Top Financial Advisors in Connecticut

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Apella Capital, located in West Hartford, primarily advises individuals and high-net-worth individuals. However, the firm's client base also comprises pension and profit-sharing plans, as well as corporations and businesses. With no minimum account requirement, Apella has nearly twice as many individual clients who don't have a high net worth as those who do. 

Apella Capital provides investment management on both a discretionary and non-discretionary basis. It also offers financial planning services and retirement plan solutions. 

Apella formulates investment strategies and advice based on its clients' financial circumstances, objectives and risk tolerance. The firm has model portfolios constructed for each investment strategy that it uses and then tailors those portfolios to the needs of individual clients. These model portfolios comprise a range of investments including equities and fixed-income allocations in varying percentages. They typically include mutual funds, ETFs and other products. Some of the model portfolios that Apella uses are designed and maintained by the investment committee at Symmetry Partners, another Connecticut-based advisory firm that Sweeny and Connelly founded.

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NewEdge Wealth, LLC, a fee-based firm with headquarters in Stamford, primarily serves ultra-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, families and related entities. The firm also works with family offices, foundations, endowments, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, business entities and privately offered pooled investment vehicles. NewEdge Wealth does not have a minimum account value, though certain independent managers and private funds available through the firm may have their own minimums.

The firm provides wealth strategy and financial planning, asset allocation, portfolio construction, asset management, performance reporting, institutional consulting, private fund advisory services and wrap fee program services. Planning services may address cash flow analysis, trust and estate planning, insurance planning, retirement planning, tax planning, legacy planning and multi-generational wealth planning. Some firm professionals hold designations such as Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and chartered financial advisor (CFA). 

As a fee-based firm, NewEdge Wealth may receive advisory fees as well as certain commission-based compensation, insurance commissions and other third-party compensation. This creates a potential conflict of interest. However, NewEdge Wealth is required to act in its clients’ best interests as a fiduciary despite this potential conflict.

NewEdge Wealth formulates investment strategies based on client needs and may use domestic and foreign equities, fixed income, mutual funds, ETFs, master limited partnerships, REITs, options, structured products, hedge funds, private equity funds, private credit funds and other alternative investments. The firm also offers model strategies, separately managed accounts, unified managed accounts and multi-asset portfolios. Strategies may involve short- and long-term trading, margin transactions, ESG screening, factor-based portfolio construction and limited cryptocurrency exposure through ETFs, separate account managers or private funds.

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Johnson Brunetti, a fee-based firm with headquarters in Wethersfield, has a massive list of individual clients who fall below the high-net-worth threshold. Despite not having a minimum account size requirement, the firm also advises high-net-worth investors, corporations and business entities. 

All three of the firm's partners are Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®). Because some advisors are also licensed insurance agents, they can earn additional compensation for selling policies to clients, creating a potential conflict of interest. However, Johnson Brunetti is required to act in the clients' best interests as a fiduciary despite this potential conflict.

Johnson Brunetti generally uses fundamental analysis when evaluating investments and advising clients. This commonly used method of analysis attempts to measure the intrinsic value of a security by looking at a host of factors, including the overall economy and industry conditions, as well as the management and financial condition of the asset itself. The firm typically provides investment advice on ETFs, securities traded over the counter, foreign issues, U.S. government securities and partnerships that invest in real estate. Johnson Brunetti does not attempt to time the market, but it may increase cash holdings when it deems appropriate. 

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NorthCoast Asset Management LLC, a fee-based firm with headquarters in Stamford, primarily advises individuals, high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients. The firm also works with investment companies, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, ERISA plans, IRA holders and affiliated advisory firms. NorthCoast does not list a firmwide minimum account size, though minimum account values may apply for certain options strategies.

NorthCoast offers portfolio management, investment advisory services, financial planning, managed account solutions, subadvisory services, ERISA fiduciary investment management and proxy voting services. The firm’s professional team includes individuals with the chartered financial advisor (CFA) and Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designations. As a fee-based firm, NorthCoast may receive insurance-related compensation through an affiliate, referral fees or other third-party compensation, creating a potential conflict of interest. However, NorthCoast is required to act in clients’ best interests as a fiduciary despite this potential conflict.

NorthCoast formulates investment strategies using approaches that include strategic asset allocation, equity, income, dynamic asset allocation, defined outcome options and alternative investment strategies. The firm may use balanced and growth allocations, large-cap and all-cap equity strategies, municipal and Treasury income strategies, hedged equity, covered calls, collars and protective puts.

Portfolios may also include concentrated stock strategies, private credit, private equity and private real estate interval funds, as appropriate for each client. NorthCoast is primarily compensated through asset-based advisory fees and does not receive performance-based fees on client accounts. The firm reports no disciplinary actions or events.

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Sprott Asset Management USA, Inc., a fee-based firm with headquarters in Darien, primarily advises individuals, high-net-worth individuals, trusts, estates, family offices, pension and profit-sharing plans, institutional investors, business entities, financial advisors and investors in registered and private funds. The firm generally requires a minimum account size of $100,000 for retail managed account clients, though this may vary by platform. Private fund minimums typically range from $250,000 to $1 million, while institutional separately managed accounts that mirror a fund strategy typically require $10 million.

The firm provides discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, separately managed accounts, family office services, registered fund management, ETF management, private fund management and sub-advisory services. Its advisory personnel include at least one Chartered Financial Analyst. As a fee-based firm, Sprott Asset Management USA may receive performance-based fees, soft-dollar benefits and compensation tied to affiliated products or arrangements, creating a potential conflict of interest. However, the firm is required to act in clients' best interests as a fiduciary.

