Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in Arlington, Texas
It can be challenging to find the right financial advisor because there are many competing for your business. That’s why SmartAsset dug into the research to find the top financial advisor firms in Arlington, Texas. For this list of the top Arlington firms, we considered assets under management, services, disciplinary records and more. We lay out our findings below and explain what differentiates these firms from each other. If you want more help with your search, SmartAsset’s financial advisor matching tool can connect you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area.
Find a Fiduciary Financial Advisor
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baker Financial Services  Find an Advisor | $ 678,287,000 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
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| 2 | Parkstone Wealth Management, LLC  Find an Advisor | $156,601,880 | $3 million |
| Minimum Assets$3 millionFinancial Services
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| 3 | Paladini Financial Advisors, LLC  Find an Advisor | $154,652,714 | $5,000 minimum annual fee |
| Minimum Assets$5,000 minimum annual feeFinancial Services
|
What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in Arlington, we first identified all firms registered with the SEC in the city. 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:
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AUMFirms with more total assets under management are ranked higher. -
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Individual Client CountFirms who serve more individual clients (as opposed to institutional clients) are ranked higher. -
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Clients Per AdvisorFirms with a lower ratio of clients per financial advisor are ranked higher. -
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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.
Baker Financial Services
Baker Financial Services is a fee-based firm whose client base primarily consists of individuals and high-net-worth individuals. BFS also works with pensions, profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charities and business entities. There is no set minimum for opening or maintaining an account with BFS.
The firm is fee-based because, in addition to portfolio management fees, advisors may collect transaction-based brokerage fees and commissions, from third parties, for selling insurance and financial products. That said, BFS has a fiduciary duty to work in clients' best interests.
Two members the BFS advisory staff hold the certified financial planner (CFP) designation. Additionally, there is one chartered life underwriter (CLU) and one chartered financial consultant (ChFC). (Advisors may have more than one credential.)
Baker Financial Services Background
BFS, which is also known as Gerald Baker Financial Group, LLC, became an SEC-registered investment advisory firm in 1999. The company's president, Gerald Baker, remains its sole owner.
BFS provides clients with portfolio management services, financial planning services and consultation services. Portfolio management is available only to clients, but non-clients can receive investment advice on a limited basis for a fee. Financial planning includes everything from personal budgeting to managing a 401(k) to following a retirement plan. Consultation services include many of the same planning services that are available to clients.
Baker Financial Services Investment Strategy
BFS's investment philosophy revolves around preserving a client’s capital, taking a long-term view and using a passive investing approach over an active investing approach.
Advisors create client portfolios to be diversified across multiple asset classes. The classes commonly include large-, mid- and small-capitalization domestic stocks, international stocks, real estate and commodities, as well as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Parkstone Wealth Management, LLC
Parkstone Wealth Management is a fee-only financial advisor firm that primarily serves professional athletes. PWM also works with other individuals, as well as trusts, estates, charitable organizations and businesses.
A minimum annual fee of $25,000 or minimum account balance of $3 million is required to open and maintain an account with PWM.
Parkstone Wealth Management Background
PWM was founded in 2013 by managing directors Cheryl F. Quisenberry and Chester A. Straily, who own the firm together. PWM offers clients a number of financial planning services, including help with cash flow and budgeting, education funding, mortgages, charitable planning, estate planning, retirement planning and business planning.
Parkstone Wealth Management Investing Strategy
PWM creates client portfolios that are tailored to the specific goals and circumstances of each individual client. However, regardless of the client, the firm focuses on asset allocation and on diversification across multiple asset classes. Parkstone Wealth Management bases its investment philosophy on the idea that a diversified portfolio will help reduce risk.
Portfolio management is conducted on a discretionary basis -- advisors have the authority to make trades and other management decisions without first consulting the client. Advisors primarily allocate client assets among independent investment managers, mutual funds, ETFs and individual bonds.
Paladini Financial Advisors, LLC
Paladini Financial Advisors, also known as Paladini Financial Management, is a fee-only firm that mainly serves high-net-worth indidivuals. Non-high-net-worth investors are also among Paladini's client base, as well as retirement plans and charitable organizations. Paladini calls for a minimum annual fee of $5,000.
Three members of the Paladini staff hold the certified financial planner (CFP) designation, while one member holds the certified public accountant (CPA) designation. As a fee-only firm, Paladini's advisors do not sell financial products or insurance and do not earn commissions. Instead, they are compensated through asset-based client fees and fixed charges.
Paladini Financial Advisors Background
Prior to its transformation in 2015, Paladini Financial Advisors operated under the name Paladini Financial Management, Inc. since 2006. Matthew Paladini, the lead advisor, founded both firms and remains Paladini's principal owner with Wendy Kelly.
Personal financial planning and investment/wealth management are Paladini's core advisory offerings. These cover retirement planning, income tax planning, risk management, estate planning and more. Rather uniquely, Paladini has business planning and transition services specifically for dental practices.
Paladini Financial Advisors Investment Strategy
Paladini hands each new client an investment questionnaire to help determine his or her investor characteristics. Ultimately, this series of questions will show you and your advisor your exact risk tolerance, time horizon, income needs and investment goals.
Based on these factors, the firm constructs a portfolio plan that will look to maximize your return potential for your risk level. There are a number of different investments that your money could end up in, like large- and small-cap domestic stock funds, international stock funds, bond funds, commodity funds, money market funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds.
