Top 9 Financial Advisors in Englewood, CO

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Wealth Watch Advisors, LLC is a fee-based firm with the third-largest amount of client assets on this list. The firm has hundreds of millions under its management, and it serves roughly 900 clients. Wealth Watch’s client base includes high-net-worth individuals, individuals, estates, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations and other businesses. The firm doesn’t have a minimum account size requirement. 

Some advisors may receive a commission from the sale of insurance products, making this firm a fee-based firm. Despite the potential conflict of interest, Wealth Watch is a fiduciary and must act in the best interest of its clients. 

Wealth Watch Advisors Background

Wealth Watch has been in business since 2014. The firm’s owners are David A. Shields, Tyrone Clark, William E. Gastl, John Patrick Lynch and James R. McClannhan III.

Among the registered investment advisor’s (RIA) advisory services are portfolio management, financial planning and selection of other advisors. 

Wealth Watch Advisors Investing Strategy

Wealth Watch mainly uses asset allocation as an investment strategy, and the key asset classes the firm utilizes are equities, fixed income and cash and equivalents. Its securities analysis and investment methods include optimization, technical analysis and quantitative analysis.

Wealth Watch also employs long-term and short-term purchases. 

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While Market Guard has a small advisory team, it’s well-qualified: Its financial advisors are both certified financial planners (CFPs), as is one of their client service advisors. One of their advisors also holds the chartered life underwriter (CLU) and chartered financial consultant (ChFC) certifications. This small team manages millions in assets, and the firm has no minimum account size requirement.

Because some of MarketGuard’s advisory employees can sell insurance policies for a commission, the firm is fee-based. While this represents a possible conflict of interest, the firm is legally bound by fiduciary duty. This guarantees that the firm’s advisors will work in your best interest.

Market Guard Background

Market Guard was founded in 2002 by CEO and CIO Brad Jenkins and is owned by Jenkins Wealth, Inc. Between Jenkins and David Henderson, the firm’s only other advisor, this team averages more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry.

This firm offers financial planning and investment portfolio management as both a combined service and a la carte. Here’s a breakdown of what the firm can do:

• Risk-adjusted investment management
• Investment planning
• Tax management
• Retirement planning
• Estate planning
• College planning
• Debt management
• Life insurance analysis

Market Guard Investing Strategy

Market Guard has a unique way of building and monitoring its clients’ investment portfolios. The firm not only evaluates your investments regularly, it also identifies when it’s an appropriate time to buy, sell or hold. To ensure that every investment decision fits in with your personal needs, the strategy will adhere to your risk tolerance and time horizon.

As far as actual securities go, Market Guard™ typically invests in index-based ETFs. On occasion, the firm may deem it appropriate to also invest in individual stocks, bonds or insurance products.

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With millions in assets under management (AUM) and multiple financial advisors on staff, A&I Financial Services, LLC is the largest firm on our list. A&I’s advisory team also boasts the most certifications of any other firm. In fact, across that team, you’ll find certified financial planners (CFPs), accredited investment fiduciaries (AIFs), certified public accountants (CPAs) and accredited asset management specialists (AAMSs).

A&I Financial has over 500 clients, with the vast majority of them being individual clients. The firm also has advisory relationships with high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations and businesses. As a general rule, you’ll need $25,000 in investable assets to open an account with A&I. However, fixed-income portfolios will have higher minimums than stock-based portfolios.

Certain advisors at A&I Financial Services can earn commissions from the sale of insurance products to clients. The fee-based firm still abides by fiduciary duty, though, legally binding it to act in your best interest.

A&I Financial Services Background

When A&I Financial Services was founded in 2009, it was under the direct ownership of current firm president Karl Frank and chief compliance officer (CCO) Stacey Frank. In 2018, the firm’s shares came under the control of A&I Holdings, LLC, a financial services holding company. Karl Frank and Stacey Frank own 100% of A&I Holdings.

The services of A&I fall under one of four categories: asset management, financial planning, retirement plan services and third-party money managers.

