Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in Plano, Texas
You might end up considering dozens of financial advisor firms before finding the right advisor for you. To narrow the field for Plano residents, SmartAsset determined the top firms in the city. Below, in a table and in reviews, we lay out what you need to know about the firms to determine which one suits your needs. If you want a different way to search, try SmartAsset’s financial advisor matching tool to get connected with advisors who serve your area.
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 | Fisher Investments Find an Advisor | $276,890,013,440 | Varies based on account type |
| Minimum AssetsVaries based on account typeFinancial Services
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2 | Retirement Planners of America Find an Advisor | $3,557,314,906 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
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3 | SFMG Wealth Advisors Find an Advisor | $2,248,716,764 | $1,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$1,000,000Financial Services
|
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4 | Astra Wealth Management Group Find an Advisor | $1,149,403,343 | $100,000 |
| Minimum Assets$100,000Financial Services
|
5 | Insight Wealth Partners Find an Advisor | $789,957,931 | $1,000 minimum annual fee |
| Minimum Assets$1,000 minimum annual feeFinancial Services
|
6 | WealthStar Advisors, LLC Find an Advisor | $671,459,524 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
7 | Moss, Luse & Womble, LLC Find an Advisor | $435,602,000 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
8 | The Watchman Group, Inc. Find an Advisor | $533,081,617 | $1,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$1,000,000Financial Services
|
9 | Strategic Financial Planning, Inc. Find an Advisor | $165,859,420 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
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10 | Lifeway Financial Corporation Find an Advisor | $296,785,878 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
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What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in Plano, 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.
Fisher Investments
Fisher Investments is a massive, fee-only financial advisory firm based in Washington that has over 150,000 individual clients to its name – more than half of whom have a high net worth. Fisher is somewhat of a gold standard in the financial advisory industry and ranks No. 2 on SmartAsset's list of the top financial advisors in the U.S.
If you're an individual interested in working with Fisher, you'll generally need at least $500,000 in investable assets, though this minimum is waivable. Clients who use the firm's WealthBuilder program are only required to have $200,000 in investable assets.
As a fee-only firm, Fisher advisors do not sell securities or insurance products. Instead, the firm's compensation comes from client-paid fees. Those fees are charged as a percentage of assets under management (AUM), ranging from $1.25% to 0.28%. Accounts that fall below $475,000 are charged an annual management fee of 1.50%.
Fisher Investments Background
Fisher Investments was founded in 1979 by Ken Fisher and is a national firm operating in many states. Fisher still principally owns the firm. He also had a hand in creating the theory behind the "price-to-sales ratio," and he was a Forbes investment columnist from 1984 until 2017. Fisher has also been ranked on Forbes' list of the Richest Americans, as well as its list of Global Billionaires.
The firm primarily focuses on investment management, but may provide some clients with a separate no-cost financial plan.
Fisher Investments Investment Strategy
According to its SEC-filed Form ADV, Fisher Investments' principal goal is "maximizing returns relative to risk compared to particular benchmarks."
Depending on your long- or short-term goals, risk tolerance and time horizon, the firm will recommend a distinct set of investments. For example, riskier investors will have portfolios centered around common stock and cash equivalents. Risk-averse investors will have their assets invested more in fixed-income securities, such as bonds and cash. For those in between those two extremes, Fisher recommends a blended portfolio that features some proportionate allocation of stocks, fixed-income and cash.
Retirement Planners of America
Retirement Planners of America, formerly known as Money Matters With Ken Moraif, is next on our Plano, Texas list. The firm’s sizable team includes several Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®), an important certification to consider when choosing a financial advisor. In addition to its CFPs®, there are also advisors with the chartered financial consultant (ChFC) and chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC) designations, among others.
Retirement Planners of America, which is fee based, does not require a set account minimum. Its clients include individuals, high-net-worth individuals and retirement plans. The firm charges an asset-based fee for portfolio management, which may be higher for clients with less than $250,000 in assets under management (AUM).
All of Retirement Planners of America's investment advisor representatives are required to be licensed insurance agents and will earn commissions from sales. While this may present a potential conflict of interest, the firm is a fiduciary, which means it must act in clients' best interests at all times.
Retirement Planners of America Background
Retirement Planners of America was founded in 2011 as Money Matters with Ken Moraif. The firm rebranded to Retirement Planners of America in 2019. Today, the firm is owned by a family trust that Moraif controls.
Retirement Planners of America says its goal is to guide its clients and provide "peace of mind," and can help with retirement planning, Social Security benefits, tax planning, estate planning and other areas of need.
