Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is a large city, so it’s no surprise that it has a multitude of financial advisor firms to choose from within its borders. But having a sea of advisors to choose from can be daunting. That’s why SmartAsset has put together this list of the top 10 financial advisor firms in the city, listing their individual account minimums, services, fees and more. SmartAsset's free matching tool also allows you to get paired with as many as three financial advisors who serve your area.
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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 |
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1 | Moneta Group Investment Advisors, LLC Find an Advisor | $30,651,380,206 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
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2 | Buckingham Strategic Wealth, LLC Find an Advisor | $23,358,147,383 | $3,000 minimum annual fee |
| Minimum Assets$3,000 minimum annual feeFinancial Services
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3 | Plancorp, LLC Find an Advisor | $5,545,417,718 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
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4 | Visionary Wealth Advisors, LLC Find an Advisor | $2,019,625,094 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
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5 | Argos Capital Partners, LLC Find an Advisor | $1,505,697,859 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
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6 | Krilogy Financial, LLC Find an Advisor | $1,843,806,481 | $3,750 minimum annual fee |
| Minimum Assets$3,750 minimum annual feeFinancial Services
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7 | JAG Capital Management, LLC Find an Advisor | $1,752,538,133 | $100,000 |
| Minimum Assets$100,000Financial Services
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8 | RubinBrown Advisors, LLC Find an Advisor | $2,115,190,668 | $150,000 |
| Minimum Assets$150,000Financial Services
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9 | Acropolis Investment Management, LLC Find an Advisor | $1,736,978,809 | $1,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$1,000,000Financial Services
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10 | Mosaic Family Wealth, LLC Find an Advisor | $1,243,834,700 | $2 million |
| Minimum Assets$2 millionFinancial Services
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What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in St. Louis, 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.
Moneta Group Investment Advisors
Moneta Group Financial Advisors is a fee-only firm that works with both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals. Institutional clients are made up of pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and corporations.
The advisor team at Moneta has earned a number of certificaions, including certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial advisor (CFA), certified public accountant (CPA), financial paraplanner qualified professional (FPQP), accredited wealth management advisor (AWMA), certified divorce financial advisor (CDFA), accredited investment fiduciary (AIF), accredited investment fiduciary analyst (AIFA), chartered life underwriter (CLU) and chartered financial consultant (ChFC).
Moneta Group Investment Advisors Background
Moneta was founded in 1869, making it older than most firms in the U.S. It is wholly owned by Moneta Group, LLC, which in turn is owned by Moneta Partners.
Services offered at the firm include financial management, investment management, retirement plan services and retirement consulting.
Moneta Group Investment Advisors Investing Strategy
A variety of asset types are used at Moneta Group Investment Advisors. These include:
- Equities: these are used to produce dividend income and control capital gains exposure
- Fixed Income: this can include individual bonds, bond funds and CDs
- Alternative investments: these could include hedge funds or private capital.
Buckingham Strategic Wealth
Buckingham Strategic Wealth is a large, individual-centric financial advisor firm. Its over 11,000 individual clients are a mix of those with and without a high net worth, with the latter slightly outnumbering the former. Pension plans, charitable organizations and businesses round out Buckingham's client base. The firm doesn't have a traditional asset minimum for new clients, but rather a $3,000 minimum annual fee.
Buckingham has many branches throughout the U.S. Prospective clients can also find offices in Oregon, Georgia, Texas, Maryland, Florida, North Carolina and more. This is a fee-only firm. That means all of Buckingham's advisors only earn compensation from the fees that clients pay. A fee-based firm, on the other hand, earns commissions from the sale of financial products, too.
Buckingham Strategic Wealth Background
Buckingham Strategic Wealth was founded back in 1994. The firm is indirectly owned by Focus Financial Partners, and is run by CEO Adam Birenbaum. The firm's advisory staff boasts a number of certifications, such as certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified private wealth advisor (CPWA) and more.
Investment management services at Buckingham are adjusted to each client's needs and situation. Financial planning can also cover a number of issues, like cash flow analysis, divorce planning, tax planning, budgeting, estate planning, retirement planning and more.
Buckingham Strategic Wealth Investing Strategy
First and foremost, Buckingham Strategic Wealth works with clients to develop their personal investment policy statement, or IPS. This covers the factors that will govern your portfolio's management, such as your risk tolerance, time horizon and income needs. Should your goals change over time, the firm may adjust your IPS to account for them.
There are a number of different investment Buckingham uses when populating clients portfolios. These include passively managed mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), individual fixed-income securities, certificates of deposit (CDs) and separately managed accounts (SMAs).
Plancorp
Plancorp is fee-only firms that serves both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and businesses. There is also no set account minimum at Plancorp.
Certifications earned by advisors at this firm include certified financial planner (CFP), accredited investment fiduciary (AIF), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified public accountant (CPA).
Plancorp Background
Plancorp was founded back in 1983. The firm says that no single individual or entity owns more than 25% of the overall firm. The board and managers own a third of the firm indirectly, while employees own 29%.
