The Top Financial Advisors in Austin, TX

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TCG Advisory Services is the top-rated firm in Austin. The firm's staff includes eight certified financial planners (CFPs), three accredited investment fiduciaries (AIFs) and a chartered financial analyst (CFA).

The firm, also known as TCG Advisors, does not have a set account minimum. Individual investors make up majority of TCG's client base. 

This is a fee-only firm, meaning all of its income comes from client fees. Compared to other firms on our list, TCG has the most advisors and second-most individual clients. 

TCG Advisory Services Background

TCG is a privately-held limited liability company owned by holding company TCG Group Holdings, LLP and investment advisor Total Compensation Group Investment Advisory Services Management, LLC. A forerunner of the firm was opened in 2001 by CEO John Pesce and chairman Mike Cochran. Pesce is TCG's principal owner, as he personally owns the largest stake in TCG Group Holdings.

TCG Advisory Services has operated since 2020. The main advisory offering is investment portfolio management, but it provides this service in several variations. In fact, you can choose from multiple portfolio models, management programs and robo-advisor services through Charles Schwab Intelligent Portfolios. Should you want it, TCG can offer some financial planning services.

TCG Advisory Services Investment Strategy

Because TCG's portfolio management services are model-centric, much of its investment philosophy revolves around how it builds and maintains those strategies. Portfolio model reviews occur regularly at TCG in the name of maximizing returns while mitigating volatility. If the firm sees an allocation shift of more than 5% within any one model, its advisors will rebalance it to the originally intended percentages.

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You’ll need a minimum of $2.5 million in investable assets to start a relationship with Venturi Private Wealth, the second highest-rated firm in Austin. The majority of the firm's clients are high-net-worth individuals. Unlike fee-only firms, Venturi Management is a fee-based company. This means that while Venturi is a fiduciary and obligated to work in the best interest of its clients, representatives of the firm may receive commissions for certain insurance product sales.

The firm employs several financially certified individuals, including certified financial planners (CFP), chartered financial analysts (CFA) and certified investment management analysts (CIMA). 

Venturi Private Wealth Background

Russell Norwood and George Clark, two advisors with a combined 41 years at Merrill Lynch, founded Venturi Private Wealth in 2015. With its goal to “deliver unbiased, objective advice you can trust,” Venturi Private Wealth offers a variety of services. You’ll have the option to choose from discretionary investment advisement, integrated financial planning, estate planning, business advisory services and more.

Venturi Private Wealth Investment Strategy

Venturi primarily relies on fundamental analysis when evaluating securities. The firm typically allocates client assets among mutual funds, ETFs, individual debt and equity securities, as well as options and independent investment managers. 

When selecting independent managers, Venturi will assess the manager's investment strategies, past performance, risk profile, returns, pricing, research capabailities and other factors. 

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Third on our list of top Austin advisors is Durbin Bennett Private Wealth Management. You’ll need at least $1 million for Durbin Bennett to consider you as a client. In addition to high-net-worth individuals, the firm also works with charitable organizations, pooled investment vehicles and corporations. 

As a fee-only firm, Durbin Bennett's compensation comes from client fees, not commissions. Its advisory staff includes eight certified financial planners (CFPs), three chartered financial analysts (CFAs), two certified public accountants (CPAs), plus other accredited professionals. 

Durbin Bennett Private Wealth Management Background

Founded by Richard Bennett and Brent Durbin in 1987, the firm provides financial planning, portfolio management, selection of other advisors -- including private fund managers -- and consulting services. In addition to Bennett, the firm is owned by Matthew Jachimiak, Margaret Huang Casey, Paul Lueb Jr., Tylor Seaman and Chery Phan.

Durbin Bennett Private Wealth Management Investment Strategy

If you enjoy a healthy amount of market skepticism, you’ll likely agree with Durbin Bennett’s belief that markets can be irrational or inefficient. This belief informs the company’s portfolio strategy, which is based on a passive core and more active satellite components. 

You’ll decide your ratio of passive-to-active investments when you speak to your advisor to discuss financial goals and planning. Rebalancing is another Durbin Bennett portfolio tenet. Portfolios are rebalanced as needed by adhering to predetermined tolerance ranges for various asset classes.

The firm's last core tenet prioritizes net returns over gross returns. This means your advisor will construct your portfolio with tax implications in mind. They will capture losses when possible, as well as long-term gains over short-term ones.  

For broker-dealer services, Durbin Bennett recommends you use Schwab Advisor Services or Fidelity Investments.