A&I Financial Services Investing Strategy

A&I Financial Services has created its own set of investment portfolio models. To figure out which one is best suited for you, the firm will meet in-person with you to discuss your individual goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs and any other pertinent pieces of information. This profile will determine whether a “high risk, high reward” portofolio or a safer option is the right move.

Just because your money is invested and diversified across the market doesn’t mean the firm’s job is complete. A&I will continue to review and monitor how its respective portfolio models are performing and make adjustments accordingly.

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Fee-only Wakefield Wealth Management, LLLP (WWM) generally works with individuals and high-net-worth individuals. There are a few businesses, retirement plans and charitable organizations here as well. The firm requires a minimum of $1 million in investable assets.

Wakefield's team includes one chartered financial analyst (CFA) and one chartered market technician (CMT). The firm has hundreds of millions in assets under management (AUM).

Wakefield Wealth Management Background

In 2014, Wakefield Wealth Management was created through the restructuring of Wakefield Asset Management, WWM’s sister company. The firm is independent and entirely employee-owned, with managing partner and chief investment officer (CIO) Todd Gervasini serving as its principal.

Wakefield has a large set of services that clients can choose from. The firm’s services are largely based around investment management and financial planning, with options including:

• Retirement planning
• Estate planning
• Budget planning
• Tax planning
• Social Security maximization

Wakefield Wealth Management Investing Strategy

Once your personal needs become apparent to your WWM advisor, the firm will look to pair you with one of its proprietary investment portfolios. Each model corresponds to a given risk tolerance, so the securities they use can vary wildly.

For example, Wakefield has a fixed-income strategy that utilizes exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, corporate debt securities, CDs and more. On the other hand, some of its other portfolios are focused on individual equities. While the risk is certainly higher with these securities, the return potential is far higher.

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Cherry Creek Investment Advisors, Inc. is heavily focused on individuals, with 85% of the firm’s client base consisting of individuals with a high net worth. Outside of this group, Cherry Creek commonly works with individuals, corporate retirement plans, Taft-Hartley plans, charitable institutions, foundations, endowments, trust programs and more.

The team of advisors at this fee-only firm manage a significant amount in client assets. There are no advisory certifications between them - one of four firms on this list with that distinction.

Minimum investable asset requirements at Cherry Creek vary depending on the service you’re subscribed to. While many of the firm’s standard services do not impose minimums, its “Right Track” robo-advisor service does. A normal account calls for a $5,000 investment, whereas clients looking to take advantage of tax-loss harvesting will need to invest at least $50,000.

Cherry Creek Investment Advisors Background

Cherry Creek Investment Advisors is the oldest firm on this list, as it was established back in 1994. Trish McNamara and Sean Castle are the firm’s co-founders and owners. It is a fully independent firm.

This firm provides standard investment management and financial planning services, such as retirement planning, estate planning, education cost planning and more. In addition, clients can utilize its “Right Track” robo-advisor service. 

Cherry Creek Investment Advisors Investing Strategy

Without exception, each of Cherry Creek Investment Advisors’ client portfolios integrate widespread diversification, which helps to mitigate risk. In the event of a market crash, diversifying can mitigate your losses.

The firm additionally looks to stay away from active management in favor of passive investing. This also keeps transactional costs low, which is good for the long-term health of any portfolio.

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New to the list this year and ranking sixth is fee-based firm Edgerock Wealth Management. The firm serves mostly non-high-net-worth clients, although it also advises high-net-worth individuals and corporations. There is no minimum account size. 

Edgerock has one certified financial planner on staff. Because some of its advisors may receive a commission from the sale of insurance products, the firm is considered a fee-based firm. Despite this potential conflict of interest, Edgerock is bound by fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of its clients. 

Edgerock Wealth Management Background

Edgerock was founded in 2018 and it principally owned by President Kyle F. O’Dell. 

Services offered include investment management offered through a wrap-fee programs, financial planning and pension consultations. The firm also occasionally gives educational seminars and sends outs advice through a newsletter. 

