Top Financial Advisors in Birmingham, AL

Find an Advisor

Waverly Advisors, a fee-only firm, is the first financial advisor in Birmingham. Warren Averett isn’t for just anyone, however. The firm asks for a minimum of $1 million to invest. As a fee-only firm, advisors don't receive commissions from the sale of financial products to clients. The firm works with individuals, both with and without a high net worth. It also works with pooled investment vehicles, pensions, profit sharing plans, charities and other businesses.

Waverly Advisors has large team of advisors who hold a range of financial certifications. The firm has certified finanical planners (CFPs) on staff, as well certified public accountants (CPAs) designations. Waverly Advisors also features some chartered financial analysts (CFAs), among other accredited professionals. 

Waverly Advisors Background

Wavery Advisors, which was founded in 1999, was previously known as Warren Averett Asset Management but has since undergone a change in ownership and a name change. The firm is still led by Joshua Reidinger, president and chief executive officer. Reidinger has been with the firm for over 20 years. 

In 2017, Warren Averett Asset Management merged with Kinsight, a top Birmingham financial advisory firm. Today, it's principally owned by WAAM Parent, LLC, an affiliate of Wealth Partners Capital Group, LLC, and ultimately, through intermediate subsidiaries. 

The firm provides clients with investment management on both a discretionary and non-discretionary basis, as well as standalone financial planning and consulting services, among other offerings. 

Waverly Advisors Investment Strategy

Advisors at Waverly Advisors generally use fundamental and technical analysis when choosing securities. Fundamental analysis is the study of historical and present data to make financial forecasts about a company. Technical analysis looks at price and trade volume to forecast the direction of prices. 

To build your portfolio, you’ll have an initial interview with your advisor where you’ll go over your financial goals and objectives, your potential retirement date, cash-flow requirements and risk tolerance. The firm has portfolio allocation models that are used when your needs fit the situation. 

These models include aggressive allocation, growth allocation, moderate allocation, conservative allocation and ultra-conservative allocation. Each model corresponds with a risk tolerance and growth potential. For example, the firms says its ultra-conservative model “is designed for our most conservative investor whose goal is to preserve capital.”

Find an Advisor

Arlington Partners is not only the next financial advisory firm in Birmingham, but it's also the top-rated firm in the state. Arlington Partners is ultra-exclusive, requiring that multi-family office clients have at least a $10 million average net worth per household and a $50 million minimum group/family net worth. Clients receiving single-family office services typically must have a least $250 million in family net worth.

It’s no wonder that the firm’s clients are almost exclusively high-net-worth individuals and families. Arlington, which is a fee-only firm, states that it was “purpose-built to independently advise complex, high-net-worth families.” The company’s advisors serve families across the U.S., Canada and Europe and has offices in Birmingham and Franklin, Tennessee. 

The Arlington team features certified financial planners (CFPs), certified public accounts (CPAs) and chartered financial analysts (CFAs).  

Arlington Partners Background

Kenneth Polk founded the company in 1998 and serves as Arlington’s CEO and primary owner. Polk holds both the CPA and CFP designations. Prior to founding the firm, he worked as a tax consultant for Deloitte. 

Peter E. Barber, Elliot B. Robbins, Stephen J. Rowe, and Emily K. Vanlandingham all own minority stakes in the business. Vanlandingham, who also serves as COO of the firm, comes from a consulting firm background and has an MBA from Stanford. 

Arlington specializes in wealth management for ultra-high-net-worth families. Investment advisory services are offered on a discretionary and non-discretionary basis. 

Arlington Partners Investment Strategy

Unlike some financial advisors, Arlington Partners doesn’t have specific portfolio models to choose from. Instead, your advisor will give you advice based on your financial objectives and goals, risk tolerance, asset class preferences, investment horizon, cash needs and more. 

Arlington considers all the factors that comprise your investment profile within the context of the market landscape. Your advisor then will create an integrated investment plan. Arlington believes in value-driven investment decisions and strategic and tactical asset allocation. Additionally, tax considerations are another important aspect as well as capital allocation. Investments are recommended for the following asset classes: cash, fixed-income, global equities, hedge funds, private equity, real estate and commodities.

