Top Financial Advisors in Portland, OR

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Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, Inc. landed the top spot on our list, because it has by far the most assets under management (AUM) of these 10 Portland firms. Ferguson Wellman manages $5.15 billion in assets, which is almost $1 billion more than the second-ranking firm in terms of AUM, Becker Capital Management, Inc.

Ferguson Wellman’s AUM is far from its only distinction. The fee-only firm is also the oldest on this list and the biggest, with 23 advisors on staff. Of those advisors, there are six certified financial planners (CFPs), eight chartered financial analysts (CFAs), two certified trust and financial advisors (CTFAs) and one chartered alternative investment analyst (CAIA).

To be a client, you’ll need at least $3 million, which is the highest account minimum on this list. However, the firm has another division, West Bearing Investments, that has a much lower account minimum of $750,000.

Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, Inc. Background

Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, Inc. is the oldest firm on this list, as it was founded in 1975. The employee-owned firm offers investment account management services and wealth management services, which include financial forecasting, budget management, estate planning, tax guidance and charitable giving planning services. 

At Ferguson Wellman, each client is served by a team, not by an individual advisor. A relationship associate and portfolio manager tend to planning, long-term strategies and day-to-day needs, while a team of analysts weighs in with expertise and experience. The firm's in-house team of analysts creates most of the firm’s investment strategies, which primarily use individual securities. 

Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, Inc. Investing Strategies

Ferguson Wellman Capital Management's investment principles prioritize a focus on the long term, an analysis of the global economic landscape and the management of risk. The firm offers several investment strategies, which it customizes according to each client's risk tolerance, time horizon, income needs and other factors. 

Its strategies, which primarily use individual securities, include large-cap tax-efficient equity, large-cap core equity, large-cap dividend value, international equity, fixed income and alternatives, such as hedge funds, private equity, private real estate or other nontraditional assets.

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The individual investment management services at Becker Capital Management, Inc. require at least $1 million in investable assets. However, portfolio management for institutions calls for $3 million. The fee-only firm is the second-oldest and the second-biggest on this list, after top-ranking firm Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, Inc.

Of Becker Capital Management’s 14 advisors on staff, there are three certified financial planners (CFPs), three chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and one certified private wealth advisor (CPWA). 

Becker Capital Management, Inc. Background

Founded in 1976, Becker Capital Management, Inc. is just a year younger than the oldest firm on this list, Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, Inc. Becker Capital Management is completely employee-owned. Four employees - CEO Janeen McAninch, president Patrick Becker, Jr., CIO Blake Howells and partner John Becker - each own more than 5% of the firm. 

Becker Capital Management serves high-net-worth individuals, families, trusts, estates, institutional investors, nonprofit organizations and more. For its individual clients, the firm offers customized investment advisory services, and it says that it offers financial planning services "as needed." Its financial planning services are focused on helping clients achieve financial security. 

Becker Capital Management, Inc. Investing

Becker Capital Management, Inc. creates customized portfolios for each client, based on his or her current income, risk tolerance, restrictions and long-term growth needs. The firm works with each of its clients to determine the appropriate asset allocation for both their taxable portfolios and their retirement funds, with a focus on tax efficiency.  

Becker Capital Management uses both active and passive strategies for client portfolios. Its investment strategies include all cap value equity, all cap value equity with ETFs, focused all cap value equity, large cap value equity, balanced, balanced with ETFs and fixed income. Typically Becker Capital Management invests its clients' assets in individual value-oriented stocks, municipal and taxable bonds, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds.

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Vista Capital Partners, Inc., a fee-only firm that specializes in investment and wealth management, requires its clients to have at least $2 million in investable assets. The firm has eight certified financial planners (CFPs) and three chartered financial analysts (CFAs) on staff. 

Vista Capital Partners, which manages $1.36 billion in assets, is the final firm on this list that has more than $1 billion in assets under management (AUM).

Vista Capital Partners, Inc. Background

Vista Capital Partners, Inc. was founded in 2001. The firm's director of business, Michael O'Reilly, and its CEO, Doug Johanson, principally own the business. Other employees own a lesser percentage of the firm. 

