Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in San Ramon, California
There are many differences between financial advisor firms, so it’s important to know the details before choosing one. San Ramon, California is home to many firms, so SmartAsset’s experts researched them to bring you this list of the top financial advisor firms who serve the city. SmartAsset’s financial advisor matching tool can personalize your financial advisor search.
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We match more than 50,000 people with financial advisors per month. Get connected to an advisor that serves your area today.Rank | Financial Advisor | Assets Managed | Minimum Assets | Financial Services | More Information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | California Financial Advisors Find an Advisor | $1,649,108,937 | $100,000 |
| Minimum Assets$100,000Financial Services
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2 | Intersect Capital, LLC Find an Advisor | $1,273,355,161 | $1,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$1,000,000Financial Services
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3 | Goldstein Munger + Associates Find an Advisor | $997,151,102 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
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4 | The Pacific Center for Financial Services Find an Advisor | $808,536,406 | $50,000 |
| Minimum Assets$50,000Financial Services
|
5 | Insight Wealth Strategies, LLC Find an Advisor | $777,477,686 | Varies based on account type |
| Minimum AssetsVaries based on account typeFinancial Services
|
6 | American Investors Co. Find an Advisor | $588,575,319 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
7 | Consilium Wealth Management Find an Advisor | $727,846,751 | $10,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$10,000,000Financial Services
|
8 | Prosperity Wealth Management, Inc. Find an Advisor | $232,571,980 | No minimum required |
| Minimum AssetsNo minimum requiredFinancial Services
|
9 | Prosperity Financial Group, Inc. Find an Advisor | $245,188,800 | $100,000 |
| Minimum Assets$100,000Financial Services
|
10 | LFS Asset Management, LLC Find an Advisor | $210,400,000 | Varies based on account type |
| Minimum AssetsVaries based on account typeFinancial Services
|
What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in San Ramon, we first identified all firms registered with the SEC in the city. Next, we filtered out firms that don't offer financial planning services, those that don't serve primarily individual clients and those that have disclosures on their record. The qualifying firms were then ranked according to the following criteria:
- AUMFirms with more total assets under management are ranked higher.
- Individual Client CountFirms who serve more individual clients (as opposed to institutional clients) are ranked higher.
- Clients Per AdvisorFirms with a lower ratio of clients per financial advisor are ranked higher.
- Age of FirmFirms that have been in business longer are ranked higher.
All information is obtained through public records and is updated annually after the firms’ form ADV filing. This list may include firms that have a business relationship with SmartAsset, in which SmartAsset is compensated for lead referrals. Such relationships have no impact on our rankings, and firms are included and ranked based strictly on the above criteria. SmartAsset is not a client of the aforementioned firms, and did not receive compensation for including any of the firms on the aforementioned list.
California Financial Advisors
California Financial Advisors, also known as Maloon, Powers, Pitre & Higgins, LLC, is the first firm on our San Ramon list. This large firm mainly works with non-high-net-worth individual clients. Other clients include high-net-worth individuals, charities and other businesses. There is a $100,000 minimum account size requirement for investment advisory services.
California Financial Advisors is a fee-based firm. Certain advisors can earn commissions from selling financial products to clients. This is a potential conflict of interest, but the firm is a fiduciary, making it legally obligated to act in the best interests of clients at all times.
California Financial Advisors Background
California Financial Advisors was founded in 1998 and has been in business ever since. It became an SEC-registered investment advisor the same year it opened for business. The firm gets its other business name from its four principal owners: Michael Francis Maloon, Thomas James Powers, Mark Anthony Pitre and Michelle Perry Higgins.
The firm provides clients with investment portfolio management services and financial planning services. It may also provide more focused financial consulting services. Assets are managed on either a discretionary or non-discretionary basis.
California Financial Advisors Investment Strategy
When it comes to developing investment strategies, California Financial Advisors works with clients to determine their financial situations and investment objectives so that they can provide individualized services. Investment advice is continuous and ongoing and takes into account such factors as risk tolerance and liquidity needs, among others.
Advisors at California Financial Advisors use a wide range of investments, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, commercial paper, government securities and more.
Intersect Capital
Intersect Capital is next up on our list. The firm’s small advisory team has several certified financial planners (CFPs) on staff. In order to open an account with Intersect, you’ll need at least $1 million in investable assets. However, the firm states in its Form ADV that it will consider waiving this requirement under certain circumstances. It appears to use this discretion somewhat often, as non-high-net-worth individuals outnumber high-net-worth individuals within its individual client base.
As a fee-based firm, advisors may receive commissions. This potential conflict of interest is mitigated by the firm's status as a fiduciary, legally obligated to act in the best interests of clients at all times.
Intersect Capital Background
Intersect Capital has been in business for over two decades, having opened for business in 1997. Joseph McLean and David Shiell act as the firm’s managing directors, and chief compliance officer (CCO) Devin Blodgett rounds out its leadership team. McLean and independent accounting and business consulting firm Armanino, LLP own Intersect.
