Top Financial Advisors in Kansas

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Located in Overland Park, FCI Advisors is the top-rated financial advisory firm in the state of Kansas. This practice, which manages billions of dollars in assets, works with a ton of clients, both individual and institutional. Most of the firm's clients are non-high-net-worth individuals. Institutional clients at the firm include banks, investment companies, pooled investment vehicles, pensions, profit sharing plans, charities, government entities, other investment advisors, insurance companies and other businesses.

Advisors at FCI don't earn commissions from selling financial products to clients, which makes the firm fee-only. Minimum account sizes at FCI Advisors will vary depending on the type of account you choose to open. Minimums may range from $100,000 to $250,000. The firm bases its advisory fees on a percentage of assets under management. 

FCI Advisors has a large team that includes a number of financial certifications, including advisors who hold the following designations:

• Certified financial planner (CFP)
• Chartered financial analyst (CFA)
• Chartered alternative investment analyst (CAIA)
• Investment advisor compliance professional (IACCP)

FCI Advisors Background

FCI Advisors was founded in 1966 and has been in business ever since. However, it only became an SEC-registered investment advisor in 1995. FCI is owned by FCI Holding Corporation, which is owned by MTC Holding Corporation. It  has offices in Kansas City, Missouri; Clayton, Missouri; Greenwood Village, Colorado; Shelton, Connecticut; Reston, Virginia; and Vancouver, Washington.

FCI Advisors Investment Strategy

FCI Advisors uses several different investment strategies, model portfolios and accounts to help grow client assets. They look to do so on an individualized and tailored basis. Advisors work with clients to determine their objectives, including overall financial situations, tolerance for risk and other important information. They then decide how to properly proceed.

Advisors at FCI don't usually stick to specific securities when populating client portfolios. Portfolios may include equities, fixed income securities, small-, medium- and large-cap companies, both domestic and international securities, real estate investment trusts, among others.

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Sunesis Advisors, another fee-only advisor firm, is next on our list. The Overland Park-based financial advisor firm has a small team of advisors. What makes this firm especially unique is its individual client base. The firm has a very small number of high-net-worth clients, and it does not serve any non-high-net-worth clients.

Not surprisingly, the firm calls for a minimum of $5 million in investable assets to open an account. Aside from its small group of individual clients, the firm also can work with trusts, estates, charities and businesses.

As a fee-only practice, Sunesis and its advisors do not sell financial products or insurance for commissions. The firm's revenue comes from the fees that clients pay for advisory services, not third-party firms. Like most firms, Sunesis' fees are charged as a percentage of assets under management. 

Sunesis Advisors Background

Founder Chad Battison established Sunesis Advisors in 2011. Battison’s financial industry experience extends far beyond that though. He has been in the field since 1994, giving him a total of 25 years of experience. Battison remains the firm's majority owner and its chief compliance officer. 

Holisticity is the hallmark of how this firm attempts to attend to its clients’ personal, familial and business needs. The firm focuses on the following areas:

• Retirement planning
• Estate planning
• Tax planning and mitigation
• Asset protection
• Business succession planning
• Insurance coverage review

Sunesis Advisors Investment Strategy

There are two basic routes that this firm will take to build a client’s portfolio. Either Sunesis will use third-party investment managers to flesh out and diversify a client’s account, or it will utilize mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and co-mingled funds to accomplish the same task.

While the second approach is fairly typical, the prospect of using outside managers is not quite as common. The firm asserts that working in this way will maximize your net worth and current cash flow while keeping your investments diversified, instead of trying to fit your needs into the firm’s preferred investment methods.

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Financial Advisory Service is a Leawood-based firm with a team that includes nine certified financial planners (CFPs). The firm doesn't have a minimum account size requirement, but it does suggest that clients have $500,000 in investable assets.

This fee-based firm primarily works with individuals (both high-net-worth and not), businesses, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, pension and profit-sharing plans. When it comes to its individual client base, the firm works with more individuals than high-net-worth individuals.