Services at Plancorp include financial planning, cash flow analysis, retirement planning, education fund analysis, estate planning, asset protection and wealth management.
Plancorp Investing Strategy
Modern portfolio theory is the main investing strategy used by advisors at Plancorp. This involves systemic diversification of a portfolio across multiple types of asset classes, such as stocks and bonds, or more commonly ETFs, mutual funds and separately managed accounts (SMAs).
Visionary Wealth Advisors
The team at Visionary Wealth Advisors holds multiple certifications, including certified financial planners (CFPs), chartered advisors for senior living (CASLs) and chartered financial analysts (CFAs), among others.
These advisors work almost entirely with non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, though the firm also manages assets for businesses.
There is no specific account minimum for new clients of this firm.
Visionary is fee-based, which means some advisors can receive commissions from securities sales. Despite this, advisors are required to act in your best interest due to their inherent fiduciary duty.
Visionary Wealth Advisors Background
Brett Gilliland and Tim Hammett founded Visionary Wealth Advisors in 2014. They still work at and own the firm today, with Gilliland serving as CEO and Hammett operating as president.
Like most financial advisors, the primary service at Visionary is investment management. However, there are many different versions of financial planning you can also take advantage of.
Visionary Wealth Advisors Investment Strategy
Before investing your hard-earned money, Visionary Wealth Advisors will do a deep dive into the type of investor you are. For example, your advisor should know if you’re years away from retirement or if it’s around the corner. This will also involve identifying your risk tolerance, liquidity and income needs, time horizon, investment preferences and more.
Once it’s time to invest, the firm may choose to allocate your assets in multiple places. These typically include equities, ETFs, mutual funds, third-party model portfolios and cash equivalents.
Argos Capital Partners
Argos Capital Partners works with ultra-high-net-worth individuals, as well as pooled investment vehicles, pension and profit-sharing plans, and foundations.
There is no set account minimum at this fee-only firm.
Staff advisors holds multiple certifications, including designations as chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified public accountant (CPA), chartered alternative investment analyst (CAIA), chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC) and certified financial planner (CFP).
Argos may charge performance-based fees if your account overperforms.
Argos Capital Partners Background
Although Argos Capital Partners is entirely its own financial advisor firm, another firm called Black Swan Investments, LLC actually owns it. Argos has been in business since 2008.
If you’re looking for very particular advisory services at your next firm, Argos probably isn’t your best choice. Instead its service selection is fairly small and fluid, including the likes of retirement analysis, third-party investment reporting, in-person investment planning, investment portfolio review and investment policy statement creation.
Argos Capital Partners Investing Strategy
Argos Capital Partners mainly practices passive index investing. However, you will not be rigidly forced into a portfolio style based on this strategy. Rather your advisor will take the time to design and build an asset allocation that aligns with your liquidity needs, time horizon, tax situation and risk tolerance.
ETFs and index funds in general have become all the rage in the investment world, and for good reason. Argos has followed this strategy, although it supplements these investments with other mutual funds, private equity funds, stocks, bonds, REITs, hedge funds and separately managed accounts.
Krilogy Financial
For every one high-net-worth individual Krilogy Financial works with, it has more than three non-high-net-worth counterparts. This ratio reflects the firm’s more significant focus on clientele with lower net worths compared to other firms on the list. Pension and profit-sharing plans, and charities are clients of this firm as well.
This firm employs certified financial planners (CFPs), accredited investment fiduciaries (AIFs), certified public accountants (CPAs), certified trust and financial advisors (CTFAs), certified fund specialists (CFSs), certified investment management analyst (CIMA), certified IRA services professional (CISPs), certified income specialists (CISs) and chartered financial consultant (ChFCs).
This fee-based firm employs certain advisors that sell insurance policies for commissions. However, the firm is a fiduciary, meaning it is legally bound to act in your best interests.
Krilogy Financial Background
One of the younger firms on this list, Krilogy Financial opened in 2008. The firm is headquartered primarily in St. Louis.
This firm offers a variety of services, including:
- Portfolio management
- Financial planning and consulting
- Corporate retirement plan
- Consulting and management
- Investment management
- Research subscription licensing services for other investment advisers
- Managed account programs
Krilogy Financial Investing Strategy
Risk tolerance and liquidity are two of the most essential factors that dictate what stocks will be in your investment portfolio. These can sometimes be incongruent, of course. For example, a high risk tolerance is not in sync with a need to maintain liquidity. Krilogy is prepared to handle issues such as these.
As far as investment choices go, this firm keeps things simple, utilizing mostly exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, bonds and equities. Krilogy uses these to keep your portfolio diversified.
JAG Capital Management
JAG Capital Management serves both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as investment companies, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, corporations and wrap program accounts.
The firm generally adheres to a minimum investment of $100,000, though it may waive this at its discretion.
The team of advisors at this firm employs chartered financial analysts (CFAs).
