Top Financial Advisors in Garden City, NY

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United Asset Strategies is a fee-based firm based in Garden City, and it holds the top spot on our list. As a fee-based firm, some advisors earn commissions, which is a conflict of interst -- but all advisors are bound to act in the best interest of the client when serving as an advisor.

A handful of members on United’s advisory team hold certifications. These include certified financial planner (CFP), chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC), accredited investment fiduciary (AIF), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and more.

In order to become a client, you’ll need a minimum investment of $500,000, though the firm may be willing to adjust this. United typically works with individuals with and without a high net worth, retirement plans, charities and businesses.

United Asset Strategies Background

Founded in 1992, United Asset Strategies is the oldest firm on our list. It’s under the ownership of Michael Riccardi and Matthew DeLorenzo, who are the firm’s president and chief investment officer (CIO), respectively.

This firm utilizes a number of in-house investment strategies when managing client assets. Its financial planning services include estate planning, wealth management, asset protection, retirement planning, college planning and more.

United Asset Strategies Investing Strategy

United Asset Strategies backs up its name by utilizing a handful of investing strategies within clients’ accounts. These are based around these three main areas:

• Equities: split into dividend-centric, value, growth, income and mutual fund portfolios
• Fixed-Income: focused on bonds of all different types and tax treatments
• Options and Alternative Investments: based around covered calls, put writing, long straddles, protective puts and collars

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With hundreds of clients to its name, Flynn Zito Capital Management has one of the the largest client bases of any firm on this list. So it should come as no surprise that it also has the second-most assets under management (AUM). Individuals above and below the high-net-worth threshold, pension plans, charitable organizations and corporations all work with the firm.

As a fee-based operation, some advisory employees at this firm can sell insurance products like annuities or securities on a commission basis. Although this may present a potential conflict of interest, the firm abides by its fiduciary duty to act in your best interest.

The firm employs a handful of advisors, of whom there are certified financial planners (CFPs), chartered financial consultants (ChFCs), chartered mutual fund counselors (CMFCs) and financial paraplanner qualified professionals (FPQPs).

 These programs have differing minimum account values:

• Manager Access Network (MAN): $100,000
• Optimum Market Portfolios Program (OMP): $10,000
• Personal Wealth Portfolios Program (PWP): $250,000
• Model Wealth Portfolios Program (MWP): $10,000-$80,000
• Manager Access Select Program (MAS): $50,000

Flynn Zito Capital Management Background

Founded in 2010, Flynn Zito Capital Management is owned by co-founders Douglas Flynn and Richard Zito. 

Flynn Zito Capital Management provides a range of services, including comprehensive portfolio management, financial planning and consulting for individuals and retirement plans. Additionally, the firm provides access to several advisory programs sponsored by LPL Financial, a nationwide network of independent financial advisors.

Flynn Zito Capital Management Investing Philosophy

Flynn Zito Capital Management primarily uses individual stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options, mutual funds and other alternative investments as necessary. Any strategy the firm uses will be based on the individual client’s income needs, investing goals and risk tolerance, among other factors.

The firm may also choose to use a third-party investment advisory firm as a sub-advisor, allocating a portion or all of a client’s portfolio under the secondary firm’s management.

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La Ferla Group has been providing investment advice in Garden City since 2015. The multi-advisor firm works with non-high-net-worth individuals, high-net-worth individuals, charitable organizations and businesses.

The firm specializes in financial planning, consulting for individuals and retirement plans and investment management. The firm has four primary investment management strategies: Global Balanced Advisor, Portfolio Advisor Program, Multi Asset Advisor and Muni Bond Advisor. Each of the first three programs has a $100,000 account minimum, while the Muni Bond Advisor program has a $250,000 minimum.

The firm’s advisors include certified financial planners (CFPs) and chartered financial analysts (CFAs).

La Ferla Group is fee-based, meaning that some advisors are insurance agents and brokers who receive transaction-based compensation. This creates the potential for a conflict of interest, though the firm is bound by its fiduciary duty to always act in the best interests of its clients.

La Ferla Group Background

La Ferla Group was founded in 2015. Three managing principals own the firm: Joseph A. La Ferla, Jr., John G. Macri and Thomas D. Cordovano. 

La Ferla Group Investment Philosophy

Each of the four primary investment strategies that La Ferla Group offers has a different risk level and asset allocation. The Global Balanced Advisor program focuses on global diversification, as the name suggests. Both the Portfolio Advisor Program and the Multi Asset Advisor program are more standard allocations, the distinction between them being that the latter is a non-discretionary program. Finally, Muni Bond Advisor is a program in which your assets are exclusively invested in municipal bonds.

