Top Financial Advisors in Milwaukee, WI

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Johnson Wealth leads off our list of the top financial advisor firms in Milwaukee. The firm has more assets under management and advisors than any other firm on this list. It generally recommends minimum investable assets of $1 million but will set up a separately managed account with $200,000. Johnson Wealth is a fee-based firm, and certain advisors may earn commissions from selling insurance products. However, the firm has a fiduciary duty to always act in its clients' best interests. 

It provides its services to individuals, high-net-worth individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, government entities, other investment advisors, corporations and businesses. One of Johnson's differentiating factors is its airline pilot program. Clients of the firm's Pilot Program receive risk tolerance profiling, asset allocation services, pension benefits review as well as retirement planning services.

Johnson Wealth offers clients investment management, on either a discretionary or non-discretionary basis, as well as pre-retirement services and financial planning.  

Discretionary accounts are typically assigned to a portfolio model, and trades are executed en masse when there is a strategy change. Alternatively, you can have a portfolio manager oversee your account. The firm may invest discretionary accounts in mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), common stocks, fixed-income securities and non-traditional (complementary or alternative) investment vehicles. It may also retain a third-party money manager.

For accounts managed on a non-discretionary basis, the firm uses a third-party technology platform that provides due diligence and a curated menu of private equity, private credit and hedge fund investment opportunities. These opportunities are offered to certain high-net-worth and business clients.

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Capital Investment Services of America is a fee-only advisory firm that works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, trusts, estates, endowments, charitable organizations, nonprofits, retirement plans and businesses. There is a minimum client relationship size of $500,000, though the firm may waive this requirement at its discretion. As a fee-only practice, advisors' compensation comes only from client fees, not from commissions or other compensation from securities transactions.

The firm provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services. Financial planning is available to investment advisory clients at no additional cost and may include cash flow planning, retirement planning, investment planning, tax planning, estate planning, gift planning and wealth transfer planning.

Capital Investment Services of America generally offers equity-only, fixed income-only and blended accounts. The firm tailors portfolios to each client's investment objectives, with blended accounts combining its equity and fixed income strategies based on an agreed-upon allocation.

The firm has Certified Financial Planners™ (CFP®) and Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) on staff. 

The firm's equity strategy uses bottom-up fundamental research. It typically focuses on companies with strong business models, management teams, balance sheets and earnings growth. Fixed income portfolios generally focus on short- to intermediate-term maturities and may include U.S. Treasury securities, government agency securities, investment-grade municipal and corporate bonds, ETFs, mutual funds and preferred stocks.

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Oarsman Capital is a fee-only firm that primarily works with individuals and high-net-worth individuals. The firm, which was founded in 2000, has an investment minimum of $1 million. Oarsman Capital also works with pensions, profit-sharing plans and charitable organizations. 

The firm's compensation comes solely from the fees that clients pay for advisory services, not third-party commissions. Those fees are charged as a percentage of a client's assets under management. As for services, Oarsman Capital focuses on investment management, mutual fund and exchange-traded fund portfolios and retirement plan advisory services.

Advisors on staff hold a variety of professional credentials, including the CFP®, CFA, chartered life underwriter (CLU) and chartered financial consultant (ChFC) designations. 

Oarsman Capital builds and manages portfolios for clients that comprise common stocks, debt securities, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds/notes, stock options and cash equivalents. In identifying potentially attractive common stocks to purchase, the firm seeks established companies that have proprietary products or services, track records of consistent earnings growth, financial strength, as well as experienced management and strategies for future growth. Portfolio turnover is typically low, as advisors look to hold assets for an extended period of time. 

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1834 Investment Advisors is a fee-based advisory firm that's been in business longer than any firm on this list. Founded in 1976, the firm offers investment advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, corporations and business entities. There is a minimum account size requirement of $500,000 to work with the firm. The firm can waive the minimum requirement at its discretion. 

The 1834 team comprises a number of credentialed professionals, including advisors with the CFA, accredited investment fiduciary (AIF) and certified plan fiduciary advisor (CPFA) designations. 

1834 measures a client's goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon through an interview process in an effort to determine a plan or portfolio that best fits the client's profile resulting in the investment policy statement. The firm emphasizes asset allocation and diversification across asset classes, and its strategies may include long-term and short-term purchases, growth, income, fixed income, dividend, ETF, mutual fund, custom portfolio and alternative investment strategies. Depending on the client's needs, portfolios may include mutual funds, ETFs, individual stocks, bonds, options, alternative assets and other securities.

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Operose Advisors is a fee-based advisory firm based in Milwaukee. The firm works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, trusts, closely held businesses, corporations, foundations, retirement accounts, retirement plans, private funds and institutions. There is a minimum initial investment of $300,000 for advisory accounts, though the firm may waive this requirement at its discretion.

As a fee-based firm, there is a potential conflict of interest because compensation may include asset-based fees, fixed fees, retainers and affiliated revenue related to private funds and tax services. However, the firm and its advisors are required to act in the client's best interest.

Operose Advisors offers investment advisory, retirement plan, consulting, family office and financial planning services. Its services may include asset allocation guidance, portfolio construction, manager search and oversight, performance reporting, participant education and recordkeeper reviews. The firm also provides tax preparation and accounting services through an affiliate.

The firm generally uses customized asset allocation strategies based on each client's written investment objectives. Operose Advisors may manage accounts on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis, depending on the advisory arrangement.

The Operose team includes advisors with the CFP®, CFA and certified public accountant (CPA) marks. 

