Top Financial Advisors in Oregon

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Ferguson Wellman Capital Management is the top-rated financial advisory firm in the state of Oregon. Ferguson Wellman also tops SmartAsset’s list of the best financial advisor firms in Portland.

This fee-only firm requires a minimum investment amout of $4 million to open an account. To open an account with West Bearing, a division of Ferguson Wellman, $1,000,000 is required. The firm works mainly with high-net-worth individuals. Non-high-net-worth individuals, charitable organizations, pensions, profit sharing plans and businesses make up the rest of this firm’s typical clientele. The firm charges fees that are based on a client's assets under management (AUM). 

Ferguson Wellman features plenty of certifications on its staff. The advisory team comprises 10 chartered financial analysts (CFAs), eight certified financial planners (CFPs), two investment adviser certified compliance professionals (IACCPs), among a few other certifications.

As a fee-only firm, Ferguson Wellman makes money solely from the fees that clients pay for advisory services. Advisors do not collect commissions for selling financial products or insurance. 

Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Background

Ferguson Wellman owned by employees and has a board of directors comprising Ralph W. Cole, Steven J. Holwerda, and George W. Hosfield. The firm was established in 1975, giving it one of the longest track records of any firm in Oregon. West Bearing Investments, a division of Ferguson Wellman, was established in 2013. 

Beyond investment management, Ferguson Wellman works with clients on estate planning, risk management, tax guidance, charitable giving planning, retirement planning and education funding.

Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Investment Strategy

Rather than conform to popular investment philosophies like modern portfolio theory, Ferguson Wellman relies much more on its own collective wisdom to build investment plans. The firm’s strategies vary in level of risk tolerance, and they typically revolve around large-cap domestic equities, fixed-income and international equities in developed and emerging markets.

However, the one thing that remains constant at this firm is its active management of investments and portfolios. Other areas of focus for Ferguson Wellman include tax and cost efficiency.

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Northwest Capital Management is a large fee-only firm located in Lake Oswego with an office in Seattle, as well. Northwest Capital Management does not require a specific asset total to become a client. 

The advisory staff at Northwest Capital Management features five certified financial planners (CFPs), three chartered financial analysts (CFAs), an accredited asset management specialist (AAMS) and an accredited investment fiduciary (AIF). These advisors typically manage the portfolios of individuals, high-net-worth individuals, pension plans, profit-sharing plans, government entities, charitable organizations and businesses. It also works with one sovereign Native American tribe.

Northwest Capital Management Background

Chairman and chief compliance officer Frederick Payne Jr. opened Northwest Capital Management in 1998 after having been involved in the financial services industry for 13 years. President Brent Petty, who joined the firm in 2005, became its majority owner in 2020.

As far as individual services are go, Northwest Capital Management offers both discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, as well as financial planning. The latter may include estate planning, tax management, asset allocation creation and more. 

Northwest Capital Management Investment Strategy

Northwest Capital Management explicitly states in its SEC-filed paperwork that "how you should invest your money is determined by when you need to spend that money." This notion that your time horizon dictates how your portfolio should be built is not commonly seen, as most similar firms will consider your risk tolerance first and foremost. However, being that a client's risk level is often determined by when they'll need their investment earnings, this ideology inherently takes risk into account.

Northwest Capital Management usually invests in domestic and global stocks, bonds, real estate, cash and alternatives. The firm has historically has managed “fund of fund” portfolios, investing in various mutual funds that offer exposure to different asset classes and management styles. As an alternative to mutual funds, Northwest Capital Management purchases exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or collective trusts.

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Aldrich Wealth is a fee-based financial advisor firm located in Lake Oswego. It has additional offices in Oregon, California and Alaska. The firm has an large number of advisory certifications that most notably include the certified public accountant (CPA), certified financial planner (CFP) and personal finance specialist (PFS) designations.  

Most of Aldrich Wealth's client base consists of individuals both with and without a high net worth. The firm also commonly serves businesses, retirement plans and charitable organizations. Account minimums are negotiable and dependent upon a number of factors that go into the firm's client acceptance process.

Aldrich Wealth Background

Aldrich Wealth is a partnership under the principal ownership of AKT Services, LLP, a financial holding company. AKT Services is owned by a group of over 30 individuals. Aldrich Wealth was founded in 1998.

