The CNBC editorial team presents our second annual list of the top 100 wealth management firms (fee only). Click here for the full financial and contact details of the top firms for 2015.
2015Top100WMs PAVIA 150601 EC
| Rank | Firm Name | Total AUM<br> ($ in millions) | Years In<br> Business | AUM<br> Annualized<br> 5 yr (%) | Total<br> Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | <a href="http://www.thinkingbeyond.com/" target="_blank">Creative Planning</a> | 14550.7,32,191,8.3 | |||
| 2 | <a href="http://carlsoncap.com/" target="_blank">Carlson Capital Management</a> | 1225.7,25,47,8.3 | |||
| 3 | <a href="http://www.cpalliance.com/" target="_blank">CPS Investment Advisors</a> | 915.9,26,60,8.3 | |||
| 4 | <a href="http://www.jt-am.com/#&panel1-1" target="_blank">Jackson Thornton Asset Management</a> | 821.3,13,50,8.3 | |||
| 5 | <a href="http://www.bkd.com/wealth-advisors/" target="_blank">BKD Wealth Advisors</a> | 2546.6,16,51,8.3 | |||
| 6 | <a href="http://sbcapitalmanagement.com/" target="_blank">SB Capital Management</a> | 527.0,12,47,8.3 | |||
| 7 | <a href="http://www.adamshall.com" target="_blank">Adams Hall Wealth Advisors</a> | 2289.5,19,63,8.2 | |||
| 8 | <a href="http://www.wealthadvisors.com/" target="_blank">AKT Wealth Advisors</a> | 787.9,7 | 58,8.1 | ||
| 9 | <a href="http://ghpia.com" target="_blank">GHP Investment Advisors</a> | 905.5,20,50,8.1 | |||
| 10 | <a href="http://www.droms-strauss.com" target="_blank">Droms Strauss Wealth Management</a> | 334.7,17,58,8.1 | |||
| 11 | <a href="http://semmax.com" target="_blank">Semmax Financial Advisors</a> | 567.3,7 | "8,122" | 8.1 | |
| 12 | <a href="http://www.danielstansey.com/" target="_blank">Daniels + Tansey</a> | 279.4,11,54,8.1 | |||
| 13 | <a href="http://www.bamservices.com/" target="_blank">Buckingham Asset Management</a> | 6631.4,8 | 71,8.1 | ||
| 14 | <a href="http://www.smfadvisors.com" target="_blank">SMF Financial Advisors</a> | 573.8,7 | 122,8.1 | ||
| 15 | <a href="http://www.halberthargrove.com/" target="_blank">Halbert Hargrove</a> | 4108.3,27,135,8 | |||
| 16 | <a href="http://www.chdean.com/" target="_blank">Dean Investments</a> | 574.9,40,44,8 | |||
| 17 | <a href="http://www.wescott.com" target="_blank">Wescott Financial Advisory Group</a> | 2078.7,28,63,7.9 | |||
| 18 | <a href="http://nuanceinvestments.com" target="_blank">Nuance Investments</a> | 1071.1,7 | 609,7.9 | ||
| 19 | <a href="http://www.raffawealth.com/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Raffa Wealth Management </a> | 566.6,8 | 145,7.9 | ||
| 20 | <a href="http://rollinsfinancial.com" target="_blank">Rollins Financial</a> | 274.6,25,94,7.9 | |||
| 21 | <a href="http://investcip.com" target="_blank">Convergence Investment Partners</a> | 553.6,7 | 249,7.9 | ||
| 22 | <a href="http://www.crowleywealthmanagement.com/new/crowleywealthmanagement/" target="_blank">Crowley Wealth Management</a> | 189.7,28,76,7.9 | |||
| 23 | <a href="http://jb2.net" target="_blank">Jones Barclay Boston & Co.</a> | 336.9,21,45,7.9 | |||
| 24 | <a href="http://www.lowebrockenbrough.com/" target="_blank">LB&C</a> | 2463.1,45,53,7.9 | |||
| 25 | <a href="http://www.dtinvestmentpartners.com/" target="_blank">DT Investment Partners</a> | 598.5,4 | 72,7.9 | ||
| 26 | <a href="http://svaplumb.com" target="_blank">SVA Plumb Wealth Management</a> | 1954.6,4 | 93,7.9 | ||
