Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in Lake Forest, IL
Because it can be challenging to find the right firm for you, we’ve researched and created a list of Lake Forest’s top firms based on a number of factors. In our review, we identify and compare each firm’s fee structure, assets under management (AUM), advisory services and more. To expand your search, use our financial advisor matching tool. It will connect you with up to three local advisors for free.
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 | Crescent Grove Advisors, LLC  Find an Advisor | $3,695,568,091 | Varies based on account type |
| Minimum AssetsVaries based on account typeFinancial Services
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| 2 | TSFG, LLC  Find an Advisor | $458,133,634 | $100,000 |
| Minimum Assets$100,000Financial Services
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| 3 | North Shore Private Asset Management, LLC  Find an Advisor | $255,065,909 | Varies based on account size |
| Minimum AssetsVaries based on account sizeFinancial Services
|
What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in Lake Forest, 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.
Crescent Grove Advisors, LLC
Crescent Grove Advisors, a fee-based firm, leads our list of top-rated practices in Lake Forest. The minimum account size varies based on the type of program, but is generally either $1 million or $10 million. As a result, the vast majority of clients are high-net-worth individuals. However, the firm also works with some non-high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, corporations, as well as friends and family clients.
For investment management, the firm charges an asset-based fee, while for financial planning and consulting it generally charges an hourly or fixed fee. Several staff members are also licensed insurance agents who earn commissions on certain transactions, creating a conflict of interest. Despite the financial incentive of commissions, Crescent advisors must abide by fiduciary duty and always act in the clients' best interests.
The firm’s team of finanical professionals includes one chartered financial analyst (CFA) and two certified public accountants (CPAs).
Crescent Grove Advisors Background
Crescent Grove Advisors was established in 2015 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crescent Grove Holdings, LLC. The firm’s managing directors are Gregg George, David Keevins and Nick Kochanski.
This firm mainly specializes in investment management, financial planning and independent manager referral services.
Crescent Grove Advisors Investment Strategy
Crescent says it applies an asset allocation approach to investing that focuses on the value of long-term strategic asset allocation combined with shorter-term tactical allocation investment decisions, according to its firm brochure.
The firm typically allocates client assets among mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), alternative investments, exchange-traded funds and independent investment managers.
TSFG, LLC
TSFG, formerly known as Alchemy Advisors, is a fee-based firm that requires clients maintain a minimum asset level of $100,000. The firm's client base primarily comprises individuals, but the firm does work with high-net-worth individuals and charitable organizations.
Since TSFG advisors are also representatives of a broker-dealer and/or licensed insurance agents, they earn commissions on certain transactions. As a result, TSFG is a fee-based practice. Despite the conflict of interest that commission-based compensation can create, TSFG has a fiduciary duty to always serve its clients' best interests.
The TSFG team does not have any financial certifications, like the certified financial planner (CFP) or chartered financial analyst (CFA) designations.
TSFG Background
Founded in 2014 as Alchemy Holdings, the firm was purchased by TSFG, LLC in March 2018. Daniel Nagel, Daniel Bouska, Jeffrey Feinendegen and Mike Gibbons are equal owner of the firm.
TSFG offers discretionary investment advisory services, which may include a wrap fee program. The firm also can work with clients to find independent money managers. TSFG can also provide financial planning services that may touch on a client's life insurance needs, retirement planning, education planning and other financial needs.
TSFG Investment Strategy
TSFG invests a large majority of client assets in stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), exchange-traded notes, options and mutual funds. The firm selects securities using fundamental analysis, which attemps to measure the intrinsic value of an security by examing economic and financial factors.
"Additionally, our investment decisions always give consideration to both the prospects for return on investment and the risk of loss on investment," the firm states in its brochure. "In considering the risk of loss, we contemplate both the probability of loss and the potential magnitude of such loss."
North Shore Private Asset Management, LLC
North Shore Private Asset Management is a fee-only advisory firm with a client base consisting of individuals, high-net-worth individuals, state or municipal government entities, a corporation and an insurance trust. North Shore imposes a minimum account size requirement of $1,000,000.
As for the firm’s investment advisory fees, it charges a percentage of assets. For financial planning and consulting, its fee is on an hourly or fixed basis.
The team at North Shore includes a chartered financial analyst (CFA), an accredited investment fiduciary (AIF) and an accredited asset management specialist (AAMS). (Advisors can hold multiple designations.)
North Shore Private Asset Management Background
Founded in 2004 by David H. Melsheimer, North Shore offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management services on a continuous basis. The firm also provides financial planning and advisory and consulting services.
North Shore Private Asset Management Investing Strategy
North Shore delivers investment advice that’s guided by fundamental analysis, technical analysis, charting analysis and cyclical analysis. The firm’s investment strategies include long-term purchases, short-term purchases, trading, short sales, margin transactions and option trading.
The firm generally provides advice on exchange-listed securities, securities traded over-the-counter, securities issued by foreign entities, warrants, corporate debt securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, municipal securities and various other investments.