In addition to its investment and wealth advisory services, Vista Capital Partners advises its clients on retirement planning, concentrated positions, college savings plans and charitable giving. The firm collaborates with clients' other advisors in the areas of insurance, estate planning and taxes to create a fully comprehensive wealth management plan. 

Vista Capital Partners, Inc. Investing Strategy

At the start of each client relationship, Vista develops a custom investment policy statement, detailing a client's financial situation and objectives. Clients are able to impose restrictions on certain securities or types of securities. Each client's investment policy statement informs his or her investment plan.

Vista investment plans focus on asset allocation, which Vista says has been shown to be "the most important determinant of investment return and risk." To increase exposure to asset classes, Vista primarily invests its clients in index funds, which it believes can "maximize long-term returns by minimizing costs and taxes."

The firm employs a disciplined rebalancing strategy to ensure that portfolios remain within allocation targets.

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Phillips & Company Advisors, LLC falls just beneath the $1 billion threshold in assets under management. The fee-based firm employs a total of 15 advisors, though none of these individuals hold advisory certifications. This is rare for a firm of Phillips' size.

In order to become a client of this firm, you'll need at least $1 million in investable assets. Almost 80% of the client base at Phillips consists of individuals, but it also has relationships with high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, businesses and charitable organizations.

As a fee-based operation, some of Phillips & Company's advisors have the opportunity to sell insurance products for commissions. The firm does abide by fiduciary duty, legally binding it to act in clients' best interests no matter what.

Phillips & Company Advisors, LLC Background

Philips & Company Securities, Inc., the predecessor to Phillips & Company Advisors, was created in 2004. The firm changed to the name it holds today in 2011. CEO Tim Phillips founded the firm and remains its majority owner. He has been in financial services industry for almost 30 years and was, at one point, named by the Governor of Oregon to aid in the management of the state's venture capital and private equity investments.

Although Phillips & Company does offer some financial planning services, the majority of its offerings are related to investment management. This includes recommending asset allocations, tax optimization, periodic rebalancings and more. Some of its financial planning options are retirement planning, holistic wealth management and estate and trust planning.

Phillips & Company Advisors, LLC Investing Strategy

Prior to the beginning of any real investment planning, Phillips & Company Advisors will look to understand your personal financial needs. This will involve a one-on-one conversation with your advisor to discuss your ultimate financial goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs and any possible investment discretion you may desire.

Based on your finalized investor profile, a risk-adjusted investment plan will be drawn up. More specifically, you'll be paired with a specific asset allocation strategy that will dictate what investments your portfolio will hold. The firm has five proprietary models that take into account tax efficiency and risk/return.

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Confluence Wealth Management, LLC requires an account minimum of $1 million. The fee-only firm's clients include high-net-worth individuals, families, estates, private trusts charitable organzations, foundations, endowments and corporate retirement plans. 

Throughout its team, Confluence Wealth Management has certified financial planners (CFPs), chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and certified public accountants (CPAs). These are some of the most standard advisory certifications in the industry.

Confluence Wealth Management, LLC Background

Confluence Wealth Management LLC was founded in 2011. CEO Kathleen Kee owns the firm. 

The firm's name, Confluence, reflects its belief that collaboration and integration are key to achieving financial well-being. As such, the firm will work alongside any other professionals who their clients are working with, and it focuses on ensuring that all aspects of a client's wealth management strategy and life plans work well together.

Confluence Wealth Management offers three distinct services: consulting services, investment management services and employer retirement plan management. Those services include financial planning, investment management, tax planning, risk management, estate planning and charitable gifting.

Confluence Wealth Management, LLC Wealth Lifecycle Planning

Confluence Wealth Management's financial planning process is based on what it calls the Wealth Lifecycle. The Wealth Lifecycle has three different stages:

1. Acquiring wealth
2. Growing wealth
3. Securing wealth

The stage that a client is in shapes the advice the Confluence gives. If a client is looking to build their investments, the firm focuses on guiding that client toward financial success. For clients looking to grow their wealth, Confluence helps them to capitalize on new opportunities and minimize risk. Clients looking to secure their wealth will be advised on how to plan for retirement and their estate. 

Portfolios are built according to clients' risk tolerance, tax sensitivity, growth, income or capital preservation objectives and socially responsible preferences. The firm's investment strategy emphasizes global diversification, broad asset allocation and a long-term approach. Portfolios may include both active and passive management styles. Typically, Confluence uses no-load, institutional class mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, individual equities and municipal U.S. government and corporate bonds. 

