The Top Financial Advisors in Louisiana

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The top-rated financial advisory firm in Louisiana, TruWealth Advisors, primarily works with individual investors, both with and without high net worths. Clients also include trusts, estates, retirement plans, charitable organizations, businesses and corporations. TruWealth is considered a fee-based firm, as some of its representatives can earn commissions on certain transactions. However, the firm maintains a fiduciary responsibility to act in clients’ best interests despite this potential conflict on interest. 

TruWealth, which is located in Metairie, does not have a minimum account size. It’s advisory team has earned certifications including accredited portfolio management advisor (APMA), chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC), Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and other accredited professionals.

TruWealth Advisors Background

Founded in 2020 by Charles Simmons, TruWealth is the youngest firm on our list but has the largest client list. In addition to its headquarters in Metairie, the firm also has an office in Mandeville. Simmons and Christy Neal Simmons principally own the firm, which manages client assets on a discretionary basis. The firm focuses its services on financial planning, investment management and retirement plan consulting. 

TruWealth Advisors Investment Strategy

TruWealth’s investment strategy is “long-term in nature, based on research, principles and experience rather than short-term trends,” according to the firm’s Form ADV brochure. The firm relies on asset allocation strategies to optimize a portfolio’s risk and reward. 

TruWealth uses several types of analysis in generating an investment plan for clients, including top-down and macroeconomic analysis, fundamental analysis and technical analysis. The firm typically allocates client assets among mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), exchange-traded notes, individual debt and equity securities, custom structured products and independent investment managers. Portfolios are designed with a client’s risk tolerance, financial objectives and time horizon all in mind. 

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With more assets under management than any firm on this list, Waters, Parkerson & Co. is the state’s second-highest-rated firm according to our metrics. The firm mainly works with individual investors, both with and without high net worths, but its clients also include pensions and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses and corporations. There is no minimum account size, but the firm does charge a minimum annual fee of $10,000.  

As a fee-only advisor, Waters, Parkerson & Co. does not earn commissions or other forms of third-party compensation. Its small advisory team includes one chartered financial analyst (CFA) and two Certified Financial Planners™ (CFP®).

Waters, Parkerson & Co. Background

By far the oldest firm on our list, Waters, Parkerson & Co. was founded in 1933 by Arthur Waters and Godfrey R. Parkerson. Today, the firm is principally owned by J. Baldwin Montgomery, Devin Wakeman, David Pointer, Michael Whealdon and L. Reiss Eagan. Montgomery and Wakeman serve as the firm’s managing partners. The firm focuses solely on financial planning and portfolio management. 

Waters, Parkerson & Co. Investment Strategy

Waters, Parkerson & Co. follows a disciplined investment philosophy that emphasizes long-term growth through a balanced approach to both equity and fixed income investments. For the equity portion, the firm focuses on bottom-up stock selection, identifying undervalued companies with strong fundamentals and the potential for long-term growth.

Their equity strategy emphasizes diversification across industries and companies, reducing the risk of concentration, while holding stocks with growth, value and yield characteristics. The firm’s Investment Committee oversees ongoing research and analysis to separate short-term market volatility from fundamental changes.

For fixed income, the firm prioritizes generating current income while preserving principal. Their fixed income strategy involves diversifying holdings across the intermediate-term yield curve and staggering bond maturities to allow for annual reinvestment opportunities. They invest in corporate, agency and municipal bonds.

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Stokes Family Office (SFO) is a fee-based advisory firm located in New Orleans. Stokes Family Office primarily works with individual investors – both with and without high net worths – as well as pensions and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and corporations. Clients must have at $1 million in investable assets to open an maintain an account.

Because certain members of the staff are licensed insurance agents and may earn commissions on products sold to clients, SFO is considered a fee-only advisor. Despite this potential conflict of interest, the firm is a fiduciary and is obligated to act in a clients' best interests. 

The firm’s advisory team includings six advisors with the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation, as well as one who is a chartered financial analyst (CFA). 

Stokes Family Office Background

Founded in 2019, the firm offers clients wealth management services, retirement planning, and family office services. Brothers Gregory and Douglas Stokes own the firm through their respective holding companies. 

SFO can manage client assets on either a discretionary and non-discretionary basis, meaning clients can either give their advisor full control over investment choices without having to consult them first or choose to be contacted before decisions are made.

Stokes Family Office Investment Strategy

SFO typically invests client assets in mutual funds, ETFs, exchange-traded notes, as well as individual debt and equity securities and options. Some clients may have access to private investment funds through SFO.

The firm’s investment strategy is long-term in nature and relies on research and experience instead of short-term market trends. SFO employs asset allocation strategies to diversify client portfolios, but customizes a portfolio to the client’s specific needs.  

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Located in Monroe, Argent Advisors is a fee-based firm that works with individual investors, pensions, profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, government entities, charitable organizations and corporations. Argent’s team includes advisors with the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), certified retirement plan specialist (CRPS) and chartered financial analyst (CFA) designations. 

