Top Financial Advisors in Michigan

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Plante Moran Financial Advisors (PMFA) is a wealth advisory firm based in Southfield with a client base that includes non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, family limited partnerships (LPs) and family/private foundations. 

For portfolio management services, the firm will typically charge a percentage of your assets under management that ranges from 0.25% to 0.90%, depending on the market value of your assets. Financial planning fees are typically charged at an hourly rate between $110 and $450. The firm requires clients maintain a minimum account size of $500,000.

PMFA 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 its clients' best interests.

PMFA's advisory team holds multiple certifications, including certified financial planners (CFPs) and chartered financial advisors (CFAs).

Plante Moran Financial Advisors Background

Plante Moran Financial Advisors has been registered as an investment advisor with the SEC since 1993. The firm is wholly owned by P&M Holding Group, LLP, which is one of the nation’s largest public accounting and management consulting firms. According to the firm's brochure, it has over 3,500 staff serving clients nationwide and globally.

The firm provides investment management, general financial planning, wealth management, estate planning, auditing, tax preparation and consulting services. 

Plante Moran Financial Advisors Investment Strategy

Plante Moran typically invests in many different types of securities when constructing client portfolios. These include open-end mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), collective trusts, certificates of deposit (CDs), limited partnership interests, interests in limited liability companies, options contracts on securities, hedge funds and other alternative investments.

Plante Moran uses proprietary models to analyze investment options and attempt to find undervalued securities. The model will factor in statistics like P/E ratio, dividend yield, price-to-book ratio and others to formulate a market valuation that can be compared to historical averages. The firm then compares the results between asset classes and investment styles to identify potentially undervalued or overvalued segments of the equity markets.

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Schwartz & Co. is a fee-based practice located in Bloomfield Hills. The firm’s client base is a mix of individuals with and without a high net worth, pooled investment vehicles, pension plans, charitable organizations, government entities and corporations.

The firm doesn’t have an account minimum, although it requires a $100,000 minimum investment for a pooled investment vehicle that it advises.  

Schwartz & Co. is fee-based, meaning some advisors may earn commissions from conducting securities transactions, in addition to the advisory fees that clients pay. These commissions may alter incentives and create conflicts of interests. However, the firm is bound by its fiduciary duty to always act in the best interest of its clients.

For investment management services, the firm will often customize fee schedules to each client. However, it estimates the fee to be no higher than 1.50%. These fees are negotiable and may vary from client to client.

Schwartz & Co. Background

Schwartz & Co. first opened its doors in 1976. The firm is wholly owned by Schwartz Holdings, LLC, a financial services holding company.

Gregory Schwartz, Sr., along with his five sons Gregory Schwartz Jr., Walter Schwartz, Joseph Schwartz, Edward Schwartz and Peter Schwartz, all own shares in Schwartz Holdings.

The firm offers financial planning and investment management. Often, the firm will provide both of these services together, but it provides stand-alone financial planning as well.

Schwartz & Co. Investment Strategy

A key aspect of Schwartz & Co.’s investment process is tailoring its strategy to individualized factors like your time horizon, need for liquidity, risk tolerance and investment goals. With that in mind, the firm will construct a diversified portfolio of investments.

The firm often invests in or provides advice on equities, corporate debt securities, certificates of deposit (CDs), municipal securities, government securities, interests in real estate partnerships, variable life insurance, variable annuities and mutual fund shares.

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Fee-only Advance Capital Management works with both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension plans, charitable organizations and corporations.

The Southfied-based firm does not have a set account minimum. However, for investment management and financial planning services, it charges a percentage of your assets under management (AUM) from 0.65% to 1.00%. The firm may decide to negotiate a different fee agreement based on additional factors as well.

The advising team at ACM is spread across several offices. The advisory team holds multiple certifications, including certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified public accountant (CPA), among other designations.

Advance Capital Management Background

Advance Capital Management was established in 1986. The firm is owned by holding company Advance Capital Group, Inc., which itself is principally owned by the ACG Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The remaining shares are owned by John C. Shoemaker, Raymond A. Rathka, Robert J. Cappelli and Christopher M. Kostiz.

The firm offers financial planning and investment consulting services for individuals and institutional clients. 

Advance Capital Management Investment Strategy

Advance Capital Management usually invests in mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), provided that these securities fit in with a client’s risk tolerance and overall investment goals. The firm may also use alternative investments as a way to further diversify a portfolio.

When deciding on what funds to invest in, the firm considers factors like its risk-adjusted performance, size, manager tenure, Morningstar rating and availability to new investors. From there, the firm’s investment committee will further analyze and narrow down the options to a list of approved funds. To determine the proper asset allocation, advisors will consider the client’s risk tolerance, investment objectives, time horizon, income needs and tax circumstances.

