Top Financial Advisors in Indianapolis, IN

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Bedel Financial Consulting is the only firm on our list founded by a woman. The fee-only firm is medium in size and has been operating longer than most of the other firms on this list. It is also the only firm on the list to feature a program exclusively for 25- to 40-year-olds focused on wealth accumulation. Other services include investment management, retirement planning, multi-generational wealth planning and more.

The firm generally doesn't require a minimum investment to open an account. Instead, clients will need to adhere to a $5,000 minimum annual fee.

Bedel Financial Consulting Background

Elaine Kops-Bedel started the firm in 1989 and has served as the owner, CEO and president since its inception. She has a mathematics degree and an MBA and is a certified financial planner (CFP). Kops-Bedel has worked in the financial planning industry since 1979. In 2017, Kops-Bedel stepped away from daily operations at the firm to serve as the president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), a company with a mission to elevate the economic health of the state. Evan Bedel, a CFP and a graduate of Wittenberg University and Texas Tech, is the firm’s director of finance and strategy.

Bedel also employs three chartered financial analysts (CFAs), seven other CFPs, accounting for one of the largest conentrations of such professionals on our list.

Bedel Financial Consulting Investment Philosophy

At Bedel, your advisor will help you determine what focus you want to aim for with your investment portfolio. The firm could guide you through retirement planning. And it cen help you save for your child's future college education through investments like a 529 plan. Whatever your focus, your advisor at Bedel will help you clarify the details to achieve your financial goals.

The company uses three common types of analysis when evaluating securities: fundamental, technical and quantitative. This means the firm researches what to invest in by analyzing annual reports and prospectuses, financial publications, third-party due diligence platforms, press releases and more. Bedel Financial Consulting generally recommends mutual funds for your investment account.

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Windsor Wealth Management is one of the longest-running companies on our list and its staff accounts for more than a century in combined experience. It currently serves more than 900 clients, most of whom are individuals above and below the high-net-worth threshold.

This is another firm that has no established minimum account size. However, minimum annual fees do apply:

• Portfolio management: $3,500
• Financial planning: $2,500

The firm employs six certified financial planners (CFPs), four chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and one certified public accountant (CPA).

Windsor Wealth Management Background

Randall Clark and Channing Mitzell formed Windsor Wealth Management more than 30 years ago and continue to serve as managing principals. The minority shareholders of the firm are also members. These are Brian T. Shupe and Frank J. Esposito, Jr., James M. Leach, Niki Woodworth and Matt Ulsas.

Windsor Wealth Management Management

As a client of Windsor Wealth Management’s portfolio management team, you’ll be walked through a process that the company uses for most clients. The first phase is policy review and counseling. You’ll work with financial advisors and planners to create your personal investment statement that aligns with your goals.

Next up is investment management. This is where your advisors create a strategy with multiple funds in order to reduce your risk and capitalize on gains. Your portfolio is monitored and new opportunities are sought out to keep your portfolio on the path to reach your investment goals.

Phase three is monitoring and reporting. This is the evaluation process that helps set benchmarks to measure your performance against. You’ll receive custom reports to keep you abreast of the situation. Phase four is rebalancing. This is the ongoing process of adjusting your portfolio to maximize success.

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Unlike certain firms on our list, Thurston Springer Advisors primarily serves non-high-net-worth clients. In fact, this group accounts for the bulk of the firm’s current clientele. The firm adheres to a $25,000 minimum initial investment.

Thurston Springer has a large advisory team with plenty of experience in the financial space. Some have gone through rigorous training and examinations to earn designations like certified financial planner (CFP).

Certain advisors at Thurston also sell insurance products, through which they may receive commissions. While this creates a potential conflict of interest, the firm works under a fiduciary duty, which requires it to act in clients’ best interests at all times.

Thurston Springer Advisors Background

Thurston Springer Advisors can trace its roots back to 1981. Back then, it was a broker-dealer that later became a registered investment advisor in 2004. Thurston Spring Advisors emerged as a new SEC-registered advisor in 2010.

The firm provides a wealth of financial planning services that touch upon various subjects including portfolio management, estate and retirement planning, and multi-generational wealth management. You can also pass on 401(k) or trust account management toward advisors at Thurston.

Thurston Springer Advisors Investment Strategy

Thurston Springer Advisors deploys several strategies and methodologies when picking securities with an aim for maximum return. These may include tactical momentum, which is driven by seeking securities to outperform market benchmarks in rising market periods. It also aims to preserve as much capital as it can during market declines.

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With $1 million needed to open an account, Column Capital Advisors stands around the top of our list for highest minimum requirement. It should come as no surprise then that the fee-only firm has one of the highest percentages of high-net-worth clients on our list as well. It also works with retirement plans, charities, businesses and trusts.