The firm may invest client assets in mutual funds, ETFs, fixed-income securities, separately managed accounts, alternative investments, options and futures. Client portfolios are typically managed with a long-term focus, though securities may be sold within 12 months when the firm deems it appropriate. Its process may include diversification, portfolio rebalancing, qualitative and quantitative manager research, third-party research and alternative investment allocations.

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Diversified Management is a fee-only firm whose client base is made up of individuals, high-net-worth individuals and charitable organizations. As a fee-only practice, advisors' compensation comes only from client fees, not from sales commissions paid by third parties. 

Most of the firm's clients have high net worths, which is defined as having at least $1 million in investable assets. While Diversified Management requires a minimum account size of $500,000, the firm caters to clients with fewer assets through Cream City Investment Services. 

Diversified Management provides investment advisory, financial planning and income tax services. Individual services include cash flow management, retirement planning, analysis of executive benefits, charitable giving strategies, estate planning, analysis of education funding alternatives, life insurance sufficiency analysis, investment management, tax planning and income tax return preparation.

Diversified Management will consider a client's full financial picture before designing your investment portfolio. Your asset allocation will be based on your risk tolerance, cash flow needs, financial goals, time horizon and current assets.  

The firm primarily uses fundamental analysis to evaluate securities. This entails using economic and company-specific data to evaluate an investment. The firm also uses Morningstar Advisor Workstation and Charles Schwab Advisor Services for information. As for asset classes, the firm typically recommends no-load mutual funds, which it believes are the most effective way to obtain exposure to equity markets. 

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Transcend Advisor Group is a fee-based advisory firm that works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, institutional clients, business owners, entrepreneurs and families. There is a minimum account size requirement of $80,000 to work with the firm, though this minimum may be waived based on client needs and the complexity of the situation.

As a fee-based firm, there is a potential conflict of interest because certain firm principals may earn commissions from insurance and annuity-related products. However, the firm and its advisors are required to put the clients' best interest first.

Transcend Advisor Group provides investment supervisory services, financial planning, institutional consulting, investment company research, sub-advisor and signal services and discretionary account management. Individual planning services may include retirement planning, investment planning, education savings, insurance needs analysis, tax planning, estate distribution, wealth transfer and charitable planning.

The firm uses strategic and tactical asset allocation, with portfolios generally built around long-term target allocations and adjusted as needed. Investment strategies may vary depending on the client's objectives, risk tolerance and financial situation.

Transcend Advisor Group may also use short-term trading, short sales, margin transactions, covered options strategies and inverse or leveraged funds for hedging or return enhancement purposes. The firm does not charge performance-based fees and does not participate in wrap fee programs.

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The MilWealth Group is a fee-only firm that's been in business since 1995. The firm offers investment management, primarily in ETFs and mutual funds. This service at the firm is offered on a discretionary ongoing basis and its advisors offer a comprehensive financial planning approach. The firm primarily works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals and corporations. 

The fees at the firm for investment advisory services are charged based on the assets under management (AUM) invested with the firm. The fees are calculated using security prices provided by the client's custodian. 

The team at the MilWealth Group has advisors on staff who hold the CFP®, accredited asset management specialist (AAMS) and enrolled agent (EA) designations. 

The MilWealth Group uses an asset allocation-based investment approach, building diversified portfolios across multiple asset classes based on each client’s financial situation, goals and objectives. Client accounts are generally invested in one of the firm’s investment models, which primarily use mutual funds, ETFs, U.S. Treasury debt, variable annuities and brokered CDs. The mutual funds and ETFs it recommends may invest in U.S. stocks, foreign stocks, emerging markets, fixed income securities, U.S. government and agency securities, corporate debt and municipal securities.

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Riverwater Partners is a fee-based advisory firm that works with individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, nonprofits, institutions, other business entities, third-party advisors and certain settlement planning clients. The firm generally requires $250,000 for asset management services and its model portfolio service. Full-service wealth management generally requires $1 million and carries a $9,000 minimum annual fee for new clients.

As a fee-based firm, certain representatives may receive commissions from insurance products or settlement planning services, which creates a potential conflict of interest. However, the firm and its advisors are required to act in clients' best interests.

Riverwater Partners provides asset management, wealth management, financial planning, trustee support services, OCIO services for nonprofit clients and model portfolios for third-party advisors. The firm offers discretionary asset management through proprietary equity strategies. It may also provide insurance-related recommendations and settlement planning services through affiliated or outside arrangements.

The firm uses a value-oriented responsible investing framework called its Three Pillar Approach®, which evaluates business quality, management teams and valuation. Its asset management strategies generally focus on U.S.-listed common stocks and hold concentrated portfolios of roughly 25 to 45 stocks.

The Riverwater team includes CFP® professionals and CFA charterholders.

For wealth management clients, Riverwater Partners may combine active managers with low-cost passive investments, use model portfolios and conduct due diligence on outside managers. The firm's due diligence process generally emphasizes responsible investing integration. 

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1492 Capital Management, a fee-only firm, rounds out our list of the top advisors in Milwaukee. 1492 Capital Management primarily works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and corporations or other businesses. However, it doesn't have a minimum account size requirement.

Founded in 2008, the firm focuses on portfolio management and wealth management. The firm also offers a variety of small-cap strategies for a variety of needs and types of clients. The team at 1492 Capital Management includes several CFA charterholders.

1492 Capital Management often uses a variety of methods of analysis and investment strategies for its clients. Some investment strategies include long-term purchases and short-term purchases. The firm will work with each individual client to determine long-term needs and choose the right investment strategy for that client.