How your portfolio is allocated among individual stocks, fixed-income securities, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other alternative investments will depend partially on the program you choose. The rest depends on your investing goals, time horizon and tolerance for risk.

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Cornerstone Professional Advisor Services has a team of advisors working with a client base made up mostly of individuals, as well as a number of retirement plans. The firm typically requires new clients to have at least $250,000 in investable assets.

The firm's advisors hold certifications like certified public accountant (CPA) and certified financial planner (CFP).

Cornerstone is a fee-based firm, meaning its advisors may earn commissions on top of standard advisory fees, either through certain securities transactions or the sale of insurance products. While this may create a potential conflict of interest, the firm has a fiduciary duty to always act in your best interest.

Cornerstone Professional Advisor Services Background

Cornerstone Professional Advisor Services first opened up shop in 2001. It is equally owned by principals David Kelly, Alfonso Figliolia and Steven Madonna. 

The firm focuses on financial planning, investment management services and outside manager selection. Financial planning involves parts of retirement planning, tax planning, education funding, estate planning, insurance planning and death and disability planning, among other topics.

Cornerstone Professional Advisor Services Investment Philosophy

Cornerstone Professional Advisor Services generally approaches constructing client portfolios through the prism of Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT). This is a popularly held investment philosophy that aims to optimize investment return for a given risk level by diversifying among many asset classes.

The firm generally invests client assets in a mix of mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and fixed-income instruments. Clients with a lower risk tolerance will receive a more conservative allocation that seeks to minimize volatility, while clients with more growth-oriented goals will receive a more aggressive portfolio. All portfolios are broadly diversified, and the firm regularly revisits portfolios to ensure the decided asset allocation is still appropriate and the securities in the portfolio are providing optimal value.

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Next up on our list is JRF Asset Advisors, a firm that employs a small advisory team. It works with a mix of clients, including non-high-net-worth individuals, high-net-worth individuals and pension plans. There is no account minimum necessary to work with the firm. JRF specializes in comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management.

Some of the advisors here are licensed to conduct securities transactions. This can generate commissions, which creates the potential for a conflict of interest. However, this fee-based firm is bound by its fiduciary duty to always act in its clients’ best interests.

JRF Asset Advisors Background

JRF Asset Advisors was established in 1999 by Jay R. Freeberg. He serves as president and chief compliance officer (CCO). While Freeberg has a small stake, the firm is principally owned by Janover LLC, a New York-based accounting firm. Freeberg is a certified financial planner (CFP), certified public accountant (CPA), certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA) and accredited wealth management advisor (AWMA).

JRF Asset Advisors Investment Philosophy

JRF Asset Advisors constructs client portfolios using mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as well as individual equities and fixed-income instruments to a lesser extent. When purchasing securities, the firm intends to hold on to them for several years, opting for a long-term perspective whenever possible. Of course, market conditions, client preferences and periodic rebalancing may cause the firm to use a short-term investing strategy on occasion.

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Brixton Capital Wealth Advisors is a family shop with a small team of advisors, three of whom are named Perrone. Many of the firm's clients have high net worths, while the majority of clients are not as affluent. The firm also offers its services to trusts and corporate entities.

The minimum investment balance to open an account is $100,000, though the firm may waive the requirement at its discretion. 

As a fee-based firm, some of the advisors at Brixton can earn third-party commissions. Although this presents a potential conflict of interest, the firm's fiduciary duty requires it to act in clients' best interests.

Brixton Capital Wealth Advisors Background

Stephen Perrone, Sr. is the firm's chairman and CEO. Prior to Brixton, he founded Northeast Securities, Inc., which he sold after 27 years in 2017. He's joined by his sons Steve, president, and John, vice president - the three own the firm. A fourth advisor, Bill Kemp, vice president of investments and senior portfolio manager, has been working in financial services for more than 30 years.

In addition to portfolio management, the firm offers financial planning, financial consulting and selection of ther advisors.

Brixton Capital Wealth Advisors Investing Strategy

Like many firms, Brixton Capital applies Modern Portfolio Theory as its investing strategy. This largely means that your assets will be diversified across noncorrelated sectors, depending on your risk tolerance and time horizon. The advisory may use a model portfolio developed by an unaffiliated money manager or it may recommend third-party advisors. 

When evaluating securities, the firm uses charting and fundamental methods of analysis. Brixton Capital offers advice on stocks, corporate debt securities (other than commercial paper), certificates of deposit, municipal securities, mutual fund shares, U.S. government securities, options contracts on securities, money market funds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), structured notes, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), variable annuities, interests in partnerships investing in real estate and interests in partnerships investing in oil and gas interests.  

