The Top Financial Advisors in Texas

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Fisher Investments is a global money management firm headquartered in Plano, Texas. It was previously headquarted in Washington State, but recently moved. The fee-only financial advisor has the largest amount in assets under management of any firm on this list. The firm's AUM is on a discretionary basis only. With private clients (in addition to institutional ones) across the U.S., Europe, Canada, Asia and the Middle East, the firm serves more than 60,000 private clients.

Though it generally calls for a $500,000 account minimum, the firm may selectively accept a lower minimum of $200,000 for its WealthBuilder accounts. High-net-worth clients still comprise the largest percentage of its client base, though Fisher Investments also works with pooled investment vehicles, charitable organizations, state or municipal government entities and other investment advisors.

Fisher Investments Background

Now a renowned figure in the investment world and author of 11 books, Ken Fisher founded Fisher Investments in 1979. Investment Advisor Magazine has named Fisher one of the 30 most influential figures in the investment advisory business for the last three decades.

Fisher Investments' services for private clients include portfolio management, annuity conversion, financial planning and retirement planning. Its portfolio management services are divided into three categories, each of which is aimed at maximizing returns within risk parameters:

• Equity accounts: mainly use common stock and cash equivalents
• Fixed-income accounts: mainly use various fixed income instruments and cash
• Balanced accounts: use a combination of stocks, fixed income instruments and cash

Ken Fisher is the majority owner (indirectly through his company Fisher Investments, Inc.) and serves as the firm's executive chairman and co-chief investment officer. Several other senior leaders have small stakes.

Fisher Investments Investing Strategy

Believing that no one investment strategy is always superior, the firm takes an active approach to investing so it can respond to the markets and make changes to client portfolios as necessary. It also takes a top-down approach, with its investment policy committee (led by Fisher) making investment decisions.

The firm believes that asset allocation is the primary driver of portfolio performance and uses both qualitative and quantitative tools to analyze markets, sectors and securities with the aid of computers, computer peripherals, software and computer databases. The committee screens invests in market sectors and securities it thinks are likely to outperform.

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Tolleson Private Wealth Management is a fee-only firm that does business in Dallas. Certifications earned at the firm include certified financial planner (CFP), certified public accountant (CPA), certified private wealth advisor (CPWA), chartered financial analyst (CFA), personal financial specialist (PFS) and certified investment management analyst (CIMA).

Most of Tolleson's client base is made up of high-net-worth individuals. The firm does work with some institutions as well, like banks, pooled investment vehicles and charities. To become a client of Tolleson, you'll need a $20 million minimum investment.

Tolleson Private Wealth Management Background

Tolleson Private Wealth Management was founded in 2000. Executive chairman John C. Tolleson decided to start the business following his retirement from First USA, a retail banking and financial services company that he also founded and grew into a multi-billion dollar public corporation. In total, John Tolleson has over 50 years of experience in finance.

While financial planning and strategic wealth management are integral offerings at Tolleson, the firm typically utilizes an investment-first strategy to achieve clients' goals. This involves a breadth of services, such as investment strategy development, asset allocation determination, performance monitoring, consulting and third-party investment manager analysis.

Tolleson Private Wealth Management Investment Strategy

As a client, the opening step in your relationship with Tolleson Private Wealth Management is a complete review of your needs, which culminates in the creation of an investment policy statement. This all-important document will eventually help to inform the asset allocation of your portfolio, as it details your risk tolerance, income or liquidity requirements, investment goals and more.

What's unique about Tolleson's advisory process is that, in addition to your original investment policy statement, the firm will develop another allocation plan that's based entirely on fixed-income securities. It does this in case you suddenly would prefer a safer, bond-centric strategy. Beyond this, Tolleson invests in stocks, options, mutual funds and alternative investments, too.

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Retirement Planners of America is a fee-based firm located in the Dallas suburb of Plano and the No. 1 firm in Texas. In addition to client fees, advisors at the firm may earn commissions from selling insurance products or securities. They are still bound by fiduciary duty, though, requiring them to always act in the best interest of the client.

Retirement Planners of America is also on SmartAsset’s list of the top financial advisor firms in Plano. It sports a large and qualified team of advisors that includes 11 certified financial planners (CFPs). Other certifications at the firm include chartered financial consultant (ChFC) and chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC).

The firm’s business mainly comes from individual accounts, though it also manages money for high-net-worth individuals. The firm also provides advice for pension and profit sharing plans. It has no set account minimum.

Retirement Planners of America Background

Retirement Planners of America was founded in 2011 as Money Matters With Ken Moraif but changed its name in 2019. The principal owners of the firm are Kenneth Moraif, Charles Dyer Jr., Elias Dragon and Douglas Bartol, all of whom work at the firm as senior advisors.

