The Top Financial Advisors in Downers Grove, IL

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JMG Financial Group, a large fee-only financial advisory firm with billions of dollars in assets under management. The firm's staff comprises dozens of professionals, including certified financial planners (CFPs), certified public accountants (CPAs) and chartered financial analysts (CFAs). The firm primarily works with high-net-worth individuals, but also has non-high-net-worth individuals and retirement plans as clients. To receive investment management services, you generally need a minimum account size of $1 million. The firm may waive this requirement at its discretion. 

As a fee-only firm, JMG Financial Group collects fees only from its clients. It doesn't earn commissions from other sources such as third-party financial services firms. 

JMG Financial Group Background 

JMG Financial Group was founded in 1985. Anthony D. Cecchini, who joined the firm in 1997, currently serves as CEO. He leads a team that specializes in both discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services. This means you can let the firm manage your portfolio and make all investment decisions, or you can work with the firm’s advisors and place reasonable restrictions on certain investments. 

JMG can also provide stand-alone financial planning services. Depending on your needs, your plan may address: 

• Retirement planning
• Cash flow planning
• Estate consulting services (not involving legal or accounting advice/services)
• Budget analysis and review

JMG Financial Group Investment Strategy

JMG Financial Group's primary investment strategy is strategic asset allocation, which involves setting targets for much how money should be invested across specific asset classes. The firm may also use tactical asset allocation, a more active method of portfolio management used to capitalize on market trends. 

Once an asset allocation is set, the firm may invest client assets in individual stocks and fixed income securities, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), private funds and unaffiliated sub-advisors. 

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Capstone Financial Advisors, another fee-only firm, includes certified financial planners (CFPs), certified public accountants (CPAs) and an accredited investment fiduciary (AIF). Capstone also has a chartered alternative investment analyst (CAIA), two financial paraplanner qualified professionals (FPQPs) and a personal financial specialist (PFS) on staff. As a fee-only practice, Capstone's revenue comes from the fees that clients pay for advisory services, not commissions from third-parties like insurance companies. 

The minimum account size at Capstone varies based on the services provided.

Capstone Financial Advisors Background 

Capstone Financial Advisors was founded in 1999. The firm’s president, Troy Bute, is also the primary owner of the business. He leads a team that specializes in portfolio management services provided on either a discretionary and non-discretionary basis, depending on the client’s preference. The firm also may manage certain accounts with the help of sub-advisors it has screened and selected. 

Also, the team at Capstone can provide advice on the following topics:

• Education funding
• Tax and cash flow management
• Insurance planning
• Death and disability needs analysis
• Retirement savings 

Capstone Financial Advisors Investment Strategy 

Capstone Financial Advisors develops investment portfolios based on the needs and risk tolerance of its individual clients. The team generally invests client assets across no-load or load-waived mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, individual equities, and individual bonds. Weightings allocated to these securities or asset classes in general depend on the financial profile of the client, time horizon and other factors.

The firm places significant emphasis of asset class decisions, underlying portfolio costs and tax efficiency. 

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Vertex Partners is a fee-based firm that provides a variety of advisory services, which include financial planning, consulting, and investment management services. The firm, whose legal name is Vertex Planning Partners, provides advisory services through programs sponsored by LPL Financial LLC, a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer.

Among its planning and consulting services are cash flow analysis, trust and estate planning, risk management, retirement planning, tax management and education planning.

A number of Vertex staffers are licensed insurance agents and offer certain insurance products on a fully disclosed commissionable basis, creating a potential conflict of interest. However, Vertex is a fiduciary and, thus, obligated to always act in clients' best interests.

Vertex Partners Background

The firm was founded in 2016 and filed for registration as an investment adviser in December 2021. Gregory Benner, Michael Bellis, Christopher Huston and Steven Franzen are firm owners. Bellis, Benner and Franzen are managing directors.

Vertex's advisors hold an array of certifications, including certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified public accountant (CPA), among many other designations. 

Vertex Partners Investment Strategies

Vertex, which offers both discretionary and non-discretionary arrangements with clients, employs a collaborative model that brings together experienced professionals with diverse backgrounds to create a concise and actionable plan that is distinct for every client. To that end the firm deploys client assets among various mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and various fixed-income securities. 

Vertex will also manage and advise on certain investments that are not maintained at their primary custodian, such as variable life insurance and annuity contracts as well as assets held in employer sponsored retirement plans and qualified tuition plans, such as 529 plans.

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Bentley Financial Group, a fee-based firm, current client base is entirely composed of individuals without high-net-worths, although the firm is open to working with pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charities, government entities and corporations. 

Account minimums vary based on the type of accout a client opens.

The Bentley team has certified public accountants (CPAs) and certified financial planners (CFPs) on staff. However, as a fee-based firm, Bentley advisors may earn commissions in their independent capacities as broker-dealer representatives or insurance agents. While this presents a conflict of interest, the firm has a fiduciary duty to always act in its clients' best interests. 

Bentley Financial Group Background

Founded in 2002 by John R. Gritis, Bentley Financial Group provides asset management through accounts that are held at LPL Financial. Bentley also offers financial planning services that may include insurance, tax, retirement and estate planning. 

Gritis remains a 40% owner of the business, while Michael and Jeffrey Gritis each own 30% stakes. 

Bentley Financial Group Investment Strategy

Bentley Financial Group tailors its investment advice to the individual needs of its clients and reviews client portfolios on a regular basis. The firm typically provides advice on various types of investments, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), variable annuity subaccounts, real estate investment trusts (REITs), equities, and fixed income securities. 

Investment advice is typically formulated using a combination of fundamental, technical and charting methods of analysis. The firm may then use both long- and short-term trading strategies to help clients meet their investment goals. 

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Arbor Financial Services, LLC is a fee-only firm which works almost exclusively with individuals, the vast majorty of whom do not qualify as high-net-worth. There is also one charitable organization advised by the firm.

Fees are Arbor are based on a percentage of assets under management for investment management. Financial planning fees are charged hourly or at a fixed rate. There is no set account minimum at Arbor.

The ream at Arbor includes one certified financial planner (CFP) and one chartered investment management analyst (CIMA).

Arbor Financial Services Background

The firm was founded in 2009 and is 100% owned by Profitability Concepts and Consulting, LLC, which in turn is owned by Peter C Claeys, the founder and president of the firm.

Arbor Financial Services Investment Strategy

More than two-fifths of the money managed by Arbor is invested in stocks, and just over half is put into mutual funds. Some bonds are also used, and some cash is held.

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Opus Financial Solutions is a fee-only firm with no minimum account size. The firm works mainly with individuals, around two-thirds of whom do not qualify as high-net-worth. There is one pension/profit sharing plan advised by the firm as well.

Opus charges fees for investment management based on a percentage of assets under management. Financial planning fees are charged either hourly or fixed fees if a client's management fee is less than $2,500 per quarter.

The team at Opus has earned a number of certifications including chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified financial planner (CFP), certfied public accountant (CPA), chartered retirement plans specialist (CRPS), chartered financial consultant (ChFC) and chartered alternative investments anlayst (CAIA).

Opus Financial Solutions Background

Opus was founded in 2021 and is principally owned by Lisa Bayer.

Services offered include investment management, financial planning and retirement planning.

Opus Financial Solutions Investment Strategy

More than hald of the money held at Opus is invested in individaul stocks, with mutual funds also taking up a big chunk. Some cash is held, and fee-based variable annuities are used.