Top Financial Advisors in Waukesha, WI

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IAG Wealth Partners tops our list of financial advisor firms in Waukesha. The firm primarily works with non-high-net-worth individuals, although high-net-worth individuals also make up a considerable percentage of the client base. IAG Wealth also serves retirement plans, charitable organizations, corporations and businesses. 

IAG Wealth advisors offer a range of specialties, including the certified financial planner (CFP), certified retirement planning counselor (CRPC) and certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA) designations.

IAG Wealth is a fee-based firm, so advisors can earn commission-based compensation from recommending financial products. While this could present an opportunity for certain advisors to favor commission-based products, the firm must honor its fiduciary duty to work in its clients’ best interests. 

The firm’s account minimum requirements vary based on account type, ranging from $5,000 to $250,000. For advisory services, advisors are compensated through asset-based fees, hourly fees or fixed fees.

IAG Wealth Partners Background

IAG Wealth was established in 1985 by founder and firm president Lori A. Watt. The firm functions as an independent, financial investment group offering portfolio management, financial planning and consulting and advisor referral services. Watt remains the principal owner of the business.

The firm’s financial planning services are separated into two categories: initial financial planning and follow-up financial planning. Clients receive guidance for up to six months through IAG Wealth’s initial financial planning services. The firm’s follow-up services may last for as long as the client and firm agree. IAG Wealth also gives clients access to educational seminars and events. 

IAG Wealth Partners Investment Strategy

IAG Wealth says on its website that it strives to guide its clients in making good wealth management decisions throughout the stages of their lives. It generally believes in a long-term, buy-and-hold strategy. Its services include helping you choose a third-party managed program sponsored by LPL Financial. 

When evaluating securities, the firm uses fundamental analysis and cyclical analysis. IAG Wealth also utilizes various sources of information in its investment process. This includes company filings and public press releases, corporate rating services, annual reports and financial newspapers.

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Kowal Investment Group is a fee-based firm, so advisors can earn commission-based compensation from selling insurance or investment products. While this could present an opportunity for certain advisors to favor commission-based products, the firm must honor its fiduciary duty to work in its clients’ best interests. 

The serves various clients, including individuals, high-net-worth individuals, trusts, estates and charitable organizations. Generally, the minimum account size is $750,000, but the firm may reduce this minimum for a client at its sole discretion.

The Kowal team has a variety of professional certifications, including the certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial consultant (ChFC), chartered life underwriter (CLU) and accredited estate planner (AEP) designations. 

Kowal Investment Group Background

Kowal Investment Group was founded in May 2010. The firm is owned and operated by Jeffrey D. Kowal (who serves as president) and Aaron T. Kowal (who services as managing director, senior financial advisor and chief compliance officer (CCO). 

The firm offers wealth management services, use of independent managers, financial planning services, retirement plan advisory services and wrap fee programs. Account management can involve establishing an investment strategy, asset allocation, portfolio construction and/or investment management and supervision.

Kowal Investment Group Strategy

The firm mainly uses fundamental analysis when developing investment strategies for its clients. It derives research from various sources, including but not limited to financial media companies, third-party research materials and review of company activities (including annual reports and press releases). Investment strategies are typically geared for the long term, but advisors may also buy and sell investments that have been held for under a year. 

Investment portfolios are constructed primarily with ETFs, diversified mutual funds, equities and bonds. Advisors may also use unit investment trusts (UITs), alternative investments, structured products and other types of investments.

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Financial Solutions is a fee-based firm that serves individuals (including high-net-worth individuals), retirement plans, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, businesses and charitable organizations.

Financial Solutions’ advisors offer advisory services through asset-based, fixed fee and hourly-fee compensation arrangements. The firm’s fee-based fee structure also allows advisors to earn money from commissions. Though this may create a conflict of interest, clients are protected by the firm’s fiduciary duty. 

Financial Solutions requires clients to have a minimum of $100,000 before opening an account. The firm requires a minimum account fee of $1,000 for accounts it manages on a discretionary basis. For retirement plans, Financial Solutions requires $5,000. 

Financial Solutions has two certified finanical planners (CFPs) on staff.

Financial Solutions, LLC Background

Financial Solutions was founded in 1993 as an independent investment advisory and financial planning firm. The firm’s owners are Timothy McGrath, Horace Seely-Brown, Kenneth Stuckert and William Kenton. 

Financial Solutions’ services include portfolio management, financial planning and investment advisor referrals. Clients also have access to other areas of financial planning, including:

• Estate planning
• Tax planning
• Retirement cash flow planning
• Education planning
• Risk management 

Financial Solutions Investment Strategy

Financial Solutions considers a number of factors before making investment decisions on behalf of its clients. It analyzes a client’s risk tolerance, time horizon, tax status. The firm may invest in a variety of securities, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), separate money management accounts and alternative investments. 

The firm’s advisors also use technical trading models, option strategies and short-term trading in its investment process. Financial Solutions’ investment strategies also utilize technical analysis, quantitative methods, optimization and computer models.

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Registering with the SEC for the first time in 2019, Drake & Associates has a relatively small team but one that boasts important professional financial certifications, including certified financial planner (CFPs) and financial paraplanner qualified professional (FPQP). However, some may also be representatives of a broker-dealer and can earn sales commissions when recommending certain products. This arrangement has the potential of posing a conflict of interest, but as an SEC-registered firm, Drake & Associates are legally required to put their clients' interests first.

While the firm requires a minimum investment of $250,000, it works almost exclusively with non-high-net-worth clients. Drake & Associates also has one charitable organization as a client.

Drake & Associates Background

If you've heard of Drake & Associates, it's likely from seeing founder Tony Drake quoted in business periodicals or on local news shows. Or maybe you heard him on his radio show "Retirement Ready."

The firm offers investment advisory services, financial planning and retirement plan account monitoring. Its investment management services may be on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis.

Drake & Associates Investment Strategy

Based on the client's profile and goals, Drake & Associates will recommend an appropriate model portfolio designed by LSA Portfolio Analytics. When implementing asset allocations, advisors generally use mutual funds, equities, bonds, fixed income, debt securities and exchange-traded (ETFs). The firm may also engage in short-term trading, short sales, margin transactions and options writing.

Additionally, Drake & Associates may allocate client assets to real estate investments, hedge funds, REITs, insurance products such as annuities, private placements, government securities and other securities to help diversify a portfolio when applicable. The firm uses charting analysis, fundamental analysis, technical analysis and cyclical analysis to evaluate and select investments.