Top 10 Investment Advisory Companies, Services, Consultants, & Consulting Firms
"Investing should be more like watching paint dry or watching grass grow. If you want excitement, take $800 and go to Las Vegas." – Paul Samuelson
Investing wisely is all about strategy, patience, and guidance. Investment advisory companies, services, and consultants provide invaluable expertise to help individuals and businesses make informed decisions and achieve long-term growth and stability.
Choosing the right investment consultant involves careful consideration of your financial objectives and risk tolerance. You need to evaluate the firm’s experience, reputation, and range of services to be sure they match your specific needs. Look for firms with a solid track record and transparent fee structures to avoid hidden costs.
To help you get started on your search, we’ve put together this list of the top investment advisory companies and services out there.
TL;DR Top 10 Investment Advisory Companies, Services, Consultants, & Consulting Firms
Brown Advisory: Brown Advisory offers globally accessible, sustainable investment management and strategic advisory services, with a focus on delivering personalized, long-term growth through innovative and high-quality investments
Hightower Advisors: Hightower Advisors provides comprehensive wealth management and financial planning services. They blend entrepreneurial freedom for advisors with strong institutional support and leadership development.
Capital Investment Advisors (CIA): Capital Investment Advisors specializes in retirement income planning through a fee-only, fiduciary approach that emphasizes personalized service and income-generating portfolios for financial security in retirement
Edelman Financial Engines: Edelman Financial Engines combines advanced technology with human expertise to provide personalized financial planning and wealth management
Mason Companies Inc.: Mason Investment Advisory Services delivers independent, personalized wealth management and investment consulting services for both private clients and institutions
Brown Advisory is an independent investment management and strategic advisory firm. The company offers comprehensive services to private clients, institutions, endowments, and foundations, with offices across the globe, including in major cities such as London, New York, and Singapore. Their approach focuses on providing a blend of top-tier performance and tailored strategic advice, and they emphasize sustainability and innovation with a particular focus on investing in high-quality companies.
Key Services:
Discretionary investment management
Family office services
Sustainable investing strategies
Customized portfolios for private clients
Institutional consulting
Why Work with Brown Advisory?
Brown Advisory offers a personalized approach that balances investment growth with sustainability. They have expertise in managing long-term, resilient portfolios combined with global reach.
Hightower Advisors is a wealth management firm that offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement planning services. The company supports high-net-worth individuals, families, businesses, and institutions. Hightower provides development consulting, leadership training, and compliance support.
Key Services:
Investment management
Retirement planning
Trust and estate planning
Business consulting services
Cash management for corporations
Why Work with Hightower?
Hightower offers a unique combination of entrepreneurial freedom for advisors and institutional support. They have robust back-office support, leadership development programs, and investment solutions.
Capital Investment Advisors is a fee-only wealth management firm with a focus on helping individuals and families achieve financial security and happiness in retirement. With over $5 billion in assets under management, CIA operates from multiple offices across the U.S.. Their approach is built around income-generating portfolios that meet the diverse needs of retirees and investors alike.
Key Services:
Comprehensive wealth management
Retirement income planning
Small business retirement solutions (401(k) plans)
Accounting and tax services
Estate planning and trusts
Why Work with Capital Investment Advisors?
CIA offers a transparent, fee-only model based on personalized service with a fiduciary responsibility to prioritize client interests. They are especially known for helping families plan for early and happy retirements through customized investment strategies.
Edelman Financial Engines (EFE) is a leading independent financial advisory firm in the U.S.. With over 145 offices nationwide, EFE serves more than 1.3 million clients and manages over $245 billion in assets. Their services cater to a wide range of individuals, from those just starting their careers to retirees.
Key Services:
Financial planning and investment management
Retirement income planning
Tax and estate planning
Insurance guidance
Workplace financial wellness programs
Why Work with Edelman Financial Engines?
EFE offers a unique combination of advanced technology and human expertise. Their approach gives clients expert, tailored advice, whether through direct planning or workplace programs.
Mason Investment Advisory Services (MIAS) is a boutique, independently-owned firm that has been providing personalized financial planning and wealth management solutions for over 40 years. The firm focuses on serving both individual private clients and institutional investors. Their services are designed to meet the needs of wealthy families, corporate funds, endowments, and retirement plans.