| 27 | <a href="http://www.alexanderrandolph.com/" target="_blank">Alexander Randolph Advisory </a> | 286.0,24,13,7.8 | |||
| 28 | <a href="http://cjmltd.com" target="_blank">CJM Wealth Advisers</a> | 555.4,36,45,7.8 | |||
| 29 | <a href="http://www.waddellandassociates.com/waddell/web/me.get?web.home" target="_blank">Waddell & Associates </a> | 820.4,29,47,7.8 | |||
| 30 | <a href="http://www.bloomassetmanagement.com/" target="_blank">Bloom Asset Management</a> | 1069.2,20,46,7.8 | |||
| 31 | <a href="http://www.bh-co.com" target="_blank">Beaird Harris Wealth Management</a> | 736.2,19,85,7.8 | |||
| 32 | <a href="http://arswealth.com" target="_blank">ARS Wealth Advisors</a> | 408.8,12,75,7.8 | |||
| 33 | <a href="http://www.bdfllc.com/" target="_blank">Balasa Dinverno Foltz </a> | 3208.1,14,60,7.8 | |||
| 34 | <a href="http://truewealth.com" target="_blank">TrueWealth Management</a> | 1001.3,15,54,7.8 | |||
| 35 | <a href="http://confluencewealth.com" target="_blank">Confluence Wealth Management</a> | 565.1,16,73,7.8 | |||
| 36 | <a href="http://bersonandcorrado.com" target="_blank">Berson & Corrado Investment Advisors</a> | 383.5,16,40,7.8 | |||
| 37 | <a href="http://columncapital.com" target="_blank">Column Capital Advisors</a> | 580.9,10,48,7.8 | |||
| 38 | <a href="https://www.schencksc.com/Services/Investment-Management/Investment-Management.aspx" target="_blank">Schenck Investment Solutions</a> | 578.6,13,46,7.8 | |||
| 39 | <a href="http://www.smithhowardwealth.com/" target="_blank">Smith & Howard Wealth Management</a> | 555.1,16,53,7.8 | |||
| 40 | <a href="https://www.sandhill-im.com/restricted/get/index.html" target="_blank">Sandhill Investment Management</a> | 598.3,11,55,7.8 | |||
| 41 | <a href="http://www.lutzfinancial.com/" target="_blank">Lutz Financial</a> | 695.3,12,55,7.8 | |||
| 42 | <a href="http://www.heritageinvestment.com/" target="_blank">Heritage Investment Group</a> | 883.1,22,41,7.8 | |||
| 43 | <a href="http://www.themilestonegroup.com" target="_blank">The Milestone Group</a> | 1764.0,19,32,7.8 | |||
| 44 | Investment Management Group | 2692.1,13,32,7.7 | |||
| 45 | <a href="http://fsgim.com" target="_blank">FSG Investment Management</a> | 654.6,10,58,7.7 | |||
| 46 | <a href="http://www.kraftasset.com/" target="_blank">Kraft Asset Management</a> | 238.2,9 | 46,7.7 | ||
| 47 | <a href="http://www.waasset.com/" target="_blank">Warren Averett Asset Management</a> | 1838.0,14,45,7.7 | |||
| 48 | <a href="http://fostergrp.com" target="_blank">Foster Group</a> | 1500.3,24,33,7.7 | |||
| 49 | <a href="http://www.valicenti.com/pages/valicentigeneral.aspx?spid=88380&ptype=HOME" target="_blank">Valicenti Advisory Services </a> | 389.6,32,21,7.7 | |||
| 50 | <a href="http://pamgmt.com" target="_blank">Private Asset Management</a> | 853.6,23,40,7.7 | |||
| 51 | <a href="http://www.bfpartners.com" target="_blank">Beaumont Financial Partners</a> | 2883.1,15,82,7.7 | |||
| 52 | <a href="http://durbinbennett.com" target="_blank">Durbin Bennett Private Wealth Management</a> | 918.4,14,40,7.7 | |||
| 53 | <a href="http://portfoliosolutions.com" target="_blank">Portfolio Solutions</a> | 1410.4,16,47,7.7 | |||
| 54 | <a href="http://burtwealthadvisors.com" target="_blank">Burt Wealth Advisors</a> | 522.8,30,40,7.7 | |||