Some of the advisors at fee-based JAG Capital Management can receive commissions from securities sales. The firm is required to act in clients’ best interests at all times, though.
JAG Capital Management Background
JAG Capital Management has been around for quite a long time, as it was originally founded in 1945. Today, the firm is under the ownership of CEO and chief investment officer (CIO) Norman Conley III, who has worked in financial services since 1994.
Investment management services at JAG can be had through either a normal or wrap fee structure. The firm also offers limited financial planning.
JAG Capital Management Investment Strategy
The investment philosophy at JAG Capital Management is based on the following core strategies:
- Growth Equity: Invests in stocks that show strong growth and characteristics
- JAG Capital Funds: Invests specifically for the long term
- Intermediate Fixed-Income: Invests in mid-duration fixed-income instruments with low risk
- SRI Quality Growth: Invests with an eye toward social responsibility and growth
- ESG & SRI Investing: Invests strictly in SRI- and ESG-centric securities
RubinBrown Advisors
RubinBrown Advisors provides a range of investment advisory services to a diverse group of clients, including non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as charities.
The firm requires a minimum account size of $150,000 for portfolio management services.
RubinBrown Advisors is affiliated with RubinBrown Financial Services, an insurance agency. Its representatives may recommend insurance products and earn commissions. However, as a fiduciary, RubinBrown Advisors is obligated to always work in clients' best interests.
The firm’s network of advisors includes certified financial planners (CFPs), certified public accountants (CPAs), chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and personal finance specialists (PFSs).
RubinBrown Advisors Background
RubinBrown Advisors is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RubinBrown, LLP, which is an accounting and tax firm. The firm has been providing investment advisory services since 2002.
Services include investment advisory, strategic asset allocation and consulting.
RubinBrown Advisors Investing Strategy
The firm can assist you in constructing an investment portfolio with an appropriate asset allocation based on your risk profile and financial goals. Its advisors can also create one for you utilizing mutual funds and exchange-traded funds based on your financial situation and outlook. The firm manages these portfolios on a non-discretionary basis, meaning it will request your permission before making trades in your accounts.
Depending on your situation, RubinBrown Advisors may allocate assets to the following:
- Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
- Mutual fund shares
- Investments held by the client at the start of the advisory relationship
- Separately managed accounts
- Certificates of deposit (CDs)
- Investment elections within variable life insurance
- Investment elections within variable annuities
If it deems the move appropriate, RubinBrown will suggest the assistance of third-party advisors. In these cases, you’d enter into a separate agreement with the third-party advisor, but RubinBrown would periodically monitor the performance of the outside manager.
Acropolis Investment Management
Acropolis Investment Management is a fee-only financial advisory firm that provides clients with individual investment programs. Acropolis charges annual fees for these services based on a percentage of your assets under management. As a fee-only firm, it doesn’t collect commissions or other forms of revenue from third parties for recommending certain products or investments over others.
To open an account with the Acropolis, you’d generally need a minimum investment of $1 million. However, SEC records show that the firm’s individual client base consists of both high-net-worth and non-high-net worth individuals.
The team holds multiple certifications, including certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial advisor (CFA), certified public accountant (CPA) and certified exit planning advisor (CEPA) designations.
Acropolis Investment Management Background
Acropolis Investment Management has been in business since 2002. It is owned by four of the firm's partners. The two with principal ownership (between 25% and 50%) are Christopher Lissner and David Ott.
Services include investment management, institutional advisory and retirement plan advisory services.
Acropolis Investment Management Investing Strategy
Acropolis begins its investment advisory process by holding meetings with individual clients. The firm utilizes this time to gather as much relevant financial information as it can to develop a comprehensive investment strategy. This would be detailed in your personalized investment policy statement. It will detail your asset allocation based on your risk appetite, financial objectives and more.
Based on your financial profile, the firm may invest your assets in individual stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds and separately managed accounts.
Mosaic Family Wealth
Mosaic Family Wealth (MFW) is a fee-based firm in St. Louis that works with both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as charities and corporations.
As a fee-based firm, some of the members on its advisory staff could get commissions from the sell of financial products. But they must adhere to MFW’s fiduciary standard, which puts the interests of clients first.
MFW generally requires a $2 million minimum, which could be reduced based on the firm’s discretion. Clients with less than $3 million will generally get charged 1% of assets under management. Those with bigger portfolios will pay a lower fee.
Mosaic Family Wealth Background
MFW is registered as an investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm was founded in February 2015 by Duncan (Scott) Highmark and Larry Keith Shikles.
MFW’s brochure says it is part of the Focus Financial Partners, LLC (“Focus LLC”) partnership.
Mosaic Family Wealth Investment Strategy
MFW says it works with clients to identify their investment goals, objectives and risk tolerance, among other factors, to create a portfolio strategy.
The firm builds portfolios made up of diversified mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and/or affiliated private investment vehicles to reach client investment goals. But the advisory team may also use stocks, bonds, options and other types of investments.