Financial planning, investment management, estate planning, tax services and insurance consulting are the core offerings of Aldrich Wealth. These services are divided into multiple subsections depending on your exact needs.

Aldrich Wealth Investment Strategy

New clients of Aldrich Wealth will be paired with one of the firm's several asset allocation models. Factors included in this matching process are your risk tolerance, time horizon and liquidity needs. These models are split between aggressive and conservative and they are each diversified across different markets and investment types. The firm also states that to support its future rebalancing efforts, it will allocate your assets in security specific percentages.

"Aldrich Wealth LP believes long-term historical data combined with an informed outlook for the current market environment are the most reliable sources for framing clients’ expectations regarding future investment performance," the firm states in its Form ADV brochure.  

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Becker Capital Management, the fourth-rated firm in Oregon, is also on SmartAsset’s list of the top financial advisor firms in Portland. It is a fee-only firm with a wide range of typical clients. This firm works with individuals (including those with a high net worth), investment companies, insurance companies, pooled investment vehicles, government entities, pensions, profit sharing plans, charities and other businesses.

The account minimum at Becker varies depending on which type of account you want to open. You need at least $1 million for individual investment management, while institutional portfolio management calls for a $3 million minimum. Clients pay an asset-based fee for portfolio management, while certain financial planning and consulting services may be provided for a fixed fee. 

The advisory team at this firm has a handful of certifications. There are two chartered financial analysts (CFAs), four certified financial planners (CFPs), one investment adviser certified compliance professional and one certified private wealth advisor (CPWA) on staff at Becker Capital. 

Becker Capital Management Background

Becker Capital Management was established in 1976. It is an employee-owned firm, with CEO/president Patrick Becker Jr., director Janeen McAninch, CFO Blake Howells and John Becker holding the largest shares.

Individual and institutional clients of Becker aren’t squeezed into premade advisory services when they join the firm. Instead, Becker Capital Management pairs clients with the appropriate services after analyzing their financial needs. Individual clients may receive financial planning, asset allocation determination, portfolio implementation and monitoring for taxable portfolios and retirement funds.

Becker Capital Management Investment Strategy

Becker Capital Management designs individual portfolios to meet clients' current income, risk tolerance and long-term growth needs. The firm invests client assets in stocks, bonds, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, and on occasion, alternative investments like real estate, private equity or hedge funds.

"Our firm focuses on underlying asset quality and pays close attention to valuation, irrespective of asset class," the firm states in its Form ADV brochure. "The research team merges a bottom?up asset selection process with a top?down portfolio construction process to maximize risk-adjusted returns within the constraints of clients’ circumstances."

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Portland-based Arnerich Massena is the No. 5-ranked firm in the state of Oregon and among the top firms in Portland. The Arnerich Massena team features various certified financial professionals, including two chartered financial analysts (CFAs), three certified financial planners (CFPs), a chartered alternative investment analyst (CAIA), a certified private wealth advisor (CPWA), among others.

Arnerich Massena is unequivocally an individual-centric firm, as most of its client base is composed of individuals above and below the high-net-worth threshold. According to the firm's website and Form ADV, it also works with banks, pensions, profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, government entities and businesses. Minimum account sizes vary according to account type.

As a fee-only firm, Arnerich Massena advisors do not earn commissions or sell financial products. Instead, it generates revenue solely from client fees, which may include performance-based fees. 

Arnerich Massena Background

As an employee-owned firm, Arnerich Massena divides its shares up across its senior employees. Currently, nine different employees own the firm, with no employee owning more than 35%. Arnerich Massena has been in business since 1991 when Anthony "Tony" Arnerich founded it. The firm offers investment management on both a discretionary and non-discretionary basis, among other services like financial planning and family office services.  

Arnerich Massena Investment Strategy

Unlike some other financial advisor firms, Arnerich Massena looks to build asset allocations for both the long- and short-term. "We believe that asset allocation, when properly supported by effective implementation, manager selection and discipline, is the most critical factor in determining long-term and near-term investment performance," the firm states in its Form ADV brochure. 