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Zhang Financial is a fee-only firm with a team that includes certified financial planners (CFPs), certified public accountants (CPAs), chartered financial analysts (CFAs), chartered financial consultants (ChFCs), certified divorce financial analysts (CDFAs) and chartered life underwriters (CLUs) on its team.

While Zhang Financial works with individual clients above and below the high-net-worth threshold, you'll need a minimum investment of $1 million to establish an account. The practice also offers its services to charitable organizations, pension and profit-sharing plans and municipal government entities.

As a fee-only practice, Zhang Financial and its advisors do not sell financial products for commissions.

Zhang Financial Background 

Headquartered in Portage, Zhang Financial has been operating as a registered investment advisor since 2012. Founder and CEO Charles Zhang remains the principal owner of the business. 

The firm provides investment management services on a discretionary, either through or not through a wrap fee program. It also advises portfolios on a non-discretionary basis. Additionally, it offers financial planning and consulting on topics including retirement saving, estate planning and managing trusts. What's more, the firm acts as sub-advisor to pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and municipal government entities.

Zhang Financial Investment Strategy 

Zhang Financial primarily provides advice on individual stocks or bonds, exchange traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds and other public securities or investments.

When selecting investments, Zhang Financial applies fundamental, technical and cyclical methods of analysis. It uses long-term purchases (securities held for at least a year), short-term purchases (securities sold within a year), trading (securities sold within 30 days), margin transactions and option writing.

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Fee-only firm Mainstay Capital Management has its home office in Grand Blanc. The firm's staff holds a number of designations, such as chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC), certified financial planners (CFP), accredited asset management specialist (AAMS), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and other designations.

This firm primarily works with non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as banking or thrift institutions, and corporations or businesses.

Clients will need $200,000 to establish an account at Mainstay. 

As a fee-only practice, Mainstay advisors do not sell financial products or insurance for commissions. This reduces potential conflict of interests for the firm and its advisors. As for fees, the firm charges clients a percentage of their assets under management.  

Mainstay Capital Management Background

Mainstay Capital Management was created in 2000 and it is under the principal ownership of CEO David Kudla. Kudla has been in the financial services industry for over 15 years, and has been named one of Barron’s top 100 independent financial advisors in the U.S.

The firm’s main services are comprehensive investment management, individual 401(k), 457 and 403(b) account management and retirement plan transitions. But the firm’s services extend way beyond just that, as it also offers:

• Estate planning
• Retirement planning
• College savings planning
• Charitable gift planning
• Tax minimization
• Debt and mortgage optimization
• Buyout analysis

Mainstay Capital Management Investment Strategy

Mainstay Capital Management offers a few different pre-built investment strategies, ranging from ultra-aggressive to ultra-conservative. The firm is open to using short-term purchases within its client accounts, but not necessarily for the purpose of market-beating investing. Instead, the firm uses these investments to satisfy a client’s need for liquidity by shooting for quick, albeit risky, returns.

Exchange-traded fund (ETFs) and mutual funds are explicitly stated as the favored investment types of Mainstay Capital Management. But because these investments won’t always fit neatly into everyone’s plans, the firm will also review various stocks and bonds to flesh out certain client accounts.

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Rehmann Financial is a fee-based financial advisor firm located in Lansing. The advisory team holds multiple certifications, including certified public accountants (CPAs), certified financial planners (CFPs) and chartered global management accountants (CGMAs).

The firm advises both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals. It also does business with institutions, including pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, insurance companies and corporations.

The firm does not have a minimum account size requirement or minimum fee, but some individual advisors may impose them.

Investment management fees are paid based on a percentage of assets under management. Some advisors may also sell you securities or insurance products and earn a commission for doing so. This is a potential conflict of interest, but the firm is still a fiduciary and must act in your best interest.

Rehmann Financial Background

Rehmann Financial has been in business since 2001. It is owned by parent company Rehmann Financial Group, LLC, which in turn is owned by Rehmann, LLC. No shareholder of the parent firm holds more than 25% interest in the advisory business.

The following services are available for Rehmann clients:

• Financial planning
• Financial consulting
• Investment management
• Insurance
• Savings
• Investments
• Portfolio analysis

Rehmann Financial Investment Strategy

Your advisor at Rehmann Financial will help you come up with a portfolio strategy that makes sense for you. Your asset allocation will vary based on your financial situation and goals, but will include equities, fixed-income investments and alternative investments. Both individual securities and mutual fund shares may be used, depending on your preferences.

The firm uses a number of modes of analysis, including technical analysis and qualitative analysis, to decide which companies and other investments to choose for its clients.

