Finding the Top Financial Advisors in Pennsylvania
If you’re trying to find a financial advisor in Pennsylvania, SmartAsset can help. We did all the initial research for you, digging through financial firm data and pulling fundamentals such as assets under management (AUM), fees and investment strategy. Then we put the info together, here, for convenient comparing and contrasting. Start your search with this list of the top financial advisor firms in Pennsylvania. Then use SmartAsset’s free financial advisor matching tool to connect with 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 | HBKS Wealth Advisors Find an Advisor | $5,570,269,830 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
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2 | McAdam LLC Find an Advisor | $1,739,052,473 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
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3 | Greycourt & Co., Inc. Find an Advisor | $5,091,189,265 | $400,000 annual minimum fee |
| Minimum Assets$400,000 annual minimum feeFinancial Services
|
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4 | myCIO Wealth Partners, LLC Find an Advisor | $12,007,381,046 | $1,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$1,000,000Financial Services
|
5 | Fort Pitt Capital Group, LLC Find an Advisor | $5,156,026,201 | $250,000 |
| Minimum Assets$250,000Financial Services
|
6 | Financial Integrity Advisors, LLC Find an Advisor | $13,712,543,894 | $250,000 |
| Minimum Assets$250,000Financial Services
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7 | Confluence Financial Partners Find an Advisor | $3,055,505,438 | Based on account type |
| Minimum AssetsBased on account typeFinancial Services
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8 | JFS Wealth Advisors, LLC Find an Advisor | $3,389,350,596 | $600,000 |
| Minimum Assets$600,000Financial Services
|
9 | Girard Advisory Services, LLC Find an Advisor | $2,333,655,591 | Varies based on account type |
| Minimum AssetsVaries based on account typeFinancial Services
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10 | Mill Creek Capital Advisors, LLC Find an Advisor | $8,201,352,376 | $5,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$5,000,000Financial Services
|
What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in Pennsylvania, we first identified all firms registered with the SEC in the state. 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.
HBKS Wealth Advisors
HBKS Wealth Advisors, the top-rated firm in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, has the largest client base of any advisory practice on this list. HBKS, which is based in Erie, works with both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals, as well as retirement plans, charities and businesses.
The leadership team HBKS holds multiple certifications, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), certified public accountant (CPA) and chartered retirement planning couselor (CRPC) designations, among others. However, some advisors at the firm are registered as broker-dealers and may earn commissions for selling securities. This could present a potential conflict of interest, but when serving as an advisor they must act in your best interest.
There are no account minimums at the firm.
HBKS Wealth Advisors Background
HBKS Wealth Advisors was founded in 2001. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of HBK Sorce Financial, LLC, which is wholly owned by HBK Sorce Holdings, LLC. Hill, Barth & King Financial Holdings, LLC is the majority owner of the latter.
Services offered include investment management, high-net-worth services and pension consulting. Financial planning is also a key service offering and may encompass retirement planning, income tax planning, risk management and estate planning, among other areas of need.
HBKS Wealth Advisors Investment Strategy
The advisors at HBKS build portfolios using a variety of investments, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), stocks, bonds, investment contracts, insurance, annuities, alternative investments and other vehicles.
Strategies include both long-term and short-term purchases, plus short sales, margin transactions and option writing.
McAdam
McAdam is a Philadelphia-based firm with no set account minimum. It mostly serves individual clients with and without a high net worth, as well as retirement plans, charities and businesses. Individuals without a high net worth comprise an overwhelming majority of McAdam's client base.
The advisory team holds multiple certifications, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC) designations.
As a fee-based firm, certain advisors at McAdam can sell securities and insurance products on a commission basis. While this creates a potential conflict of interest, the firm's fiduciary duty requires it to act in clients' best interests no matter what.
McAdam Background
McAdam was created in 2014. The firm is wholly owned by Michael McAdam, who also acts as the firm's CEO and principal. McAdam has a couple decades of experience in the financial services industry.
The firm's services include wealth management, as well as financial planning and consulting services. These can cover retirement planning, risk management, tax planning, insurance planning, estate planning, business planning, cash flow forecasting and more.
McAdam Investment Strategy
McAdam typically invests client assets in mutual funds, ETFs, individual stocks and bonds and with independent investment managers. The firm may also recommend investing in pooled investment vehicles, like hedge funds.
