8 best financial advisors of November 2024
Discover the top financial advisor firms in the US. Or, to get matched with an SEC-regulated financial advisor today, fill out the short form below.
Top financial advisor firms
Fidelity Investments
Fisher Investments
Facet
Vanguard
Mercer
Edward Jones
BlackRock
Charles Schwab
Learn more about this selection of the top financial advisory firms in the US, including what they offer, their investing strategy, and their pros and cons.
1. Fidelity Investments
Fidelity Investments is a comprehensive financial firm known for its wide range of specialized services, making it ideal for clients seeking support with various financial goals and challenges.
What you need to know about Fidelity:
Services include ETF trading, wealth management, retirement and long-term care planning, and investing.
There is no minimum balance requirement, no account, activity, or transfer-out fees.
Stock and ETF trades are commission-free.
Fidelity Wealth Services (FWS) requires a minimum of $50,000 to create an account.
The firm is recognized for strong customer service with accessible in-person and phone support.
Assets under management:
$4.9 trillion
Fee structure:
Fee-only & fee-based
Fee:
0.2%-1.5%
Minimum account sizes:
$50,000
2. Fisher Investments
Fisher Investments is a popular choice for experienced investors seeking customized portfolio strategies managed by professionals.
What you need to know about Fisher Investments:
Specializes in portfolio management and financial planning. It does not offer brokerage services.
Clients are matched with an advisor who creates personalized portfolios to align with specific goals.
Charges an assets under management (AUM) fee, which varies by portfolio size:
1.25% per year for the first $1 million
1.125% per year for the next $4 million
1% per year for assets over $5 million
AUM fees are comprehensive with no additional charges.
Assets under management:
$276 billion
Fee:
1.0%-1.25%
Fee structure:
Fee-only
Minimum account sizes:
$500,000
3. Facet
Facet is a technology-driven financial planning firm that offers personalized, affordable advice for major financial decisions.
What you need to know about Facet:
Provides comprehensive financial services, including financial planning, family and estate planning, equity compensation, and financial wellness.
Founded in 2016, it connects members with a dedicated CFP® professional supported by a team of experts.
Charges a flat annual fee ranging from $2,400 to $8,000, based on the complexity of the client’s needs.
There is no minimum balance requirement; managed portfolios require a minimum deposit of $500.
They are committed to making financial services affordable and accessible with a human-focused approach.
Assets under management:
$1 billion
Fee:
$2,000-$6,000
Fee structure:
Fee-only
Minimum account sizes:
No minimum
4. Vanguard
Vanguard is the world’s second-largest investment company, offering both active and passive investment options with a competitive fee structure.
What you need to know about Vanguard:
Provides personalized financial advice, high-quality investments, retirement tools, and market insights.
Renowned for passive investing, which is ideal for low-cost, long-term strategies.
Offers tools for building and maintaining a portfolio with research and data.
Suitable for different investment stages:
Vanguard Digital Advisor: A robo-advisor with low fees, ideal for younger investors.
Vanguard Personal Advisor Services: Designed for larger portfolios, requiring a minimum balance of $50,000.
Assets under management:
$7.2 trillion
Fee:
0.05%-0.3%
Fee structure:
Fee-based and fee-only
Minimum account sizes:
$50,000 (for a personal advisor)
5. Mercer
Mercer is a top private wealth management firm known for its thorough and professional personal financial advice.
What you need to know about Mercer:
Fee-only advisor with over 400 financial advisors across the US, managing tens of billions in client AUM.
Services include financial planning, portfolio management, retirement planning, and tax preparation.
Offers ESG-specific investment options for clients prioritizing high environmental, social, and governance standards.
Fees are determined by individual client circumstances, with investment management charges based on strategies and total AUM.
Assets under management:
$45.4 billion
Fee:
0.5%-1.1%
Fee structure:
Fee-only
Minimum account sizes:
$250,000
6. Edward Jones
Edward Jones is a well-established financial services firm in the US, known for its independent investment advice and strong client relationships.
What you need to know about Edward Jones:
Nearly 19,000 financial advisors serving over 8 million clients in the US and Canada, managing $1.7 trillion in client assets.
Offers various account options and investment products, such as retirement planning, brokerage accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs.
Fees are based on individual client circumstances, with rates decreasing as account values grow.
Prioritizes forming strong, personalized client relationships with skilled professionals, ensuring client focus and care.
Assets under management:
$2 trillion
Fee:
0.5%-1.35%
Fee structure:
Fee-based
Minimum account sizes:
$5,000 or $25,000 depending on account type
7. BlackRock
BlackRock is a globally renowned financial advisory firm that offers investment management, risk management, and advisory services to clients worldwide.
