Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in Akron, Ohio
If you live in Akron, Ohio and are looking for a financial advisor that lines up with your personal needs, SmartAsset can help. We put together the list below of the top financial advisor firm options in Akron. We also examined company records and SEC filings to get details on their fee structures, expertise, investing philosophies and more. You can also use SmartAsset’s free financial advisor matching tool to get connected with advisors who serve your area.
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We match nearly 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 | Sequoia Financial Group, LLC Find an Advisor | $32,243,580,060 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
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| 2 | Valmark Advisers, Inc. Find an Advisor | $10,166,311,019 | Varies based on account type |
| Minimum AssetsVaries based on account typeFinancial Services
|
| 3 | Revisor Wealth Management Find an Advisor | $2,529,516,196 | $250,000 |
| Minimum Assets$250,000Financial Services
|
| 4 | Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services, LLC Find an Advisor | $1,124,003,928 | $500,000 |
| Minimum Assets$500,000Financial Services
|
| 5 | Symphony Financial Services, Inc. Find an Advisor | $428,700,951 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
| 6 | Presper Financial Architects, LLC Find an Advisor | $362,648,463 | $500,000 |
| Minimum Assets$500,000Financial Services
|
| 7 | True Wealth Design, LLC Find an Advisor | $494,042,592 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
| 8 | EGI Financial, Inc. Find an Advisor | $348,658,870 | $250,000 |
| Minimum Assets$250,000Financial Services
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| 9 | Warther Private Wealth Find an Advisor | $371,319,984 | $250,000 |
| Minimum Assets$250,000Financial Services
|
What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in Akron, 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:
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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.
Sequoia Financial Group
The first firm on our list of Akron's top financial advisory firms is Sequoia Financial Group. Sequoia works with thousands of clients, the vast majority of whom are non-high-net-worth individuals. High-net-worth individuals comprise a considerable percentage of the firm's clientele, as well. When it comes to institutional clients, the firm works with charities, retirement plans, pooled investment vehicles and other businesses.
Sequoia doesn't have a minimum account size requirement, but the firm is fee-based. This is a result of the firm's affiliation with an insurance agency, which allows advisors and the firm to receive commissions from the sale of insurance to clients. Certain employees are also registered representatives of a broker-dealer and can receive compensation when acting in those roles. Despite these potential conflicts of interest, the firm is a fiduciary and is legally obligated to act in the best interests of clients at all times.
The firm has a large team of financial advisors who hold a range of professional credentials, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), certified public accountant (CPA), chartered financial consultant (ChFC), accredited investment fiduciary (AIF), among others.
Sequoia Financial Group’s investment strategies depend on the type of services you wish to receive. However, no matter the service, advisors look to tailor advice and portfolios to help clients meet their financial goals and investment objectives. To do so, advisors may use model portfolios, which tend to be made up of combinations of mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and stocks.
Advisors may also create fully custom portfolios for clients. These portfolios are more individualized than model portfolios and may be populated using stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and some private investments. Advisors use fundamental, technical and cyclical analysis to help inform investment decisions.
Valmark Advisers
Valmark Advisers is a fee-based firm that serves as the advisory arm of Valmark Financial Group. The firm works with a range of clients, including individuals, high-net-worth individuals, trusts, estates, IRAs, 401(k) plans, pension and profit-sharing plans, businesses, charitable organizations, foundations, insurance companies, investment companies, banks, governmental agencies and unaffiliated registered investment advisors.
The account minimum at this firm varies by investment program. The TOPS® Core program generally requires $10,000, while TOPS, VWS Flex and certain custom strategies generally start at $100,000. Other programs have higher minimums, including $250,000 for ACCESS Plus and $1 million for TOPS Custom.
Qualified retirement plan services do not have a stated minimum, though plans are typically $500,000 or greater. As a fee-based firm, certain investment advisor representatives may receive commissions through affiliated broker-dealer or insurance relationships. This can create a potential conflict of interest. However, Valmark operates as a registered investment advisor and adheres to a fiduciary duty, meaning it is legally obligated to act in clients’ best interests.
Advisors on staff include CFP® professionals and CFA charterholders.
Most of what this firm does falls under the umbrella of investment management, retirement plan advisory services and financial planning. Specific services include ETF-based wrap programs, mutual fund asset allocation programs, access to third-party managers, separate account strategies, financial planning and consulting, annuity evaluation and servicing, as well as sub-advisory services for unaffiliated advisory firms.