Which types of securities exist within your portfolio will depend on what type of investor you are. To find this out, your advisor will meet with you to discuss your goals and needs. Through these discussions, the firm will also identify your ever-important risk tolerance, time horizon and income needs. These factors will dictate the complexion of your asset allocation.
Greycourt & Co.
Greycourt & Co. is a fee-only financial advisory firm that specializes in working with high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, family offices and corporations. The Pittsburgh-based firm does not have a minimum account size, but it does charge a signficant minimum annual fee of $400,000.
Several members of the Greycourt advisory team hold the chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation. As a fee-only practice, Greycourt and its advisors do not receive third-party compensation for selling financial products, which is a conflict of interest.
Greycourt & Co. Background
Gregory Curtis founded Greycourt in 1988 and remains its chairman emeritus and managing director. Curtis is still the principal owner of the business, owning more than 25% of it. The firm has a number of other owners who control smaller stakes. In addition to its headquarters in Pittsburgh, the firm has additional offices in Portland, Oregon, and Nashville, Tennessee.
Greycourt provides asset management and portfolio design services, conducts research on both traditional and alternative investment strategies and managers, handles portfolio implementation, offers portfolio monitoring and reporting services, and delivers tailored consulting solutions.
The firm notes in its Form ADV brochure that it primarily provides its advisory services on a non-discetionary basis, meaning it implements recommendations that first must be approved by the client. It also offers discretionary services, but on a less frequent basis. In fact, over 95% of the $5 billion the firm has in assets under management are held in non-discretionary accounts – significantly higher than all other firms on this list.
Greycourt & Co. Investment Strategy
Like other firms, Greycourt relies on an internal investment committee comprising advisors, associate advisors and reseachers to make investment decisions. It's worth noting that the investment committee does not approve firm-wide model portfolios. Instead, each client receives investment recommendations that are customized to their needs.
In constructing portfolios, Greycourt uses strategic asset allocation to define long-term target exposures for different asset classes. The firm may also make tactical and "opportunistic recommendations" to rebalance a portfolio, bringing its asset allocation outside of the prescribed ranges to capitalize on specific opportunities.
Investment recommendations are based upon a client's goals, objectives, risk tolerance, exisiting assets, anticipated cash flow needs, among other factors.
myCIO Wealth Partners
myCIO Wealth Partners is a fee-only firm in Philadelphia. All of the firm’s individual clients have a high net worth, which makes sense given that the firm has a $1 million minimum account size. There are also institutional clients, including charitable organizations and corporations.
Advisors on staff hold multiple certifications, including chartered financial analysts (CFAs), Certified Financial Planners™ (CFP®), accredited investment fiduciaries (AIFs), certified investment management analysts (CIMAs), certified public accountants (CPAs) and more.
myCIO Wealth Partners Background
myCIO Wealth Partners was founded in 2005. It is managed by partners James Joseph Biles, David Edmund Lees and Paul Joseph Bracaglia. Affiliated Managers Group is the principal shareholder of the firm.
Services offered include investment advisory, private investment funds, tax preparations services, consulting and financial planning.
myCIO Wealth Partners Investment Strategy
Advisors at myCIO Wealth Partners conduct fundamental and technical analysis to make investment choices. They use both short- and long-term purchases, meaning investments will be held for a variable amount of time. The firm may also engage in strategies like short sales, margin transactions and options trading.
myCIO primarily invests client assets in mutual funds, ETFs, private investment funds, as well as publicly traded REITs and non-traded REITs. The firm may also allocate a portion of a client's portfolio to a sub-advisor or independent manager. To a lesser extent, myCIO may invest in individual stocks and bonds.
Fort Pitt Capital Group
Fort Pitt Capital Group is a Pittsburgh-based financial advisor with billions in client assets under management. This fee-only firm serves both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals. Institutional clients include investment companies, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, government entities, insurance companies and corporations.
The minimum account size here is $250,000, though the firm may occasionally accept those with less than that.
Advisors at the firm hold multiple certifications, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation, among others.
Fort Pitt Capital Group Background
Fort Pitt Capital Group was founded in 2015. The firm is a part of the Focus Financial Partners, LLC partnership, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Focus Operating, LLC. Focus is a nationwide network of advisory firms.
