Menu burger Close thin Facebook Twitter Google plus Linked in Reddit Email arrow-right-sm arrow-right
Loading
Tap on the profile icon to edit
your financial details.

Top Financial Advisors in Indiana

Your Details Done
by Updated

This review was produced by SmartAsset based on publicly available information. The named firm and its financial professionals have not reviewed, approved, or endorsed this review and are not responsible for its accuracy. Review content is produced by SmartAsset independently of any business relationships that might exist between SmartAsset and the named firm and its financial professionals, and firms and financial professionals having business relationships with SmartAsset receive no special treatment or consideration in SmartAsset’s reviews. This page contains links to SmartAsset’s financial advisor matching tool, which may or may not match you with the firm mentioned in this review or its financial professionals.

Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in Indiana

Financial advisor firms typically have different specialties and investment philosophies. To help you determine which firms fit your needs and which don’t, SmartAsset has come up with this list of Indiana’s top financial advisor firms. Below are each firm’s investing philosophies, fees, services and more, affording you a detailed look at what each firm can offer. For those who prefer a simpler search method, the SmartAsset financial advisor matching tool will automatically connect you with advisors who serve your area.

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.
Free inital consultations. All advisors are fiduciaries.

Rank Financial Advisor Assets Managed Minimum Assets Financial Services More Information
1 Oxford Financial Group, Ltd. Oxford Financial Group, Ltd.  logo Find an Advisor

Read Review

$17,063,956,207 $5 million
  • Financial planning 
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting services
  • Selection of other advisors

Minimum Assets

$5 million

Financial Services

  • Financial planning 
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting services
  • Selection of other advisors
2 Valeo Financial Advisors, LLC Valeo Financial Advisors, LLC logo Find an Advisor

Read Review

$7,277,845,068 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Selection of other advisors (including private fund managers)

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Selection of other advisors (including private fund managers)
3 SYM Financial SYM Financial  logo Find an Advisor

Read Review

$3,706,905,162 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Selection of other advisors 
  • Pension consulting services

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Selection of other advisors 
  • Pension consulting services
4 Shepherd Financial Investment Advisory Shepherd Financial Investment Advisory logo Find an Advisor

Read Review

$3,484,956,576 No minimum account requirement
  • Retirement planning
  • Wealth management
  • Business planning
  • Insurance 

Minimum Assets

No minimum account requirement

Financial Services

  • Retirement planning
  • Wealth management
  • Business planning
  • Insurance 
5 CX Institutional, LLC CX Institutional, LLC logo Find an Advisor

Read Review

$1,480,654,465 Varies based on account type
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Non-discretionary pension consulting
  • Wrap fee programs

Minimum Assets

Varies based on account type

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Non-discretionary pension consulting
  • Wrap fee programs
6 Donaldson Capital Management, LLC Donaldson Capital Management, LLC logo Find an Advisor

Read Review

$2,616,028,278 $500,000
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
  • Publication of periodicals
  • Educational seminars
  • Portfolio and investment consultation

Minimum Assets

$500,000

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
  • Publication of periodicals
  • Educational seminars
  • Portfolio and investment consultation
7 Bedel Financial Consulting, Inc. Bedel Financial Consulting, Inc. logo Find an Advisor

Read Review

$1,809,355,091 $5,000 minimum annual fee
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting

Minimum Assets

$5,000 minimum annual fee

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
8 Thurston Springer Advisors Thurston Springer Advisors logo Find an Advisor

Read Review

$1,112,976,471 $25,000
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Selection of other advisors
  • Educational seminars

Minimum Assets

$25,000

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Selection of other advisors
  • Educational seminars
9 Phillips Financial Phillips Financial logo Find an Advisor

Read Review

$1,749,643,216 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting services
  • Selection of other advisors
  • Publication of periodicals or newsletters
  • Educational seminars/workshops