| 55 | <a href="http://ptview.com" target="_blank">Point View Wealth Management</a> | 210.6,22,81,7.7 | |||
| 56 | <a href="http://www.stmmltd.com/" target="_blank">South Texas Money Management</a> | 2595.7,15,43,7.7 | |||
| 57 | <a href="http://lfa-ia.com" target="_blank">Lauterbach Financial Advisors</a> | 243.7,10,55,7.6 | |||
| 58 | <a href="http://dhgwealthadvisors.com" target="_blank">Dixon Hughes Goodman Wealth Advisors</a> | 1180.1,15,25,7.6 | |||
| 59 | <a href="http://wealthstreamadvisors.com" target="_blank">Wealthstream Advisors</a> | 339.1,11,59,7.6 | |||
| 60 | <a href="http://w-m-s.com" target="_blank">Solutions For Wealth Management</a> | 178.1,10,96,7.6 | |||
| 61 | <a href="http://www.signaturefd.com/" target="_blank">SignatureFD</a> | 2239.7,14,83,7.6 | |||
| 62 | <a href="http://www.alphamarkadvisors.com" target="_blank">AlphaMark Advisors</a> | 321.8,15,18,7.6 | |||
| 63 | <a href="http://sandersonllc.com" target="_blank">Sanderson Wealth Management</a> | 626.5,13,42,7.6 | |||
| 64 | <a href="http://hutchinsoncapital.com" target="_blank">Hutchinson Capital Management</a> | 586.7,20,23,7.6 | |||
| 65 | <a href="http://financialdesignscorp.com" target="_blank">Financial Designs Corporation</a> | 304.3,20,54,7.6 | |||
| 66 | <a href="http://wealthmgmtllc.com" target="_blank">Wealth Management</a> | 760.0,9 | 193,7.6 | ||
| 67 | <a href="http://whitnell.com" target="_blank">Whitnell & Co.</a> | 1239.8,25,22,7.6 | |||
| 68 | <a href="http://regencyinvests.com" target="_blank">Regency Investment Advisors</a> | 301.1,22,62,7.6 | |||
| 69 | <a href="http://cahillfa.com/" target="_blank">Cahill Financial Advisors</a> | 397.8,32,87,7.6 | |||
| 70 | <a href="http://srscapitaladvisors.com" target="_blank">SRS Capital Advisors</a> | 335.8,9 | 209,7.6 | ||
| 71 | <a href="http://www.wagnercapital.net/" target="_blank">Wagner Bowman Management Corp.</a> | 467.3,29,63,7.6 | |||
| 72 | <a href="http://starfireinvest.com" target="_blank">Starfire Investment Advisers</a> | 350.5,23,55,7.6 | |||
| 73 | <a href="http://www.klcinvest.com/" target="_blank">Kuntz Lesher Capital </a> | 356.6,9 | 88,7.6 | ||
| 74 | <a href="http://woodstockcorp.com" target="_blank">Woodstock Corporation</a> | 699.5,47,33,7.6 | |||
| 75 | <a href="http://americanreal.com" target="_blank">American Realty Advisors</a> | 865.3,25,50,7.55 | |||
| 76 | <a href="http://uacc.com" target="_blank">United American Capital Corp.</a> | 4238.5,24,50,7.55 | |||
| 77 | <a href="http://mcgilladvisors.com" target="_blank">McGill Advisors</a> | 1097.2,14,67,7.5 | |||
| 78 | <a href="http://www.greerwalker.com/services/wealth-management" target="_blank">GreerWalker Wealth Management </a> | 338.3,13,44,7.5 | |||
| 79 | <a href="http://twdadvisors.com" target="_blank">Capital Performance Advisors</a> | 1088.5,15,40,7.5 | |||
| 80 | <a href="http://mc-ws.com" target="_blank">McKinley Carter Wealth Services</a> | 811.2,10,57,7.5 | |||
| 81 | <a href="http://lodestarpam.com" target="_blank">Lodestar Private Asset Management</a> | 369.4,25,25,7.5 | |||
| 82 | <a href="http://hfs-wm.com" target="_blank">Howard Financial Services</a> | 807.8,21,11,7.5 | |||
| 83 | <a href="http://www.matterfamilyoffice.com/" target="_blank">Matter Family Office</a> | 2758.9,25,31,7.5 | |||