Retirement Planners of America also offers educational events hosted by industry professionals, client appreciation events and a podcast. The firm's founder has hosted the radio show "Money Matters With Ken Moraif" since 1996.
Retirement Planners of America Investment Strategy
Moraif has published a book titled "Buy, Hold and Sell!" In this book, Moraif argues that the "buy and hold investment philosophy" is incomplete. Instead, Moraif advocates for investors having a "proactive plan that includes a sell strategy" so their retirement plans aren't devastated during a bear market. These beliefs largely inform the firm’s investing strategy.
However, the firm works with individual clients to determine an appropriate investment strategy and asset allocation model. The firm allocates clients' assets based on their investment strategy, goal or model, and they are free to adjust their asset allocations. Typically, Retirement Planners of America recommends mutual funds, variable annuities and fixed annuities.
Once a client's portfolio has been created, the firm will monitor the portfolio and rebalance it at least quarterly.
SFMG Wealth Advisors
SFMG Wealth Advisors, a large firm with billions in assets under manager, is next on our list of the top financial advisory firms in Plano. SFMG provides a range of financial advisory services to a client base composed almost exclusively of non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals. They also work with a very small number of charitable organizations and businesses. They impose a $1 million minimum account size.
SFMG recently transitioned from a fee-based fee structure to a fee-only one. That means all of its compensation comes from client-paid fees and not third-party product sales.
The SFMG team features a number of advisors with specialized credentials, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), certified private wealth advisor (CPWA), certified public accountant/personal financial specialist (CPA/PFS), retirement income planning professional (RICP) designations, among others.
SFMG Wealth Advisors Background
SFMG Wealth Advisors is the produce of several mergers between companies. Strategic Financial Management was founded by Greg Morgan in 1992. He joined forces with David White and Craig Greenway and created Strategic Financial Management Group in 2002. Kevin Margolis joined in 2004, and the firm was changed to SFMG in 2005.
Today, the firm is owned by managing directors Ryan Blair, J. Taylor Nipp, Shashin Shah and Margolis. Executive committee members Crystal Billing, Garrett Cayet and Melissa Hawkins have become equity stakeholder, while employees Devin DeLapp, Tyler Floyd, Nick Gaumer and Shannon Popes own minority stakes as well.
SFMG provides its clients with financial planning, wealth management and investment advisory services. Financial planning services span a variety of topics and may include estate planning, retirement and other needs.
SFMG Wealth Advisors Investment Strategy
SFMG, like many other financial advisory firms that offer investment management services, tailors its investment strategies to the individuals needs of clients. Clients are permitted to place restrictions on the management of their money. Advisors also work with clients to determine their specific goals and objectives when it comes to investing. A large element of this process is determining risk tolerance.
SFMG looks to centralize their investment decision making process among its advisors and its investment team. Advisors do not look to time the market, instead focusing on long-term investing. Specific investment include stocks, bonds, cash, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), private equity, real estate, commodities, hedge funds and third-party subadvisors.
Astra Wealth Management Group is a fee-based firm that works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, trusts, estates and businesses. The firm, which requires a minimum account balance of $100,000, charges an asset-based fee for wealth management and hourly fees for financial planning services.
Advisors on staff can earn sales commissions for selling securities or insurance policies, in addition to the client-paid fees for advisory services. While this is a conflict of interest because advisors have a financial incentive to recommend certain products and services over others, the firm has a fiduciary duty to act in its clients’ best interests.
The firm has several credentialed team members, including advisors with the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC) and certified investment management analyst (CIMA) designations.
Astra Wealth Management Group Background
Founded in 2019, the firm’s legal name is Tyche Wealth Partners LLC but it conducts business as Astra Wealth Management Group. The firm is owned equally amongst six partners: Bradley Vineyard, Charles Evans, Candy Hawkins, Gail Carrion, Mark Filardi and Robert Holland.
The firm offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to individual financial needs, including investment planning, retirement planning, personal savings and education savings. Additionally, they provide assessments of insurance needs, support for charitable giving programs, as well as referrals to accountants, attorneys or other specialists as needed.
Astra Wealth Management Group Investment Strategy
Astra Wealth Management Group uses a multifaceted approach to investing, incorporating fundamental, technical, cyclical and charting analysis, with a strong emphasis on long-term investment strategies. The firm tailors its investment strategies to align with each client's unique set of circumstances, including their investment goals, financial situation, time horizon and risk tolerance.
Their typical investment vehicles include low-cost, diversified mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options, selected alternative investments, individual stocks, bonds and options contracts.