Valmark generally uses diversified, goal-based model portfolios built around strategic asset allocation. Depending on the program, portfolios may use ETFs, mutual funds, fixed income or unaffiliated managers. The firm's approach is generally long-term and is not designed for daily trading or market timing. Optional services may include dollar-cost averaging and tax-loss harvesting for eligible accounts.
Revisor Wealth Management
Revisor Wealth Management is a fee-based firm that works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals and charitable organizations. Clients often include retirees, business owners and professionals with complex financial needs. Revisor generally requires a $250,000 minimum to open an investment advisory account, though this minimum may be waived at the firm’s discretion.
Revisor is led by a team of advisors that includes those with the CFP® designation and individuals licensed to sell insurance and registered to offer commission-based securities. As a fee-based firm, certain advisors may earn additional compensation from broker-dealer or insurance product sales. However, Revisor is an SEC-registered investment advisor and is legally obligated to adhere to a fiduciary duty.
Revisor Wealth Management offers a personalized approach to asset management. Each portfolio is customized according to the client's investment objectives, time horizon, risk tolerance and liquidity needs. The firm primarily uses mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), blending active and passive management strategies as appropriate.
Revisor’s approach leans long-term, but portfolios may be adjusted for reasons such as market changes, rebalancing needs or cash flow requirements. Portfolios are built using fundamental analysis and reviewed continuously by the firm’s leadership team to help maintain alignment with the client's evolving financial goals.
Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services
Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services is the next firm on our list. This firm has a $500,000 minimum account size requirement. The firm’s client base is mostly made up of individuals with and without a high net worth. Kohmann Bosshard also works with charities, retirement plans, corporations and other businesses.
This fee-based firm employs some advisors who can sell insurance for a commission. While such arrangements are typically considered potential conflicts of interest, the firm abides by a fiduciary duty.
Most of what this firm does falls under the umbrella of either investment management or financial planning. Specific services include: estate and legacy planning, retirement planning and analysis, college savings planning, asset allocation planning and investment objective determination.
Kohmann Bosshard uses an individualized, client-driven investment approach that begins with a discovery process covering each client’s goals, time horizon, risk tolerance and investment objectives. The firm may use predesigned model portfolios or custom portfolios, but says clients receive individualized advice in every case. Its philosophy centers on strategic asset allocation, diversification and long-term portfolio construction, with analysis based on the firm’s research, Efficient Market Theory and Strategic Asset Allocation. Portfolios may include ETFs, low-cost mutual funds, individual securities, U.S. government securities, municipal bonds and other fixed-income investments, depending on the client’s needs.
Symphony Financial Services
Next on our list of top Akron financial advisors is Symphony Financial Services, a fee-based firm. For the most part, Symphony works with high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals, although it also manages funds for pension and profit-sharing plans, businesses and charitable organizations. There is no stated minimum investable asset requirement to become a client of this firm.
Symphony Financial Services has a team of financial advisors who hold the chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified retirement counselor (CRC) designations. Certain advisors at Symphony Financial Services may earn a commission for selling securities. While this presents a potential conflict of interest, the firm has a fiduciary duty to act in clients’ best interests at all times.
There is a wide range of services at Symphony, such as investment management, 401(k) management, life insurance planning, estate planning and business succession planning.
Rather than focusing solely on investment returns for your stated risk tolerance, Symphony will integrate your financial plans into your portfolio’s construction. That means you and your advisor will discuss not only your risk tolerance and income needs, but also your goals and the timelines in which you wish to achieve them.
Depending on your investor profile, the firm may invest your assets in a number of different types of securities. These range from mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to stocks, bonds and other private and public investments.
Presper Financial Architects
Presper Financial Architects ranks next on our list of top advisors in Akron. The majority of Presper’s client base consists of individuals below the high-net-worth threshold. It also works with families, high-net-worth individuals, trusts, foundations and charitable organizations. The minimum you’ll need to become a client here is $500,000.
As a fee-based firm, Presper has advisors who can make commissions off the sale of insurance products to clients. Despite this potential conflict of interest, the firm abides by fiduciary duty. Presper's advisors include the ChFC, chartered life underwriter (CLU) and financial paraplanner qualified professional (FPQP) designations.
