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From the hustle and bustle of Times Square to the roaring waters of Niagra Falls, New York State has a little bit of everything. The same applies to the Empire State’s pool of financial advisory firms. Picking the right one can feel more overwhelming than driving across the George Washington Bridge at rush hour.
Not to worry, MagnifyMoney is here to help. We’ve done the research and compiled a list of the best financial advisors in New York State. If you want to learn more about how we selected these 10 firms, take a peek inside how we chose these firms.
| Firm name | City | Minimum assets required | Fee structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betterment | New York City | None for the digital plan; $100,000 for premium |
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| Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC | New York City | Not specified |
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| Cerity Partners LLC | New York City | $2 million |
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| Rockefeller Capital Management | New York City | None established |
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| BBR Partners, LLC | New York City | $30 million |
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| Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC | Fairport | Varies by account type |
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| Summit Rock Advisors, LP | New York City | Not specified, though clients typically have wealth in excess of $100 million |
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| Tiedemann Advisors, LLC | New York City | Varies by account type and/or advisor discretion |
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| Summit Trail Advisors, LLC | New York City | None, though a certain level may be recommended for specific strategies |
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| Wealthspire Advisors | New York City | None, though recommendations provided by program |
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1. Cerity Partners LLC |
About the firmCerity Partners LLC leads off our list of the best financial advisors in New York State. Founded in 2009, this Manhattan-based firm manages billions of dollars in assets for thousands of affluent clients. You’ll find a deep pool of services beyond investment management, including estate planning and family office services, befitting the demands of those with intricate finances. As a wealth management client, you’ll receive investment management, financial planning and tax services for a starting rate of 1.50% of assets under management (AUM). The firm may also charge other hourly or fixed fees based on a la carte services you require. While offering two Manhattan locations, Cerity has 20 offices in 10 other states for your convenience. Employees, Cerity Partners Holdings LLC and funds affiliated with Genstar Capital Partners LLC, a private equity firm, own the firm through a series of subsidiaries. |
Common services offered by Cerity Partners LLC
Cerity Partners LLC investing strategyIf you’re looking to hire an advisor who will make all investment decisions in-house, you’ll probably want to look elsewhere. At Cerity, advisors typically use third-party managers with expertise in specific asset classes to build your portfolio. Your portfolio may include a combination of equities, fixed income and tangible assets like real estate, commodities and Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS). And if you’re looking for exposure to private equity and hedge funds, Cerity may select funds for you. Lastly, Cerity manages accounts on both a discretionary and non-discretionary basis. With discretionary management, you’ll give your advisor complete control over transactions and trades within your account. On the other hand, non-discretionary management requires you to sign off on individual transactions or make those transactions yourself. Potential conflicts of interestSome advisors at Cerity are insurance agents and registered broker-dealer representatives who earn compensation when recommending insurance or financial products. While this creates a potential conflict of interest, Certify Partners and its advisors abide by fiduciary duty, which requires them to put your interests first. Cerity Partners LLC disciplinary disclosuresNone reported in the past 10 years. To review the above information or read more about the firm, visit Cerity Partners LLC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) page. |
2. Betterment |
About the firmAs one of the first robo-advisors to reach the market, Betterment has helped revolutionize the advisory industry with automated, fee-only investment management. Since its founding in 2008, this privately owned company has expanded its services and grown its client base to nearly 700,000 individual investors. Low-cost, automated portfolio management remains Betterment’s bread and butter, making it an ideal fit if you’re a new investor or you prefer the streamlined ease of a robo-advisor. Betterment offers two primary plans: Digital and Premium. There’s no minimum account size requirement for Digital plans, but Premium clients must have a balance of $100,000 to participate. When enrolled in a Premium plan, you’ll have access to a team of certified financial planners (CFPs) who can offer advice over the phone or through email. Betterment’s annual wrap fees get charged on a percentage of AUM — 0.25% for Digital customers and 0.40% for Premium clients. |
Common services offered by Betterment