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Austin Asset, a fee-only advisor, is the fourth highest-rated financial advisory firm in Austin. Being fee-only means the company makes money solely from fees, rather than commissions via the sale of products. Austin Asset does not appear to have a minimum account size, however, it charges a $5,000 flat fee plus asset-based fees for wealth management. 

Austin Asset works mostly serves high-net-worth individuals, but also works with charitable organizations and non-high-net-worth individuals. The firm's advisory team includes 14 certified financial planners, three certified public accountants and other accredited professionals.

Austin Asset Background

Austin Asset’s philosophy is that wealth planning is a journey, not a one-time exercise. The company started conducting business in 1986, making it the second-longest tenured firm on our list. Austin Asset claims to be one of the first to provide fee-only financial services. William Hehman, the firm's CEO, and Gregory Van Wyk, its executive vice president, are the principal owners of Austin Asset.

Austin Asset Investment Strategy

Austin Asset tailors investment portfolios to each client relationship. The firm generally assumes a long-term strategy based on holding securities for over a year. An investment advisory committee composed of 10 certified financial planners on staff meets monthly and steers the firm's investment philosophy. 

Investment advice is typically given on a variety of securities, including mutual fund shares, foreign issuers, exchange-listed securities, securities traded over-the-counter and others.  

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49 Financial works with individuals and families to build an investment and retirement plan. The firm does not have a minimum account requirement to work with its basic investment services. There may be a minimum established to qualify for the wealth management services that it offers to high-net-worth individuals, though. 

49 Financial is a fee-based firm because some of its advisors can receive third-party commissions from the sale of certain investment products. This means that the firm may be subject to a potential conflict of interest. However, this conflict is mitigated by the fact that the firm is a fiduciary and is bound to act in the best interests of its clients at all times.

49 Financial Background

49 Financial was founded in 2022 by Travis Penfield (who is currently the CEO), Hunger Lloyd and Kyle Sims. The firm now employs 54 advisors across multiple U.S. states and eight cities (though they are licensed to serve all 50 states). 

49 Financial Investment Strategy

49 Financial's investment strategy for all of its clients involves helping that client achieve financial confidence and clarity. The firm believes that financial success is about more than just numbers so they will start by fully understanding each client's needs before creating a simplified investment approach that will help them reach their individual goals. The firm empowers its clients to make strong financial decisions. 

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Austin Private Wealth, a fee-only firm, is the seventh highest-rated firm in Austin, according to our metrics. Clients are primarily individual investors, both with and without high net worths. The firm, which also works with pensions and profit-sharing plans, does not have a minimum account size. 

The firm's advisory team includes seven certified financial planners (CFPs), three chartered retirement planning counselors (CRPCs) and other accredited professionals. As a fee-only firm, Austin Private Wealth advisors do not charge commissions or collect other hidden forms of compensation. Instead, the firm is compensated through its asset-based advisory fees and other fixed charges. 

Austin Private Wealth Background

Founded in 2010, Austin Private Wealth is currently owned by Dan Kraus, Raoul Celerier, Alex J. Wagner and Kieu Le. Celerier and Kraus co-founded the firm and have over 50 years of combined experience in financial services. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, pension consulting services and selection of other advisors, including private fund managers. 

Austin Private Wealth Investment Strategy

Austin Private Wealth tailors its investment strategies to the needs of its individual clients, taking into acount their financial objectives, risk tolerance and time horizons. Client portfolios may consist of individual stocks, bonds, ETFs, options, mutual funds and other securities of both the public and private variety.

The firm employs an array of methods to evaluate securities, including fundamental analysis, duration constraints, cyclical analysis, quantitative analysis and sector analysis.  

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FMP Wealth Advisers employs eight certified financial planners (CFPs), two chartered retirement planning counselors (CRPCs) and two chartered financial analysts (CFAs).

Most of the clients at this fee-only firm are individuals, and many have a high net worth. Retirement plans, estates, trusts, businesses, charitable organizations and corporations make up the rest of the firm's typical clientele.

Aside from its home office in Austin, FMP has an additional location in Lake Charles, Louisiana. As a fee-only firm, FMP advisors do not sell investment or insurance products, nor do they earn commissions. The firm does not have a minimum account size. 

FMP Wealth Advisers Background

FMP Wealth Advisers is an employee-owned firm, as five of the firm's employees are principal owners. This list comprises Milton Hixson (founder and president), John Hixson (senior advisor), Kevin Hixson (director of client service team), Les Hixson (chief investment officer) and Adam Todd (senior advisor). None of these individuals own more than 50% of the company's shares. FMP opened its doors in 1987.

Personalized financial planning, wealth management and investment management make up the nucleus of FMP's client services. 

