Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Finding the right financial advisor isn’t easy, especially when you have dozens of options to choose from. This list of the top Philadelphia financial advisor firms should make the search a little easier. Compiled through extensive research, our list lays out the top firms’ fees, expertise, investment strategies and more in tables and reviews.
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1 | myCIO Wealth Partners, LLC Find an Advisor | $12,007,381,046 | $1,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$1,000,000Financial Services
|
2 | McAdam LLC Find an Advisor | $1,739,052,473 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
3 | FFT Wealth Management Find an Advisor | $2,495,479,421 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
4 | Wescott Financial Advisory Group, LLC Find an Advisor | $3,386,326,881 | Varies based on account type |
| Minimum AssetsVaries based on account typeFinancial Services
|
5 | Roffman Miller Associates, Inc. Find an Advisor | $2,094,262,806 | $500,000 |
| Minimum Assets$500,000Financial Services
|
6 | LGL Partners, LLC Find an Advisor | $1,043,241,335 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
7 | RTD Financial Advisors, Inc. Find an Advisor | $1,924,539,231 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
8 | Bryn Mawr Capital Management Group Find an Advisor | $1,840,983,600 | Varies based on account type |
| Minimum AssetsVaries based on account typeFinancial Services
|
9 | Mitchell Sinkler & Starr Find an Advisor | $1,466,883,513 | $2,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$2,000,000Financial Services
|
10 | Levy Wealth Management Group Find an Advisor | $795,665,304 | Varies based on account type |
| Minimum AssetsVaries based on account typeFinancial Services
|
What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in Philadelphia, 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:
- AUMFirms with more total assets under management are ranked higher.
- Individual Client CountFirms who serve more individual clients (as opposed to institutional clients) are ranked higher.
- Clients Per AdvisorFirms with a lower ratio of clients per financial advisor are ranked higher.
- Age of FirmFirms that have been in business longer are ranked higher.
All information is obtained through public records and is updated annually after the firms’ form ADV filing. 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. SmartAsset is not a client of the aforementioned firms, and did not receive compensation for including any of the firms on the aforementioned list.
myCIO Wealth Partners
myCIO Wealth Partners is a fee-only firm that requires an account minimum asset level of $1 million. It almost exclusively serves high-net-worth individuals. Institutional clients also include charities and businesses.
The advisory team holds multiple certifications, including certified financial planners (CFPs) and chartered financial analysts (CFAs), among other designations.
myCIO Wealth Partners Background
myCIO Wealth Partners was organized as a limited liability company in 2005. myCIO was formerly Ernst & Young's investment advisory practice.
The firm's principal shareholder is Affiliated Managers Group, which is a publicly traded company. myCIO Wealth Partners is overseen by James Joseph Biles, David Edmund Lees and Paul Joseph Bracaglia.
The "CIO" in the firm's name stands for comprehensive, independent and objective. In turn, the firm claims that it's one of the country's largest independent wealth management firms, and that it specializes in the alternative investment and fiduciary liability areas.
The firms says that financial planning and related consulting services are only made available "to the extent specifically requested by a client." myCIO will assist its clients with retirement, children's education, home purchases, taxes, investments, stock options, setting priorities, goal funding and insurance. The firm also offers family office service and has experience with assisting ultra-wealthy families.
myCIO Wealth Partners Investing Strategy
myCIO's primary investment strategies are long-term purchases, defined as securities held at least a year, and short-term purchases, defined as securities sold within a year. The firm primarily allocates its clients' assets among stocks, bonds, fixed-income securities, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, private investment funds, non-traded/non-public REITs, subadvisors and independent managers.
As part of its specialization in alternative investment consulting, myCIO reviews and recommends a range of alternative investments, with a focus on long and short equity.
McAdam
McAdam provides financial planning, wealth management, advanced tax and insurance strategies, as well as business owner services, to its clients.
The firm does not have a set account minimum and mostly serves individual clients with and without a high net worth, as well as retirement plans, charities and businesses.
McAdam’s advisory team holds multiple certifications, including designations as certified financial planner (CFP) and chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC).
As a fee-based firm, some representatives at McAdam may earn commissions for selling securities or insurance products. While this could make for a potential conflict of interest, the firm is a fiduciary, so it's required to put its clients' best interests first.
McAdam Background
McAdam was founded in 2014. The firm is wholly owned by Michael McAdam, who is the firm's CEO and principal.
The firm's investor services include wealth management, as well as financial planning and consulting services. These include business planning, cash flow forecasting, trust and estate planning, financial reporting, investment consulting, insurance planning, retirement planning, risk management, charitable giving, distribution planning and tax planning.