Betterment investing strategyBetterment builds model portfolios using low-cost, diversified exchange-traded funds (ETFs). You’ll have your pick from seven pre-built portfolios ranging from a diversified core option to portfolios designed for ethically motivated investors who value environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles. You can also invest in third-party portfolios like a BlackRock fixed-income strategy and a Goldman Sachs Smart Beta strategy that aims to outperform the broader market. If you’re a more experienced investor looking for additional control over your investments, Betterment’s Flexible Portfolio enables you to adjust your asset class weights. However, Betterment manages 100% of client assets on a discretionary basis. Potential conflicts of interestNone to report. Betterment disciplinary disclosuresNone reported in the past 10 years. Want to learn more about this robo-advisor and its services? Visit Betterment’s IADP page for more information. |
3. Silvercrest Asset Management Group |
About the firmSilvercrest Asset Management Group, another Manhattan-based firm, is next on our list of the top financial advisors in New York State. Founded in 2001, the firm is a Silvercrest Asset Management Group Inc. subsidiary, a public company traded on the Nasdaq. Silvercrest may be a firm to consider if you’re a high net worth investor seeking comprehensive wealth management, especially for its array of services tailored for affluent families. Silvercrest is a fee-only firm whose advisors won’t try to sell you financial products or insurance for commissions. Instead, the firm’s revenue comes directly from the fees you pay for advice and portfolio management. So how much does it cost to be a client? That depends on the type of portfolio you have. For balanced portfolios, you can expect to pay a 1% annual fee on the first $10 million in your account and 0.60% on balances above that amount. Different fee schedules apply to Silvercrest’s other portfolio options:
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Common services offered by Silvercrest Asset Management Group
Silvercrest Asset Management Group investing strategyAs an individual investor working with Silvercrest, you’ll likely receive discretionary asset management. And beyond that, if you’re looking for a stockbroker to continuously trade within your account and feed you hot stock tips, Silvercrest probably isn’t for you. Instead, the firm takes a conservative, long-term approach to equity management that seeks low turnover within your portfolio. You and your advisor can choose from a deep pool of proprietary investment strategies focused on equities or fixed-income and even look to private funds or third-party managers, too. Silvercrest doesn’t believe in the set-it-and-forget-it approach for your fixed-income portfolio. Instead, the firm relies on active management and targets fixed-income securities with short to intermediate durations. What kind of fixed-income investments can you expect to own? The firm typically invests in municipal bonds, taxable bonds and credit. Potential conflicts of interestNone to report. Silvercrest Asset Management Group disciplinary disclosuresNone reported in the past 10 years. To learn more about the firm, visit the Silvercrest Asset Management Group’s IADP page with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). |
4. Rockefeller Capital Management |
About the firmYou’d be hard-pressed to find many financial advisors with longer histories than Rockefeller Capital Management. The company can trace its roots to 1882 when John D. Rockefeller opened an office in New York to manage his family’s financial and philanthropic interests. Today, Rockefeller Capital Management operates as a fee-based advisory firm with over $25 billion in AUM. Investment funds affiliated with Viking Global Investors, L.P. own a majority stake in the business, while a trust representing the Rockefeller family retains a portion of the remaining ownership interest. The practice primarily caters to high net worth individuals and their families. However, the firm may take you on as a client even if you’re below the high net worth mark. You’ll have to inquire about specific investment minimums, which vary by strategy but unfortunately do not appear in the firm brochure. For investment management, Rockefeller charges between 0.50% and 1.5% AUM for equity strategies and between 0.10% and 0.35% AUM for fixed-income strategies. |
Common services offered by Rockefeller Capital Management
Rockefeller Capital Management investing strategyDepending on your financial situation and objectives, Rockefeller Capital Management can invest your assets in equity portfolios, fixed-income strategies or third-party investment managers. Rather than rely on passive funds that look to match a benchmark, the firm uses active management in an attempt to outperform the broad market. You’ll work with your advisor and select from a wide variety of investment strategies spread across three major asset classes: equity, alternative investments and fixed income. If you’re particularly interested in sustainable investing, you’ll be happy to learn that Rockefeller has been incorporating ESG principles into its investment process since the 1970s. Today, the firm offers several ESG portfolios, including its Global Fossil Fuel Free ESG Equity Strategy and Climate Solutions Equity Strategy. Lastly, Rockefeller offers both discretionary and non-discretionary account management. Potential conflicts of interestSince some Rockefeller advisors are broker-dealer representatives, we encourage you to ask whether your advisor earns commissions when recommending specific financial products. This form of compensation can create a conflict of interest and is something to keep in mind, even though all advisors on this list are fiduciaries. Rockefeller Capital Management disciplinary disclosuresNone reported in the past 10 years. Want to read more about the firm and its services? Visit Rockefeller Capital Management’s IAPD page for more information. |