Services include wealth management, investment management, financial planning, estate planning, education planning, business succession planning and insurance needs.
Fort Pitt Capital Group Investment Strategy
Fort Pitt Capital Group reviews portfolio structures and asset allocations to ensure they are consistent with client objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance. The firm primarily invests client assets in individual stocks, fixed-income securities, mutual funds and ETFs.
Fort Pitt Capital Group typically takes a fundamental, "value-style" approach to managing individual stocks. Although the firm's equity holdings mainly consist of large-cap securities, the firm also advises including other types of equity investments, such as mid-cap and small-cap stocks, to enhance diversification.
Financial Integrity Advisors
Financial Integrity Advisors based in Philadelphia is a fee-based practice that offers services to individuals, investment companies, pension and profit sharing plans, corporate or business entities. However, almost all the firm’s assets under management were concentrated in the accounts of a handful of government entities, according to the firm’s most recent SEC filings.
The firm generally requires a minimum investment of $250,000, though this can be adjusted or waived under specific circumstances. In addition to receiving client-paid fees, advisors on staff may sell insurance on a commission basis. While Financial Integrity Advisors is a fiduciary, its fee-based compensation model represents a conflict of interest, because sales commissions can incentivize advisors to make certain recommendations over more appropriate alternatives.
The firm has several credentialed advisors on staff, including those with registered financial consultant (RFC), accredited investment fiduciary (AIF) and chartered financial analyst (CFA) designations.
Financial Integrity Advisors Background
Financial Integrity Advisors was founded in 2003. The firm is entirely owned and controlled by Philip M. Harris, who holds 100% ownership.
The firm offers asset management for individual and institutional clients, ERISA plan services, consultation services and financial planning.
Financial Integrity Advisors Investment Strategy
Financial Integrity Advisors takes a long-term approach to wealth management with a focus on tailored asset allocation aligned with individual investment goals and risk profiles. Their strategies also encompass tax reduction and estate preservation, which involves updating account details, reviewing beneficiaries for retirement accounts and life insurance, and reevaluating existing estate planning documents.
Their investment vehicles include equity and fixed income securities, mutual funds, ETFs, Treasury Bills and real estate properties.
Confluence Financial Partners
Confluence Wealth Services, located in the Pittsburgh suburb of McMurray, is a fee-based practice that works with a range of clientele. The firm serves individuals above and below the high-net-worth threshold, as well as retirement plans, charitable organizations, corporations and businesses, as well as at least one government entity.
While the standard minimum investment is set at $250,000 for separately managed accounts, there is no account minimum for the Confluence Compass Services, a basic financial planning and model portfolio solution.
As a fee-based firm, Confluence advisors may earn commissions on the sale of insurance. This compensation, which comes in addition to client-paid fees, represents a conflict of interest because it may incentivize advisors to make certain recommendations to generate a commission. However, the firm has a fiduciary duty to act in its clients’ best interests.
Confluence Financial Partners Background
Founded in 2021, Confluence Financial Partners is jointly owned by multiple individuals, including Gregory J. Weimer, James A. Wilding and Gregory J. Weimer II. While the firm does business as Confluence Financial Partners, its legal name is Confluence Wealth Services, Inc.
The firm offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to enhance financial and investment strategies for both individuals and organizations. These services include financial plan reviews, retirement planning and insurance review. Investment review and wealth management services are also provided, alongside retirement plan consulting services.
Confluence Financial Partners Investment Strategy
Confluence Financial Partners emphasizes a long-term investment approach, crafting broadly diversified portfolios that span various sectors. Their investment strategies are tailored to align with each client's specific investment goals and risk tolerance, including the use of alternative strategy mutual funds for diversification. Their investment vehicles include mutual funds, ETFs, equities, fixed-income securities and cash.
JFS Wealth Advisors
JFS Wealth Advisors is a fee-based advisory firm that works with both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals. Institutional clients also include retirement plans, charities, government entities and businesses.
The firm imposes a minimum account size of $600,000 to engage in services.
Clients interested in wealth management services will generally pay an annual advisory fee that is based on a percentage of assets under management. However, as a fee-based firm, certain advisors at JFS can sell financial products on a commission basis. While this presents a potential conflict of interest, the firm’s fiduciary duty requires them to act in the clients’ best interests.
