Top Financial Advisors in Tucson, AZ

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TCI Wealth Advisors, Inc. is the first firm on our list, with by far the highest AUM. The fee-only firm does not have an account minimum but does have a minimum annual fee of $1,000. Most of the clients are individuals, around 75% of whom are non-high-net-worth. Institutional clients include pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and corporations.

Certifications held by advisors at the firm include certified financial planner (CFP), financial paraplanner qualified professional (FPQP), certified public accountant (CPA) and accredited investment fiduciary (AIF).

TCI Wealth Advisors Background

A combination of individuals and family trusts own TCI. Shareholder Robert Swift founded the firm.

In addition to its Tucson office, you can find TCI Wealth in Flagstaff and Scottsdale, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; Reno/Tahoe, Nevada; and Santa Monica, California. The firm offers services that include wealth management, investment planning, retirement planning, insurance planning, education planning and tax planning.

TCI Wealth Advisors Investment Process

If you become a TCI client, you’ll go through a five-step process. Step one is a discovery meeting where you’ll discuss your values, financial goals, assets and overall preferences and interests. Two weeks after that, you’ll have an investment plan meeting. This meeting will cover what your time horizon is, your risk tolerance and what you expect for a rate of return. After than, it’s the mutual commitment meeting. Your relationship with TCI Wealth is formalized at this point, and the firm puts your investment plan in place.

After 45 days, you’ll have a follow-up meeting where you’ll discuss any outstanding issues or questions and review your account paperwork. Finally, the last step is ongoing: you’ll meet regularly to receive updates on your financial progress.

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Wellspring Financial Partners is a fee-based firm. Clients at the firm are mostly individuals, with the majority not qualifying as high-net-worth. There are some institutional clients at Wellspring, all of whom are pension and profit-sharing plans.

Fees for portfolio managment are based on a percentage of assets under management. Financial planning fees are fixed based on the service. Some advisors are registered insurance agents and may earn sales commissions from vendors. This is a potential conflict of interest, but the advisors must act in the best interest of the client. Wellspring does not have a minimum account size.

Wellspring does not list any certifications on its website.

Wellspring Financial Partners Background 

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GR Financial Group does not have a minimum annual fee or account size. In fact, fewer than 10% of GR Financial Group’s clients have what’s considered to be a high net worth. The firm caters to those below that threshold and offers investment portfolio services, financial planning, consulting and financial education seminars and workshops. 

This financial advisor is fee-based, rather than fee-only. That means your financial advisor may be compensated for recommending certain products, such as securities or mutual funds. The firm is a fiduciary, however, which means it’s under an obligation to put client needs first.

GR does not list any certifications for its advisors.

GR Financial Group Background

GR Financial President Scott Genzman founded the original firm in 2005 after working at Prudential and Paine Webber in various capacities. He’s worked in the financial industry since 1993. Genzman and Vice President Lynsey Richter are the principal shareholders of the firm. She has more than 20 years in the financial services industry. 

Services at GR include portfolio management, financial planning, retirement planning, estate planning and insurance planning.

GR Financial Group Investment Strategy

The firm uses point and figure methodology along with a range of analysis methods when evaluating securities and formulating investment advice. Point and figure methodology is a way to chart data for long-term investments to see entry and exit points in the market. 

The strategies GR Financial Group uses in managing your account include long-term purchases, short-term purchases, trading, margin transactions and option writing.

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Sterling requires $500,000 to start a new relationship. The client base at Sterling Investment Management, Inc. is mostly made up of high-net-worth individuals, although individuals without a high net worth, charitable organizations and retirement plans are present as well.

This is a fee-only firm, meaning advisors do not work for commissions. Fees for investment management are based on a percentage of assets under management. The firm does not provide a list of advisors and certifications on its website.

Sterling Investment Management Background

John Payne, president and chief investment officer, is the founder and sole owner of Sterling Investment Management. He has decades of financial industry experience and was a senior portfolio manager at Bank of America before founding the firm in 1995. He has a master’s degree in finance and is a chartered financial analyst (CFA).

The firm has five advisors and two offices, one in Tucson and one in Scottsdale. Clients can choose from financial planning or investment management services.