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting services
  • Selection of other advisors
  • Publication of periodicals or newsletters
  • Educational seminars/workshops
10 Invst, LLC Invst, LLC logo Find an Advisor

Read Review

$961,070,072 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
  • Selection of other advisors

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
  • Selection of other advisors

What We Use in Our Methodology

To find the top financial advisors in Indiana, we first identified all firms registered with the SEC in the state. 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:

  • AUM
    Firms with more total assets under management are ranked higher.
  • Individual Client Count
    Firms who serve more individual clients (as opposed to institutional clients) are ranked higher.
  • Clients Per Advisor
    Firms with a lower ratio of clients per financial advisor are ranked higher.
  • Age of Firm
    Firms that have been in business longer are ranked higher.
  • Fee Structure
    Firms with a fee-only (as opposed to fee-based) compensation structure are ranked higher.

All information is obtained through public records and is updated annually after the firms’ form ADV filing. 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. SmartAsset is not a client of the aforementioned firms, and did not receive compensation for including any of the firms on the aforementioned list.

Oxford Financial Group

Oxford Financial Group works with both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals, as well as pooled investment vehicles, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, insurance companies and corporations.

This firm typically imposes a $5 million investment minimum. It is also a fee-only firm. This means advisors don't receive commissions for selling financial products and therefore there's no conflict of interest.

Oxford Financial Group Background

Oxford Financial Group was founded in 1981, making it one of the oldest firms on our list. Jeffrey H. Thomasson is the firm's founder, and he founded it with the fee-only model in mind. The firm also has offices in Cincinnati, Grand Rapids, Minneapolis and Chicago.

Oxford provides clients with a range of services. It has a number of investment and financial planning services available to individual clients and family offices, and a number of other programs available for businesses and institutional clients. About half of the firm's assets are managed on a discretionary basis.

Oxford Financial Group Investment Strategy

Oxford Financial Group, like most other financial advisory shops, tailors its investment strategies to the needs of its clients. Advisors at Oxford meet with clients to determine their financial profile, including such information as a client's tolerance for risk and liquidity needs. The firm provides access to different types of customizable services, depending on the type of client and what specifically the client is looking for.

Advisors at Oxford put significant emphasis on asset allocation and risk mitigation. They seek to craft diversified portfolios using a wide range of investment securities.

Valeo Financial Advisors

Valeo Financial Advisors is headquartered in Indianapolis and has the distinction of being on our list of the top financial advisors in Indianapolis. The firm has no minimum account size.

The firm’s advisory staff is quite large. The team includes several certified financial planners (CFPs), certified public accountants (CPAs), certified divorce financial analysts (CDFAs), certified employee benefit specialists (CEBSs), chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and other certified advisors.

The fee-only firm has more than 2,100 individual clients. More than 1,600 of those clients have a high net worth, giving its advisors ample experience working with this client type. Valeo also offers services for pooled investment vehicles, charitable organizations and corporations.

Valeo Financial Advisors Background

Valeo Financial Advisors, LLC opened in 2003. Principal advisors John Trott, Richard Evans, John Wortman and Timothy Ginn wholly own the firm. The group averages more than 25 years in the financial services industry.

The services this firm offers include cash flow analysis, charitable giving, education fund creation, estate planning, retirement planning, tax minimization, investment management and insurance review.

Valeo Financial Advisors Investing Strategy

While Valeo Financial Advisors abides by your financial goals, risk tolerance and time horizon when investing your assets, it simultaneously utilizes a varied investment class strategy. This essentially means that while the firm will always look to diversify your account, it may underweight or overweight specific asset classes if it believes that to be in your best interest.

Typically the firm invests in equities, fixed-income, commodities, hedge funds, managed futures, master limited partnerships, pooled investment vehicles, venture capital and options. Pooled investments are utilized by this firm to afford clients the opportunity to invest in otherwise unreachable opportunities by combining their invested assets.