McAdam Advanced Advisory Model
McAdam primarily allocates its clients' assets among various mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), individual debt and equity securities, options and independent investment managers. The firm tailors its services and investment decisions to meet individual client needs.
FFT Wealth Management
FFT Wealth Management is a fee-only firm that works with high-net-worth individuals and charitable organizations.
The firm generally charges new clients an annual fee that is based on a percentage of assets under management. This rate can range between 0.25% and 1.50%.
FFT does not impose a minimum account balance to engage in services.
FFT Wealth Management Background
Headquartered in Philadelphia, FFT is a registered investment advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The firm has been in business since 2009 and is 100% owned by FWM Holdings, LLC. This holding company also owns another firm on this list — LGL Partners.
FFT Wealth Management Investment Strategy
FFT Wealth Management recommends financial investments based on the risk tolerance, time horizon and investment needs of clients.
The firm provides a variety of services, including investment management, financial planning and consulting services.
Wescott Financial Advisory Group
Wescott Financial Advisory Group primarily works with both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as retirement plans, charities and businesses.
The account minimum at Wescott varies by account. You'll need at least $500,000 for its Entrada Management Program, which the fee-only firm developed to provide investment management services to clients with less than $2 million in investable assets.
For its Wealth Management Program, you'll need at least $2 million. The firm's family office services require at least a $50,000 annual fee.
Wescott Financial multiple certifications, including certified financial planners (CFPs) and chartered life underwriters (CLUs), among other designations.
Wescott Financial Advisory Group Background
Established in 1987, Wescott Financial Advisory Group's principal shareholders are its CEO and founder Grant Rawdin, and Wescott Holding Company, LLC. Through the latter, a law firm called Duane Morris owns part of Wescott.
The firm offers a wealth management program and financial planning, which encompasses personal planning, cash flow and tax planning, investments, insurance, retirement, death and disability and estate planning.
Wescott Financial Advisory Group Life-Minded Wealth™
Wescott Financial Advisory Group customizes portfolios based on clients liquidity needs, risk tolerance and goals.
The firm combines passive and active management to capture the rational and irrational parts of the market. Its investment decisions are driven by the work of its investment research group.
Roffman Miller Associates
To become a client of Roffman Miller Associates you’ll need at least $500,000 in investable assets. However, under certain circumstances, the firm may be willing to accept less from a new client.
Roffman Miller Associates holds multiple certifications, including certified financial planners (CFPs) and chartered financial analysts (CFAs).
This is a fee-only firm, which means that it does not receive commissions from selling you insurance or other financial products.
Roffman Miller Associates Background
Roffman Miller Associates was formed in 1990. The firm's principal owners are Robert Hofmann, Paulette Greenwell and Mark Frombach. Currently, 11 out of 15 employees own shares in the firm.
Roffman Miller primarily focuses on investment management, though it also offers financial planning services.
Roffman Miller Associates. Investment Strategy
Roffman Miller Associates' investment strategy rests on the belief that long-term investing is the most effective way to grow wealth. The firm aims to meet long-term goals and to reduce the volatility of returns.
At Roffman Miller, each client portfolio is tailored to individual client needs. Typically, portfolios include individual stocks, bonds, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Roffman Miller has an in-house investment committee that conducts research to identify potential investment opportunities. The firm typically sticks to a value-oriented investment selection process, and it uses a variety of asset classes.
LGL Partners
LGL Partners is a fee-only firm that serves high-net-worth individuals, pooled investment vehicles and charitable organizations.
The firm does not impose a minimum account balance to engage in services. However, it will generally charge new clients an annual fee that is based on a percentage of assets under management, which generally ranges between 0.25% and 1.50%.
LGL Partners Background
Headquartered in Philadelphia, LGL Partners has been in business since 2010. The firm is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an investment advisor.
LGL Partners is wholly owned by FWM Holdings, LLC, which also owns another Philadelphia firm on this list (LGL Partners).
According to the firm’s brochure, “100% of the equity interests in FWM Holdings LLC were acquired by Stanhope Capital (Switzerland) SA” in 2021.
LGL Partners Investment Strategy
As with other firms, LGL Partners says that it makes financial recommendations based on a client’s risk tolerance, time horizon and other factors that impact a clients’ investment needs.
The firm provides investment management, financial planning and consulting services.
Clients are required to enter into one or more written agreements with LGL, which sets forth the terms and conditions under which firm renders services.
RTD Financial Advisors
Founded in 1983, RTD Financial Advisors has an advisory team with multiple certifications, including certified financial planners (CFPs), among other designations.
RTD Financial Advisors’ client base is comprised of non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as retirement plans, charities, government entities and businesses.