5. Tiedemann Advisors, LLC |
About the firmTiedemann Advisors specializes in serving affluent individuals and their families, providing wealth management, estate planning, trust services and more. Founded in 1999 as a trust company, Tiedemann Advisors, LLC became a financial advisory firm in 2008. If you’re a new investor or haven’t yet reached the high net worth threshold, you’ll need to look elsewhere for an advisor since the firm works exclusively with high net worth individuals. The firm has undergone multiple expansions. It merged with Presidio Capital Advisors in 2016. A year later, Tiedemann merged with Threshold Group, which specialized in impact investing and working with large multi-generational families. According to our research, Tiedemann charges an annual fee of up to 0.85% of your AUM. However, Tiedemann’s fee-only advisors don’t sell financial products or insurance for commissions or other third-party compensation. Tiedemann, which markets itself as a boutique firm, remains privately owned. Tiedemann Wealth Management Holdings, LLC is the firm’s majority owner, while five executives directly own minority stakes in the business. |
Common services offered by Tiedemann Advisors, LLC
Tiedemann Advisors, LLC investing strategyTiedemann takes a hybrid approach to investing. First, the firm allocates the bulk of your assets to third-party managers that invest globally across all asset classes. Tiedemann will then take your remaining assets and make tactical, shorter-term investments in asset classes or parts of the world that offer the best risk-adjusted returns. These tactical investments, held in your portfolio for one to two years, typically consist of mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, bonds, futures, options or private investment funds. You’ll also see some of your assets invested in one or more of the firm’s private investment funds. Although private funds are often subject to performance-based fees, we appreciate that Tiedemann does not charge them. Lastly, know that Tiedemann’s advisors don’t operate in silos. Instead, the firm relies on an internal investment committee headed by its chief investment officer to make critical recommendations for client portfolios. Potential conflicts of interestNone to report. Tiedemann Advisors, LLC disciplinary disclosuresNone reported in the past 10 years. To learn more about this firm, its ownership and its services, visit Tiedemann Advisors, LLC’s IAPD webpage with the SEC. |
6. Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC |
About the firmManning & Napier Advisors, LLC is the only firm on our list that doesn’t call the Big Apple home. Instead, this fee-based advisory firm has its headquarters in Fairport, N.Y., about 10 miles outside Rochester. The firm traces its history back to 1970, when investment veterans Bill Manning and Bill Napier formed the company’s predecessor. Today, the firm remains privately owned, providing asset and wealth management services. While investment minimums vary depending on your account type, you’ll need at least $250,000 to become a client at Manning & Napier Advisors. If you meet the assets threshold, you’ll pay AUM fees based on your portfolio’s strategy. For example, as a wealth management client, you’ll pay 0.70% to 1.35% AUM when enrolled in one of the firm’s equity strategies with a $6,500 minimum annual fee. Wealth management includes both financial planning services and discretionary asset management. The firm also offers seven other fixed-income and equity strategies with varying AUM fees that trend lower than those cited above. |
Common services offered by Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC
Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC investing strategyIf you worry about a single advisor leading you astray, you’ll be relieved to hear that Manning & Napier takes a team-oriented approach when investing your money. Rather than assign a single advisor to manage your account, the firm has strategy-specific management teams that work together to make investment decisions. An investment policy group develops the firm’s economic and market outlook and devises the asset allocation guidelines used in specific portfolios. To invest your money, Manning & Napier will set up a separately managed account for you. You’ll then work with the firm to build a portfolio by choosing from its pool of 30-plus investment strategies. If you’re an equity investor, Manning & Napier has several strategies that can provide exposure to domestic and international companies. Perhaps you’re looking for a more balanced approach? The firm can build you a multi-asset portfolio with stocks, bonds and cash and manage it according to your risk tolerance. If generating income is your top priority, Manning & Napier also has fixed-income strategies that target both taxable and tax-exempt bonds with short and intermediate durations. Potential conflicts of interestSome Manning & Napier Advisors are registered representatives of a broker-dealer and may earn commissions when recommending specific products to you. Remember that third-party compensation can incentivize an advisor to recommend products that generate a commission while more affordable or appropriate alternatives are available. Despite this potential conflict of interest, the firm has a fiduciary duty to always act in your best interests. Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC disciplinary disclosuresNone reported in the past 10 years. Want to learn more about Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC? Visit the firm’s IAPD page. |