What you need to know about Blackrock:
Provides single and multi-asset class portfolios, including equities, fixed income, alternatives, and money market instruments.
Fee structures vary based on the chosen strategy and account type, with some fees subject to negotiation.
Aims to enhance financial well-being for clients, acting as a fiduciary.
Emphasizes sustainable investing and integrates AI-driven strategies, including new generative AI tools to boost productivity.
Assets under management:
$9.101 trillion
Fee:
0.09%-2.50%
Fee structure:
Fee-based
Minimum account sizes:
$250,000 to $1 million
8. Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab is one of the largest and most reputable financial services firms in the US, known for its wide range of offerings.
What you need to know about Charles Schwab:
Offers services in money management, financial planning, investment portfolio expansion, taxes, and retirement accounts.
Operates over 400 branches across 45 states, with more than 1,200 financial consultants available to assist clients.
It has provided over 100,000 financial plans as of August 31, 2021.
It has competitive fees and commissions: online stock and ETF trades are free; options trades are $0.65 per contract; service charges apply for automated phone trades ($5) and broker-assisted trades ($25).
It is focused on helping individuals achieve their financial goals with integrity and dedication.
Assets under management:
$7.38 trillion
Fee:
0.80% and decrease at higher asset levels
Fee structure:
Fee-based
Minimum account sizes:
$500,000
Biggest financial advisor firms
Assets under management, or AUM, increase with client deposits. How much a firm has in AUM often indicates its size; the more AUM a firm has, the larger the firm.
The table below ranks financial advisory firms by their AUM as of September 2024:
| Company | AUM ($ trillion) | |
|---|---|---|
| | Company | AUM ($ trillion) |
| 1 | BlackRock | $10.47 |
| 2 | Vanguard | $7.2 |
| 3 | Fidelity Investments | $4.9 |
| 4 | State Street Global Advisors | $4.34 |
| 5 | UBS | $4.02 |
| 6 | JP Morgan | $3.6 |
| 7 | Goldman Sachs | $2.85 |
| 8 | Edward Jones | $2 |
| 9 | Morgan Stanley | $1.5 |
| 9 | Bank of America | $1.4 |
| 10 | Charles Schwab | $1.3 |
| 11 | Wells Fargo | $1.2 |
| 12 | T. Rowe Price | $1.1 |
| 13 | Northern Trust | $1 |
| 14 | Ameriprise Financial | $0.9 |
How to choose a financial advisor firm
In 2023, the US financial advisory services market was worth over $57 trillion. However, with so many renowned firms to choose from, selecting the best financial advisor for your needs can be a challenge.
The best financial advisor firms are those with plenty of experience, a diverse group of industry experts, and a wide range of financial services to offer clients.
Financial advisory firms offer advice, strategy, and guidance in the fields of investment, savings, financial management, and long-term wealth building.
Which is the best financial advisory firm for me?
The best financial advisor firm ultimately depends on what your needs are as a client.
Any of the above firms will likely meet your needs, but some will be more compatible with you than others. You can use the factors listed below to determine which you should choose.
Budget – Naturally, each firm has its own pricing systems to consider. The bigger your budget, the more services and expert guidance you can afford.
Communication style – People typically work with their chosen financial advisor over a number of years throughout all of life’s big events. Therefore, it’s key that you choose someone you get along with and with whom you can easily communicate.
Service requirement – Some firms specialize in certain services, so it's best to pick one with a high level of experience in your field of interest.
Advice delivery – Financial advisor firms have different communication and customer management styles. Pick one that delivers advice in a way you find comfortable and easy to understand.
Experience level – If you need high-level advice and input, you’ll want to opt for a firm with more experience in its field. Smaller, less seasoned companies can easily handle lower-stakes financial management like savings and retirement.
Get matched with a financial advisor
Looking through the best companies for financial advisors in the US is a great method for finding one that meets all your needs and expectations.
Not all financial advisors or firms are the same, and knowing what the different specialties are is important for your financial future and long-term security.
If you would like to learn more about financial management and get expert financial advice, let Unbiased match you with a financial advisor that suits your needs.
Frequently asked questions
Sales Director
Austin is a Sales Director working at Unbiased, helping advisors solve consumer's financial problems. After a successful career working as a Financial Advisor at Waddell & Reed for 7 years, plus a 2 year role at SmartAsset, Austin joined Unbiased to bring his extensive industry expertise to the team.