Top Financial Advisors in New Orleans, LA

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Waters, Parkerson & Co. is a fee-only advisory firm that not only ranks first on this list of the top financial advisors in New Orleans, but it's also the No. 1 firm on our list of the top advisors in Louisiana. The Waters, Parkerson & Co. advisory staff holds multiple certifications, including the certified financial planner (CFP) and chartered financial analyst (CFA) designations. 

Rather than impose a minimum initial investment, Waters, Parkerson & Co. adheres to a $10,000 minimum annual fee for most of its accounts. The firm states in its Form ADV that it reserves the right to waive this requirement under certain circumstances.

This fee-only firm works with non-high-net-worth individuals, high-net-worth individuals, charitable organizations, businesses and pension plans.

Waters, Parkerson & Co. Background

Founded in 1933, Waters, Parkerson & Co. is far and away the oldest firm on this list. It was created by Arthur Waters and Godfrey R. Parkerson, who have both since passed away. Today, the firm is owned by J. Baldwin Montgomery, Devin J. Wakeman, David T. Pointer, Michael B. Whealdon and L. Reiss Eagan. Montgomery and Wakeman are the co-managing partners of the firm. 

Waters, Parkerson & Co. has a plethora of investment management and financial planning services, such as retirement planning, cash flow management, estate planning, tax planning, portfolio customization, diversification and more.

Waters, Parkerson & Co. Investment Strategy

According to its website, Waters, Parkerson & Co. adheres to a conservative, long-term investment ideology that favors a well-diversified asset allocation. To remain in line with this strategy, the firm attempts to invest in an entirely unemotional way to avoid the pitfalls of hasty investing.

Just because Waters, Parkerson & Co. prefers this style of investing doesn’t mean that it won’t customize your portfolio to your needs. Your advisor will take into account multiple factors, such as your risk tolerance, time horizon and income needs.

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Stokes Family Office is a large financial advisor firm that serves both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals. The firm also works with retirement plans, businesses and charitable organizations. The firm has a $1 million minimum account size that's waivable under certain circumstances. 

There are six certified financial planners (CFPs) and one chartered financial analyst (CFA) working at Stokes Family Office. Certain members of Stokes Family Office's advisory team can earn commissions from the sale of insurance products to clients. Although this presents a potential conflict of interest, the firm has a fiduciary duty to act in your best interest at all times.

Like several other firms on this list, Stokes Family Office appears on SmartAsset's list of the top financial advisors in Louisiana. 

Stokes Family Office Background

Stokes Family Office was founded in 2019 when a former New Orleans firm called Stokes & Hubbell split into two separate firms. The other firm is Hubbell Strickland Wealth Management, which also holds a spot on this list. Stokes Family Office is independent and family-owned, as its principals are Douglas Stokes and Gregory Stokes.

As a family office, this fee-based firm has a plethora of investment and financial planning services available for individuals, families and institutions. Financial planning services include tax planning, retirement planning, estate planning, charitable gift planning, cash-flow forecasting and more. The firm also boasts a selection of retirement plan consulting services. As its name suggests, the firm also offers family office services, a comprehensive suite of services to help affluent families manage their wealth. 

Stokes Family Office Investment Strategy

Stokes Family Office believes in building investment portfolios using a long-term philosophy. More specifically, the firm will work to create a personalized asset allocation plan for every client portfolio. These involve factors like the client's personal investment goals, time horizon, risk tolerance and income needs. Once your money is invested, the firm will work to evaluate the portfolio's performance and make adjustments when necessary.

This firm manages assets on both a discretionary and non-discretionary basis. The firm invests in individual equities and bonds, as well as mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

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Montz Harcus Wealth Management works with non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as retirement plans, charitable organizations, corporations and business entities. The firm has a $250,000 minimum investment requirement, though this is negotiable.

Montz Harcus has a number of credentialed advisors on staff, including certified financial planners (CFPs), certified public accountants (CPAs) and one enrolled agent (EA).

Some of the on-staff advisors at this fee-based firm can sell insurance products on a commission basis, which causes a potential conflict of interest. Despite this, the firm is legally bound to act always in your best interest due to its fiduciary duty.

Montz Harcus Wealth Management Background

Established in 2019, Montz Harcus Wealth Management is under the principal ownership of firm president Christine Montz. Montz has more than 35 years of experience in the financial services industry and she has a degree from Louisiana State University (LSU).

Montz Harcus has an exceptionally wide variety of financial planning services. Some of these offerings include monthly cash flow management, investment analysis, debt management, executive compensation review, college savings planning, insurance review, retirement planning, tax planning, estate planning and more. The firm also offers investment management.

Montz Harcus Wealth Management Investment Strategy

Montz Harcus Wealth Management takes into account a number of personal factors when formulating an investment plan, such as risk tolerance, time horizon and long- and short-term goals. Once this information has been identified and agreed upon, the firm will create an appropriate tactical asset allocation plan for your portfolio.

