Top Financial Advisor Firms in Illinois

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Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. is a large investment advisor headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The firm provides financial services to a wide range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, investment companies, pension plans, charitable organizations, state or municipal governments, insurance companies and corporations.

Wealth Advisors with the firm aim to build a long-term and perhaps multi-generational financial plan for its clients. Depending on your needs and objectives, the firm may cover the following: 

• Debt management
• Retirement savings
• Short-term investing
• College funding
• Building emergency funds
• Insurance
• Tax situation
• Estate planning
• Social Security

The client’s lead advisor can draw from experts within and outside Mesirow. The Mesirow Wealth Advisors team from its Illinois base includes certified financial planners (CFPs), chartered financial analysts (CFAs), accredited investment fiduciaries (AIFs), and chartered financial consultants (ChFCs).

Mesirow Financial Investment Management Background 

Mesirow Financial Investment Management can trace its roots all the way back to 1937s, making it one of the oldest firms on our list. Since then, it has built a big financial services unit delivering support to everyone from individuals to institutional clients. 

Its story began when Norman Mesirow purchased a seat on the New York Stock Exchange. Today, the firm has offices in more than 20 cities throughout the globe. More than 500 employees keep the company running, according to the firm’s website. 

Mesirow Financial Investment Management Investing Strategies

Mesirow advises its clients on creating a goals-based investment plan and a customized portfolio with an asset allocation deemed appropriate.  It monitors these portfolios on an ongoing basis. However, the firm allocates the majority of its client’s assets into registered third-party portfolio managers.

The firm kicks off its investment services by helping clients develop a goals-based investment plan that takes into account the client’s entire financial picture. It then builds a customized investment portfolio with an asset allocation it deems appropriate. The firm also monitors this portfolio on an ongoing basis. 

According to the firm’s website, Mesirow “believes this combination creates the best foundation for attractive long-term rates of return, helping our clients meet their wealth management objectives.”

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DiMeo Schneider & Associates, L.L.C. serves mostly high-net-worth individuals and families as well as their related trusts and estates. It also extends its services to institutional clients, large retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations and corporations. 

The leadership of this Chicago-based firm features certified financial planners (CFPs), chartered financial analysts (CFAs), certified investment management analysts (CIMAs), among other certifications.

Minimum account sizes depend on the type of private client and services deployed. But annual fees for investment advisory services can range from 0% to 1.5% of assets under management. Some investment programs require a minimum of $50,000 and $500,000.

DiMeo Schneider & Associates Background 

DSA was established in 1995 when Bob DiMeo and Bill Schneider directed Kidder Peabody’s investment consulting firm in the Midwest into a new venture. 

The firm deploys the same analytical tools it does for institutional clients as it does for its private clients which includes individuals, families and related investments such as trusts. According to the firm's website, it advises prominent families, including some on the Forbes 400 list. 

When receiving financial consulting from the firm, private clients can expect the following. 

• Family legacy planning
• Cash-flow projection
• Tax-efficiency analysis
• Asset allocation studies
• Investment manager/fund search
• Fee analysis and negotiation

DiMeo Schneider & Associates Investment Strategy 

DSA advises its clients on investment management by recommending independent investment managers from those that are in its database and deemed appropriate based on the client's needs and goals. The firm may also recommend mutual funds and other investments such as venture capital funds if it’s deemed right for your risk appetite and financial needs.

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Segall Bryant & Hamill (SBH) provides financial consulting and investment advisory services to a range of clients including individuals and high-net-worth individuals, investment companies, pooled investment vehicles, pension and profit sharing plans, charitable organizations and corporations. 

To establish an individual relationship with SBH, you’d need a minimum initial investment of $1 million. However, your minimum may range from $250,000 to $50 million depending on your portfolio’s asset allocation.

The firm’s wealth management division holds multiple certifications, including four chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and one certified public accountant (CPA). 

Segall Bryant & Hamill Brief Background

SBH was founded in 1994. The firm is principally owned by a number of its own employees as well as affiliates of Thoma Bravo, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor. 

SBH is headquartered in Chicago. The firm also runs offices in Denver, Colorado; St. Louis, Missouri; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Naples, Florida.

Some SBH employees may sell or recommend certain securities as registered representatives of Foreside Fund Services. They may earn commissions through these business practices. Nonetheless, SBH has a fiduciary duty and is legally obligated to work in your best interests at all times. 

Segall Bryant & Hamill Investing Strategy

When it comes to building and managing your portfolio, SBH may utilize a number of investing strategies based on several factors such as your risk appetite and investment goals. Your portfolio may be constructed with equities, fixed income, mutual funds, alternative investments or a mix of all. 

SBH considers a broad pool of the securities universe when building your portfolio. For instance, its equity portfolios can be built with small, mid or large-cap stocks.

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IHT Wealth Management is a fee-based firm. Some of its advisory professionals receive commission-based compensation for the sale of securities, insurance and other investment products. While this may pose a conflict of interest, the firm’s fiduciary duty mandates that all of its professionals put client interests first. 