Find an Advisor

Despite being the youngest firm on our list, Stonegate Investment Group is ranked as the next advisor in Birmingham. This fee-only firm works with a large number of individual clients, both with and without high net worths. The firm also has retirement plans and businesses as clients. Stonegate typically requires a minimum relationship size of $1 million, although this requirement may be reduced. 

As a fee-only firm, Stonegate advisors do not collect commissions for recommending third-party financial products or insurance. The Stonegate team features certified financial planners (CFP) and chartered financial analysts (CFA). 

Stonegate Investment Group Background

Founded in 2021, Stonegate is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and wholly owned by Stonegate Investment Group Holdings, LLC. The holding company is owned, directly or indirectly by the following employees: Tony R. Smith owns the holding company with Christopher J. Compton, Matthew C. Brown, Mark F. Sommer, James W. Allen, Jerry G. Duncan and William E. Richardson. Smith serves as chief executive officer and chief investment officer of the firm.

As for services, Stonegate offers both discretionary and non-discretionary investment management to individuals and retirement plans, as well as financial planning and consulting services. 

Stonegate Investment Group Investment Strategy

Stonegate's investment strategies are rooted in the individual needs of clients. The firm's initial goal is to get to know its clients and understand their financial situations, risk profiles, investment objective, tax situations and liquidity constraints. From there, advisors will allocate a client's assets across a combination of equity securities, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as well as limited partnerships and pooled investment vehicles focusing on alternative asset classes. Stonegate also uses call options, protective put options and long put options in client portfolios.

Find an Advisor

Bridgeworth Wealth Management, the next firm in Birmingham, offers a range of services, including comprehensive financial planning, investment management and generational planning. The firm specializes in working with retirees, physicians, executives, attorneys, women and entrepreneurs.

There are a number of different minimum investment requirements at this firm. However, all of these minimums may be waived or reduced at the discretion of the firm. Here's a breakdown of them:

• Investment management: $500,000
• Financial planning: $5,000 minimum annual fee
• Private Client Group Services: $5 million

Bridgeworth is a fee-based financial advisor firm. This is due to the fact that some of the firm's advisors can earn commissions for selling insurance products or securities to clients as registered broker-dealers and insurance agents. Despite a potential conflict of interest, the firm and its staff are bound by fiduciary duty to act in clients' best interests no matter what.

Bridgeworth also has a large team of advisors that includes a total of 23 certified financial planners (CFPs), five chartered retirement planning counselors (CRPCs), three chartered financial consultants (ChFCs), among others. 

Bridgeworth Wealth Management Background

Bridgeworth Wealth Management was formally established in 2012 by six advisors who had worked together for two decades. Beginning with these six CFPs, the firm has since grown substantially. Several employees own the firm: CEO DeLynn Zell, chief investment strategist Charles Zachary Ivey and managing partner Brian Hinson, among others.

In addition to its headquarters in Birmingham, Bridgeworth has an office in Huntsville. The firm offers the following services:

• Comprehensive Wealth Management
• Standalone financial planning and consulting
• Standalone investment management
• Robo-advisor programs
• Selection of other advisors
• Retirement plan and pension consulting

Bridgeworth Wealth Management Investment Strategy

You’ll find a team approach at Bridgeworth, where financial planners have a wide range and depth of knowledge of almost every financial situation. Using their collective experience, the staff at Bridgeworth has created a formal financial planning process. First is your initial meeting where you will meet advisors and define goals, as well as learn what documents and information you’ll need to provide. Next is discovery, which is when you'll gather and organize all of your financial records.

The third step is analysis and strategy development where your advisor will work on developing a strategy to help you meet your goals. Plan presentation is the fourth step, and it consists of a collaborative effort between you and your advisor to finalize your financial plans for the future. Only then will your plan finally be implemented. The last step involves the monitoring of your account and plans through monthly and quarterly reports, as well as online account access.

When it comes to picking investments, the firm utilizes quantitative analysis, which may include analysis of management expertise, industry cycles, strength of research and development. Advisors may also employ fundamental analysis and research that includes reviewing financial analysts' reports to gain insight on the future performance of a security to guide our investment allocation decisions.

Find an Advisor

 EverSource Wealth Advisors is a fee-based firm based in Birmingham, Alabama that works with individuals, families, estates and trusts, charitable foundations and funds and institutions. There is no hard requirement for the amount of assets you must invest with the firm in order to employ its services. 