At this firm, asset allocation and diversification are key, ensuring that the performance of client portfolios isn't overly attached to a single area of the market, which could be detrimental if things go downhill. The firm generally invests in equities of all market capitalizations, no-load mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), index funds, individual bonds and real estate investment trusts (REITs).

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FreeGulliver is a fee-based practice that works with non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, corporations and businesses, as well as private pooled investment vehicles. 

Advisors on staff hold several professional credentials, including the chartered financial analyst (CFA), chartered life underwriter (CLU), chartered financial consultant (ChFC), accredited estate planner (AEP), certified financial planner (CFP), certified public accountant (CPA) and chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC) designations. 

There is no minimum investment needed to open an account at this firm. However, clients with less than $1 million in investable assets will be charged an additional advisory fee.

FreeGulliver is a fee-based firm, meaning some of its advisors can sell insurance products and earn commissions for doing so. Although this is a potential conflict of interest, the firm has a fiduciary duty to act always in your best interest no matter what.

FreeGulliver Background

CEO Tripp Friedler founded FreeGulliver in 2001. Friedler has been employed in the financial services industry for about two decades. The firm is co-owned by Friedler and partner Michael Kirschman.

Wealth advisory services are the hallmark of FreeGulliver’s offerings. This suite includes family office services, comprehensive financial planning, asset allocation analysis, asset management, portfolio reporting and performance evaluation. The firm also offers 401(k) advisory and administration services, as well as consulting.

FreeGulliver Investment Strategy

FreeGulliver believes that a well-built asset allocation is the key to any portfolio’s long-term success. So rather than looking for specific securities to invest in, the firm formulates model allocations that are based on your personal risk tolerance, time horizon, investment objectives and need for liquidity. While mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and private pooled investment vehicles are its main investments, it may allocate a portion of your assets to third-party money managers.

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Hubbell Strickland Wealth Management, another fee-based firm, has a wide variety of financial planning offerings for its clients. The firm provides services like tax planning, retirement planning, insurance planning, trust and estate planning, risk management, charitable gift planning, cash flow forecasting and more. The firm also has a wealth management service that's focused on investment portfolio services.

There are no minimum account size requirements for new clients of Hubbell Strickland. The firm works with a majority of non-high-net-worth individuals and families, though it also has advisory relationships with high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, businesses and charitable organizations.

Some of the advisors at this fee-based firm can sell securities and insurance products and earn commissions for doing so. While this creates a potential conflict of interest, the firm's fiduciary duty legally requires it to act in clients' best interests, no matter what.

Hubbell Strickland Wealth Management Background

Hubbell Strickland Wealth Management opened in 2019 when Stokes & Hubbell, a former financial advisory firm in New Orleans, split into Hubbell Strickland and Stokes Family Office, another firm on this list. Today, Hubbell Strickland is principally owned by Steven Hubbell, Todd Hubbell and Carson Strickland, three of the advisors at the firm.

Hubbell Strickland Wealth Management Investing Strategy

Generally speaking, Hubbell Strickland Wealth Management tends to invest client assets in some combination of individual stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and exchange-traded notes (ETNs). When determining which investments are worth including in a portfolio, the firm uses fundamental analysis. This method of analysis utilizes a company's financial statements and the quality of its management team to determine its financial strength, which is an indicator of its long-term investment potential.

This firm tailors every portfolio it creates to the client's specific needs and objectives. For example, your portfolio plan will account for your time horizon, risk tolerance, investment preferences, income needs and more.

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Deane Retirement Strategies is a fee-only firm, which means all of its compensation comes from client-paid charges. The firm works with a collection of high-net-worth individuals, non-high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans.

The services at Deane Retirement Strategies revolve around retirement planning and investment management. While the firm prefers to work with clients that have at least $1 million ready to invest, the firm does not have a strict minimum investment requirement. However, it does impose a $3,125 minimum quarterly fee, which may be cost-prohibitive for clients with smaller accounts.

Deane has several credentialed professionals on staff, including advisors with the certified retirement counselor (CRC), accredited investment fiduciary (AIF), certified financial planner and chartered financial analyst (CFA) designations. 

Deane Retirement Strategies Background

Deane Retirement Strategies was founded in 1993 by Linda Deane and became a registered investment advisor (RIA) in 2007. Today, the firm is co-owned by its chief compliance officer and managing director Keith L. Deane and Todd C. Tillery, who serves as the firm's managing director, secretary and treasurer. 

Available services include investment advisory, financial planning, retirement planning and 401(k) advisory services.

Deane Retirement Strategies Investment Strategy

This firm specializes in balanced portfolio management. Deane Retirement says that its portfolio management is guided by four principles: protect your principal, generate sustainable income, hedge against inflation and sleep at night (feel comfortable with your investments). To adequately follow this strategy, the firm avoids investment extremes, so you won’t see your portfolio including stocks with high volatility.