IHT manages assets primarily for individuals and high-net-worth individuals. The Chicago headquarters advisor team holds multiple certifications, including seven certified financial planners (CFPs), two chartered retirement planning counselors (CRPCs), two certified investment management analyst (CIMAs), one chartered SRI counselor (CSRIC) and one chartered retirement plans specialist (CRPS).

While there is no minimum requirement to open an account, clients with smaller accounts could pay higher fees. The Firm charges an annual fee as a percentage of assets under management, which is a maximum of a 3%. Hourly fees typically range between $250-$500, and are negotiated with clients individually. 

IHT Wealth Management Background

IHT is a limited liability company that was formed in 2014. The firm's president Steven J. Dudash is the primary owner. Headquartered in Chicago, it also has offices in 13 states.

The firm provides comprehensive services in financial planning, investment management, retirement planning, estate planning, insurance planning and risk management.

IHT Wealth Management Investment Strategy

IHT reviews book value, cash flow, low debt, insider ownership, and previous market performance as part of its wealth management strategy.

Client assets could be invested with independent managers, ETFs, and mutual funds, as well as material holdings in U.S. Treasury instruments or cash equivalents.

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Savant Capital Management is a fee-only firm that serves both high-net-worth individuals and non-high-net-worth individuals. Insitutional clients also include pension and profit sharing plans, charitable organizations, investment advisers and corporations.

When you work with Savant out of its Illinois base, you’d have access to wide range of professionals. These include certified financial planners (CFPs), certified public accountants (CPAs), accredited investment fiduciaries (AIFs) and more. 

Savant does not have a set minimum initial investment to open an account. However, the firm currently charges minimum annual investment and plan adminsitration fees of $5,000 for wealth management services program clients. Fixed base fees typically range between $250 and $5,000. The firm also charges financial consulting fees between $100 and $500. Wealth management service fees are based on the total assets under management, ranging from an annualized rate of 0.5% to 1%. Clients with less than $1,000,000 of assets under management will pay a minimum $10,000 annual fee and a higher annualized rate than the 1% maximum.  

Savant Capital Management Background 

The firm first opened its doors in 1986 as the Savant Planning Group. It began offering investment advisory services in 1993. The firm aims to provide holistic financial planning through what it calls a financial roadmap. Based on your situation, it may entail money management around periods such as marriage, childbearing and retiring. It would also help you build an investment portfolio based on your needs. 

Today, it stands as a fee-only investment management firm. Therefore, Saviant charges fees for its own investment advisory services based on a percentage of your assets under management. It doesn’t earn commissions or other sources of revenue from outside firms for the recommendation of certain investments or securities. 

Savant Capital Management Investing Strategy

Savant aims to help clients build and rebuild investment portfolios that focus on the long term and aim for maximum returns with managed risk. 

The firm has developed several proprietary resources to help meet this goal. An example is the Ideal Futures Portfolio. It constructs this for individual clients based on a review of current portfolios or it starts from scratch. Then, it utilizes its Evidence-Based Investing (EBI) approach to determine which investments are more likely to succeed and which may draw unnecessary risk. Afterward, it develops your Ideal Futures Portfolio. The firm continuously monitors this portfolio and systematically rebalances the investments, while also managing tax liability. 

According to its website, the firm’s investment philosophy revolves around the following points:

• Responsibilities of a fiduciary
• Evidence-based investing
• Investment Maxims
• The Ideal Futures Portfolio 

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Cresset Asset Management, LLC manages assets for clients in 10 cities nationwide. The firm manages assets for individuals and high-net-worth individuals, as well as pooled investment vehicles and pension and profit sharing plans. 

This fee-only firm also offers various advisory services, and it mainly charges clients asset-based fees and fixed fees. Cresset Asset doesn’t have a minimum account size requirement.

As for its team, advisors’ qualifications feature nine certified financial planners (CFPs), 17 chartered financial analysts (CFAs), two certified private wealth advisors (CPWAs), one chartered market technician (CMT), five certified public accountants (CPAs), three certified guest service professionals (CGSPs) and two certified investment management analysts (CIMAs). 

Cresset Asset Management Background

Established in 2017, Cresset Asset’s advisory services include portfolio management, financial planning, pension consulting, selection of other advisors and educational seminars/workshops.

The firm comprises five wholly-owned subsidiaries, including: Cresset Asset Management Acquisition, LLC, Cresset Management Services, LLC, Cresset Evanston Advisors, LLC, Cresset Tax Services, LLC, and Cresset Cypress Wealth Advisors, LLC. Cresset Intermediate Holdco LLC owns Cresset Asset.

Cresset Asset Management Investment Strategy

In conducting investment research, Cresset Asset primarily uses fundamental analysis, technical analysis, quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis and charting analysis. The firm also focuses on alternative, non-traded private investments, and it regularly employs asset allocation and mutual fund and/or exchange-traded fund (ETF) analysis. 

Cresset Asset also uses a range of other investment strategies, including long-term purchases, short-term purchases, margin transactions and option writing.