Financial planning and investment management are integral parts of this firm’s services. These include:
- Retirement planning
- Tax planning
- Estate planning
- Risk management
- Wealth management
- Discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management
- Asset allocation planning
Intersect Capital Investing Strategy
When working with a client for the first time, Intersect Capital looks to identify the different elements that will eventually affect how they will invest. In short, this involves going over your risk tolerance, investing goals, liquidity needs and time horizon. Based on these considerations, your advisor will formulate an asset allocation that can both help you reach your goals and meet your long-term income requirements.
Goldstein Munger + Associates
Goldstein Munger + Associates comes in next on our list. This fee-only firm primarily serves high-net-worth individuals, but also works with institutions, like retirement plans, charitable organizations and businesses.
Rather than impose a standard minimum investment, Goldstein Munger has chosen to institute a $15,000 minimum annual fee. This requirement could make the firm’s services cost-prohibitive for clients with less to invest.
Goldstein Munger + Associates Background
Goldstein Munger + Associates can trace its history as far back as 1979 when Richard Goldstein founded R. M. Goldstein Accountancy Corporation. The firm changed to its current name in 1995. With this change, Robert Munger joined Goldstein as a principal owner of the firm. Goldstein is a certified public accountant (CPA) and a certified investment management analyst (CIMA); Munger is also a CPA, as well as a certified financial planner (CFP) and a personal financial specialist (PFS).
Clients of this firm can choose from services like investment management and financial consulting. Although these are typically offered together, you can choose to receive consulting as a stand-alone service.
Goldstein Munger + Associates Investing Strategy
For the most part, Goldstein Munger tends to invest client portfolios in low-cost mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). While many of these securities implement passive investing philosophies, the firm may decide to use active funds if it believes it can outperform the index.
Goldstein Munger also states that it may use individual securities like equities and bonds should your risk tolerance and other factors call for it. The firm will only implement this strategy if it believes that the addition of an individual investment will either improve your overall returns or shrink your overall risk level.
The Pacific Center for Financial Services
The Pacific Center for Financial Services (PCFS) is the next firm on our San Ramon list. The staff here holds advisory certifications such as certified financial planner (CFP) and accredited investment fiduciary (AIF).
Much of this firm’s individual client base is comprised of individuals who do not have high net worths. PCFS also works with high-net-worth individuals and retirement plans. It requires a minimum initial investment of $50,000.
PCFS’ fee-based designation means that the firm has some advisors that sell insurance and securities for a commission or fee. Despite this potential conflict of interest, the firm has a legally binding fiduciary duty to act in clients’ best interests.
The Pacific Center for Financial Services Background
Stephen Schliesser formed PCFS in 1997 after spending 12 years working in the financial services industry. Schliesser remains the firm’s president and CEO to this day.
PCFS offers three distinct types of services: investment management, financial planning and insurance. Some specific services include retirement planning, tax planning, long-term care insurance planning, security recommendations, estate planning and college savings planning.
The Pacific Center for Financial Services Investing Strategy
At its core, this firm’s overarching investment strategy can be described as a long-term, diversified approach. It typically invests in no-load and load-waived mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as they’re inherently diversified. The firm may select stocks and bonds as well.
The firm has a number of model portfolios, which it may recommend if your personal investor characteristics align well with one. Regardless of whether your allocation is original or based on a model, your advisor will monitor and rebalance your investments over time.
Insight Wealth Strategies
Next on our list is Insight Wealth Strategies. The firm's advisory team includes several certified financial planners (CFPs). Individuals and high-net-worth individuals make up the entire client base at Insight Wealth Strategies. The minimum account size at this firm varies based on the strategy you take advantage of.
This is a fee-only firm. That means all of its compensation comes from client-paid fees rather than third-party commissions.
Insight Wealth Strategies Background
Although Insight Wealth Strategies became a registered investment advisor (RIA) in 2018, it has been in business since 2002. Over the years, the firm expanded beyond San Ramon to other cities in California and Texas. CEO David Chazin owns the firm.
There are no shortage of advisory services at this firm. Its primary offerings include long- and short-term financial planning, retirement planning, investment management, 401(k) rollovers, long-term care planning, tax minimization and life insurance planning.
Insight Wealth Strategies Investing Strategy
Insight Wealth Strategies invests client assets in individual stocks and bonds, options, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). What percentage each of these securities will occupy within your portfolio will vary based on multiple factors. These could range from your personal tax standing to your risk tolerance, time horizon and liquidity needs.
Once your money is invested, Insight’s team will continuously monitor how your investments are performing. Should your asset allocation shift considerably from its target, the firm will rebalance your portfolio. The firm has a number of specific strategies you can choose to use as well.
American Investors Co.