The firm does not have an account minimum. Clients may pay advisors commissions when purchasing certain investment products, as several employees are also representatives of a broker/dealer and licensed to sell insurance. While this qualifies Argent Advisors as a fee-based firm, Argent Advisors maintains a fiduciary responsibility to act in its clients’ best interests. 

Argent Advisors Background

The firm was founded in 1996 and is wholly owned by Argent Financial Group, which operates subsidiaries in 14 states. Mike Jones serves as president of Argent Advisors, which offers clients financial planning, portfolio management and pension consulting services. Argent is has been registered with the SEC since 2001.

Argent Advisors, Inc. Investment Strategy

Argent Advisors may use several methods of analysis to evaluate securities and choose investments, including charting, fundamental analysis, technical analysis and cyclical analysis. While the firm’s investment strategies may be tailored to an individual client's needs, the firm primarily invests client assets in individual equity and fixed-income securities, as well as mutual funds and ETFs. 

“Once set, we will test a client's financial plan using dozens of market variables to ensure the greatest probability of success with the lowest possible risk,” the firm states on its website. 

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Summit Financial Wealth Advisors, a fee-based firm, is the fifth-highest-rated advisor on our list. Across its offices in Lafayette, Monroe, Shreveport and Ruston, the firm has advisors on staff who hold the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC) and certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA) designations, among others. 

Summit Financial mainly works with individual investors, including high-net-worth individuals. The firm, which has a $50,000 minimum account balance, also counts pensions, profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations and corporations among its clients. Summit Financial also charges a minimum annual fee of $500 per account.

Summit Financial is classified as fee-based because several employees are insurance agents or representatives of a broker/dealer. As a result, they can earn commissions by selling certain products or services to clients. Despite this potential conflict of interest, Summit Financial is a fiduciary and obligated to act in its clients’ best interests. 

Summit Financial Wealth Advisors Background

The firm’s forerunner, Summit Financial of Louisiana, Inc., was founded in 2010. Today, Summit Financial is wholly owned by subsidiaries of Focus Financial Partners Inc., a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Summit Financial is managed by David Daniel, Todd Lambert, Michael Pharr, Suzette Broussard, Wesley Gatreaux, Douglas Daniel and Lena Satge Ormond. 

The firm, which manages accounts on a discretionary and non-discretionary basis, offers clients the following services: 

• Financial planning
• Retirement savings
• Education savings
• Lending solutions
• Insurance solutions
• Portfolio management
• Succession planning
• Emergency funds
• Retirement planning
• Cash flow planning
• Rollover options
• Long-term care planning
• Tax strategies
• Charitable giving
• Beneficiary designations
• Estate planning

Summit Financial Wealth Advisors Investment Strategy

Summit Financial invests client assets in individual equity securities, equity and fixed income mutual funds, ETFs and individual bonds. The firm also has an investment committee that meets around four times a year. The committee also selects the contents of the firm’s asset allocation models. 

The firm uses a variety of investment strategies and methods of analysis to research securities and manage portfolios. Charting, fundamental analysis, technical analysis, cyclical analysis all may factor into the investment advice given to clients. 

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Cullen Asset Management (CAM), a fee-based advisor in Lafayette, is the state’s sixth-ranked financial advisory firm, according to our metrics. CAM mainly serves individual investors – with and without high net worths – but also works with pensions, profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations and corporations.The firm generally has a $500,000 minimum for new accounts. 

Since its advisors are registered representatives of a broker/dealer and can earn commissions on certain transactions, CAM is considered a fee-based firm. However, it has a fiduciary responsibility to act in its clients' best interests. The firm’s advisory team includes one certified financial planner.

The firm has one Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and one chartered financial analyst (CFA) on staff. 

Cullen Asset Management Background

CAM is the advisory division of Cullen Investment Group, a broker/dealer founded in 1987. David Bordes is the president and founder of Cullen Investment Group and CAM. Stephen Nickel, vice president of the firm, became a part owner in 2017. CAM offers clients financial planning and portfolio management.

Cullen Asset Management Investment Strategy

The firm’s investment philosophy, which it calls a "basic value strategy," is mainly based on fundamental analysis. CAM typically invests in individual stocks and bonds, including companies with “attractive” business models, strong finances and solid management. This long-term strategy results in accounts being diversified with between 20 and 40 companies. CAM also avoids trading and does not believe in “timing the market.” 

“This value approach pervades all aspects of our business and is applied not only to the selection of individual stocks and bonds, but also to our efforts in choosing and recommending open-end and closed-end funds where appropriate, and any other investment vehicles,” the firm states in its Form ADV brochure. 

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BCM Advisors is a fee-only advisory firm located in Layafette whose clients include individual investors, pensions and profit-sharing plans, as well as corporations and businesses. The majority of the firm's assets under management are owned by high-net-worth individuals and business entities. 