This is done to help clients reach their retirement and other distant goals, while still maintaining strong liquidity. By creating an asset allocation that takes into account each of these considerations, the firm will look to simultaneously maximize your return potential and mitigate volatility.

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Vista Capital Partners offers one of the simplest fee schedules on this list, as its advisory fees are based solely on a percentage of assets under management (AUM). The only firm with a truly comparable fee schedule is Ferguson Wellman Capital Management. Most of the firms on this list also charge some combination of fixed fees and hourly rates, in addition to asset-based fees.

Vista Capital Partners serves both non-high-net-worth individuals and high-net-worth individuals. The firm reserves the right to waive its $2 million stated account minimum.

Vista is also on SmartAsset’s list of the top 10 financial advisor firms in Portland. It is a fee-only firm with a staff that features 11 certified financial planners (CFPs), two chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and one certified public accountant (CPA).

Vista Capital Partners Background

Established in 2001, Vista Capital Partners is an employee-owned firm.  Michael J. O’Reilly and Douglas E. Johanson are the principal owners of Vista, each owning 27.5%. Dougal Williams owns 18%, John Convery owns 10%, while Robert D. Greenman, Lindsey W. Williams, Douglas L. Post and Tana Thomson all own smaller stakes. 

Should you become a client of this firm, the following services will be made available to you:

• Investment management
• Retirement planning
• College savings plans
• Estate planning
• Diversification planning
• Philanthropic giving
• Tax management

Vista Capital Partners Investment Strategy

Vista Capital Partners says that it strives to become the “financial quarterback” of its clients’ lives. It attempts to do this by first getting to know your personal financial needs and goals. To determine these important pieces of information, your advisor will speak with you specifically about your risk tolerance, time horizon and liquidity needs.

The firm wants clients to know that although there may be short-term dips in value, its portfolios are built for long-term success. This is largely because of the investments that the firm typically uses in client portfolios, which include stocks, bonds, global real estate investment trusts (REITs), cash, cash equivalents and index funds.

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Human Investing, a fee-only firm located in Lake Oswego, primarily works with non-high-net-worth individuals. However, the practice also has pension and profit sharing plans as clients, as well as charitable organizations and high-net-worth individuals. 

Human Investing does not impose a minimum account size. The firm charges an asset-based fee for combined investment management and financial planning services. 

As a fee-only firm, Human Investing and its advisors do not earn commissions for recommending financial products or insurance. Instead, the firm is compensated solely through the fees that clients pay for advisory services. The Human Investing team features five certified financial planners (CFPs), four certified public accountants (CPAs), one chartered financial analyst (CFA) and one chartered financial consultant (ChFC). 

Human Investing Background

CEO Peter Fisher founded Human Investing in 2004 and remains its principal owner. He is also the author of the book, "Becoming a 401(k) Millionaire."

Human Investing offers a range of services that include:

• Financial planning
• Investment management
• Tax preparation
• Estate planning
• Education planning
• Retirement planning
• Impact investing
• Risk management

The firm also partners with Nike, helping company executives maximize their benefit elections and protect their wealth. 

Human Investing Investment Strategy

Human Investing builds customized investment portfolios based on the client's financial plan and risk tolerance. The firm typically uses a diversified mix of mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, individual stocks and bonds, cash and cash equivalents when constructing a portfolio. The firm's investment strategy is informed by fundamental analysis, asset allocation and mutual fund/ETF analysis. 

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Phillips & Company Advisors, a fee-based firm located in Portland, is next on our list of the top firms in Oregon. Its client base is primarily composed of individuals who do not have a high net worth, although the firm also works with high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charities and business entities. Phillips & Company does not have a minimum account requirement. 

The firm has a number of employees who hold FINRA licenses or are licensed to sell insurance, but no financial certifications like the certified finanal planner (CFP) or chartered financial analyst (CFA) designations.

As a fee-based firm, Phillips & Company advisors can earn commissions on the sale of certain securities or insurance products. While this creates a potential conflict of interest, the firm is a fiduciary and must act in its clients' best interests. 

Phillips & Company Advisors Background

Founded in 2004, the firm initially conducted its advisory business as Phillips & Company Securities. It has been registered as an investment advisor with the SEC since 2011. Timothy C. Phillips, who serves as the firm's CEO and majority owner, ran for Congress in in 2004. 