7. Summit Trail Advisors, LLC |
About the firmFounded in 2015, Summit Trail Advisors, LLC is based in Manhattan but has offices in Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle and Harrisburg, Penn. While the firm doesn’t require a minimum account size, it caters to the affluent — almost all of the firm’s individual clients have a high net worth. So if you’re looking to pair comprehensive family office services with traditional asset management and financial planning, this fee-based firm could be a consideration. Summit Trail has different ways of charging for its various services. For investment management, your fee is based on a percentage of your AUM and may reach up to 1.50%. If you just want stand-alone financial planning or consulting services without portfolio management, you can pay a flat fee ($5,000 to $75,000) or pay by the hour ($500 to $1,000). Lastly, fees for family office services top out at $300,000, but they may be covered by your AUM fee for investment management, as stated in your written agreement with the firm. Summit Trail is a wholly owned subsidiary of Summit Trail Holdings, LLC. Several of the firm’s executives also own direct minority stakes in the business. |
Common services offered by Summit Trail Advisors, LLC
Summit Trail Advisors, LLC investing strategyIf you’re looking for a stockbroker who will trade your assets in the hope of finding the next hot stock, Summit Trail likely isn’t for you. Instead, the firm employs an asset allocation strategy that methodically divides your investable funds across three broad categories of assets: growth assets, preservation assets and inflation hedging assets. As a Summit Trail client, your advisor likely won’t invest in individual securities. Instead, your portfolio will typically include a combination of ETFs, separate accounts, mutual funds and limited partnerships. However, your portfolio may also include a cash position for defensive purposes. The firm notes that it views cash as an asset class and uses cash holdings to pay your ongoing management expenses. Potential conflicts of interestSome advisors on staff are also registered broker-dealer representatives or insurance agents. These advisors have a financial incentive to recommend particular products and services over more appropriate alternatives, creating a potential conflict of interest. Summit Trail Advisors, LLC disciplinary disclosuresNone reported in the past 10 years. To learn more about the firm and its services, visit Summit Trail Advisors, LLC’s IADP page. |
8. Wealthspire Advisors |
About the firmWealthspire Advisors, previously known as Bronfman E.L. Rothschild, L.P., is a fee-only advisory firm that primarily works with established and affluent investors. While the firm has recommended account sizes ranging from $100,000 to $2 million, you won’t be automatically turned away if you have less than what’s recommended. As a Wealthspire client, you’ll either pay a fixed annual fee or an asset-based fee assessed as a percentage of your AUM. If you have at least $2 million to invest, you’ll likely find yourself enrolled in the firm’s wealth management services, which may include investment advice and financial planning. Fees for the wealth management program range from 0.04% to 1.2% AUM.
If you’re worried about working with an advisor who sells insurance or securities for commissions, you’ll be happy to hear that Wealthspire’s advisors work on a fee-only basis. They don’t sell products or collect third-party compensation. Based in New York, the firm changed its name to Wealthspire Advisors in October 2019 when Sontag Advisory LLC acquired Bronfman E.L. Rothschild. Wealthspire Holdings LLC owns the firm, which remains under the control of senior managing director Howard Sontag. |
Common services offered by Wealthspire Advisors
Wealthspire Advisors investing strategyWealthspire’s ability to communicate its investment strategy on its website stands out immediately. This isn’t a firm that chases the latest market trends or times the market. Instead, their core philosophy emphasizes asset allocation, diversification, low portfolio turnover and passive strategies that keep fees low and manage risk. If you have between $100,000 and $500,000, you’ll likely enroll in Wealthspire’s “Pathways” program, where advisors build portfolios centered around ETFs and cash. On the other hand, if your assets range between $500,000 and $2 million, you’ll likely become a part of the firm’s “Wealth Solutions” program, where portfolio strategies center on mutual funds and ETFs. Potential conflicts of interestNone to report. Wealthspire Advisors disciplinary disclosuresNone reported in the past 10 years. For additional details or to review the information we shared above, visit Wealthspire Advisors’ IADP page. |
9. Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC |
About the firmWhile its headquarters are in New York, you don’t need to live in Manhattan to become a client at Steward Partners Investment Advisory. The firm has more than 30 offices across 17 states and the District of Columbia. Steward Partners isn’t just for established investors with hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars to invest. The firm’s low investment minimum ($25,000) for its Ambassador program means even relatively new investors can become clients. However, you’ll be in good company if you have a high net worth, as more than half the firm’s individual clients are above that threshold. Regarding fees, you’ll likely pay a percentage of your assets at the firm (AUM), a fixed fee or an hourly rate, depending on the services you receive. However, it’s hard to tell how the firm’s fees compare to similar advisors. Steward Partners uses a network of independent advisor representatives (IARs) who negotiate their fees directly with you. While Steward Partners notes in its Part 2 brochure that fees will never exceed 3.0% of your AUM, we can’t say with certainty how much you should expect to pay. Employee-owned through Steward Partners Management Holdings, LLC, the firm has provided advisory services since 2016. |