| 84 | <a href="http://invernesscounsel.com" target="_blank">Inverness Counsel</a> | 2611.1,24,33,7.5 | |||
| 85 | <a href="http://www.wmack.com/pages/wmackHome.aspx?spid=101026&ptype=HOME" target="_blank">William Mack & Associates </a> | 276.4,23,31,7.5 | |||
| 86 | <a href="http://assetadvisor.com" target="_blank">Southeast Asset Advisors</a> | 1932.0,23,31,7.5 | |||
| 87 | <a href="http://signatureus.com" target="_blank">Signature</a> | 3331.6,21,33,7.5 | |||
| 88 | <a href="http://sigmainvestment.com/" target="_blank">Sigma Investment Management Co.</a> | 513.9,23,7 | 7.4 | ||
| 89 | <a href="http://linwoodinvestment.com" target="_blank">Linwood Investment Advisors</a> | 183.5,20,87,7.4 | |||
| 90 | <a href="http://redwstanley.com" target="_blank">REDW Stanley Financial Advisors</a> | 546.5,15,25,7.4 | |||
| 91 | <a href="http://cranbrookwealth.com" target="_blank">Cranbrook Wealth Management</a> | 466.5,9 | 45,7.4 | ||
| 92 | <a href="http://treybournewealth.com" target="_blank">Treybourne Wealth Planners</a> | 168.4,10,46,7.4 | |||
| 93 | <a href="http://gardecapital.com" target="_blank">Garde Capital</a> | 541.1,6 | 125,7.4 | ||
| 94 | <a href="http://freedom-advisory.com" target="_blank">Freedom Advisory</a> | 101.1,7 | 65,7.4 | ||
| 95 | <a href="http://www.eastcoastasset.com/" target="_blank">East Coast Asset Management</a> | 417.0,7 | 81,7.4 | ||
| 96 | <a href="http://www.pathwayadvisors.com/" target="_blank">Pathway Financial Advisors</a> | 262.0,10,93,7.4 | |||
| 97 | <a href="http://dhjjfinancial.com" target="_blank">DiGiovine Hnilo Jordan & Johnson Financial Advisors</a> | 184.5,23,69,7.4 | |||
| 98 | <a href="http://shankervalleau.com" target="_blank">ShankerValleau Wealth Advisors</a> | 229.1,22,118,7.4 | |||
| 99 | <a href="http://talisadvisors.com" target="_blank">Talis Advisory Services</a> | 172.5,8 | 41,7.4 | ||
| 100 | <a href="http://www.carterasset.com/" target="_blank">Carter Asset Management</a> | 234.3,14,49,7.4 |
Methodology
The CNBC Digital editorial team, along with Meridian-IQ, created the following ranking methodology for its Top 100 Fee-Only Wealth Management Firms rankings. Scores for each measure listed below were weighted according to a proprietary formula to arrive at a final total rank:
- Assets under management.
- Having staff with professional designations, such as a CFP or CFA.
- Working with third-party professionals, such as attorneys or CPAs.
- Average account size.
- Growth of assets.
- Years in business.
- Number of advisory clients.
- Providing advice on insurance solutions.
Firms with greater AUM totals were given a higher ranking in the case of numerical ties of the above formula. The Meridian/AdviceIQ team then applied the formula to the Meridian-IQ database of all RIAs to create the list. The final step to create the Top 100 Fee-Only Wealth Management Firms list for CNBC.com was to apply the AdviceIQ Regulatory Compliance Review process to the master list and eliminate any firm that failed the RCR process.
The RCR process is a due-diligence process whereby each advisory firm was compared with the RCR database of all regulatory actions from all four primary regulators: SEC, FINRA, state regulators and state insurance commissioners. In order to pass the RCR process, an advisory firm cannot have any complaints, actions or disclosures from any of the above regulators.