SYM Financial

SYM Financial is an SEC-registered firm that has been doing business since 1985, making it one of the oldest firms on this list. It provides a diverse range of individual financial management services from cash-flow projection to saving for retirement and even health care expenses. The firm is fee-only, so advisors don't receive commissions from the sale of financial products. It also doesn't have a minimum account size requirement.

The firm works both with non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, charities and corporations.

SYM Financial Background 

SYM first opened its doors to the Indiana community in 1985. Today, it acts as a full-service form providing services all around wealth management. Working with SYM, you’d have access to advice on the following topics if you need it. 

  • Tax and cash flow management
  • Investment guidance
  • Insurance policy review and consulting
  • Estate planning

In addition, the firm can work with you on specific projects of your choice. 

SYM Investing Strategy 

SYM offers advice around any investments you may have including 401(k) plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), 529 plans and trust funds. The firm would consider several factors when delivering this advice including your time horizon, risk tolerance and financial needs. 

However, SYM doesn’t build investment portfolios for its clients, but it does look to tailor its services to the needs of clients as much as possible.

Shepherd Financial Investment Advisory

Shepherd Financial Investment Advisory is a fee-based firm serving both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth clients, as well as pensions and profit-sharing plans.

The firm does not impose a minimum account size requirement for clients engaging in advisory serivces.

The firm charges asset-based fees for advisory services. But as a fee-based firm, some advisors could also get commissions for the products they sell. Commissioned product sales can create a conflict of interest, though the firm says it abides by a fiduciary duty that puts client interests first.

Shepherd Financial Investment Advisory Background

Founded in 2017, Shepherd Financial Investment Advisory offers individual retirement plan consulting, wealth management services, business planning and insurance solutions.

The firm is an Indiana limited liability company owned by Shepherd Financial Holdings, LLC. And Holdings is primarily owned by Steven Wylam, Thomas Mayer, Andrew Denny and David Shepherd. 

Shepherd Financial Investment Advisory Investing Strategy 

As with other firms, investment strategies are based on client needs and goals, which take into account risk tolerance and time horizon, among other financial factors.

Shepherd Financial Investment Advisory also uses both quantitative analysis, technical analysis and fundamental analysis to determine its investment strategy.

Portfolio investments include mutual funds and/or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). 

CX Institutional

CX Institutional is formerly known as Credent Wealth Management. This fee-based firm has several advisors serving thousands of clients, including individuals, both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth, as well charitable organizations, insurance companies and corporations.

Some firm representatives may recommend and sell investment and insurance products for commissions. Such fee structures can create a conflict of interest if advisors are incentivized to neglect client needs to receive higher fees. However, Credent works under a fiduciary duty to prioritize each client’s best interests. 

The firm’s staff holds multiple certifications, including the certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified public accountant (CPA) designations.

CX Institutional Background

CX Institutional was established in 2018 through the combination of Hefty Wealth Partners, Inc. and Oak Point Wealth Management, LLC. The firm’s advisory services consist of portfolio management, financial planning and consulting, non-discretionary pension consulting and wrap and non-wrap fee programs. 

CX's owners are Hefty Wealth Partners, Inc., Oak Point Wealth Management, LLC and CFP Texas.

CX Institutional Investing Strategy

CX uses a mix of several different investment analysis methods when conducting research and offering advice. These methods include fundamental analysis, quantitative analysis, technical analysis and cyclical analysis. 

As for its investment strategies, the firm primarily uses short-term purchases, long-term purchases and option writing. Advisors also aim to tailor advisory services to the needs of clients.

Donaldson Capital Management

Evansville is the headquarters of Donaldson Capital Management. It is a fee-only firm that serves the financial planning and investment management needs of individuals (both high-net-worth and not), pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and corporations.

You must have at least $500,000 in investable assets to begin a client relationship with this firm. 

The advisory team holds multiple certifications, including designations as financial paraplanner qualified professional (FPQP), certified financial planner (CFP), accredited investment fiduciary (AIF), certified public accountant (CPA) and more.