Sterling Investment Management Investing Strategies

If you become a client, your advisor will thoroughly review your financial situation in order to recommend the appropriate investment strategy for your objectives. Your cash-flow needs, tax considerations, risk tolerance and time horizon all help build your financial picture. The firm has five main strategies: unconstrained total return, capital appreciation, balance, current income and fixed income.

Each strategy has a different risk tolerance and volatility associated with it and corresponds to certain goals. For example, the current income strategy is for those who want to preserve capital and have a steady income. The balanced strategy seeks to provide all three key components: capital growth, current income and capital preservation. 

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Cambridge Financial Group is a fee-only. firm with no minimum asset requirement.

For financial planning, there are different service levels depending on your budget. You can keep the firm on an open retainer for financial planning or use the stand-alone services aimed at young professionals with less room in their budgets. For investment management, fees are based on a percentage of assets under management.

The are four certified financial planners (CFPs) on staff at Cambridge.

Cambridge Financial Group Background

Penny Marchand is the founder and sole owner of the firm. She’s worked in financial planning since 1988 and has a couple of certifications, including certified financial planner (CFP) and enrolled agent (EA). The firm was founded in 2001.

Cambridge’s office is located in northern Tucson near the Catalina Foothills.

Services include financial planning, investment management and education planning.

Cambridge Financial Group Services

Cambridge Financial Group has an affordable program designed for young professionals called Edge Ahead. It has a lower bar to entry, with a set $750 fee ($650 if you’re referred) for a financial review, or an annual fee of $2,500 for ongoing services that include financial planning and tax prep.

The process begins with a 20-minute phone call where you discuss your financial situation with one of the two Cambridge advisors dedicated to EdgeAhead. After that, you can engage the firm for a stand-alone financial review, a two- to three-hour meeting that will include topics such as investments, retirement planning, cash-flow management, insurance, tax strategies and stock option strategies. 

The long-term option consists of two 90-minute appointments a year that cover tax preparation, investments, goal setting, goal reviews and any financial questions you have. You have phone support with this option, as well. The cost for ongoing services is 1.5% of your gross income.

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At Ironwood Financial, LLC you’ll need $250,000 to become a client. Most of the firm's individual clients do not have high net worths. The only institutional clients at the firm are pensions, charitable organizations and corporations.

This firm is fee-based, which means your advisor may collect commissions for selling you insurance policies, securities or other financial products. This is a potential conflict of interest, but the firm is obligated to act in your best interest as a fiduciary.

Investment management fees are based on a percentage of assets under management. The investment team at the firm has earned a number of certifications including certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial advisor (CFA), chartered financial consultant (ChFC) and certified fund specialist (CFS).

Ironwood Financial Background

Founded in 2009, Ironwood is principally owned by managing members Robin Dolezal, Daniel Nentl and Alexander Parrs.

Services offered include investment supervisory services, financial planning, pension planning and more. The firm aims to work with those nearing retirement.

Ironwood Financial Retirement Service

According to Ironwood Financial’s website, you can get a step-by-step, fully customized retirement plan developed for you for free, if you meet certain criteria. You must be within 10 years of retirement and have a liquid net worth more than $250,000.

The firm is small, so these sessions are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis to those who meet the two main criteria. If you do, you’ll schedule a call in which you discuss your financial situation, retirement vision and other financial concerns. Ironwood Financial will give you education on investment styles and modern investment theory, investment vehicles and how different life events might impact your retirement plan. 

The company claims that it provides as much value as a paid planner in the $900 to $4,000 range. This is a service not found at any of the other eight firms on this Tucson financial advisor list.

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Nova Financial Services is a fee-based firm that has no minimum account size or minimum annual fees. The firm's clients are mostly non-high-net-worth individuals, though some high-net-worth clients are on the rolls as well. The only institutional clients are corporations.

Fees at Nova are generally based on a percentage of assets under management. Financial planning and consulting fees are charged on a flat basis. Some advisors do earn commissions, which is a potential conflict of interest. Advisors, though, are bound to act in the best interest of the client.

The team at Nova includes one certified financial planner (CFP).

Nova Financial Services Background

The firm's ownership shares belong to two entities: NOVA Financial Holding Company, LLC and BFD, LLC. Jake Kagele, a certified investment management analyst (CIMA), is the managing partner and serves as a financial advisor at the company. Mike Maré is the executive vice president and is based in the Colorado.

You’ll choose from a suite of services including investment planning and portfolio services, retirement planning, divorce planning and education planning.