The firm does not have a set account minimum, but it does have minimum fees that vary depending on the service. This is a fee-only firm, which means all of its compensation comes from its clients.
RTD Financial Advisors Background
RTD Financial Advisors is employee-owned. According to the firm's brochure, chairman and CEO Jeffrey Alan Weiand, executive vice president Marc Charles Labadie, senior vice president Mitchell J. Metz and chief financial officer Richard J. Durso own between 10% and 25%. Other employees own smaller percentages.
RTD offers investment management and comprehensive financial planning services. These include income tax planning, investment planning, retirement planning, education planning, estate planning, cash flow planning and more.
RTD Financial Advisors Investment Strategy
RTD Financial works with clients to build a robust investment plan for their future. Furthermore, RTD advises people as they approach retirement, as well as during retirement. Part of this process is crafting a personalized investment strategy that aligns with a client's long-term goals and values. The firm's investment approach focuses on efficiency. It aims to minimize costs and maximize after-tax returns and opts for low-cost investment options.
Bryn Mawr Capital Management Group
Bryn Mawr Capital Management is a fee-only firm that works with both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as banks or thrift institutions, retirement plans, charitable organizations, other investment advisors and businesses.
The firm generally imposes a minimum portfolio size that ranges between $500,000 and $1 million.
Bryn Mawr Capital Management Background
Headquartered in Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr Capital Management was formerly named WSFS Capital Management, LLC, which does business as West Capital Management.
According to the firm’s brochure, Bryn Mawr Capital Management is a wholly-owned subsidiary of WSFS Financial Corporation, which is a publicly-held bank holding company.
Bryn Mawr Capital Management Investment Strategy
Bryn Mawr Capital Management makes financial recommendations based on risk tolerance, time horizon and investment needs.
The firm offers a variety of investment advisory services, including financial planning and investment management.
Mitchell Sinkler & Starr
Mitchell Sinkler & Starr serves high-net-worth individuals and their families, as well as investment companies and charities.
The firm requires a $2 million minimum account size, though it’s willing to waive this under certain circumstances.
As a fee-only firm, Mitchell Sinkler & Starr does not receive any third-party sales commissions for financial products sold to clients. A fee-based firm, on the other hand, would.
Mitchell Sinkler & Starr Background
Mitchell Sinkler & Starr has been around for quite some time, as it was originally established back in 1969. Today, the firm is owned by a handful of its employees, including president W. Gregory Richardson, vice president Heather McMeekin, vice president Peter Toscani and portfolio manager William Wilson.
The firm’s services are significantly focused on investment management. However, it also has financial planning offerings like tax planning, retirement planning, estate planning and more.
Mitchell Sinkler & Starr Investing Strategy
Mitchell Sinkler & Starr invests client assets according to each of their individual goals and situations. This means the firm will do a deep dive into your long- and short-term financial objectives, risk tolerance, time horizon and income needs for the future.
The firm tends to prefer long-term investing strategies. It may use both bottom-up and top-down approaches when analyzing investments for you and other clients’ portfolios.
Levy Wealth Management Group
Levy Wealth Management Group works primarily with individuals, both with and without a high net worth. Other clients of the firm include pensions, charities and businesses.
The minimum account balance requirement at Levy varies based on account type. There is a $50,000 minimum for the Manager Access Select program, a $10,000 minimum for the Optimum Market Portfolios program and no minimum for the Strategic Wealth Management program.
As a fee-based firm, some advisors at Levy may be registered as broker-dealers through LPL Financial. They may receive commissions from selling securities to clients, which causes a potential conflict of interest. However, the firm is a fiduciary and is legally obligated to act in the best interests of clients at all times.
Levy Wealth Management Group Background
Founded in 2013, Levy Wealth Management Group is one of the younger firms on our list. It is principally owned by Victor Levy and Michael Clatterbuck.
Levy Wealth Management Group works with its clients to provide comprehensive wealth management services, including both financial planning and portfolio management.
The firm offers multiple asset management programs through LPL Financial:
- LWMG Strategic Wealth Management Program (LSWM II)
- Optimum Market Portfolios Program (OMP)
- Manager Access Select (MAS)
- Manager Access Network Programs (MAN)
Levy Wealth Management Group Investment Strategy
The firm's investment strategies vary not only based on the type of program chosen by the client, but also based on the individual financial needs and objectives of each client.
Programs also take advantage of model portfolios to help drive growth. Programs and model portfolios make take advantage of a wide range of investments, such as mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), stocks and bonds.
Advisors at Levy always look to diversify portfolios adequately. They also use a variety of different methods of analysis and research to make sure that portfolio's are properly populated and monitored.