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Schechter Investment Advisors (SIA) is a fee-based firm that serves both non-high-net-worth and high net worth individuals, as well as charitable organizations and corporations.

Some of the advisors at this fee-based firm can earn commissions from the sale of financial products. Despite the potential conflict of interest this creates, the firm's fiduciary duty requires it to act in clients' best interests at all times.

The firm generally requires a minimum investment of $100,000 to open an account.

Schechter Investment Advisors Background

Schechter Investment Advisors has been operating as an independent registered investment advisor since 2013.

Samanjo, Inc. is the direct owner of SIA. And Marc R. Schechter is the indirect owner of the firm as he owns 100% of Samanjo, Inc.

SIA offers its clients a range of financial planning and consulting services, including:

• Asset Allocation
• Insurance Needs Analysis
• Retirement Planning
• Retirement Plan Analysis
• Estate Planning
• Charitable Giving Planning
• Investment Consulting
• Income Tax Planning

Schechter Investment Advisors Investing Strategy

Schechter Investment Advisors says in its brochure that client portfolios are designed as long-term investments.

Depending on client objectives, the firm primarily invests assets among various independent investment managers, mutual funds, interval funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and individual debt and equity securities.

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NPF Investment Advisors is a fee-only advisory firm that's been in business since 1933. With a $1.5 million minimum account size, NPF primarily works with high-net-worth individuals. However, the firm also serves individuals below the high-net-worth threshold, charities, retirement plans, corporations and other businesses. 

NPF, which is located in Grand Rapids, has advisors on staff who hold the certified financial planner (CFP) and chartered financial analyst (CFA) designations, among others. 

As a fee-only practice, NPF and its advisors do no sell financial products for third-party commissions. The firm collects fees directly from clients. Fees are either charged as a percentage of assets under management or at an hourly rate. 

NPF Investment Advisors Background

Founded in 1933, NPF is the longest-tenured firm on our Michigan state list. While the firm conducts business as NPF Investment Advisors, its legal name is Norris Perne & French LLP. Chief investment officer Kurt Arvidson is the firm’s current principal equity owner. NPF's brochure says John Wisentaner, Charles Dutcher, David Hodge, Daniel Lupo and Tyler Bosgraaf are the firm’s current minority equity owners.

NPF offers portfolio management on either a discretionary and non-discretionary basis, as well as financial planning. The latter offering may include net worth and cash flow analysis, asset allocation review, tax management, estate planning, insurance planning, debt management, education planning and other services. 

NPF Investment Advisors Investment Strategy

The firm's investing strategies are guided by asset allocation, fundamental analysis, mutual fund/ETF analysis, as well as technical analysis, charting and cyclical analyiss. NPF may engage in long-term purchasing, which involves buying an asset and holding it for at least a year. The firm may also use short-term purchasing and trading, which involves holding an asset for less than a year or under 30 days, respectively.

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Executive Wealth Management (EWM) is a fee-based firm that works with non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, government entities and corporations or businesses.

For clients engaging in advisory services, EWM charges a percentage of assets under management that are based on account type and size.

As a fee-based firm, some members can earn commissions from the sale of financial products. However, EWM’s fiduciary duty requires it to put the interests of clients first.

Executive Wealth Management Background

Headquartered in Brighton, EWM started doing business as a registered investment advisor in 2006.

The firm is owned by EWM Capital, LLC, which is a limited liability company in Michigan.

EWM is principally managed by Michael Lay.

Executive Wealth Management Investing Strategy

EWM offers a variety of client services, including portfolio management, financial planning and retirement planning, among others.

According to the firm’s brochure, advisors develop specific portfolios based on client objectives and time horizon.

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Retirement Income Solutions (RIS) is a fee-only firm that works with individuals who have and don’t have a high net worth.

Institutional clients include pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporations or businesses.

To be a client, you’ll need at least $750,000.

Retirement Income Solutions, Inc. Background

RIS was founded in 1992 and became a Michigan corporation in 1993. Then, in 2009, the firm merged with IFSG Planning Associates, Ltd. and Pattern Recognition Management, Inc., which were owned separately by RIS’s original two principals — K. Larry Hastie and R. Griffith McDonald.

RIS has been registered with the SEC since 2010 and the principal owners today are Brock E. Hastie, H. Todd Kephart, John B. Goff and Karen A. Chapell.

Retirement Income Solutions, Inc. Investing Strategy

RIS services focus on wealth management and comprehensive financial planning.

The firm says in its brochure that investment strategies are tailored to each client’s unique objectives and circumstances.

RIS uses diversification, which mixes a variety of investments in a portfolio, to help manage risk.

The firm also uses other strategies and investment vehicles to help clients meet specific objectives based on cash flow, income, taxes, retirement and other needs.