Some advisors at this firm sell insurance policies or securities, and they may earn commissions from sales. This can lead to a conflict of interest, since these advisors have a financial incentive to recommend certain products over others. However, the firm does abide by fiduciary duty, meaning it must act in your best interest.

Financial Advisory Service Background

Founded in 1979,  Financial Advisory Service is one of the oldest firms on this list. The firm’s founder is Max Greer Jr., who is no longer with the firm. The firm, which registered with the SEC in 1983, is currently owned by 20 people and trusts.

If you have a specific financial goal you want to reach, this firm can build a matching investment management plan that is meant to get you there within your time horizon. If you prefer general financial planning, the firm offers budget planning, retirement planning, estate planning, insurance review and services that focuse on other areas of note. 

Financial Advisory Service Investment Strategy

The first step in the firm’s investment-building process is helping you define your financial goals. You’ll go over things like your current account balances, insurance needs, income taxes, retirement goals and any existing investments. Using this information, your advisor will build a plan. Typically, the firm invests its clients’ assets in investments like mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), equity securities, annuities and more.

The advisor-client relationship doesn’t end there. Once your advisor puts your strategy into place, he or she will constantly update you on any changes in your account. This open line of communication maximizes transparency, giving you more control over your money.

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Established in 1991, Meritage Portfolio Management is a fee-only advisory firm. It mainly works with high-net worth individuals, but it also extends its services to clients outside this scope. To work with the firm, you’d need a minimum investment of $2 million. 

As a fee-only firm, Meritage collects only fees for its own services. It doesn’t sell its own products or earns commissions by recommending one investment or provider instead of another. This can significantly reduce potential conflicts of interest since the advisor won’t be incentivized to make recommendations that could earn him or her more in compensation.

The firm is currently staffed by multiple advisors who hold the chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified financial planner (CFP), certified public accountant (CPA) and chartered investment counselor (CIC).

Meritage Portfolio Management Background

Meritage Portfolio Management was formed in 1991 by Evans, Bash, Magrino and Klein, Inc. The firm generally offers financial planning and portfolio management services to its clients.

Its two primary owners are Mark E. Eveans and James M. Klein, who both serve as senior portfolio managers for the firm. Together, they trace back more than 70 years of experience in the financial services industry. Two other associates, Leonard C. Mitchell and Sharon L. Divine, own minority interests in the firm.

Meritage Portfolio Management Investment Strategy

Meritage Portfolio Management offers discretionary investment advisory services based on six different equity-driven strategies: Value, Growth, Yield-Focus, Small Cap Value, Small Cap Growth and Small Cap Core, a combination of the Small Cap Value and Small Cap Growth strategies. It also deploys taxable and tax-exempt fixed income strategies managed in a conservative fashion. 

To build an asset allocation, Meritage focuses on several factors such as risk tolerance, cash flow needs, time horizon, adaptability to changing market conditions and financial situation and overall investment objectives.

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Hightower 6M Holding, the next firm up on this list, is known as 6 Meridian. A fee-based practice, the firm serves mostly high-net-worth individuals and individuals without a high net worth. The firm also works with charitable organizations, corporations and businesses.  

The 6 Meridian team includes advisors who hold the certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial analyst (CFA), chartered financial consultant (ChFC), certified private wealth advisor (CPWA) and chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC) designations.  

If specific securities are traded within your account, your advisor may earn commissions on those transactions. Furthermore, certain advisors at this firm are insurance agents, resulting in yet another way advisors may earn additional compensation. This makes it a fee-based firm. However, the firm does hold itself to fiduciary duty, which aims to mitigate any potential conflicts of interest. 

Hightower 6M Holding Background

While 6 Meridian was formed in 2016, it was acquired by Hightower Holding, LLC, in December 2021. The firm is operationally independent of Hightower Holdings, but it may share certain resources and back office support with its parent company. 

The firm offers investment and wealth managemend services, as well as financial planning and consutling. The latter offerings may include business planning, cash flow forecasting, trust and estate planning, financial reporting, retirement planning and education planning. 