JFS Wealth Advisors Background
Headquartered in Hermitage, JFS is an investment advisor registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm was founded in 1986 and is structured as a limited liability company.
According to the JFS brochure, it is part of the Focus Financial Partners, LLC (Focus LLC) partnership, and the firm is a wholly owned subsidiary of Focus Operating, LLC.
JFS offers clients a variety of services, including investment and wealth management. The firm also offers financial planning and consulting services, which include:
- Personal financial statements
- Cash flow analysis and budgeting
- Cash management
- Investment planning and asset allocation
- Retirement planning
- Estate and legacy planning
- Tax planning
- Risk management
- Risk assessment and insurance needs analysis Business planning
- Distribution planning
- Family educational planning
JFS Wealth Advisors Investment Strategy
According to the firm’s brochure, JFS typically invests client assets in no-load mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Other securities can be used as well, depending on client needs, circumstances and risk tolerance. The firm has an internal investment committee that meets monthly to conduct fundamental analysis on securities that it recommends to clients. Additionally, the firm may recommend that certain qualified clients allocate a portion of their portfolios to private investments.
Girard Advisory Services
Girard Advisory Services in King of Prussia offers financial advisory serivces through a fee-based structure. This means that advisors on staff may earn third-party compensation when selling financial products or insurance, in addition to client-paid fees. While this is a conflict of interest, the firm is legally obligated as a fiduciary to act in clients’ best interests.
The firm works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, corporations and other businesses. There is a $350,000 investment minimum for wealth management clients. However, the firm only requires an account size of $50,000 for an investment management option that relies solely on mutual funds and/or ETFs. The firm charges asset-based fees for investment advisory services and a minimum fee of $5,000 for financial planning and consulting services.
Members of the advisory team at Girard hold various professional certifications, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA), certified trust and fiduciary (CTFA) and certified exit planning advisor (CEPA) designations, among others.
Girard Advisory Services Background
Founded in 1995, Girard Advisory Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Univest Bank and Trust Co., which is part of the Univest Financial Corporation.
The firm offers investment management, financial planning, retirement planning, consulting and related services.
Girard Advisory Services Investment Strategy
Girard Advisory Services employs a strategic approach to investing that emphasizes asset allocation, diversification and a long-term perspective. The firm tailors investment strategies to align with individual client profiles, which include their stated financial needs, objectives, goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, income requirements, existing investments and overall investment objectives.
Their typical investment vehicles include domestic and international equities, options (limited to covered call writing or purchases) and warrants. Additionally, they invest in commercial paper, certificates of deposit, ETFs, real estate investment trusts and mutual funds. Their fixed-income portfolio comprises U.S. Treasuries, agency bonds, mortgage-backed securities, corporate and municipal debt.
Mill Creek Capital Advisors
Mill Creek Capital Advisors rounds out our list of the top financial advisors in Pennsylvania. This fee-only practice works with high-net-worth individuals, pooled investment vehicles, retirement plans, charities and businesses.
The firm says in its brochure that it accepts and maintains accounts valued under $5 million. But in those cases, clients will typically pay a minimum fixed fee of $30,000.
The advisory team holds multiple certifications, including the chartered financial analyst (CFA), Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), chartered alternative investment analyst (CAIA) and accredited investment fiduciary (AIF), among other designations.
Mill Creek Capital Advisors Background
Mill Creek Capital Advisors was founded in 2006. The firm is primarily owned by SG Management, LLC, which is an employee-owned holding company. CEO Joshua Gross and president Richard Lunsford are the principal owners of the firm.
Services include investment advising, tax issue evaluation, cash flow analysis, estate planning, retirement planning, financial planning, philanthropic planning, family governance and education, comprehensive reporting and financial concierge services.
Mill Creek Capital Advisors Investment Strategy
Mill Creek Capital Advisors believes in broad diversification both across and within asset classes. It also focuses on the long term, looking to buy and hold investments rather than trading in and out of various markets in search of results that may only hold for the short term.
Mill Creek offers a range of investment allocation strategies, combining equity and fixed income investments with both active and passive approaches. Certain strategies also incorporate hedging and/or private equity elements. To implement these strategies, Mill Creek enlists external investment advisory firms, known as “specialist managers,” who are responsible for selecting individual investments that align with the broader asset allocation plan.