Donaldson Capital Management Background

Chairman and director of portfolio strategy Gregory Donaldson founded Donaldson Capital Management, LLC in 1995. Donaldson now shares ownership of the firm with Michael Hull, its president. The duo has spent a combined more than 65 years in the financial services industry.

This firm doesn’t have a typical list of financial planning services. Instead, it focuses on listening to the individual needs of each client and building an investment plan around them.

Donaldson Capital Management Investing Strategy

Conservative investing is the central focus of Donaldson Capital Management, LLC. This approach has led the firm to target long-term financial gain for its clients. However, the firm does realize that most clients will require some level of liquidity in their accounts, so some short-term investing is also included.

To meet its own standards for success, this firm attempts to hit three essential benchmarks: security, income and growth. These refer to the long-term preservation of capital, generous and dependable income now and in the future and the growth of income at a rate faster than inflation.

Bedel Financial Consulting

The fee-only financial advisor firm Bedel Financial Consulting works with both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as charitable organizations and corporations.

While there is no set minimum account size required, this firm does call for a minimum annual fee of $5,000. Bedel is located in Indianapolis. It is also on SmartAsset’s list of the top financial advisors in Indianapolis. 

Bedel Financial Consulting Background

CEO, president and founder Elaine Bedel established Bedel Consulting, Inc. in 1989. However, she has been in investment management for nearly 40 years. She has received numerous professional awards and titles, including 2016’s Woman Business Owner of the Year by the National Association for Women Business Owners, as well as the honor of being named one of Financial Times’ top 300 RIAs in 2014 and 2016.

This firm says that it prefers not to be bogged down by the restraints of a defined set of financial planning services. With that being said, its most commonly provided services include:

  • Retirement planning
  • Estate planning
  • Income tax planning
  • Insurance needs analysis
  • Family business planning
  • Charitable gift planning
  • Education funding

Bedel Financial Consulting Investing Strategy

To build your portfolio, Bedel Financial Consulting uses a distinct strategy that combines the specializations of both financial planners and investment managers. The firm believes that this helps to set it apart from its competitors, as this provides clients with as complete and diversified a financial management portfolio as possible.

To ensure that all client portfolios are diversified appropriately, Bedel Financial Consulting, Inc. utilizes the following investment types: exchange-traded funds (ETFs), real estate investment trusts (REITs), exchange-listed securities, U.S. government securities, mutual funds, insurance products, municipal securities, warrants, corporate debt securities, certificates of deposit (CDs) and more.

Thurston Springer Advisors

Thurston Springer Advisors rounds out our list of the top financial advisors in Indiana. Non-high-net-worth individuals make up the majority of the firm’s client base. Currently, it doesn't work with any institutional clients. This firm has a $25,000 minimum initial investment.

Some advisors at this firm also sell financial products for which they can receive commissions. This is a potential conflict of interest. However, the firm is a fiduciary, making it legally obligated to act in the best interests of clients at all times.

Thurston Springer Advisors Background

Thurston Springer Advisors was founded as a broker-dealer back in 1981. It then became an state-registered investment advisor in 2004 and an SEC-registered advisory shop in 2010. Several advisors on staff are certified financial planners (CFP).

The firm provides clients with a wide array of financial planning services. They also do portfolio management, estate planning, retirement planning and long-term wealth management.

Thurston Springer Advisors Investment Strategy

Like many other advisors, Thurston Springer Advisors looks to tailor its investment services and strategies to the needs of clients. It does so by figuring out the whole financial profile of each client before providing advisory services.

Thurston Springer Advisors uses a handful of different strategies and methodologies when investing on behalf of clients. On strategy, tactical momentum, looks to find securities that outperform market benchmarks when markets are on the upswing. When markets take turn for the worse, advisors typically focus on capital preservation.