Clients can take advantage of services like discretionary investment management, retirement planning, estate planning, income tax planning, insurance analysis and review, education fund planning, mortgage and debt financing planning and more.

Column Capital Advisors Background

Column Capital Advisors formed in 2005. It is owned by Column Capital Group, Ltd., a holding company, which is, in turn, owned by firm president Brian Upchurch and executive directors Kevin Sweet and Jeffrey Yu. Upchurch has worked in the financial services industry since 1987 and has a law degree. He’s also a certified public accountant (CPA). Sweet is a certified financial planner (CFP) and has worked in the industry since 1995. Yu is a CFP, CPA and has worked in the industry since 1985.

With all the CPA experience at this firm, it makes sense that it highlights tax services as one of its client offerings. Column Family Office, part of the firm, provides tax services to high-net-worth individuals and families.  

Column Capital Advisors Investing Philosophy

The advisors at Column Capital use the Nobel Prize-winning investment strategy called modern portfolio theory. This approach helps investors classify, estimate and control risk and return. Most robo-advisors such as Wealthfront and Betterment use this theory when creating investment algorithms.

Column Capital will diversify your assets to lower risk and will generally use mutual funds and ETFs to build your portfolio. The company invests for the long term and tries to minimize portfolio turnover and trading/transaction costs. However, the firm will manage your portfolio in alignment with your financial goals and objectives, which means short-term purchases are on the table if the investment meets one of your financial objectives.

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Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors is an investment-centric financial advisor firm. Its Individual Portfolio Management (IPM) services offer customized portfolio creation on a client-to-client basis. Model Portfolio Management (MPM) services take a different approach, as the firm will match clients with a preset portfolio based on their goals. Financial planning services are also available.

Non-high-net-worth individuals are the most common type of client at Sheaff Brock, though it does work with a considerable number of high-net-worth individuals as well. Charities, businesses and other investment advisors round out its client base. The firm has a $500,000 minimum investment.

Some of the advisors at this fee-based firm can sell securities to clients on a commission basis. Despite the potential conflict of interest this causes, the firm abides by fiduciary duty, acting in clients’ best interests at all times.

Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors Background

Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors has been in business since 2001. The firm is under the principal ownership of another advisory firm called Sheaff Brock Capital Management, LLC. In turn, managing director and chief investment officer (CIO) David Sheaff Gilreath and managing director Ronald Robert Brock own Sheaff Brock Capital Management.

The staff at Sheaff Brock includes one certified financial planner (CFP), one certified public accountant (CPA), three chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and two chartered alternative investment analysts (CAIAs).

Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors Investment Strategy

Because Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors divides its investment services into two major categories, investment strategies can differ. Below, we detail the strategies that are typically used for each:

• Individual Portfolio Management (IPM): This is the more personalized approach of the two, as advisors take into account your specific goals and investor profile before investing your money. IPM portfolios are fully diversified using a mix of investments.
• Model Portfolio Management (MPM): Within the MPM services, Sheaff Brock offers more than 10 model portfolios. Each of these are centered around specific investments and risk tolerances, as clients are matched with the one that best suits their needs.

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Axia Advisory divides its services into three categories: private wealth management, investment consulting and retirement plan consulting. Private wealth management is angled at individuals clients, and it involves a combination of financial planning and investment management. Financial planning is also available on a stand-alone basis, and it usually involves retirement planning, estate planning, insurance planning, college savings planning and more.

More than three-quarters of the Axia’s client base is made up of individuals with and without a high net worth. However, the firm also works with a handful of retirement plans, as well as some pooled investment vehicles and businesses. The firm does not have a specific minimum investment requirement for new clients.

Axia Advisory is a fee-only firm, which means that all of its compensation comes from client-paid fees.

Axia Advisory Background

Axia Advisory was established in 1992 by Keith Shadrick. Today, Shadrick still owns the firm, and he acts as its president and a senior consultant. According to the firm’s website, the word “Axia” is an ancient Greek term that means “value” in English.

The on-staff team of advisors at Axia hold a number of certifications. Among these are one certified employee benefits specialist (CEBS), one accredited investment fiduciary (AIF) and one chartered financial analyst (CFA).

Axia Advisory Investment Strategy

Axia Advisory’s overarching investment strategy is based on two philosophies: modern portfolio theory (MPT) and the prudent investor rule. Here’s a breakdown of each:

• Modern Portfolio Theory: This award-winning strategy focuses on maximizing a portfolio’s potential returns based on a predetermined risk tolerance. In turn, the decision to invest in a specific security relies less on its own risk and returns. Instead, the firm focuses on how that security will affect the balance of risk and returns for the entire portfolio.
• Prudent Investor Rule: This philosophy works well in conjunction with MPT, as it also states that investments should be viewed within the context of their portfolio rather than independently.