EverSource provides wealth management, investment advisory, financial planning and consulting services to its clients. As a fee-based firm, some of its advisors may earn commissions for the sale of securities. This could create a potential conflict of interest but the firm must serve as fiduciary, meaning it must put the needs of each client first. 

EverSource Wealth Advisors Background

The firm was founded in 2017 by Don Murphy, who serves as an advisor today. Mark Wesson has taken over the reigns as CEO of the firm, managing the day-to-day. The firm is home to 26 advisors who hold a number of designations that include CFP, CKA, CPA, CTFA, CVA, CFA and AEP.  

EverSource Wealth Advisors Investment Strategy

The investment methods, focus and depth of analysis vary based on the investment program and are applied based on the risk rtype and level of the investment strategy developed for each individual client. While each investment strategy depends on the client's needs and risk tolerance, the firm typically utilizes a portfolio of mutual funds, ETFs and third-party managed accounts across multiple investment styles. These core elements remain fairly consistent. 

Find an Advisor

Another Birmingham fee-based firm on our advisor list is Southern Financial Group. This company is among the smallest in terms of registered advisors on staff. As long as you have at least $50,000 in investable assets, you can become a client of Southern Financial Group. Individuals below the high-net-worth threshold comprise the largest percentage of Southern Financial Group's client base, although the firm also works with a considerable number of high-net-worth individuals, as well. Additionally, the firm serves charitable organizations, corportations and businesses. 

As a fee-based firm, advisors may receive commissions for selling financial products and insurance. This creates a conflict of interest, as your advisor has a financial incentive to recommend certain products and services over others. However, Southern Financial Group is still a fiduciary and is legally obligated to act in the best interests of clients. Despite its advisors earning third-party commissions, the firm itself collects asset-based fees for portfolio management from advisory clients, as well as hourly fees for specific services. 

Some of the firm's advisors hold the certified financial planner (CFP), certified public accountant (CPA) or Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designations. The firm also has another CPA on staff. 

Southern Financial Group Background

David Painter, chief compliance officer, and Christopher Holder, chief financial officer, are the two owners and founders of Southern Financial Group. While the firm was founded in 2006, each founder has more than 25 years of experience in financial planning and investment.

The firm specializes in investment management, financial planning, consulting, income tax preparation and estate settlement services, as well as IRA rollover recommendations. 

Southern Financial Group Investment Strategy

Your financial plan at Southern Financial Group will be holistic. This means your advisor will consider your financial goals, family records, budgeting, tax and cash flow, investments, insurance, retirement strategies, estate and more. You’ll also receive advice, as needed, on business planning and tax and budgetary planning. In total, you’ll get to see your financial picture through the eyes of an expert. 

The firm invests client assets in a combination of exchange-listed securities, securities traded over the counter, foreign issuers, warrants, corporate debt securities, commercial paper, municipal securities, variable life insurance, variable annuities, mutual funds and U.S. government securities. 

Find an Advisor

Kassouf Wealth Advisors, the next firm on our list, is a fee-only financial advisory practice that serves individuals, retirement plans and charitable organizations. It works with about as many high-net-worth individuals as it does clients who fall below that threshold. To receive investment management services from the firm, you’ll typically need a minimum account balance of about $150,000. 

As a fee-only firm, Kassouf advisors do not sell insurance or financial products. Instead, advisors are compensated solely by fees that clients pay directly for advisory services. 

The Kassouf team features several accredited financial professionals, including some certified public accountants (CPAs), certified financial planners (CFPs), accredited estate planners (AEP) and others. 

Kassouf Wealth Advisors Background

Kassouf Wealth Advisors is principally owned by Gerard J. Kassouf and David P. Kassouf. Both are CFPs and CPAs. 

The firm specializes in comprehensive wealth management and financial planning, as well as retirement plan services.  

Kassouf Wealth Advisors Investment Strategy 

Kassouf Wealth Advisers makes investment decisions primarily driven by modern portfolio theory. This school of thought suggests diversification across asset classes is crucial in mitigating risk as one may serve as a buffer when another experiences a downturn. 