Financial planning and asset management are the two main services that this firm offers. These may touch on retirement planning, income planning, tax planning and direct indexing.
Presper develops client portfolios based on each client’s objectives, risk tolerance, financial situation and timeline, typically using one or more proprietary investment models rather than a single standardized allocation. The firm says it primarily uses fundamental analysis, supported by third-party research platforms, investment commentary, public research, regulatory filings, press releases, competitor analysis and custodian research.
Its portfolios may include individual equities, mutual funds and fixed-income investments, and it may use both active and passive portfolio strategies depending on the client’s objectives. PFA offers several model strategies, including conservative, balanced, moderate, growth and income portfolios, with allocations ranging from fixed-income-focused approaches to heavier equity allocations for clients with longer time horizons or greater tolerance for volatility.
True Wealth Design
True Wealth Design offers investment advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth individuals and professionals in Ohio and other states. The firm also offers pension consulting services.
While the firm doesn't have a required investment minimum, it does recommend that clients have at least a $100,000 portfolio. Beyond portfolio management, the firm's financial planning services may include estate planning, retirement planning, tax planning, cash flow and debt management.
In addition to its headquarters in Akron, Warther has offices throughout the state, as well as in Florida and Pennsylvania.
Warther Private Wealth is a fee-based firm because its advisors can earn commissions from the sale of insurance products. This can create a potential conflict of interest. However, the firm is bound by a fiduciary duty, meaning that its advisors must put clients’ needs first.
The firm provides customized investment advisory solutions for each client. The firm does this through continuous personal client contact and interaction while providing discretionary investment management and consulting services. The investment goals of each client are understood before an initial or ongoing plan is made. Portfolios may include mutual funds, interval funds and exchange-traded funds. The firm may also recommend a direct indexing strategy for certain clients.
EGI Financial
EGI Financial is a fee-based financial advisor firm in northern Akron. When it comes to individual clients, EGI works with about five-times as many non-high-net-worth individuals as it does high-net-worth individuals. The firm also has services available for businesses, estates, trusts, retirement plans and charitable organizations.
The minimum at this firm varies by program. For example, EGI’s standard money management service comes with a $250,000 minimum, whereas retirement plan services call for a $500,000 minimum.
Certain advisors are also registered representatives of American Heritage Securities, Inc., which can create a potential conflict of interest when securities transactions generate compensation for the affiliated broker-dealer. As a registered investment advisor, EGI is bound by fiduciary duty and must act in clients' best interests.
The firm offers a range of services, including individually managed investment portfolios, retirement plan advisory services, model portfolios, participant education, enrollment meetings, risk tolerance assessments and financial planning. EGI also provides outside portfolio reviews, insurance reviews and budgeting assistance.
EGI generally uses a proprietary asset allocation model that considers growth, income, stability, speculation and market correlation characteristics. The firm’s approach may include fundamental analysis, technical analysis, intangible analysis and fixed income analysis. Investments are typically selected with a long-term outlook.
Portfolios may include domestic and international equities, bonds, money market instruments, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), certificates of deposit (CDs), real estate investment trusts (REITs), master limited partnerships (MLPs), options and government, corporate or municipal debt, depending on the client’s needs.
Warther Private Wealth
Warther Private Wealth concludes our list of the top financial advisors in Akron. This fee-based firm works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, businesses, corporations, other financial professionals, employee benefit plans and plan fiduciaries. The firm generally requires a $250,000 minimum to open an investment advisory account, though this minimum may be waived at the firm's discretion for certain financial planning clients.
As a fee-based firm, certain advisors at Warther Private Wealth may earn commissions from the sale of securities or insurance products. This can create a potential conflict of interest. However, Warther Private Wealth operates as a registered investment advisor and adheres to a fiduciary duty, meaning it is legally obligated to act in clients’ best interests.
Warther Private Wealth offers investment management, portfolio management, financial planning, pension consulting, investment advisory consulting and rollover recommendations. Its financial planning services may address retirement, estate, tax, education, cash flow and insurance matters.
Warther Private Wealth primarily uses fundamental analysis, while also incorporating technical and cyclical analysis. Depending on the client’s needs, portfolios may include individual stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds and, in limited cases, variable annuities.
The firm generally uses long-term purchases as its primary investment strategy. Portfolios may also involve short-term purchases, rebalancing, tactical reallocations and margin trading when separately authorized by the client.