FMP Wealth Advisers Investment Strategy

Like many of its contemporaries, FMP Wealth Advisers has a series of investment products that it usually sticks to: mutual funds and ETFs. The firm explicitly states in its Form ADV this is due to the fact that these securities are both managed by professionals and inherently diversified. These benefits, coupled with the investment experience of the firm's own advisors, gives FMP confidence in how its client portfolio's are structured. 

Although long-term financial success is the goal of FMP, it will help clients meet their short-term needs if applicable. This could be satisfying an emergency fund or helping to pay for insurance costs.

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Meridian Wealth Advisors primarily serves high-net-worth investors such as entrepreneurs, corporate executives or individuals and families. The firm also works with 501(c)3 organizations.  Meridian requires a minimum relationship size of $2.5 million.

Meridian Wealth Advisors is a fee-based firm because some of its advisors can receive third-party commissions from the sale of securities or insurance products, and may be subject to a potential conflict of interest. However, this conflict is mitigated by the fact that the firm must act as a fiduciary and is bound to act in the best interests of clients at all times.

Meridian Wealth Advisors Background

Meridian Wealth Advisors has been in business since 2016, and has more than 80 years of combined experience in offering wealth advisory services. Josh Galatzan founded the company and serves as Managing Partner today. 

Meridian Wealth Advisors Investment Strategy

Meridian's investment strategy encompasses four pillars: understand, design, implement and manage. They will first get to know each individual client and then craft an investment strategy that makes sense for that client's long-term goals. Managing the account will then allow them to make adjustments as needed while abiding by the individual client's risk tolerance. 

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Richard P. Slaughter Associates is a fee-only advisory firm that primarily serves individual investors, both with and without high net worths. The firm also works with pensions and profit-sharing plans. Account minimums vary according to type of account a client has.

Its team of advisors includes eight certified financial planners (CFPs), four accredited investment fiduciaries (AIFs), one accredited wealth management advisor (AWMA) and two chartered financial analysts (CFAs). As a fee-only firm, Richard P. Slaughter advisors do not sell insurance or investment products, and do not collect commissions. Instead, the firm is compensated entirely through client fees. 

Richard P. Slaughter Associates Background

Richard P. Slaughter Associates was founded in 1991 by the firm’s late namesake who set out to establish a fee-only advisory company. Today, the firm is principally owned by Brooks Slaughter, although it has 11 other shareholders.

Richard P. Slaughter Associates offers financial planning, wealth management and asset management on a discretionary and non-discretionary basis. The company also offers pension and 401(k) consulting, publishes periodicals, helps clients select other advisors -- including private fund managers -- and presents educational seminars. 

Richard P. Slaughter Associates Investment Strategy

In formulating investment advice for clients, the firm uses both fundamental and technical analysis. "Fundamental analysis values securities by examining a company’s financials and operations and considering only those variables directly related to a company rather than the overall state of the market," the firm states in its Form ADV brochure. "Technical analysis uses past trends to predict future trends in security price movement."

The firm most commonly employs a long-term investing strategy built on holding assets for longer than a year, but advisors may use short-term purchases when necessary. Both tactics typically rely on stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, estates and bonds. 

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Individuals and high-net-worth investors make up the vast majority of Waterloo Capital's client base. However, the firm also works with pensions, profit-sharing plans and charities. Waterloo requires a minimum account size of $1 million.

Waterloo is a fee-based firm because some of its advisors can receive third-party commissions from the sale of insurance products, and thus may be subject to a potential conflict of interest. However, this conflict is mitigated by the fact that the firm is fiduciary and is bound to act in the best interests of clients at all times.

Waterloo employs several advisors, but only two have financial certifications. Chief investment officer Bennett Woodward is a chartered financial analyst and senior relationship manager Evette Mock-Hernandez is a chartered retirement planning counselor. 

Waterloo Capital Background

Waterloo Capital has been in business since 2012, when CEO and owner John Chatmus acquired Virtus Private Wealth and rebranded it under this firm's current name. Part of Waterloo's business goes by the name of AMG Wealth Advisors. 

Waterloo provides portfolio management as well as financial plannning rolled in with investment management services. The firm also provides a wrap-fee program and manages the vast majority of its assets on a discretionary basis.

Waterloo Capital Investment Strategy

The centerpiece of Waterloo's investment strategy relies on tailoring portfolios to fit the needs of each individual client. In order to create a proper intital asset allocation strategy, advisors take note of each client's tolerance for risk, time horzion, investment history, desired investment strategy and any other important information.

Portfolios may consist of a wide variety of investments, including equities, fixed income securities, mutual funds and alternative investments. The firm may also utilize third party money managers. The firm relies heavily on fundamental analysis.