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Founded in 2014, Cable Hill Partners, LLC is one of the newest firms on this list. Though it hasn’t been in business for more than a few years, the firm’s staff boasts an impressive array of expertise. There are six certified financial planners (CFPs), two certified investment management analysts (CIMAs) and one chartered retirement plans specialist (CRPS).

The firm works with senior executives, multi-generational families, entrepreneurs and business owners. For its retirement plan advisory services, you'll need at least $1 million. The firm doesn't have clearly stated account minimums for its investment management and financial planning services.

Cable Hill Partners, LLC Background

Cable Hill Partners is owned and operated by David Christian, founding partner and managing director; Jeffrey Krum, founding partner and chief investment officer; and founding partner Brian Hefele. 

The firm sees financial planning as the starting point for an advisory relationship. Its financial planning services, available to individuals and families, include investment planning, retirement planning, personal savings, education savings, trust and estate planning, insurance planning, charitable giving and small business planning. The firm's investment management services are customized to meet clients' individual objectives, risk tolerance and financial situation. 

Cable Hill Partners, LLC Portfolios

Upon working with a client to identify his or her financial needs and goals, Cable Hill Partners, LLC then constructs a customized portfolio. The firm’s portfolios typically use low-cost, diversified mutual funds or exchange-traded funds, though Cable Hill may also use individual stocks, individual bonds and other types of investments as appropriate. 

The firm primarily relies on fundamental analysis, which uses economic and business indicators, to select investments. Like many other firms on this list, Cable Hill's investment strategy is focused on the long term.

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Vision Capital Management, Inc.'s account minimum is on the low side compared to most firms on this list. To utilize Vision's large-cap growth, dividend growth or fixed-income investment strategies, you'll need $250,000. However, the firm primarily serves high-net-worth individuals.

Vision Capital Management’s staff has a variety of certifications. It has a certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA) on staff, along with three certified financial planners (CFPs), four chartered financial analysts (CFAs), one certified private wealth advisor (CPWA), one certified public accountant (CPA) and one chartered mutual fund counselor (CMFC).

This is a fee-only firm.

Vision Capital Management, Inc. Background

Vision Capital Management, Inc. was founded in 1999. The firm is entirely owned by its employees and, notably, it's majority female-owned. It was founded by mother-daughter duo Sue McGrath and Marina Johnson, the firm's president and chief investment officer, respectively.

Vision Capital Management tailors its advisory services to meet clients' needs and goals. Its advisory services encompass both portfolio management and wealth planning, which includes equity and fixed-income investing, financial planning, retirement planning, estate planning, divorce settlement planning, intergenerational wealth transfers, college savings and insurance planning.

For investors who don't want financial planning or unlimited access to a financial advisor, Vision Capital offers Vision Vaxa Dynamic Portfolios. This online investment management platform helps clients build their savings with the help of a human advisor.

Vision Capital Management, Inc. Investment Strategy

Vision Capital Management Inc. strives to create globally diversified portfolios that suit clients' individual risk tolerance and growth goals. On a quarterly basis, the firm forecasts returns for the group of global asset classes it uses. It then produces asset allocation options that it believes will maximize returns for clients while minimizing risks.

The firm offers proprietary equity strategies and fixed-income strategies to clients with more investable assets. Vision Capital Management typically uses individual equity securities for its U.S. large cap growth strategy and individual fixed-income securities like corporate, government and municipal bonds, for its fixed-income strategy. For clients with less to invest, the firm uses low-cost exchange traded funds.

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Sigma Investment Management Company is a fee-only firm that provides institutional-style wealth management. The firm, which requires a $500,000 account minimum, serves individuals, families, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations and retirement plans.

Sigma’s small team of six advisors boasts two certified financial planners (CFPs), three chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and one certified public accountant (CPA). 

Sigma Investment Management Company Background

Sigma Investment Management Company was founded in Portland in 1992. The firm, like many on this list, is employee-owned. Founder, CEO and CIO William Berg, president Harmon P.W. Laurin and vice president Timothy Wylder are shareholders. 