The firm’s services include financial planning, investment management, retirement advice, family legacy planning, Medicare and long-term planning, income tax planning and education. Ken Moraif hosts a radio show that airs in Phoenix, Los Angeles, Austin, Dallas and Houston. The firm also offers educational seminars.

Retirement Planners of America Investment Strategy

Retirement Planners of America designs a personalized portfolio for each client based on his or her financial situation and investment preferences. It meets frequently with clients to go over results and check in on goals. The firm regularly rebalances portfolios to cut down on volatility. 

Investments include mutual funds, fixed and variable annuities, insurance products, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and individual securities. The firm has both buy and sell strategies.

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Bowie Capital Management is a fee-only firm based in Richardson, a suburb of Dallas. The firm has a $5 million minimum investment and the only individuals it works with are less than a dozen high-net-worth clients. Most of the firm’s assets under management are from institutional clients such as a pooled investment vehicle, insurance companies, other investment advisors and a university endowment.

The team at BCM includes two chartered financial advisors (CFAs) and one certified private wealth advisor (CPWA).

Bowie Capital Management Background

The firm was founded in 2014 and is solely owned by Cory Whitaker, who also serves as chief investment officer.

Services include offering investment funds and investment management for high-net-worth clients.

Bowie Capital Management Investment Strategy

The principal strategy used by funds at Bowie is value investing. This means the firms advisors seek out undervalued securities to invest in with the idea that they are likely to grow in value over time.

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Level Four Advisory Services, a fee-based firm in Dallas, is next on our list. Depending on the type of account you're trying to open, your account minimum will range between $10,000 and $500,000.

The vast majority of Level Four's clients are individuals, with high-net-worth individuals sprinkled in. Institutional clients include pooled investment vehicles, pensions, profit-sharing plans, government entities, insurance companies and other businesses.

There's no shortage of advisory certifications at Level Four, including certified financial planners (CFP), several chartered life underwriters (CLU), chartered financial consultants (ChFC), chartered retirement planning counselors (CRPC), certified public accountants (CPA) and accredited investment fiduciaries (AIF). However, a majority of its advisors are also licensed insurance agents and representatives of a broker/dealer, and may earn commissions on some transactions. This makes Level Four a fee-based firm, but it remains obligated to act in your best interests as a fiduciary. 

Level Four Advisory Services Background

Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC, a CPA firm in Alabama, owns Level Four Advisory Services through Level Four Group, a financial services holding company. Level Four Advisor Services was established in 2005.

Level Four prides itself on offering a robust set of services across financial planning, asset management, business services and advisory programs sponsored by LPL Financial, an independent network of financial advisors and financial institutions.

Level Four Advisory Services Investment Strategy

Level Four Advisory Services has five different portfolio strategies that it has prebuilt to suit certain client archetypes. These model portfolios are aggressive growth, growth, growth with income, income with moderate growth and income with capital preservation.

What will ultimately lead to the strategy you're paired with is the risk tolerance that you and your advisor decide on at the dawn of your relationship. In order to satisfy this wide range of risk levels, the firm may invest in stocks, mutual funds, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and options.

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USCA RIA is a Houston-based financial advisor and one of the highest-rated firms in the state of Texas. USCA RIA is fee-based, meaning it may earn compensation for the sale of certain recommended investments. But as is the case with every firm on this list, USCA RIA is a fiduciary and therefore must act in your best interest.

The firm has a large team of advisors on staff. Certifications earned include certified financial planners (CFP), certified investment management analysts (CIMA), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and chartered portfolio manager (CPM).

USCA RIA works with a mix of individuals and high-net-worth individuals, though non-high-net-worth individuals make up a majority of the firm’s clients. The firm also advises pension plans, charitable organizations, government entities and businesses. There is a $50,000 minimum investment required to open an account.

USCA RIA Background

Founded in 2010, USCA RIA is a subsidiary of U.S. Capital Advisors LLC, an integrated financial services boutique that also owns USCA Securities, LLC, USCA Asset Management and USCA Management, LLC. Some USCA RIA advisors are also registered with USCA Securities LLC, a registered broker-dealer.

Services offered by the firm include wealth management, financial planning, asset allocation, discretionary portfolio management and alternative investments. In addition to its offices in Houston, the firm has locations in Austin and Dallas. 

USCA RIA Investment Strategy

USCA RIA uses a variety of research strategies to figure out what investments to include in a client's portfolio. This requires looking at a company’s press releases and security filings, credit analysis and performance analysis. Outside factors like market and political developments may also be considered. 

Investments used in client portfolios could include stocks, international equities, bonds, mutual funds and ETFs. The firm may also recommend municipal securities and insurance solutions.