Phillips & Company offers a variety of asset management options, including porfolios through Lockwood Capital Management. The firm also offers clients pension consulting services, endowment and foundation consulting, and help selecting other advisors, including private fund managers. 

Phillips & Company Advisors Investment Strategy

Phillips & Company may employ several different investment strategies when managing client portfolios, including the use of long-term purchases, short-term purchases, frequent trading and margin transactions.

The firm offers advice on a myriad of investments, including mutual funds, ETFs, exchange-listed securities, certificates of deposit (CDs), municipal securities, foreign issues, warrants, corporate debt, among others. Phillips & Company may also invest client assets in partnerships that invest in real estate, oil and gas interests or hedge funds. 

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Cable Hill Partners is another fee-only firm located in Portland. The majority of Cable Hill's individual clients are high-net-worth individuals, although the firm does work with a large number of clients who fall below the high-net-worth threshold, as well as retirement plans, businesses and corporations. 

While the firm does not impose a minimum account size, it does charge an asset-based fee for portfolio management that starts at $10,000 per year. Cable Hill charges a minimum fee of $5,000 for retirement plan advisory services. Meanwhile, the firm offers financial planning services for a fixed fee engagement of up to $10,000. 

The team at Cable Hill includes five advisors with the certified financial planner (CFP) designation, one certified private wealth advisor (CPWA) and one chartered retirement plans specialist (CRPS).

Cable Hill Partners Background

Cable Hill has been in business since 2014 when founding partners  David Christian and Brian Hefele opened the practice. Christian continues to serve as the firm's managing director, while Hefele is a certified financial planner on staff. 

The firm works clients in the following areas:

• Portfolio management
• Liquidity and cashflow
• Risk management
• Tax management
• Philanthropy 
• Education planning
• Estate planning
• Cash management

Cable Hill Partners Investment Strategy

Cable Hill works with each client to identify their investment goals and objectives, as well as risk tolerance and financial situation in order to develop an investment strategy and financial plan. Advisors then build a portfolio using diversified mutual funds and/or exchange-traded funds. The firm may also utilize individual stocks and individual bonds, when appropriate. Cable Hill primarily uses fundamental analysis to develop investment strategies. 

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Fee-only Matisse Capital, the final firm on our list of the top advisors in Oregon, requires a minimum initial investment of $1 million for new clients to join. Although this number might seem high, the firm actually works with significantly more individuals than their high-net-worth counterparts. Investment companies, other investment advisors, pooled investment vehicles, pensions, profit-sharing plans, charities and government entities are other common Matisse clients. The financial advisor firm does business in Lake Oswego.

As a fee-only firm, Matisse Capital's advisors do not sell securities, insurance or earn commissions, which could present a conflict of interest. Instead, the firm makes its money entirely from client fees. The firm does charge performance-based fees for its hedge fund, the Matisse Absolute Return Fund, and two open end funds. However, assets invested in these funds are not subject to the asset-based fees that advisory clients typically pay, only the management fees associated with the funds themselves. 

Matisse Capital Background

CIO Bryn Torkelson founded the predecessor to Matisse Capital, Deschutes Portfolio Strategies, in 2010. The firm underwent a complete rebranding to Matisse Capital in January 2018. Torkelson has been employed in the investment and financial management field for over 40 years, getting his start in 1981 as a broker for Smith Barney in Seattle. 

On a large scale, Matisse Capital provides four distinct management services: individual wealth management, retirement plan management for sponsors and participants, nonprofit management and closed-end fund research and portfolio management.

Matisse Capital Investment Strategy

According to its Form ADV, Matisse Capital invests almost exclusively in "low-fee, institutional class, no-load, open-end mutual funds." It believes the inherent diversification, lower management fees and liquidity of these funds make them extremely desirable investments. While mutual funds are undoubtedly their primary investment choice, they often specialize in certain securities, like equities. Beyond the diversification naturally seen in mutual funds, Matisse Capital explicitly vows that it will internally diversify its mutual fund investments throughout different companies.

"We select mutual funds with long-term performance under a consistently applied strategy and/or manager group, low expense ratios, low historical volatility, protection of capital in bear markets and smaller fund size," the firm states in its Form ADV.