Key Services:
Wealth management and financial planning
Investment consulting and OCIO (Outsourced Chief Investment Officer) services
Strategic portfolio design and management
Tactical portfolio rebalancing and manager selection
Comprehensive performance reporting
Why Work with Mason Investment Advisory Services?
Mason’s independent and client-focused approach prioritizes your financial goals. They offer personalized advice without the conflict of interest often found with proprietary products.
6. Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Merrill Lynch is a wealth management division under Bank of America, offering a wide array of financial services for individuals, businesses, and institutions. Their approach integrates personalized advice with the banking capabilities of Bank of America, so clients can benefit from both wealth management and day-to-day banking services. With Merrill you can access award-winning research and a team of specialists to guide you through all life stages and financial goals.
Key Services:
Personalized investment strategies
Retirement and estate planning
Trust services
Philanthropy services
Specialized wealth management for substantial assets
Why Work with Merrill Lynch?
Merrill Lynch offers a unique combination of personalized advice backed by robust research from BofA Global Research. Clients also enjoy seamless integration with Bank of America’s banking services which makes it easier to manage both short-term finances and long-term wealth goals.
7. Stifel Financial Corp.
Stifel serves individuals, institutions, municipalities, and corporations and provides investment advice, securities brokerage, banking, trust services, and capital raising. With global reach, Stifel’s strategic advisory services include mergers, acquisitions, and restructuring.
Key Services:
Investment advisory
Capital raising
Strategic M&A advisory
Wealth management
Why Work with Stifel?
Stifel offers global expertise with a personal touch, drawing on a broad range of financial services and industry knowledge to help clients achieve their financial goals.
8. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services
CBIZ provides investment advisory services to various client segments, including individuals, defined benefit plans, endowments, and foundations. The firm focuses on retirement plan management, consulting, and compliance and helps organizations with retirement planning, regulatory changes, and investment strategies.
Key Services:
Investment advisory for defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Foundation and endowment management
Financial advisory and risk management
Employee benefits and compensation consulting
Why Work with CBIZ?
CBIZ offers extensive industry knowledge, combined with cutting-edge compliance and actuarial services.
9. Allworth Financial
Allworth Financial provides comprehensive financial planning, investment management, retirement planning, and tax services. Founded in 1993 as Hanson McClain Advisors, the firm has grown significantly and now manages over $16 billion in assets and serves more than 22,000 clients across the U.S. Their services focus on helping individuals achieve long-term financial security, particularly through retirement planning and estate management.
Key Services:
Comprehensive financial planning
Retirement and income planning
Tax optimization and estate planning
Portfolio management for individuals and businesses
Educational webinars and workshops
Why Work with Allworth Financial?
Allworth Financial stands out for its straightforward, client-first approach with an emphasis on transparency and long-term relationships.
10. Osaic
Osaic is one of the largest wealth management networks in the U.S., serving over 11,600 financial professionals and managing more than $653 billion in assets. Formerly known as Advisor Group, the firm rebranded in 2023 to unify its network of broker-dealers under a single brand. Osaic provides wealth management services through a combination of technology, resources, and personalized financial strategies.
Key Services:
Wealth management and financial planning
Retirement planning
Tax and estate planning
Portfolio management
Technology-driven financial advisory support
Why Work with Osaic?
Osaic stands out for its vast network of financial professionals, its commitment to diversity, and its future-focused leadership.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an Investment Advisory Company
What should you look for when searching for an investment advisory partner? Here are some things to keep in mind:
Does the firm have a solid history of positive results and satisfied clients?
Look for advisors with recognized qualifications like CFP, CFA, or other relevant credentials
Understand how the company charges, whether it's a flat fee, commission-based, or a percentage of assets under management
Will the advisor maintain regular, transparent communication and be readily accessible for queries and updates?
Opt for a firm that offers personalized strategies tailored to your unique financial goals and risk tolerance
Make sure that the firm is registered with the appropriate regulatory bodies and has a clean record
What Investment Advisory Company Will You Choose?
Selecting the right investment advisory firm can massively impact your financial success. Whether you're seeking long-term wealth management or specific investment advice, you need to make sure the company you choose aligns with your financial goals and values.
The best outcome is to find a firm that not only meets your present needs but also grows with you as your financial circumstances and goals change.