The firm aims to devise an investment strategy based on your individual risk tolerance and long-term investing goals. In general, Kassouf recommends passively managed index and mutual funds and typically steers clear from utilizing individual stocks and bonds in its asset allocation framework. Of course, it may divert from these strategies if deemed appropriate based on your circumstances.

Find an Advisor

Porter White Investment Advisors, the next firm on our list, is a fee-based firm that provides financial planning and asset management to individuals, corporations, profit-sharing plans and more.

Its wealth management division caters to individuals. According to SEC files, this segment consists mostly of high-net-worth individuals. The firm typically requires a minimum investment of $1 million to open an account.  

As a fee-based firm, some advisors on staff are registered representatives of a securities broker-dealer and can receive commissions for selling certain products. This compensation structure creates a conflict of interest because advisors have a financial incentive to recommend certain services and products over others. However, the firm still must abide by its fiduciary duty to always act the client's best interests. 

Porter White Investment Advisors Background

Porter White Investment Advisors has been in the investment advisory business since 1995. James H. White III is the primary owner and currently serves as chairman. The firm is a subsidiary of Porter White Companies, Inc. 

The primary services offered at Porter White Investment Advisory include wealth management, financial planning and consulting, as well as fiduciary services for retirement plans.

Porter White Investment Advisors Investment Strategy

Porter White Investment Advisors can offer its clients a Financial Planning Review, where it gathers information to come up with a balance sheet and action plan. It also provides retirement analysis and estate planning services. 

But its main efforts steer toward portfolio management. Its investment action plan revolves around the following points: 

• Asset allocation
• Investment selection and monitoring
• Cash management
• Performance reports

The firm primarily offers advice on mutual funds, and when suitable, recommends no-load mutual funds that invest in equity and fixed-income securities. Advisors may also recommend fixed-income securities with maturities that are deemed appropriate for the client. 

Find an Advisor

Meld Financial, another fee-only firm, is the longest-tenured practice on our list of the top advisory firms in Birmingham. The vast majority of Meld clients are regular individuals, although the firm does have a sizable client base of high-net-worth individuals. Retirement plans, government entities and businesses also work with Meld as clients. The firm imposes a minimum account size of $50,000. 

The Meld team features some advisors who hold the certified financial planner (CFP) designation, as well as the chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation. 

Meld Financial Background

Founded in 1986, Meld first registered as an investment advisor in 2004. Mark Alan McGarvey, chairman of Meld, maintains at least a 25% direct ownership stake in the firm.

Meld provides comprehensive financial planning as a base service, as well as single-issue analysis and advisory services. Meld advisors may work with clients on a variety of topics, including estate planning, college funding, retirement funding, retirement plan distribution, executive employee compensation analysis, and insurance needs, among others. 

Meld Financial Investment Strategy

Meld's investing approach is informed by a combination of charting, technical analysis, fundamental analysis and cyclical analysis. The firm generally provides investment advice on exchange-listed securities, mutual funds, over-the-counter equities, equities of foreign issuers, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), U.S. government securities, options, commercial paper, warrants, corporate debt securities and alternative investments, including hedge funds and real estate. 

Find an Advisor

OneAscent Financial Services is a fee-based firm that provides advisory services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations and other business entities. There is no specific minimum account size in order to work with the firm. If a client wishes to access third-party managers then there may be an enforced minimum. 

As a fee-based firm, some of its advisors may earn a commission for the sale of certain securities. While this could create a potential conflict of interest, advisors are bound by a fiduciary duty that requires them to put the needs of the client first. 

OneAscent Financial Services Background

OneAscent Financial Services was founded in 2017 and is part of a family of companies all focused on servicing the industry with a values-based approach. OneAscent is owned by OneAscent Holdings LLC, which in turn is principally owned by Harry Pearson, Robert Grubb and Thomas Powell. The firm is home to 25 advisors today that manage more than $450 million in assets under management (AUM). 

OneAscent Financial Services Investment Strategy

OneAscent focuses on a values-based investment approach to help its clients live life to the fullest and be a part of something bigger than themselves. The firm's onboarding process allows them to tailor a plan to the unique money style and values of each individual investor. Each client is managed individually but portfolios often include a selection of ETFs and mutual funds that meet the needs of each client.