Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in Des Moines, Iowa
SmartAsset created this list of the top financial advisory firms that serve Des Moines, Iowa after in-depth research and analysis. In tables and in reviews below, we highlight what each firm charges in fees, what its minimum account balances are and how it invests client assets. To find an advisor who serves your area, use SmartAsset’s free matching tool.
Find a Fiduciary Financial Advisor
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 | Legacy Financial Group  Find an Advisor | $840,400,934 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
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| 2 | DMKC Advisory Services, LLC  Find an Advisor | $668,680,393 | Varies based on account type |
| Minimum AssetsVaries based on account typeFinancial Services
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| 3 | West Financial Advisors, LLC  Find an Advisor | $610,548,598 | $1,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$1,000,000Financial Services
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| 4 | Peterson Financial Group, Inc.  Find an Advisor | $247,615,222 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
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| 5 | Altitude Capital Management LLC  Find an Advisor | $49,400,000 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
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What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in Des Moines, 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. -
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Individual Client CountFirms who serve more individual clients (as opposed to institutional clients) are ranked higher. -
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Clients Per AdvisorFirms with a lower ratio of clients per financial advisor are ranked higher. -
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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.
Legacy Financial Group
The Legacy Financial Group, the first firm on our list of top practices in Des Moines, is an SEC-registered advisor that first opened its doors in 2010. The firm works primarily with individuals who do not have high net worth, although the firm also serves high-net-worth clients. Legacy Financial Group is also ranked among the top 10 firms in the state by SmartAsset.
This is a fee-based firm, meaning some of its advisors can sell insurance products and securities on a commission basis. Despite the potential conflict of interest, this creates, the firm is legally bound to act in clients' best interests due to its fiduciary duty. The firm's advisors and staff members have earned industry credentials such as the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), accredited investment fiduciary (AIF), certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA), accredited portfolio management advisor (APMA) and financial paraplanner qualified professional (FPQP) designations.
There is no account minimum or minimum annual fee. The firm offers a variety of services, including discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, along with tailored financial planning and consulting. The firm also offers retirement plan and pension consulting, divorce financial planning, financial education programs and access to third-party money managers.
Legacy Financial Group emphasizes long-term purchases as its primary strategy, building diversified portfolios that minimize turnover and taxes while aiming to capture growth from an expanding economy. The firm supplements this with selective short-term investments, options for hedging and structured notes to manage risk in changing markets. Its approach combines fundamental analysis (evaluating economic and company factors) with technical analysis of market trends to guide investment decisions.
DMKC Advisory Services
DMKC Advisory Services is the next firm on our list of the top financial advisors in Des Moines. DMKC works mainly with individual clients, those both with and without a high net worth. Other clients include charities and businesses.
DMKC is a fee-based firm that employs advisors who may also receive commissions from selling insurance products or securities to clients. This potential conflict of interest is mitigated by the fact that the firm is a registered fiduciary advisor. This means it is legally obligated to act in the best interests of clients at all times.
Account minimums vary depending on the type of services a client seeks. The firm's Anchor Program requires a $50,000 account minimum, while the Atlas Program requires a $500,000 minimum. At least one member of the DMKC team holds the following credentials: Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and chartered financial consultant (ChFC),
Daniel M. Kelly founded DMKC Advisory Services in 1999 and the firm registered with the SEC as an investment advisor eight years later. In addition to its investment management services, DMKC provides financial planning that covers retirement, education, tax planning, estate considerations and other key financial issues.
The firm primarily uses fundamental analysis and emphasizes long-term investing, generally holding positions for five to 20 years. Portfolios typically include stocks, bonds, mutual funds and ETFs, with a focus on diversification rather than market timing. Investment strategies are designed for growth, income or balanced objectives, with adjustments made for client-specific situations like low-basis stock or legacy holdings. While long-term in nature, portfolios may modestly increase cash when appropriate based on market outlook and client risk tolerance.
West Financial Advisors
West Financial Advisors is the only fee-only practice on our list. That means neither the firm nor its advisors receive commissions or additional compensation for selling investment products or insurance. This reduces the number of potential conflicts of interest the firm has.
Advisors on staff hold several professional certifications, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), certified public accountant (CPA) and Chartered Financial analyst (CFA) designations.
West Financial Advisors typically requires a minimum investment of $1 million, but it may accept accounts below this minimum. As a result, a majority of clients are high-net-worth individuals, although the firm also serves well over 100 individuals below the high-net-worth market. Pension and profit-sharing plans make up the remainder of the firm's client base.
Founded in 2006, the firm offers both discretionary and non-discretionary investment management tailored to each client’s needs. Depending on portfolio size, clients receive comprehensive financial planning or targeted advice on matters such as tax-efficient investing and cash flow strategies. The firm also offers tax preparation services under separate agreements, which isn't something all firms offer.
West Financial Advisors follows a long-term, diversified investment approach designed to reduce volatility and manage risk. The firm creates customized investment policy statements for clients, outlining goals and asset allocation strategies. Its portfolios emphasize broad global diversification across multiple asset classes, guided by fundamental, technical and charting analysis. Considerations include liquidity needs, tax strategies, time horizon and client-specific circumstances.
Peterson Financial Group
Peterson Financial Group, founded in 2013, is a registered investment advisor that provides retirement-focused investment management and financial planning services. The firm works with individuals and high-net-worth individuals and does not impose a minimum account size.
Advisory services are centered on its “Retirement Readiness Review,” which covers income planning, risk assessment, survivorship considerations and tax strategies. Clients also receive ongoing portfolio management and financial planning guidance that may include estate, tax, and risk management considerations.
The firm has one registered financial consultant (RFC) and one retirement income certified professional (RICP) on staff.
The firm is fee-based, as its advisors also hold insurance licenses and may receive commissions from selling life insurance and annuities. Keep in mind that this creates a conflict of interest because advisors have a financial incentive to make certain recommendations. However, as a fiduciary, the firm must act in your best interests.
Investment portfolios are typically constructed using equities, ETFs, cash and mutual funds, often through model portfolios provided by internal or third-party managers. Peterson Financial Group tailors portfolios according to client goals, risk tolerance and time horizon, with strategies ranging from conservative income preservation to aggressive growth. Its approach emphasizes asset allocation, fundamental analysis and the use of external model managers, supported by tools such as Nitrogen (formerly Riskalyze) to align portfolios with client risk scores.
Altitude Capital Management rounds out our list of the top financial advisors in Des Moines. Founded in 2024, Altitude is the youngest practice on this list. It provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals and high net worth individuals, but does not have a minimum account size requirement.
Its offerings include tailored portfolio management, asset allocation guidance and consulting on areas such as risk management, estate planning, and broader financial decision-making. Clients may choose discretionary or non-discretionary management.
Altitude is fee-based, as its representatives may earn commissions from insurance products in addition to charging asset-based advisory fees. While this represents a conflict of interest, the firm has a fiduciary duty to act in its clients' best interests. Altitude has at least on Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) on staff.
The firm designs portfolios around client-specific goals, risk tolerance and time horizons. Its investment strategies incorporate asset allocation, dollar-cost averaging, technical analysis, as well as both long- and short-term purchases. Portfolios typically include stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, annuities and cash. The firm’s investment philosophy emphasizes maintaining purchasing power over the long term, focusing on taking compensated market risks while reducing uncompensated risks such as overexposure to individual securities.