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The next firm on our Texas list is Avalon Investment & Advisory. The Houston-based firm also ranks atop SmartAsset’s list of the top Houston financial advisor firms. It has a large team of advisors on staff, including two certified financial planners (CFPs), four chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and four certified public accountants (CPAsf

Most of the firm’s individual clients are high-net-worth individuals, though it does do business with non-high-net-worth individuals as well. This makes sense since the firm requires a minimum investment of $5 million, one of the highest account minimums on this list. The firm also advises pension plans, charitable organizations, other investment advisors, insurance companies, pooled investment vehicles and corporations.

The firm is fee-based, meaning that in addition to fees, its employees sometimes earn commissions for trading certain investments. The firm is still a fiduciary and must make decisions in the best interests of its clients, though.

Avalon Investment & Advisory Background

Avalon Investment & Advisory was founded in 2001. It is owned by a mix of employees and outside investors, including The Cynosure Group, a firm based in Salt Lake City, Utah. No one person or company owns more than 25% of Avalon. In addition to its headquarters in Houston, the company also has a location in San Antonio.

The firm offers clients wealth management and investment management, and also publishes monthly notes and yearly commentaries on market trends and general financial topics.

Avalon Investment & Advisory Investment Strategy

Avalon Investment & Advisory utilizes a fundamental, long-term investment approach. The firm offers a large number of investing strategies, which are broken down into six main categories:

• Equity
• Tactical
• Fixed income
• Cash management
• Private equity
• Hedge funds

Within each strategy the advisors aim for smart asset allocations that will set up clients for financial success. 

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TCG Advisory Services takes the next spot on our list of the top financial advisory firms in Texas. The Austin-based firm its advisors work with almost all types of clients, including individuals both with and without a high net worth, banks, investment companies, business development companies, pooled investment vehicles, pensions, profit sharing plans, charities, government entities, other investment advisors, insurance companies and other corporations.

The firm's staff has earned numerous certifications including certified financial planner (CFP), accredited investment fiduciary (AIF) and chartered financial analyst (CFA). There is no set account minimum stated on this firm's Form ADV. TCG Advisory Services is a fee-only firm.

TCG Advisors Background

Founded in 2001 by John Pesce (CEO) and Mike Cochran, TCG Advisory Services is now owned by TCG Group Holdings, LLP and investment advisor Total Compensation Group Investment Advisory Services Management, LLC. Pesce personally owns the largest share of TCG Group Holdings.

TCG Advisors specializes in portfolio management, but it provides a few different kinds of portfolio management. Clients can take advantage of model portfolios, management programs and robo-advisor services through Charles Schwab Intelligent Portfolios. TCG also offers financial planning services.

TCG Advisors Investment Strategy

TCG Advisors uses a portfolio management model that is heavily centered upon its model portfolios. As a result, its investment strategies revolve heavily around those model programs. Advisors at the firm review these models quarterly. Their goals are to maximize returns while mitigating volatility. If models begin to misallocate investments, advisors will rebalance immediately.

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Avidian Wealth Solutions is a fee-based firm requiring clients to have at least $1 million to invest. Clients are charged an investment fee based on a percentage of assets under management. Advisors may also earn commissions for selling insurance products, which can represent a conflict of interest -- but advisors are still bound by the fiduciary standard when acting as an advisor.

Clients at Avidian are mostly individuals, the majority of whom are high-net-worth. Institutional clients include pooled investment vehicles, pension and profit sharing plans, charitable organizations and corporations.

The advisor team at Avidian includes 18 certified financial planners (CFPs), one chartered life underwriter (CLU) and three chartered financial consultants (ChFCs)

Avidian Wealth Solutions Background

Avidian was founded in 2002 and started doing business in 2003. The principal owners are James “Luke” Patterson, Michael Anthony Smith, Preston Snow, James Atkinson, Morgan Stone, Greg Litts and Bradley Covey.

Services offered at the firm include investment management, a wrap fee program, financial planning, estate planning and insurance planning.

Avidian Wealth Solutions Investment Strategy

More than half of the money held at Avidian is invested in mutual funds. Other assets invented in include stocks, bonds, devatives, pooled investment vehicles and cash.

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CH Investment Partners is a fee-only firm working with a very exclusive clientele -- the minimum account size is $50 million, the highest on this list. 

In addition to high-net-worth clients, the firm does work with some individuals who don't qualify as high-net-worth. Institutional clients include pooled investment vehicles, charitable organizations and corporations. 

CH Investment Partners Background

The firm was founded in 2019 and is owned by Michael Silverman and Kirk Rimer, though the ownership is indirect and through intermediate subsidiaries.

Services offered at CH Investment Partners include fund management, consulting, financial planning and portfolio management.

CH Investment Partners Investment Strategy

Money managed at the firm is put into myriad investments, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, pooled investment vehicles, cash holdings and direct private investments.