Sigma does offer advice to clients as part of its investment advisory services, but it does not accept clients for financial planning only. The firm provides particular guidance on retirement planning. It advises its clients on how much they need to save to meet their retirement goals, which depends partially on how much they'll receive in Social Security benefits, and what their withdrawal rate should be in retirement.

Sigma Investment Management Company Investing Approach

Sigma Investment Management Company describes its investment approach as strategic, tactical and objective. The firm tailors its investment advisory services according to conversations with its clients about their financial situations and objectives. Portfolios are built to manage risk while addressing both short-term needs and long-term goals.

Sigma says that it primarily invests its clients' assets in no-load mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, typically through discount brokers. Each portfolio is built around a core of long-term holdings, which can be active or passive index investments, that the firm typically holds onto throughout market cycles. Sigma builds out from this core based on its analysis of market cycles and conditions.

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At McGee Wealth Management, Inc., your account minimum will vary by service. There's no minimum for its financial planning or hourly consulting services. However, there is a $25,000 minimum for its Passport, IMPAC and Ambassador accounts.  The firm’s clients include multigenerational families, entrepreneurs, business owners, sports industry professionals, tech and engineering professionals, individuals in transition and values-based investors.

McGee’s staff includes four certified financial planners (CFPs), one chartered financial consultant (ChFC) and one chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC).

Certain employees of this firm are representatives of the broker-dealer Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. These individuals may receive commissions for the sale of securities, in addition to the amount they earn for their advisory services. However, the firm’s fiduciary duty requires it to always act first and foremost in its clients’ best interests.

McGee Wealth Management, Inc. Background

McGee Wealth Management, Inc. began business in 1983. The firm is owned by its CEO and chair, Judith McGee, and its president and CCO, D. Linette Dobbins, both of whom are Oregon natives. Judith McGee is one of the nation's first women CFP professionals, and Forbes and Barron's have recognized her as one of the nation's top financial advisors.

The firm's services include investment advisory consulting and financial planning, which can address tax and cash flow, insurance, retirement, death and disability and estate. McGee manages its clients as a team and will collaborate with clients' other professional advisors to create a fully integrated, cohesive plan.

The firm’s financial plans hinge on what it calls life stages. McGee defines these stages as education, accumulation, preservation and distribution, and it customizes clients' financial plans to guide them through these stages of wealth management, which it believes each present distinct needs and priorities.

McGee Wealth Management, Inc. Investing

Unlike many firms on this list, McGee Wealth Management's investment strategy doesn't focus solely on the long term. Though the firm's strategy does include long-term purchases, which it defines as securities held for a year or longer, it may also make short-term purchases of securities. McGee says that sometimes it buys securities with the plan of selling them quickly - within 30 days or less - to "take advantage of our predictions of brief price swings." In addition, McGee uses margin transactions and option writing.

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JGP Wealth Management, LLC works with mostly individual and high-net-worth individual clients. The firm also maintains advisory relationships with trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, pension plans and profit-sharing plans. There is no set account minimum at JGP.

Despite managing $430 million in assets, this firm employs just three advisors. Throughout this group, you'll find one chartered financial analyst (CFA) and one certified public accountant (CPA).

Some members of the advisory staff at JGP offer insurance products that could result in additional compensation if sold to clients. However, the firm is bound by fiduciary duty to act in clients' best interests at all times.

JGP Wealth Management, LLC Background

Founded in 2017, JGP Wealth Management is a very young financial advisor firm. Contrary to this, its advisors average 19 years' experience in financial services. Today, JGP is owned by CEO Jeff Paustian and COO and president Kevin Sanger.

The plethora of services available to clients at this firm revolve around asset management, comprehensive portfolio management, financial planning and consulting.

JGP Wealth Management, LLC Client Experience

The investment management at JGP Wealth Management is a holistic service that takes care of clients' portfolios from top to bottom. First and foremost, this means that you and your advisor will team up to take a deep dive into your investing characteristics, most notably risk tolerance, financial goals and time horizon. Once this is clearly defined, the firm will create an asset allocation that will include various percentages of stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, options and more.

Just because your portfolio is built, doesn't mean that JGP's job is complete. In fact, the firm prides itself on its ongoing monitoring and rebalances. This is done to ensure that your portfolio keeps performing according to your original asset allocation.