American Investors Co. has one of the largest advisor teams on the list. All are also brokers and many are insurance agents. These multiple roles can be confusing, as advisors have a fiduciary duty to put clients' interests first, while brokers and insurance agents do not. When receiving a recommendation, be sure you understand what it is based on and whether and how the advisor will benefit from your following it.
The firm serves individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations and corporations. Individuals who do not have high net worths make up the bulk of clients.
American Investors Co. Background
American Investors started as a broker-dealer in 1966. It became an SEC-registered investment advisor in 1994. Larry Lee, chairman, and Clarence Yee, president, are the principal owners of the firm.
Advisors - which the firm refers to as registered representatives or affiliates - provide investment management, financial planning, hourly consulting, 401(k) advisory services and seminars. They may also recommend third-party money managers.
American Investors Co. Investing Strategy
Advisors may use charting, fundamental, technical, and cyclical methods of analysis when evaluating securities. Their sources of information include the home office, which reviews mutual funds, direct participation programs, variable annuity products; and research materials from such places as Morningstar, Inc. The firm and its advisors tailor investment advice and strategies to the needs of clients.
Consilium Wealth Management
With the highest minimum account size on the list, Consilium Wealth Management requires new clients to have at least $10 million in investable assets. As a result, the firm works mostly with high-net-worth individuals, though some non-high-net-worth individuals have accounts as well.
Consilium is a fee-only firm. The team has a small team of advisors that oversee the firm's assets under management (AUM) and the day-to-day operations of the firm.
Consilium Wealth Management Background
Firm president John Seo founded Consilium Wealth Management in 2010. Today, he remains the firm’s principal owner. Seo's experience in financial services stretches over two decades.
The services at this firm can be divided into three pillars: portfolio management, financial planning and outside advisor selection.
Consilium Wealth Management Investing Strategy
Consilium Wealth Management believes there should be a strong correlation between your investment portfolio and your overall financial plans. To make this relationship a reality, the firm will create each of these plans concurrently so as to best align them with your risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs and investment goals. It will also account for your tax situation to keep your portfolio as tax-efficient as possible.
Prosperity Wealth Management
Prosperity Financial Group
Prosperity Financial Group is the next firm on our list. The firm's client base is currently comprised mostly of non-high-net-worth individuals. On the advisor team, you’ll find a handful of accredited asset management specialists (AAMSs). The minimum account size here is $100,000.
As a fee-based firm, some of Prosperity Financial Group’s advisory employees are brokers and insurance agents. These dual or multiple roles have the potential to be a conflict of interest. That said, the firm is legally bound as a fiduciary to put its clients' interests first.
Prosperity Financial Group Background
Prosperity Financial Group first opened in 1993, and it became a registered investment advisor (RIA) in 2010. Principal Elliot Kallen founded the firm, and he now co-owns it with principal Charles Ballweg.
The asset management services at this firm involve investment planning and regular portfolio supervision. It also offers financial planning services, with advisors offering retirement planning, estate planning, education fund planning, charitable gift planning and more.
Prosperity Financial Group Investing Strategy
Prosperity Financial Group is heavily focused on the in-depth monitoring of the investment portfolios it creates. It does this for many reasons, but the most important is that it wants to keep your original asset allocation intact. Should your investor profile change, though, a rebalancing may be necessary to bring your portfolio up to date.
LFS Asset Management
LFS Asset Management works with non-high-net-worth individuals, high-net-worth individuals and retirement plans. The firm typically requires $500,000 in investable assets to become a client, but certain accounts may require lower minimums. The team here includes certifications such as certified financial planner (CFP) and certified public accountant (CPA).
LFS Asset Management is a fee-based firm, the only one on this list. This means that certain advisors at the firm may earn commissions beyond the fees that clients pay by conducting certain securities or insurance transactions. While this introduces the potential for a conflict of interest, the firm has a fiduciary duty always to act in the best interest of the client.
LFS Asset Management Background
LFS Asset Management has been doing business in Burlingame since 1988, which makes it the oldest firm on this list. It was founded by managing director John Lau, who continues to be the principal owner of the firm to this day.
Asset management and personal financial planning are the two key service offerings at LFS. The former can take the shape of a couple of different programs:
- Silver Service: A Robo-investing service that uses the Institutional Intelligence Platform from Charles Schwab & Co. to invest in a portfolio of ETFs
- Options Income Strategy: For clients who want to generate additional income from their current investments
Financial planning services can encompass retirement planning, estate planning, higher education funding, social security planning and income tax planning.
LFS Asset Management Investment Strategy
LFS Asset Management generally looks to invest client assets in a combination of individual securities, mutual funds and ETFs, with the exact mix depending on the investment goals, risk tolerance and timeline of the client. When analyzing investment options, the firm may rely on a number of techniques, including both quantitative and qualitative analysis. The firm employs computer models to analyze risk and expected return, and it may also perform a more standard fundamental analysis.