BCM's minimum account size for portfolio management is $250,000 and $500,000 for financial planning. Its advisory team includes three Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) professionals, as well as advisors who hold the chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified public accountant (CPA) designations. As a fee-only firm, BCM advisors do not receive transaction-based compensation. 

BCM Advisors Background

Founded in 1987, BMC Advisors is one of the longest-tenured firms on our list. Previously known as Billeaud Capital Management, the firm changed its name to BCM Advisors in 2020. Joseph Billeaud, the firm’s founder and chief investment officer, is the majority owner of BCM through his sole ownership of JSB Investment Holdings, Inc. A number of people and entities own minority stakes in the business, as well. 

BCM primarily focuses on financial planning and portfolio management. Advisory accounts are managed on a discretionary basis.

BCM Advisors Investment Strategy

BCM offers a variety of investment portfolios based on the strategy of investing in stocks, bonds, precious metals and cash. “BCM’s approach within the Portfolios is to invest in broad-based asset classes rather than in individual securities," the firm states in its Form ADV brochure. "An asset class approach can be realized by owning indexed mutual funds or ETFs that reflect the composition and risk profile of the target asset class."

BCM evaluates individual mutual funds and ETFs based on their managers’ track record of investing through different economic conditions, as well as their underlying assets. 

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Montz Harcus Wealth Management is a fee-based financial advisory firm located in New Orleans. The firm’s client base comprises individuals, high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, as well as corporations or business entities. There is a $250,000 minimum account size requirement for opening and maintaining an account. 

In addition to client-paid fees, advisors on staff may receive third-party compensation for selling financial products, which is a conflict of interest. Despite this fee-based compensation structure, the firm is legally required to act in your best interests as a fiduciary. 

Montz Harcus Wealth Management Background

Montz Harcus Wealth Management was founded in 2019. The firm is solely owned and operated by Christine Champagne Montz.

In addition to portfolio management, the firm offers comprehensive financial planning services that may include investment analysis, employee benefits optimization, financial goal planning, insurance review, retirement planning and help in other areas. Clients with over $250,000 under management receive complimentary financial planning services. The firm also offers private alternative investment management services, which are separate from its regular portfolio management. 

Montz Harcus Wealth Management Investment Strategy

Like most firms, Montz Harcus tailors its investment strategies to align with individual client profiles, which include considerations such as age, income, tax levels, risk tolerance, financial goals, objectives and time horizons. 

Montz Harcus focuses on long-term trading and offers private alternative investment opportunities. Client portfolios typically include exchange-listed securities, over-the-counter securities, corporate debt, commercial paper, and certificates of deposit. Additionally, the firm invests in municipal securities, variable annuities, mutual funds, U.S. government securities, options contracts on securities, and interests in partnerships related to real estate or oil and gas.

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FPL Capital Management is a fee-only financial advisory firm located in Metairie. The firm works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, corporate pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts and business entities.

The standard minimum investment requirement is $500,000, which can be met by aggregating household accounts. In certain cases, the firm may choose to lower or waive this minimum requirement for specific clients.

For asset management and wealth planning services, clients can pay an annual fee or a percentage of their assets under management until the annual fee caps at $15,000. Financial planning and consulting services are also available at an hourly rate. 

FPL Capital Management Background

FPL Capital Management, which was founded in 2000, is solely owned and operated by Michael D. George, a 25-year veteran of the investment industry. 

The firm offers comprehensive wealth and asset management services, which include financial planning and consulting. More specifically, the firm can help clients with investment planning, retirement planning, risk management through insurance planning, tax planning and estate planning.

FPL Capital Management Investment Strategy

FPL Capital Management focuses on long-term buy and hold strategies, emphasizing passive investment approaches and global diversification. The firm primarily invests in mutual funds, ETFs, passively managed index funds, value stocks and securities from smaller companies.

The firm tailors its investment strategies to align with each client's unique goals, timeline, financial situation and risk tolerance. 

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Fee-based firm Paradiem is the final firm on our list of the top advisors in the state of Louisiana. Paradiem works with individuals, including both high-net-worth clients and non-high-net-worth investors. The firm also works with some charitable organizations, coporations and businesses. 

Investment management fees are based on percentage under management, and some advisors may earn commissions for selling insurance. There are also hourly fees for financial planning and consulting services.

Paradiem does not generally impose a minimum account size requirement. However, the firm's wrap fee program does have a $350,000 minimum relationship requirement per household, but it may waive this requirement in some situations. 

Paradiem Background

Paradiem, which conducts business as Intentional Ownership, was founded in 2011 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Paradiem Holding Company. Eric L. Dunavant, the firm's president, owns Paradiem Holding Company. 

Services offered by the firm include asset management through a wrap fee program, financial planning and insurance services. 

Paradiem Investment Strategy