Top Financial Advisors in Tucson, AZ

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TCI Wealth Advisors 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 two-thirds of whom are non-high-net-worth. Institutional clients include retirement 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 Wealth Advisors. Lead shareholder Robert Swift founded the firm in 1990.

In addition to its Tucson office, you can find TCI Wealth in Flagstaff and Scottsdale, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; and Reno/Tahoe, Nevada. 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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GR Financial Group does not have a minimum annual fee or account size. In fact a fairly small portion 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 Group 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 senior 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.

Find an Advisor

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 too, all of which are pension and profit-sharing plans. Wellspring does not have a minimum account size.

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 Financial Partners Background 

Wellspring was founded in 2011. The sole owner is Patrick J. Zumbusch, who is also the firm president. Wellspring's advisory team holds a couple of certifications. Zumbusch is a certified financial planner (CFP), and director of planning Richard Pyle is a registered paraplanner (RP). Services at the firm include financial planning, tax planning, retirement planning and retirement plan advisory services. Investment management services are also available.

Wellspring Financial Partners Investment Strategy

Strategic asset allocation is the center of Wellspring's investment philosophy. Essentially, this means setting allocation targets and occasionally rebalancing a client's portfolio based on how returns affect the preset targets. Generally, assets are bought and held for a longer time, rather than active trading based on the market. This means investments in your portfolio are likely to remain there for at least a year.

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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 accredited asset management specialist (AAMS) and one certified investment management analyst (CIMA).

Nova Financial Services Background

The firm's ownership shares belong to two entities: NOVA Financial Holding Company, LLC and BFD, LLC. Jake Kagele is the managing partner and serves as a financial advisor at the company. While the firm is headquartered in Tucson, advisors serves clients in all 50 states. Aside from Tucson, you’ll find Nova offices in Scottsdale, Arizona and Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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

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.

Find an Advisor

At Ironwood Financial 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), certified fund specialist (CFS) and more.

Ironwood Financial Background

Founded in 2009, Ironwood is principally owned by managing members and partners Robin Dolezal, Daniel Nentl and Alexander Parrs. This trio has decades of financial services experience between them.

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

Ironwood Financial Retirement Services

According to Ironwood Financial’s website, you can get a step-by-step, fully customized retirement plan developed for you for free. 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.

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Cambridge Financial Group is a fee-only, which means all of its compensation comes from client-paid fees. The firm with no minimum asset requirement for new clients. The are five certified financial planners (CFPs) and four enrolled agents (EAs) on staff at Cambridge.

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.

Cambridge Financial Group Background

Penny Marchand is the founder and sole owner of the firm, and she’s worked in financial planning since 1988. 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 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.

Find an Advisor

Sterling Investment Management requires $500,000 to start a new relationship. The client base at the firm is mostly made up of non-high-net-worth individuals, although individuals with a high net worth, charitable organizations, government entities, businesses and retirement plans are present as well.

This is a fee-only firm, meaning advisors do not work for third-party 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 (CIO), 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 a handful of advisors across two offices, one in Tucson and one in Scottsdale. Clients can choose from financial planning or investment management services.

Sterling Investment Management Investing Strategy

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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Imus Wilkinson Investment Management is a fee-only firm that requires at least $500,000 in investable assets to become a client. This is one of the highest minimums on our list. In addition to its investment and financial planning services, Imus Wilkinson offers business retirement plan options, such as 401(k) and 403(b) plan evaluation, as well as pension plan services.

This firm employs one certified financial planner (CFP).

Imus Wilkinson Investment Management Background

Founded in 2011, Imus Wilkinson Investment Management is one of the yougest firms on this list. As you may have guessed, the firm was named after its founders and owners: Gary Imus and Elbridge Wilkinson III. Today, the firm remains under the principal ownership of just Imus and Wilkinson III.

Imus has spent nearly 30 years in the investment industry. Wilkinson is a former Marine and graduate of Purdue University. He’s worked in the financial services industry since 1987.

Imus Wilkinson Investment Management Investment Philosophy

The company explains its philosophy in a number of tenets. The first is that your advisor won’t pick individual securities (such as stocks or bonds). Instead, the firm builds portfolios that are “extremely diversified” through mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and then hires the best managers available. Imus Wilkinson uses either active or passive management - whichever strategy will produce the best results for your portfolio.

You’ll speak regularly with your advisor about your risk tolerance, cash-flow requirements, legacy planning and investment time frame.

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Gordian Advisors is a fee-only firm that works almost exclusively with individuals, most of whom qualify as high-net-worth. The only institutional clients at the firm are pension and profit sharing plans. There is a minimum account size requirement of $500,000.

Fees for investment management are based on a percentage of assets under management, with a minimum fee of $8,000 annually.

The team at Gordian includes two certified financial planners (CFPs).

Gordian Advisors Background

Gordian was founded in 2002 by David Hamra, who still serves as an advisor at the firm. He and Denis Smirnov are the principal owners.

Services offered at Gordian include investment advisory, financial planning, portfolio consulting, retirement plan consulting and investment recommendations.

Gordian Advisors Investment Strategy

Around three quarters of all the money held at Gordian is put into individual stocks, with mutual funds making up the bulk of the remainder. The guiding principle at the firm is to build diverse portfolios.

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Capital West Partners is a fee-only firm requiring an account size of at least $100,000 to work with them. The form only works with individuals, most of whom do not qualify as high-net-worth. There are no institutional clients at the firm.

Investment management fees are based on a percentage of assets under management, while consulting services are billed at $150 per hour. No advisors earn commissions for selling securities or insurance products.

The team at CWP includes one chartered financial analyst (CFA).

Capital West Partners Background

CWP was founded in 2004 by Jason Crane and J.J. Ruther, who still co-own the firm.

Services include investment management, consulting and financial planning.

Capital West Partners Investment Strategy

Around two-thirds of the money at CWP is invested in individual stocks, with the rest split between bonds, cash, mutual funds and options.

Various analytical frameworks are used to pick investments, including fundamental, cyclical, charting and technical analysis.