Sprott Asset Management USA generally focuses on precious metals, real assets, commodities, natural resources and related equity strategies. Its strategies may include growth, core, value and blended equity portfolios, buy-and-hold investing, fundamental value investing, option trading and short selling. Client portfolios and fund strategies may involve mining companies, physical commodities, private placements, public and private securities, royalties, ETFs and early-stage natural resource investments, as appropriate.

The firm also manages index-tracking and actively managed ETFs and may consider ESG factors alongside other investment criteria where relevant. Sprott Asset Management USA is also registered as a commodity trading adviser and commodity pool operator.

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Procyon, a fee-based firm with headquarters in Shelton, works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, families, trusts, estates, businesses, retirement plans, institutional investors and pooled investment vehicles. The firm does not state a firmwide minimum account size requirement.

Because certain advisory personnel may also receive commissions through affiliated brokerage or insurance activities, they can earn additional compensation from the sale of products, creating a potential conflict of interest. However, Procyon is required to act in the clients' best interests as a fiduciary despite this potential conflict. The firm provides investment management, financial planning and consulting, personal wealth management, held-away account management, retirement plan advisory services, institutional consulting, trust fiduciary services and private fund advisory services.

Procyon generally uses fundamental analysis when evaluating investments and advising clients. This method attempts to assess the value of a security by reviewing factors such as financial condition, industry trends and broader economic conditions. Client portfolios may include mutual funds, ETFs, individual stocks, fixed income securities, separately managed accounts, unified managed accounts and alternative investments, as appropriate.

The firm typically uses a long-term investment approach. It may also use asset allocation, diversification, cash positions, tax-loss or gain harvesting and short-term trading when consistent with a client’s objectives or circumstances. Procyon may recommend independent managers or platform-based investment programs, and it also delivers model portfolios to third-party advisors.

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With more assets under management than any other firm on our list, Bradley Foster & Sargent (BFS) is Connecticut's No. 2 financial advisory firm. BFS primarily advises individuals with and without a high net worth. The firm also works with pension plans, profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, businesses, a pooled investment vehicle and an investment company.  BFS does not require a specific minimum account size, but it does charge a $5,000 minimum annual fee. Clients who are referred to the firm through the Fidelity Wealth Advisor Solutions Program will need a balance of $500,000.

The core services offered at BFS are investment advisory and portfolio management. The firm also provides financial planning and consultation services. While its headquarters are located in Hartford, BFS has other offices in Connecticut, as well as Massachusetts, Florida, Maine and Chicago. 

BFS strives to develop investment plans tailored to the specific needs of each of its clients. Advisors use a wide range of strategies, investments and methods of analysis. The firm focuses on determining an effective asset allocation that incorporates strong diversification. Since capital preservation is one of the primary goals of the firm, it typically invests according to long-term strategies that utilize equities, fixed-income securities and cash. However, the firm believes that common stocks are the best assets for crafting an effective client portfolio. The firm does not utilize market-timing strategies, though.

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Moneco Advisors is a fee-based financial advisory firm that offers investment management, retirement planning, insurance services, legacy planning and other services primarily to individual clients above and below the high-net-worth mark. As a fee-based firm it may receive compensation from third parties for the sale of insurance products like annuities. However, as a fiduciary Moneco is obliged to put every client's best interest first, at all times.

Most client assets are managed on a discretionary basis, but a significant portion of assets under management are handled on a non-discretionary basis.

Clients' individual investment strategies are tailored to their specific needs. Their portfolios typically consist of individual stocks or bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, options and other public and private securities or investments, as appropriate for each client. Suitable securities are identified by a variety of tools, including fundamental, technical and cyclical analysis.

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Coastal Bridge Advisors rounds out our list of the top-rated advisors in the Constitution State. This fee-based practice requires a minimum initial investment of $5 million. As a result, a majority of clients are high-net-worth individuals, although the firm also works with non-high-net-worth investors, insurance companies, corporations and businesses.

Because some of its advisors can sell insurance products for a commission, Coastal Bridge Advisors is a fee-based firm. While this creates a potential conflict of interest, the firm abides by its fiduciary duty to act in your best interest at all times.

When formulating the composition of a client’s portfolio, Coastal Bridge Advisors will first talk with them about their risk tolerance, liquidity needs and time horizon. Through these conversations, the firm will create a template by which it can determine whether a specific investment falls in line with the client's personal needs. 

The firm states in its Form ADV brochure that it believes the most effective asset management strategy is selecting independent managers for its clients. Coastal Bridge Advisors takes into account the investment strategies, past performance and risk results of an independent manager when choosing one for a client. 

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Fiscal Wisdom Wealth Management, a fee-based firm headquartered in Canton, primarily advises individuals both above and below the high-net-worth threshold. The firm does not have a set account minimum, though it has a minimum annual advisory fee of $1,000 that may be negotiable.

The firm offers portfolio management, asset management, financial planning, retirement planning, cash flow management, education planning and estate planning services. It also provides educational seminars and workshops, third-party money manager solicitation services and access to a cash management program through StoneCastle Network. Because the firm and its representatives may receive commissions or other third-party compensation, including insurance commissions, broker-dealer compensation and solicitation fees, this creates a potential conflict of interest. However, Fiscal Wisdom Wealth Management is required to act in clients’ best interests as a fiduciary despite this potential conflict.

Fiscal Wisdom Wealth Management may use passive and active asset management, long-term and short-term trading, tactical asset management and model portfolio allocation. Its analysis methods may include charting, fundamental analysis, technical analysis and cyclical analysis. Client portfolios may include equities, equity options, fixed-income securities, ETFs, mutual funds, structured notes, commodities, futures funds and certain alternative investments, as appropriate for each client.