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The Bendix Financial Group is a fee-based firm with a small client base. These clients include non-high-net-worth individuals, high-net-worth individuals and pension plans. The firm has a minimum asset requirement of $100,000. If you split those assets among multiple accounts with the firm, each account must house at least $50,000.

Bendix advisors are also registered representatives of a broker-dealer in addition to their roles as investment advisors. This means they may earn commissions for overseeing certain securities transactions. Further, some advisors are licensed to sell insurance products, which can also generate commissions. While these commissions may create a potential conflict of interest, the firm is bound by its fiduciary duty to act in its clients interests at all times.

Bendix Financial Group Background

Bendix Financial Group first opened its doors in 1999. The firm is principally owned by its founder and president, David Bendix. Bendix is a certified financial planner (CFP), certified public accountant (CPA) and more.

Bendix Financial Group Investment Philosophy

Bendix Financial Group’s typical investment vehicles and asset allocation depend on the investment program you choose as well as your goals and risk tolerance. Two of the firm’s wrap fee programs invest in either mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs), while the other two may also invest in individual stocks, bonds and other products.

From time to time, the firm will allocate client assets to independent money managers. Additionally, one of the firm’s wrap fee programs, the Managed Assets Program, involves working with several different investment managers, each with different asset class specializations.

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Meadowbrook Wealth Management, which has been in business since 1999, is one of the oldest firms on this list. The firm’s clients are mostly individuals, with some pension plans rounding it out. Most individual clients are below the high-net-worth threshold, but some are are above it. The firm does not set account minimums.

The firm offers financial planning, along with discretionary investment management and non-discretionary investment advice. Meadowbrook is a fee-based firm, meaning some of its advisors can receive commissions from insurance sales. While this presents a potential conflict of interest, the firm's fiduciary duty requires it to act in your best interest. 

The minimum account is either $50,000 or $100,000, depending on your investment strategy.

Meadowbrook Wealth Management Background

Meadowbrook Wealth Management was established in 1999 under the name GMG Asset Management, Inc. Its current owners are Thomas Efthimiou and Richard Jack, who are also the firm’s sole advisors.

Meadowbrook Wealth Management Investment Philosophy

Meadowbrook Wealth Management has four primary portfolios for its clients: aggressive growth, growth, balanced and fixed-income. These portfolios gradually decrease in risk level and aggression from aggressive growth down to fixed-income.

At the outset of the relationship with each client, the firm will establish their goals and risk tolerance. From there, the firm will determine which portfolio aligns most closely and if any tailoring or further customization is necessary.

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Stephen J. Garry & Associates has been doing business in Garden City since 2018, making it the youngest firm on this list. The firm serves hundreds of clients, including mostly non-high-net-worth individuals, but also retirement plans and high-net-worth individuals. The firm doesn’t impose any set account minimum.

The firm offers both financial planning and investment management services to its clients. Financial planning services are tailored to each client’s situation, but can include retirement planning, personal savings, education savings, insurance needs and any other areas specific to the client’s situation.

Stephen J. Garry & Associates is a fee-based firm, meaning advisors are licensed to sell insurance products and securities. This may result in them earning commissions in these roles, which creates the potential for a conflict of interest. However, the firm has a fiduciary duty to always act in the best interests of its clients.

Stephen J. Garry & Associates Background

Stephen J. Garry founded his namesake firm in 2018. He is the firm’s sole owner, chief compliance officer (CCO), chief investment officer (CIO), president and only advisor. He is also a certified financial planner (CFP) and chartered financial consultant (ChFC).

Stephen J. Garry & Associates Investment Philosophy

Stephen J. Garry & Associates typically invests in low-cost mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with a long-term perspective. The firm doesn’t usually engage in short-term purchasing or trading unless the client’s unique circumstances call for it or for the purposes of rebalancing.

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Hegarty Advisors is a fee-only firm with no set account minimum, and all of their clients are individuals, the majority of whom are not high-net-worth.

Fees are based on a percentage of asset under managment, with financial planning fees either hourly or at a fixed rate.

Certifications at the firm include chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified financial planner (CFP).

Hegarty Advisors Background

The firm was founded in 2019 and is owned principally by Kevin Hegarty.

Services include investment management, financial planning, college savings, cash flow management, estate planning, financial goals, insurance and investment analysis.

Hegarty Advisors Investment Strategy

The majority of the money managed at Hegarty is put into mutual funds or similar assets. Stocks, bonds, cash and private funds are also used.