Hightowner 6M Holding Investment Strategy

Like most financial advisors, the firm considers a client’s goals and risk tolerance before reaching a mutual decision with them on how best to build an investment portfolio. Advisors primarily allocate client assets among various mutual funds, closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds, individual debt and equity securities, options and independent investment managers.

Clients may also see their portfolios include liquid and illiquid alternative investments, private placements, unregistered pooled investment vehicles and structured notes depending on their stated investment objectives.

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The Retirement Planning Group is based in Leawood. The firm principally serves individuals and high-net-worth individuals, but it's open to working with corporate retirement plans and private companies. This fee-based firm doesn’t call for a set amount of minimum assets to open an account with one of its advisors. 

If an advisor at this firm offers you an insurance policy and you purchase it, know that he or she may earn a commission. However, the firm is registered with the SEC and is bound by fiduciary duty.

There are a number of accredited financial professionals on staff at the Retirement Planning Group, including chartered retirement planning counselors (CRPCs), certified financial planners (CFPs) and chartered mutual fund counselors (CMFCs). 

The Retirement Planning Group Background

The Retirement Planning Group has five principal owners: Kevin M. Conard, Ryan P. Costello, Robert R. O’Blennis, Dwight Twillman and Kevin Jaeger.

In addition to its main office in Leawood, the firm also operates branch offices in St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri.

As its name suggests, The Retirement Planning Group's primary service is its comprehensive retirement planning. However, the firm offers investment management, tax management and planning, cash management, charitable trust planning, estate planning and much more.

The Retirement Planning Group Investment Strategy 

To design safe, retirement-minded portfolios, The Retirement Planning Group primarily relies on mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) when building client portfolios. The firm uses its own proprietary analysis and research to determine which securities are best suited for your needs.

The firm seeks to create a well-diversified asset allocation that uses many different areas of the investment market. To do this effectively, the firm will work with you to determine your risk tolerance. While the firm occasionally uses active investment principles, it tends to focus on passive investing.

Rocky Mountain Advisers (RMA) is a fee-only firm that conducts most of its business in its current headquarters in Salina, Kansas. Unlike most of the firms on our list, RMA doesn’t have a web presence. The firm doesn't require a minimum investment to open an account. 

The firm primarily works with non-high-net-worth individuals, but also has high-net-worth individuals, investment companies, retirement plans, corportations, businesses and charities as clients. 

Rocky Mountain Advisers Background 

Rocky Mountain Advisers formed in 2008. However, it became actively involved in providing investment advisory services in 2010. Its principal equity holder is the Susan L. Ciciora Trust, an irrevocable grantor trust domiciled in Alaska. 

In 2018, RMA closed its office in Boulder, Colorado. That same year, it also resigned as co-manager of the Boulder Growth & Income Fund with Stewart West Indies Trading Co,. Ltd. (SIA). It still, however, serves as sub-advisor to the fund. 

The firm provides discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to private clients. It also sub advises the Boulder Growth & Income Fund, a closed-end mutual fund registered with the SEC. 

The firm provides discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to private clients. It also sub advises the Boulder Growth & Income Fund, a closed-end mutual fund registered with the SEC. 

Rocky Mountain Advisers Investment Strategy 

Rocky Mountain Advisers develops asset allocations based on a client’s objectives including maximum capital appreciation, tax situation, income and projected growth of income. On a discretionary basis, the firm may invest your assets in the following. 

• Exchange-listed securities, including exchange traded funds (ETFs)
• Securities traded over-the-counter
• Foreign issuers
• Warrants
• Corporate debt securities (other than commercial paper)
• Municipal securities
• Variable annuities
• Mutual fund shares
• U.S. governmental securities
• Options contracts on securities
• Interests in partnerships investing in oil and gas interests
• Certificates of deposit

Based on your financial situation and objectives, the firm may engage in long-or-short-term purchases. Long-term strategies typically involve seeking potentially undervalued securities and holding on to these in the account for at least a year. The latter involves purchasing securities with the intent to sell them within a year or less.