Common services offered by Steward Partners Investment Advisor, LLC
Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC investing strategyWhile Steward Partners doesn’t provide a cohesive description of its investment strategy on its website, the materials it filed with the SEC shed some light on how the firm and its IARs would invest your money. The firm avoids analyzing individual securities, so Steward Partners likely isn’t for you if you’re looking for a broker keen on IPOs and today’s hot stocks. Instead, the firm takes a more traditional approach to portfolio construction and asset allocation — where diversification, risk tolerance and time horizon rule. As for security selection, the firm offers advice on a wide range of investments, including stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, options, warrants, corporate debt securities, certificates of deposit (CDs), municipal securities, variable life insurance and variable annuities. Potential conflicts of interestSteward Partners is a fee-based firm whose advisors may also sell financial products or insurance for commissions. You’ll want to discuss these potential conflicts of interest with your IAR and determine which transactions within your account will generate a commission. Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC disciplinary disclosuresNone reported in the past 10 years. Want to read more about Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC? Check out the firm’s IAPD page with the SEC for information. |
10. Evercore Wealth Management, LLC |
About the firmEvercore Wealth Management rounds out our list of the best financial advisors in New York State. With headquarters in Manhattan, the firm has additional offices in Minneapolis, San Francisco, Tampa, Fla., and Palm Beach, Fla. In business since 2008, Evercore remains a subsidiary of Evercore Inc., a publicly traded financial services company that provides investment banking services to multinational corporations. While Evercore Wealth doesn’t impose an investment minimum, the firm unabashedly tailors services — like strategic wealth planning and family office capabilities — toward the highly affluent. Your AUM fees at this firm will depend on your investment focus, as growth and fixed income assets are subject to different rates. First, let’s look at the AUM fees for growth assets:
For fixed-income asset management, AUM fees at Evercore look like:
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Common services offered by Evercore Wealth Management, LLC
Evercore Wealth Management, LLC investing strategyThe firm’s public-facing information from their website and the SEC offers little more than industry-standard language about exploratory conversations and personalized solutions. However, they emphasize taking a multidisciplinary approach. For Evercore, this includes working with your existing advisors outside the firm to ensure that every aspect of your wealth and legacy plans are in harmony. As an Evercore client, your advisor will likely use its proprietary process called Efficient Architecture to build your portfolio. This process seeks the “highest after-fee, after-tax, risk-adjusted returns” possible based on your risk profile. And as is common with firms catering to the affluent, you’ll find a wide range of investment opportunities at Evercore beyond the usual stock-and-bond suspects. From defensive assets and credit strategies to a broad selection of illiquid investments like private equity, distressed credit, venture capital and more, it’s unlikely you’ll thirst for options. Finally, Evercore offers discretionary and non-discretionary management — which you can negotiate with your advisor. Evercore Wealth Management, LLC disciplinary disclosuresNone reported in the past 10 years. If you’d like to learn more about the firm or review the above information, visit Evercore Wealth Management, LLC’s IADP page with the SEC. |
We’re glad you stopped by to check out some of New York State’s top advisors. MagnifyMoney is with you every step of the way in your journey to finding an advisor you trust. That’s why we’ve put together some next steps you can take to keep moving towards that goal:
You deserve a financial partner you can trust on your wealth-building journey. That’s why we focused on specific criteria that mean the most to investors like you. We reviewed each firm’s website and most recent Form ADV on file with the SEC and only considered firms for this list that:
We then ranked firms that made the cut based on assets under management (AUM). AUM can be a significant trust factor, as it shows the amount of money others have entrusted the firm to manage.
And we know that you will ultimately be the best judge of which financial advisor is best for you. If you want to verify any of our information first-hand, visit the SEC’s IAPD website. You can search for any firm’s Form ADV — filed annually by March 31 — and explore the firm’s most recent updates. All information in our list of the best financial advisors in New York State is accurate as of August 30, 2022.
Patrick VillanovaPatrick Villanova is a former senior writer and investing expert at MagnifyMoney. He previously worked at SmartAsset, covering retirement, financial planning and investing.
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