Phillips Financial

Phillips Financial Management has several credentialed professionals on staff, including certified financial planners (CFPs) and certified public accountants (CPAs), as well as advisors with the accredited investment fiduciary (AIF), chartered financial consultant (ChFC) and chartered life underwriter (CLU) designations.

However, some advisors on staff may earn commissions when selling insurance in their separate capacities as insurance agents. While this is a conflict of interest, the firm is legally bound as a fiduciary to act in your best interests.

There is no minimum investment or account size requirement to be a client at Phillips Financial, although minimum fees may be due on a quarterly or annual basis. The firm works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, other investment advisors, corporations and businesses. 

Phillips Financial Background

Richard Phillips is the majority owner, founder and CEO of Phillips Financial. He’s worked in financial services since 1979 and is a certified financial planner (CFP). Shannon Hardiek owns the second-largest number of company shares and is the firm’s COO. Hardiek also works as a financial advisor.  

This fee-based firm offers financial planning, asset management, insurance management, retirement planning assistance and more.

Phillips Financial Investment Strategy

When you become a client, one of the first things you’ll do is answer a risk tolerance questionnaire. You’ll also discuss your current financial situation as well as your financial goals and objectives. You and your advisor will select a model portfolio that makes the most sense for your needs and your money will be invested. Advisors can make adjustments to the model portfolio to more closely align with your objectives, if necessary. In general, Phillips Financial uses mutual funds and ETFs for portfolios. In some cases, individual stocks and bonds may be bought or sold, but for the majority of clients, the firm “follows an investment philosophy of passive investing,” according to paperwork filed with the SEC.

Invst, LLC

Invst, formerly known as Jarred Bunch Consulting, LLC, is a financial advisor firm based in the heart of Indianapolis. There is no specific minimum you need to meet to become a client of the firm.

The firm works mostly with individuals with less than a high net worth, though it also boasts high-net-worth and retirement plan clients.

The team of advisors at Invst is fairly large. This group includes a handful of certified financial planners (CFPs). However, some of these advisors can sell securities on a commission basis. While this is a potential conflict of interest, the firm’s fiduciary duty compels it to put client interests first.

Invst Background

Invst was created in February of 2016. The firm was founded by its current CEO, Scott Jarred. Jarred still principally owns the firm.

Regardless of whether you want investment management or financial planning, Invst should have something for you. These services can help with issues relating to retirement, taxes, estate planning, risk management, charitable giving and more.

Invst Investment Strategy

When you invest with Invst, your investor profile will dictate how your money is placed in the market. For instance, your advisor will determine, with your help, your risk tolerance, income needs, time horizon and investment preferences before investing a dime. These factors will play a large part in your portfolio’s asset allocation.

Generally speaking, Invst will look to place your assets in investments like individuals stocks and bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, U.S. government securities, real estate investment trusts (REITs), certificates of deposit (CDs) and more.

How Long $1mm Lasts in Retirement

SmartAsset's interactive map highlights places where $1 million will last the longest in retirement. Zoom between states and the national map to see the top spots in each region. Also, scroll over any city to learn about the cost of living in retirement for that location.

Least
Most
Rank City Housing Expenses Food Expenses Healthcare Expenses Utilities Expenses Transportation Expenses

Methodology We analyzed data on average expenditures for seniors, cost of living and investment returns to determine how many years of retirement a $1 million nest egg would cover in cities across America.

First, we looked at data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on the average annual expenditures of seniors. We then applied cost of living data from the Council for Community and Economic Research to adjust those national average spending levels based on the costs of each expense category (housing, food, healthcare, utilities, transportation and other) in each city. Using this data, SmartAsset calculated the average cost of living for retirees in the largest U.S. cities.

We assumed the $1 million would grow at a real return (interest minus inflation) of 2%. Then, we divided $1 million by the sum of each of those annual numbers to determine how long $1 million would cover retirement expenses in each of the cities in our study. Cities where $1 million lasted the longest ranked the highest in the study.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Council for Community and Economic Research