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Westward Investment Advisory is a fee-based firm located in Prairie Village. Westward has a small client base, mostly composed of high-net-worth individuals and individuals without a high net worth. The firm, which also works with charitable organizations, does not require a minimum account size. 

The firm charges investment advisory fees as a percentage of a client's assets under management. Westward may also charge flat fees or hourly fees for certain services. At least one advisor on staff earns commissions on transactions involving certain sercurities in his separate role as a represenative of a broker-dealer, making Westward a fee-based firm. While commissions and third-party compensation can create conflicts of interest, the firm must abide by fiduciary duty and act in its clients' best interests. 

Westward does not have an accredited professionals on staff, such as certified financial planners (CFPs) or certified public accountants (CPAs). 

Westward Investment Advisory Background

Westward Investment Advisory has been in business since 2015. In addition to its office in Prairie Village, Westward also has a location in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Managing directors Casey McLiney and James Holcomb are the primary owners of the firm. Holcomb also serves as the chief executive officer. 

The firm's services include portfolio management, financial planning, consulting services and recommendations of third-party money managers. 

Westward Investment Advisory Investment Strategy

Like other firms on our list, Westward Investment Advisory builds investment strategies for clients that take into account their financial goals, risk tolerance and liquidity needs. The firm may rely on both tactical and strategic asset allocation when constructing a client's portfolio. Advisors may invest client assets in mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, separately managed accounts and individual securities.  

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Fee-based Prism Financial Group requires that clients have $500,000 in investible assets to open an account. The firm works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations and businesses.

It has multiple certified financial planners (CFPs) on staff. Its advisors also hold other certifications, including the certified fund specialist (CFS), chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC), certified private wealth advisor (CPWA) and certified public accountant/personal financial specialist (CPA/PFS) designations. 

Some members of Prism’s advisory team sell insurance products for commissions. This can lead to a conflict of interest since advisors may have a financial incentive to recommend certain products over other more affordable options. However, as fiduciaries, they must put client best interests before their own.

Prism Financial Group Background

Prism Financial Group was established in 1999. It is now under the principal ownership of Tim Shmidl, the firm’s lead wealth advisor, and MH Capital, LLC, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm. Shmidl has worked in the financial services industry since the 1980s.

Investment management, financial planning and qualified retirement plan consulting are Prism's three areas of advisory expertise. While its investment management and consulting services are comprehensive, the firm’s financial planning is based around the specific needs of the client.

Prism Financial Group Investment Strategy

To align your investment portfolio with your goals, Prism’s advisors will use your personal investor characteristics to build it. That involves determining your risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, investment objectives and more. Once this is done, your advisor will create an asset allocation plan and implement it once you sign off on it.

The firm uses a variety of model portfolios that may comprise stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, mutual funds and money market funds. These models range from ultra conservative portfolios for risk-averse investors to ultra aggressive all-equity portfolios for investors willing to take an extremely aggressive approach.

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Stepp & Rothwell is the 10th and final firm on our Kansas list. This primarily works with high-net-worth individuals, though it also serves non-high-net-worth individuals, charities, trusts, estates and other businesses. Stepp & Rothwell does not impose a minimum account size requirement. 

This fee-only firm employs such certifications as certified financial planner (CFP), certified public accountant (CPA) and chartered financial analyst (CFA).

Stepp & Rothwell Background

Kathy Stepp and Howard Rothwell co-founded Stepp & Rothwell in 1992. The two founders, who are also advisors, have worked as financial advisors for over 30 years. The firm is owned by Stepp, Rothwell, Ken Eaton and Amy Guerich.

Stepp & Rothwell provides clients with combined financial planning and investment management services, but it also does stand-alone financial planning and asset management for those that want it.

Stepp & Rothwell Investment Strategy

Advisors at Stepp & Rothwell look to tailor investment strategies to the needs of clients. Advisors use both long- and short-term investing strategies, as well as short selling, use of margin and/or options transactions. The firm primarily invests client assets in mutual funds and fixed income securities.