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Capital Strategies Investment Group (CSIG) is a fee-based firm that manage assets primarily for individuals and high-net-worth individuals, as well as institutional clients that include pension and profit sharing plans and corporations. 

The firm’s team features three chartered financial analysts (CFAs), two accredited investment finducairies (AIFs) one registered paraplanner (RP) and one certified private wealth advisor (CPWA). 

CSIG doesn’t require a minimum initial investment. It generally charges annual asset management and investment consulting service fees between 0.05% and 1% or a flat fee.

Capital Strategies Investment Group Background 

CSIG was founded in 2009 by Will Woodall, Barbara Best and Nancy Rizzuto. The firm's advisory services can touch upon a number of factors including retirement planning, trust and estate planning, and legacy evaluation.

Capital Strategies Investment Group Investment Strategy 

When it comes to investment advice through its private wealth program, CSIG aims to develop a long-term plan for you, your family and even the next generation. It plans to meet this goal by devising a custom portfolio tailored to your individual risk appetite, restraints and needs. Based on these and other factors, your portfolio may invest in the following. 

• No-load mutual funds
• Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
• Collective trusts
• Limited partnerships
• Cash equivalents
• Fixed income
• Equity securities

The firm focuses on long-term investments and places diversification above all. According to official documents filed with the SEC, the firm relies on a long-term investment philosophy that hinges on a diversified portfolio to net the best return based on a client's risk tolerance.

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Gresham Partners advises assets primarily for high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients, including pooled investment vehicles and charitable organizations. 

But due to the firm’s fee structure, clients with at least $25 million to invest may be better serviced by Gresham. The firm collects fees based on a percentage of assets under management. These annual fees dip to 0.3% for those with more than $50 million in their accounts. 

Gresham Partners Background 

Gresham Partners began doing business in 1997. Today, Gresham is wholly owned by 14 principals. The firm is named after Sir Thomas Gresham, founder of the Royal Exchange and an advisor to Elizabeth I and two other British monarchs.

Gresham Partners Investing Strategy

Gresham Partners begins its investment advisory services by having several meetings with clients to velop a proper strategy around topics like asset allocations. It considers factors like a client’s risk appetite, net worth, philanthropic goals, liquidity requirements and more. 

It then seeks a proper investment manager and evaluates it by gaging the manager’s investment approach among other points. According to documents that Gresham filed with the SEC, “The Company tends to select experienced managers with broad mandates who can take relatively concentrated positions based on careful fundamental analysis and tend to have a limit on the amount of capital they will accept, but other types of managers may be selected.”

The firm monitors these managers on an ongoing basis.

Brownson, Rehmus & Foxworth, Inc. is a fee-only advisory firm. Its investment advisory staff holds multiple certifications, including certified financial planners (CFPs), chartered financial analysts (CFAs), certified public accountants (CPAs) and Investment Adviser Certified Compliance Professionals (IACCPs).

The firm offers investment advice, tax planning, estate planning, charitable giving, and debt management. The company can also help clients with major purchases and life changes like marriage, children or divorce.

Brownson, Rehmus & Foxworth Background

Brownson, Rehmus & Foxworth, Inc. was founded in 1969. The firm is employee-owned by 10 of its active principles. Beyond the firm’s Chicago office, it operates branches in New York, New York; Atlanta, Georgia and Naples, Florida.

All of the firm’s individual clients are high-net-worth individuals. The account minimum depends on the investment advisor.  Minimum annual fees tend to start at $25,000, ranging from 0.15% to 1% of assets under management. 

Brownson, Rehmus & Foxworth Investing Strategy

Brownson, Rehmus & Foxworth aims to develop investment strategies based on its client’s personal situations. It generally focuses on long-term investing and highly diversified portfolios. It also generally steers clear from active investing that tries to beat the market. In addition, the firm seeks to allocate your assets into managers with small turnover. It also utilizes real estate and alternative investments as well as equity and fixed-income.

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Gofen and Glossberg, L.L.C. is a fee-only firm that manages assets primarily for individuals and high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension and profit sharing plans, charitable organizations and corporations.

The firm’s advisor team holds multiple certifications, including certified public accountant (CPA), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and chartered investment counselor (CIC) designations. 

The Gofen and Glossberg’s advisory fees include asset-based fees and fixed fees. Clients have a minimum account requirement of $1,000,000.

Gofen and Glossberg Background

Founded in 1932, Gofen and Glossberg is a privately held firm. Advisory services include portfolio management and financial planning, and it also provides consulting services and general advice. 

Gofen and Glossberg Investment Strategy

Gofen and Glossberg says it uses fundamental research, macroeconomic analysis and technical research. Investment strategies include long-term purchases, short sales, short-term trading, margin transactions and options strategies. 

The firm invests primarily in exchange-traded equities, over-the-counter equities, foreign issuers, warrants, corporate bonds, commercial paper, certificates of deposit (CDs), municipal bonds, mutual funds, annuities, U.S. Government securities and securities options.