Insight Wealth Partners
Insight Wealth Partners primarily works with individuals clients – about two-thirds of whom do not have a high net worth. In addition, the firm has charitable organizations, corporations and businesses as clients. Insight Wealth Partners does not require a minimum account balance for its asset management services, but it does require a minimum annual fee of $1,000. For its financial planning services, the firm usually charges a minimum first-year fee of $2,500.
The Insight Wealth Partners team includes several Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®) and certified public accountants (CPAs). Notably, David Dryden, one of the firm’s managing partners, has been named "Best Financial Planner in Dallas" for multiple years by D Magazine.
This is a fee-based firm, so a few of its advisors may earn commissions from the sale of insurance products, in addition to the fees that advisory clients pay. While this form of compensation is considered a conflict of interest, the firm is a fiduciary, and must act in your best interest at all times.
Insight Wealth Partners Background
Insight Wealth Partners is an employee-owned firm founded in 2010. The firm's five owners are its managing partners: Dryden, Travis Carter, Wayne Smith III, M. Chad Lowe and Ryan Ferguson. Each owns a 20% share of the firm.
Insight Wealth Partners takes a team approach to financial management and says it collaborates closely with its clients and their other advisors. The firm's services include asset management and comprehensive financial advice. The latter may encompass retirement planning, education planning, estate planning, tax planning, real estate analysis, insurance analysis, charitable planning and employer stock option planning. For certain clients, the firm may review their 401(k), 403(b) or 457 plans.
Insight Wealth Partners Portfolio Management
Insight Wealth Partners offers two different types of portfolio management: traditional portfolio management and synthetic portfolio management. Its investment strategy for its traditional portfolios is based on modern portfolio theory, with an emphasis on strategic and tactical asset allocation. The firm says that its synthetic equity strategy attempts to "mirror the upside momentum of the major market indices while preserving the downside risk exposure by using a heavily weighted fixed-income portfolio combined with advanced options strategies such as puts, calls and leaps."
Both portfolio types will be tailored according to clients' investing goals. Insight Wealth Partners relies on its exploratory financial planning process to identify its clients' goals and needs. The firm regularly reviews its clients' portfolios once they’ve been implemented and rebalances as necessary.
WealthStar Advisors, LLC
Like many of the firms on this list, WealthStar Advisors does not require a set account minimum. However, about 60% of the firm’s current client base comprises high-net-worth individuals. WealthStar also notes that it specializes in serving small business owners.
The team of advisors at WealthStar include Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®) and chartered retirement planning counselors (CRPCs), among others.
WealthStar Advisors is a fee-based firm. Certain employees are licensed insurance agents, and they may earn commissions from recommending insurance products as part of the firm's financial planning services. However, the firm is bound by fiduciary duty to put its clients' best interests before its own.
WealthStar Advisors Background
WealthStar Advisors has been in business since 2010. WealthStar’s principal owners are its co-founders, Jeffrey Wolf, Scott Stockton and Erik Wyse.
WealthStar offers portfolio management, financial planning and 401(k) plan participant advisory services. Notably, the firm offers portfolio management on a wrap fee basis. This means you'll pay a consolidated fee that covers advisory and brokerage services. Its financial planning and 401(k) plan participant services are offered on a standalone basis or as part of a wrap program.
WealthStar Advisors Investment Strategy
WealthStar Advisors' portfolio management services, offered through a wrap program that it sponsors, are based on each client's goals, objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance. The firm's investment strategies are tailored to these factors and it may include equity substitution strategy, margin transactions, short-term trading, short sales and options writing.
Clients have the option of imposing any reasonable restrictions on their portfolios. The firm sends reports to clients on a quarterly basis and contacts clients at least once a year to determine if there have been any changes in their financial circumstances, objectives or risk tolerance.
Moss, Luse & Womble
Moss, Luse & Womble is up next on our list. The firm doesn't require a minimum account size for investment advisory services. It works only with individuals, most of whom do not have a high net worth.
Advisors with the firm work on a fee-only basis. This means their only compensation comes from fees charged to clients. It also indicates that they don’t earn commissions from third-party financial institutions for selling their products or services.
The Moss, Luse & Womble team includes advisors with the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and certified public accountant (CPA) designations.
Moss, Luse & Womble Background
Though registered with the SEC in 2019, Moss, Luse & Womble has been around since 2010. Its owners are Jeffrey Moss, Jason Luse and Michael Womble through their respective limited liability companies.