While the firm is headquartered in Tucson, advisors serves clients in all 50 states. Aside from Tucson, you’ll find Nova offices in Chandler, Arizona; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Nova Financial Services Investment Strategy

The firm uses fundamental and technical analyses when formulating investment recommendations for securities, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), managers and pooled investment vehicles. When the firm looks at mutual funds and managers, it reviews quantitative and qualitative criteria, including the performance history of the fund or manager, the returns and the manager’s tenure.

Your portfolio is created after you have conversations with your advisor during which you discuss your financial goals, time horizon and investment risk tolerance. 

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Capital West Partners (CWP) is another fee-only firm, meaning the advisors earn compensation only from asset-based management fees and/or fixed hourly rates.

If you’d like to become a client, you’ll need at least $100,000. 

There is one chartered financial advisor (CFA) at CWP.

Capital West Partners Background

The firm, founded in 2004, is owned by its two founders, Jason “JJ” Ruther and Jason Crane. Ruther has over 19 years’ experience in financial services. Before CWP, he worked as a portfolio manager at a regional brokerage firm. He has an undergraduate degree in finance.

The firm has three main offerings: financial planning, consulting services and investment management. 

Crane is a CFA and has more than 15 years’ experience in the investment management industry. 

Capital West Partners Investment Strategy

Ruther and Crane say “one size does not fit all” when it comes to financial solutions. The firm creates customized portfolios for each client. This means your money won’t go into a model portfolio that’s pre-built. Instead, the advisors will tailor it to meet your situation. They’ll look at aspects of your financial situation such as income needs, tax situation, risk tolerance and investment objectives when developing your financial management plan. The firm says it focuses on “long-term wealth creation.” That means long-term investing rather than short-term trading. 

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Allied Portfolio Management is a fee-only firm that works with mostly non-high-net-worth individuals, with estates, trusts, charitable institutions, foundations, endowments and retirement plans rounding out its client base. The firm has no minimum investment requirement to become a client.

There are no advisory certifications on Allied's team reported on its website.

The firm charges both fees based on a percentage of assets under management and fixed-rate fees.

Allied Portfolio Management Background

Steven Graham founded Allied Portfolio Management in 1998. Prior to his time in Tucson, Graham worked on Wall Street for 13 years. He's now Allied's president and senior portfolio manager

Much of the firm's advisory services revolve around financial planning, portfolio management and retirement plan consulting. More specifically, clients can take advantage of customized investment strategies, retirement planning, healthcare cost analysis, integrated services with your other financial professionals and more.

Allied Portfolio Management Investing Strategy

In a nutshell, Allied Portfolio Management looks to diversify clients' assets across multiple global markets, investment types and asset classes. It does this based on Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT). This Nobel Prize-winning strategy looks to maximize your return upside without breaking your overall risk threshold. This generally lends itself to a long-term investing philosophy, which Allied wholeheartedly accepts.

In an effort to diversify as effectively as possible, Allied utilizes a few different investments to implement asset allocations. These customarily include stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds and cash.

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Last but not least, Raskob Kambourian Financial Advisors, Ltd. (RKFA) is another fee-only firm and is the oldest on our top Tucson financial advisors list.

RKFA has no set account minimum but it does have a minimum annual fee of $5,400. This fee may not be cost-effective for small balances.

Two certified financial planners (CFPs) work at the firm.

Raskob Kambourian Financial Advisors Background

This is the second firm we’ve profiled on this list with a female president and owner (the first is Cambridge Financial Group). Patricia Raskob is the founder, and serves as president and sole owner of the firm. She has a number of certifications, including enrolled agent (EA), certified financial planner (CFP) and accredited tax advisor (ATA).

This firm was founded in 1986. Services include financial services, including financial planning, retirement planning, investment management and tax preparation.

Raskob Kambourian Financial Advisors Investment Strategy

When formulating investment advice, advisors at this firm use fundamental, technical and cyclical methods of analysis. Each of these methods examines the fund or issuer in different ways, such as considering the management team, past performance, market data or market conditions. 

The company uses a proprietary software to aid in strategic asset allocation of your account. The software ranks asset classes of mutual equity, bond and blend funds and also adds passive exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and index funds if necessary. The firm tailors your strategy to your financial particulars, including time horizon, risk tolerance and financial objectives.