Edgerock Wealth Management Investment Strategy

Edgerock primarily bases its investment strategy on strategic and tactical asset allocation. The investment committee or managers utilize a combination of fundamental and technical analysis to inform its decisions. Advisors may also recommend the use of its model portfolio program. 

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Prism Financial Strategies is a fee-based firm that works mostly with individuals, around 80% of whom are not considered high-net-worth. Institutional clients include pension and profit sharing plans, charitable organizations, government entities and corporations.

Investment management fees are charged based on a percentage of assets under management, though sometimes a flat fee is used. Financial planning fees are fixed. Some advisors are insurance agents or broker-dealers and can earn commissions, which represents a conflict of interest -- but the fiduciary standard still applies.

The team at Prism includes one certified financial planner (CFP), one chartered divorce financial analyst (CDFA) and one accredited investment fiduciary (AIF). The minimum account size is $5,000.

Prism Financial Strategies Background

The firm was founded in 2017 by Jeffrey Engleman, who owns 90% of the firm, and Eric Maaske, who owns 10%.

Services include investment and wealth management, financial planning, estate planning and consulting.

Prism Financial Strategies Investment Strategies

Prism focuses on effective asset allocation, primarily allocating client assets among equities, exchanged-traded funds, no-load or load-waived mutual funds, cash and alternative investments. Roughly two-thirds of client money at Prism is invented in mutual funds and a quarter is used for purchasing individual stocks. Bonds and cash holdings make up the rest of the investments in client portfolios.

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Custom Portfolio Group is a fee-only firm that manages millions in client assets under management (AUM).

Almost two-thirds of Custom Portfolio Group’s client base consists of high-net-worth individuals. This is likely a result of the firm’s $1 million minimum account size -- the highest on this list. The firm also works with individuals, charitable organizations and pension and profit-sharing plans.

Custom Portfolio Group Background

David Twibell, Custom Portfolio Group’s president, founded the firm in 2011. Twibell still owns 100% of the firm. Prior to his creation of Custom Portfolio Group, Twibell worked as the president of wealth management and chief investment officer (CIO) for Colorado Capital Bank.

Investment management and financial planning services are both available for use at Customer Portfolio Group. Here are some of the specific services that the firm offers:

• Cash flow planning
• Retirement planning
• Asset protection planning
• Wealth transfer planning
• Insurance planning and analysis
• Education fund planning

Custom Portfolio Group Investing Strategy

Custom Portfolio Group states explicitly in its Form ADV that its investment philosophy is strictly founded on the principles of prudent risk management and customization. Beyond this, the firm will look to further stave off risk by ensuring your portfolio is fully diversified.

In an effort to diversify as much as possible, Custom Portfolio Group uses a wide range of securities. This might include domestic and international stocks and bonds, real estate, alternative investments and natural resource securities.

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Rounding off the list is Parsonex Advisory Services, Inc. More than 86% of this fee-only firm’s client base is comprised of individuals below the high-net-worth threshold. However, the firm also manages accounts for a sizable group of high-net-worth individuals. The minimum investment for new clients is $100,000.

The firm has a small staff with no certifications and has the smallest amount in assets under management (AUM) on this list.

Parsonex Advisory Services Background

Parsonex Advisory Services was formed in 2012. The company is part of a larger group of investment-minded Parsonex businesses, led by Parsonex Securities, Inc.

There are a number of advisory services clients of Parsonex can take advantage of. Here’s an overview:

• Investment management
• Financial planning
• Retirement planning
• Estate planning
• Investment planning
• Business continuation planning
• Pension consulting

Parsonex Advisory Services Investing Strategy

At the dawn of a client’s relationship with Parsonex Advisory Services, the firm will issue them a questionnaire. This will detail their risk tolerance, time horizon and any specific investment objectives they may have. Based on these answers, the firm will build a comprehensive investment plan for your assets.

In general, Parsonex sticks to discretionary investment management. This means that clients will need to sign an agreement that will allow the firm to make investment decisions without their direct consent.