Instead, the firm aims for high-quality stocks, bonds and cash. Multiple asset classes are used to build your portfolio to ensure ample diversification. 

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Delta Financial Advisors, another fee-only firm, has one of the smallest advisory staffs on this list. The team here includes one chartered financial analyst (CFA).

Delta Financial Advisors has one of the highest account minimums on this list, at $500,000. It reserves the right to adjust this requirement at its own discretion, though. This firm works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, corporations or other business accounts. Delta also offers services to pensions and other retirement plans. The firm primarily offers investment management and financial planning.

Delta Financial Advisors Background

Gerard Plauché co-founded Delta Financial Advisors in 2002 after serving as a principal of Fenner, Plauché and Williams Investment Management Company. Delta co-founder Clifford Favrot also worked at Fenner, Plauché and Williams Investment Management Company as a financial advisor before opening Delta with his former colleague.

Favrot has since left Delta Financial Advisors to found Dumaine Investments, another firm on this list. Today, Delta is under the ownership of Plauché and partner Ainsley Bishop. Bishop has around 25 years of experience working in the financial services industry, including time spent at Charles Schwab as an investment manager.

Delta Financial Advisors Investment Strategy

Delta Financial Advisors uses fundamental, technical and charting analysis when formulating investment advice for clients. The firm mostly uses long-term purchases as an investment strategy. Occasionally, the firm will use short-term purchases, trading, short sales, margin purchases and option purchases. The firm keeps tax considerations in mind when making investment decisions.

This firm invests in individual stocks, unlike some firms that tend to stick to exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or mutual funds that invest in equities. At Delta, if you chose an equity portfolio, your account would hold about 35 different stocks in an attempt to diversify. The fixed-income portion of your portfolio would consist of at least 10 different bond positions. Of course, this is all subject to your individual needs and objectives.

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ThirtyNorth Investments serves a diverse range of clients, including individuals, high-net-worth individuals, pensions and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, corporations and other businesses. It does not have a minimum opening account size, so technically anyone can potentially become a client of the firm.

Across the firm's advisory staff, there’s one certified investment management analyst (CIMA), one chartered financial analyst (CFA) and one analyst with a certificate in investment performance measurement (CIPM). Keep in mind that advisors can hold multiple certifications.

ThirtyNorth is a fee-based firm. This indicates that some of the firm’s advisory employees can sell insurance products for a commission. While this situation represents a potential conflict of interest, the firm abides by fiduciary duty, legally binding it to act in your best interest.

ThirtyNorth Investments Background

ThirtyNorth Investments has been in business since 1997. Advisean Partners, LLC, a separate company, owns 95% of the firm’s shares and TNI Holdings, LLC, a holding company, owns the remaining 5%. Managing principal Suzanne Mestayer owns Advisean Partners and principal Fritz Gomila owns TNI Holdings.

If you become a client of ThirtyNorth, you’ll gain access to services like discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, general financial planning, qualified retirement plan consulting, institutional consulting and retirement plan benchmarking.

ThirtyNorth Investments Investment Strategy

ThirtyNorth Investments utilizes a strategic approach when creating clients’ investment portfolios, and believes in a long-term investing philosophy with a solid grounding in investment research. This is as opposed to a short-term mindset that looks to take advantage of more volatile trends in the market. For the most part, the firm invests in some combination of individual stocks, cash, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), exchange-traded notes (ETNs) and mutual funds.

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Dumaine Investments works with both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals. The firm requires a minimum initial investment of $500,000, though it may waive this in certain situations.

The advisory staff at this firm includes one chartered financial analyst (CFA) and one certified financial planner (CFP).

As a fee-only firm, 100% of Dumaine Investments' compensation comes from client-paid fees as opposed to third-party commissions.

Dumaine Investments Background

Dumaine Investments is a young firm, as it was founded in 2019 by firm president and sole owner Clifford Favrot. Favrot also helped to found Delta Financial Advisors, another firm on this list.

Dumaine Investments' services consist of four main steps: client analysis, financial planning, investment process and ongoing wealth management. When it comes to financial planning services, the firm deals with common topics like taxes, estate planning, retirement cash needs and insurance planning.

Dumaine Investments Investment Strategy

Dumaine Investments uses the personal needs and goals of clients to determine what their investment portfolio will look like. To learn about clients, the firm will discuss topics like their risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, income needs and financial objectives. This information will directly inform the structure of the client's portfolio.

There are a number of different investments that this firm is willing to include in clients' investment plans. For example, they may invest in stocks, bonds, derivatives, certificates of deposit (CDs), commercial paper, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, money market funds, limited partnerships, municipal securities and options contracts.