations where the firm recommends the fund to clients. That said, advisors must uphold their fiduciary duty and clients are under no obligation to buy Iron Horse Fund shares.
Van Hulzen Asset Management Background
CEO and majority owner Craig Van Hulzen founded the firm in 2003. Prior to that, he managed a private long/short equity fund and consulted investment firms. Today, in addition to working with firm clients, he gives technical and options advice to other RIAs.
The advisory provides wealth management services that combine broad investment management services and financial planning advice. This program is designed for clients who want advice on their entire financial balance sheet.
The firm’s asset management program is designed for investors who want the practice to manage a portion of their overall portfolio. Van Hulzen Asset Management can also recommend one of its proprietary model portfolios.
Additionally, the firm offers stand-alone financial planning that covers:
- Budgeting
- Insurance
- Death and disability financial planning
- Investment analysis
Van Hulzen Asset Management Investing Strategy
Whether its advisors manage a small portion of your portfolio or your entire financial picture, Van Hulzen Asset Management may engage in various investment strategies to help clients meet their goals. These strategies may involve:
Steadfast Financial Solutions, Inc.
Steadfast Financial Solutions joins our list of the top financial advisors in El Dorado Hills. The fee-only firm also has an office in San Jose, California.
The two offices have several investment advisors on staff. This team includes two certified financial planners (CFPs), two certified plan fiduciary advisors (CPFAs) and one accredited investment fiduciary (AIF). Though the firm generally requires a minimum investment of $40,000 for its services, it primarily works with high-net-worth individuals.
Some advisors may provide accounting services or real estate agent services separate from services through Steadfast Financial Solutions. These outside activities may present a conflict of interest. That said, clients are under no obligation to accept these services and are free to seek them elsewhere.
Steadfast Financial Solutions Background
Steadfast Financial Solutions formed in 2019. These advisors provide portfolio management services and financial planning advice that can cover the following topics:
- Identification of financial problems
- Cash-flow management
- Tax planning
- Insurance review
- Investment management
- Education funding
- Retirement planning
- Estate planning
Steadfast Financial Solutions Investing Strategy
The investment strategies of Steadfast FInancial Solution are governed by Modern Portfolio Theory. Central to this theory is the concept of portfolio diversification. By diversifying across various uncorrelated asset classes, an investor can preserve money and capture returns through all market cycles, including downturns. In other words, the firm does not attempt to capitalize on market predictions.
When designing portfolios, Steadfast Financial Solutions generally utilizes no-load mutual funds that invest in different asset classes.
MW Investment Strategy
MW Investment Strategy finishes off our list with millions in client assets and nearly 70 clients. MW serves individuals, high-net-worth individuals and pension and profit sharing plans. As for its advisory fees, the firm mainly charges asset-based fees, hourly charges and fixed fees. And, all new clients must meet a minimum account size requirement of $1 million.
The firm’s team consists of one certified financial planner (CFP).
MW Investment Strategy Background
Founded in 1997, MW became a registered investment advisor (RIA) firm in 1997. The firm specializes in portfolio management, financial planning and advisor selection advisory services.
The firm’s sole shareholder is Van Hulzen Asset Management, LLC.
MW Investment Strategy Investment Strategy
MW says on its firm brochure that its investment process is based on fundamental target asset allocation. The firm also says it fills the target asset allocation by selecting mutual funds and other investments.
MW’s Form ADV shows that 75% of its investments are made in securities issued by registered investment companies or business development companies. The remaining percentage of investments are in exchange-traded equity securities, U.S. state and local bonds, investment grade corporate bonds, cash and cash equivalents.
Lagunitas Asset Management is a fee-based advisor firm where the small advisory team does not list any financial certifications. Most of the clients at the firm are individuals, the majority of whom are high-net-worth individuals. The only institutional clients are pension and profit sharing plans.
Financial planning services are charged a fixed fee, while investment management is charged a percentage of assets under management. Advisors may earn commissions for selling securities -- a conflict of interest. Still, all advisors must act in the best interest of clients. The firm has no minimum account size.
Lagunitas Asset Management Background
LAM was founded in 2013. Michael M. Knittel is the principal owner.
Services include investment supervisory, financial planning, life insurance, retirement planning, education planning and debt planning.
Lagunitas Asset Management Investment Strategy
LAM uses charting, fundamental analysis, technical analysis and cyclical analysis to figure out which investments make sense for clients. Individual stocks and mutual funds make up the vast majority of the investments at the firm. Bonds and cash holdings are also employed.