Working primarily with non-high-net-worth individuals, advisors provide the following services:
- Financial planning
- Portfolio management
- Pension consulting services
Moss, Luse & Womble Investment Strategy
Moss, Luse & Womble emphasizes diversification. They believe that investing in various, non-correlating asset classes can help the client take advantage of upmarkets while mitigating risk during down markets. The firm has eight model portfolios that it recommends to clients:
- Capital Preservation
- Conservative
- Balanced
- Moderate Growth
- Growth
- Moderate Aggressive
- Aggressive
- Ultra Aggressive
As a client, you can expect your portfolio generally to contain ETFs and mutual funds.
The Watchman Group
The Watchman Group is a fee-only firm that serves individuals and high-net-worth individuals, as well as charitable organizations and corporations. Unlike many of the firms on this list, The Watchman Group does require an account minimum. To be a client of this firm, you'll need a minimum of $1 million in investable assets and pay $5,000 a year in annual fees.
The Watchman Group has a small advisory team that includes the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), chartered financial analyst (CFA), chartered alternative investment analyst (CAIA) and certified public accountant (CPA) designations.
The Watchman Group Background
The Watchman Group has been in business since 2004. The firm is principally owned by Mark Robinson, president and chief investment officer (CIO).
The Watchman Group's offers investment management, financial planning, tax analysis and strategy, as well as family office services. The firm manages portfolios on a discretionary basis, and its portfolios are customized to meet each client's needs, objectives and risk tolerance.
The Watchman Group Investment Strategy
In its customized portfolios, The Watchman Group says it strives to tie a client's goals and risk/reward framework to his or her financial plan and investments. The firm's investment philosophy is built upon the belief that public equities offer the best long-term returns, while valuations, profitability and company size are the best predictors of outperformance.
Meanwhile, the firm also holds that market timing does not work. Instead, it focuses on diversification, as well as reducing fees and limiting taxes.
Strategic Financial Planning
Strategic Financial Planning takes the ninth spot on our Plano list. The firm has no set account minimum, which means technically anyone can become a client. The firm's actual client base is dominated by high-net-worth individuals, though it also works with non-high-net-worth individuals and charities. This is a fee-only firm.
The small advisory staff at this firm holds a number of certifications. These include four Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®) and one certified public accountant/personal financial specialist (CPA/PFS).
Strategic Financial Planning Background
Strategic Financial Planning has been in business for a little over two decades, as it first opened in 1999. Firm president and chief compliance officer (CCO) Bryan Keith Lee owns the firm in its entirety.
The services at this firm cover areas like retirement planning, investing, insurance planning, employee benefits, taxes, estate planning, education fund planning, cash flow planning, business planning and family wealth planning.
Strategic Financial Planning Investment Strategy
When you become a client of Strategic Financial Planning, you and your advisor will meet to discuss where you are in your financial journey and where you want to end up. To do this, the firm will go over your goals, risk tolerance, tax situation and time horizon.
Based on your goals and what you currently have, the firm will develop a financial and investment plan to fit your needs. Once your assets are invested, the firm will monitor how your portfolio is doing and make adjustments as necessary. The firm primarily relies on mutual funds and ETFs.
Lifeway Financial Corporation
Lifeway Financial Corporation's advisory team includes Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®), chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and certified divorce financial analysts (CDFAs). A CDFA a useful certification for those looking for help navigating the financial complexities of divorce.
The fee-only firm’s clients include individuals both with and without a high net worth, although the vast majority of the firm's assets under management (AUM) belong to high-net-worth clients. Lifeway does not have a specific account minimum.
As a fee-only practice, Lifeway's revenue comes solely from client-paid fees. Its advisors do not recommend third-party products and services for commissions, which would constitute a conflict of interest.
Lifeway Financial Corporation Background
Lifeway Financial Corporation was founded in 1999 by David Brunson, who remains on staff. Today, the firm is principally owned by president Trey Touchstone and vice president Dallas McKee.
The firm provides financial planning to most of its clients. Elements of its financial plans may include financial goals and objectives, financial statement analysis, cash flow and tax reports, education and retirement planning, estate and survivor planning, investment strategy and portfolio management. In addition to financial planning, the firm offers investment management and consultations.
Lifeway Financial Corporation Investment Strategy
Lifeway Financial Corporation holds that the investment management process should be guided by client objectives, preferences and constraints. It believes this information is best obtained through a recurring, comprehensive financial planning process, one of the firm's fundamental services.
Like many financial advisor firms, Lifeway Financial Corporation espouses a long-term investment approach and asset diversification within interdependent asset classes. The firm strives to achieve a balance between risk and return while staying true to clients' objectives. Clients’ objectives dictate the balance between income and growth assets in their portfolios.