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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. Likely as a result of this, the firm mostly works 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 forces it to act in clients’ best interests at all times.

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.

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SBC Wealth Management is one of only a few fee-based firms on this list. Fee-based means that the firm earns compensation from third-party sources, in addition to client-paid fees. In this firm's case, certain advisors can earn commissions when they sell specific insurance products to clients. However, SBC also adheres to fiduciary standards, which means that your interests are legally required to come first.

There is no minimum investment necessary to become a client of SBC. The company offers personal financial planning, investment advisory services, retirement and distribution planning and estate and legacy planning.

SBC Wealth Management Background

Scott Holley founded the business in 1983. Today, he still serves as CEO of the firm and has worked in the financial industry for more than 40 years. Patrick Morrow serves as the president and chief operating offer (COO) of the firm. He’s worked for SBC Wealth since 1987 and is part-owner of the company, along with chief compliance officer (CCO) Erin Pentz and vice president and director Carson Shadowen.

The firm's team includes one chartered financial consultant (ChFC), two accredited wealth management advisors (AWMAs), one certified financial planner (CFP) and one chartered financial analyst (CFA).

SBC Wealth Management Client Experience

The firm uses a six-step process to create your financial strategy. First, you’ll define your objectives and lifestyle goals This means your time horizon (including your projected retirement date), your family’s needs and the level of risk you’re willing to take with your assets.

Step two is discovery. Your advisor will comb through your tax returns, assets, liabilities and other relevant financial material in order to become familiar with your financial situation. Next is the analysis of your objectives. Your advisor will help you create consistent and realistic financial goals. Step four is the creation of primary and contingency plans for each of your objectives. This includes considering taxes, timing and risk. When you reach step five, your plan will be implemented. Lastly, step six is periodic reviews: your plan will be reevaluated periodically to ensure that it stays on course.

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At $1 million, Wallington Asset Management requires one the highest minimum investments to open an account on this list. However, because this requirement is waivable, the firm's client base exhibits a nearly even split between high-net-worth individuals and non-high-net-worth individuals. The firm also offers services to pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations and corporations.

This is a fee-only firm, which means that all of its compensation comes from client-paid fees. A fee-based firm, on the other hand, would accept commissions from third-party sources, like insurance companies.

Wallington Asset Management Background

In 1988, Terence Weiss founded Wallington Asset Management. Weiss is still the principal owner of the firm. He also serves as president and managing director of the firm. He has an MBA from Indiana University, as well as more than 40 years of experience in the financial industry. Jeffrey Dowden is the executive vice president of the firm and a senior portfolio manager. He is a chartered financial analyst (CFA) and has worked in the financial industry since 1989.

Certifications across the company include one certified public accountant (CPA), one certified financial planner (CFP) and one chartered financial analyst (CFA).

Wallington Asset Management Investing Philosophy

Each client can expect a tailored investment plan based on the financial goals and needs discussing during initial consultation. That means your cash flow needs, expected rates of return, risk tolerance and time horizon are taken into account when developing your portfolio’s allocations. 

Generally, your advisor will diversify across asset classes such as equities and fixed income, and adjust as necessary to meet your goals. The company aims to achieve a return that exceeds your benchmark through a long-term investment approach in high-quality securities, Wallington Asset uses a variety of analysis types when evaluating securities, including fundamental, cyclical, technical and charting.

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Deerfield is another fee-only advisory firm with no specific minimum asset requirement for new clients. That said, a majority of the firm’s clients are high-net-worth individuals. Other clients of the firm include non-high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, charities and businesses.

Clients of Deerfield can access services like financial planning and investment management, or a combination of the two through a wealth management offering. Services include client portfolio customization, business planning, retirement planning, education fund planning, cash flow needs analysis and more.

Deerfield Background

Dick Bellmer founded Deerfield in 1985. The company is now owned by two of its employees: Susie Steel, president and chief operating officer (COO), and Bradley Cougill, vice president and chief investment officer (CIO). Deerfield has two offices: one in Indianapolis and the other in Park Ridge, Illinois.

Deerfield Investing Philosophy

The company uses an internal investment committee to perform analysis and to review investment performance. The main method that Deerfield uses is fundamental analysis. This type of analysis looks at the intrinsic value of investments by examining aspects such as economic, financial and qualitative/quantitative factors to help determine the actual value of the security. Fundamental analysis is holistic and generally considered the opposite of technical analysis, which looks at past market activity such as prices and volume. 

Your portfolio’s construction is based on your financial goals and long-term investing. Most accounts will have ETFs and mutual funds and your advisor will minimize transaction fees and tax ramifications when possible. The company bases its philosophy of the assumption that markets work and that diversifying across asset classes will help maximize returns and minimize risk.