Top Financial Advisors in Houston, TX

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U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors, the top-rated firm in Houston, requires clients to have a minimum of $50,000 in investable assets -- one of the lowest requirements of any firm on this list. Previously operating under USCA RIA, LLC, the firm typically works with individual investors, both with and without high net worth. The firm also counts pensions, profit-sharing plans, charities and corporations among its clients. 

This fee-based firm boasts a large team of on-staff advisors, featuring some with the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), certified investment management analyst (CIMA), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and chartered portfolio managers (CPM) designations.

With advisors who are also licensed insurance agents and representatives of a broker/dealer, U.S. Capital Wealth is considered a fee-based advisory firm because its advisors can earn commissions on certain transactions. It's important to note that the firm is a fiduciary and must act in its clients' best interests despite these potential conflicts of interest. 

U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors Background

Founded in 2010, U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors previously operated as USCA RIA, a wholly owned subsidiary of financial services boutique U.S. Capital Advisors LLC also owns USCA Securities, LLC, USCA Asset Management and USCA Management, LLC. In May 2021, USCA RIA membership interests were transferred to U.S. Capital Advisors LLC and assets were transferred to the subsidiary company called Legacy One, which was later renamed U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors. As a result of the consolidation, U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors expanded its advisory offerings to include external manager accounts and fee-based financial planning. Some of the advisors at U.S. Capital Wealth is also registered with USCA Securities LLC, a registered broker-dealer.

However, in April 2024, USCW Holdco, LLC, purchased the firm and was set to acquire its affiliates during the third quarter of 2024.

U.S. Capital Wealth offers financial planning and portfolio management services. It previously offered a wrap fee program, which charges clients a single fee for a suite of services, but it no longer appears to do so. The firm manages assets on both a discretionary and non-discretionary basis.  

U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors Investment Strategy

Generally speaking, U.S. Capital Wealth's investment strategies are based on client needs, goals and objectives. In developing investment advice, the firm uses fundamental, technical, quantitative methods of analysis, as well as statistical tools and valuation methodologies. 

The firm typically invests client assets in mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), individual securities and individual bonds. When approved by the client, the firm may sell covered calls or buy puts and calls. "Strategies can include the selling of uncovered puts provided sufficient funds to purchase the equity are maintained in cash or cash equivalent securities in the account. Alternative investments and private placements will also be used when appropriate for the client," the firm notes in its brochure.

Clients may agree to a wide range of investment advice, including higher-risk strategies. However, your individual investment objectives and risk tolerance guide the firm's advisors and the investment choices that are ultimately made. 

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Americana Partners is a fee-based financial advisory firm that has billions in assets under management. If you’re interested in becoming a client of Americana Partners, you won’t need to worry about a minimum initial investment. In addition, the firm serves a combination of individuals above and below the high-net-worth threshold, retirement plans, businesses and charities.

As a fee-based firm, some advisors may receive sales commissions on certain transactions, like when you purchase securities or insurance products through your advisor. This is a conflict of interest, because third-party compensation can incentivize advisors to recommend certain products and services to generate a sales commissions. However, the firm has a fiduciary duty to always act in your best interests. 

Americana Partners Background

Americana Partners is a young firm, as it was founded in just 2019. The firm is under the principal ownership of president Jason Fertitta. Altogether, the firm’s advisory staff boasts more than 100 years of experience in the wealth management industry. Americana Partners has secondary office locations in Austin, Dallas and Midland, Texas.

The team of advisors at Americana Partners includes Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®), certified investment management analysts (CIMAs) and chartered financial analysts (CFA).

The firm offers investment and wealth management services, and also manages its own private funds. 

Americana Partners Investment Strategy

When formulating plans for a client’s investment portfolio, Americana Partners will principally take into account their individual needs. Outside of the client’s ultimate financial goals, these factors involve their risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs and investment preferences. Because these characteristics can change at any time, the firm will conduct regular assessments with clients to ensure their portfolio’s strategy stays in line with their changing needs.

Americana Partners tends to invest in individual debt and equity securities, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options and structured products. On occasion, the firm will incorporate the services of independent managers, as well. When evaluating potential investments, Americana Partners uses technical, fundamental and charting methods of analysis.

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Intrua Financial is a fee-based firm that only requires $10,000 minimum to open an account. The firm employs advisors who hold the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), chartered financial consultant (ChFC) and accredited investment fiduciary (AIF) designations.  

While Intrua Financial requires only $10,000 to open an account, in order to use the company's professionally-managed portfolio program, you must have $250,000 minimum to invest. The firm's client base includes both individuals and high-net-worth individuals, as well as trusts, charities, corporations and churches. 

Because a Intrua Financial's advisors are also representatives of a broker/dealer and can earn commissions on certain transactions, Intrua is considered a fee-based firm. Despite the potential conflict of interest this creates, the firm has a fiduciary duty to act in its clients' best interests. 

Intrua Financial Background

Founded in 2007, Intrua Financial is a wholly owned subsidiary of Larson Financial Holdings, LLC. The firm provides investment advice through investment advisor representatives (IARs) who are associated with the firm. 

Intrua offers asset management, financial planning and retirement plan advisory services to thousands of clients. The firm's website also lists estate planning, business planning and insurance planning among its service offerings.

Intrua Financial Investment Strategy

Intrua bases its investment strategy on a combination of fundamental and technical analysis, along with modern portfolio theory (MPT). The three methods of analysis allow the company to choose securities that retain long-term value and match risk with its client's risk tolerance. 

Intrua employs investment strategies that include: long-term purchases, short-term purchases, trading, short sales, and margin transactions. 

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This fee-only firm is based caters to individuals, high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, businesses, trusts and estates. The firm typically requires a minimum account size of $1 million for its investment management services. The firm’s Pathway Program – which is aimed at clients who are in the early stages of building wealth – requires a minimum account size of $500,000.

Financial Synergies employs a variety of fee structures for their services, including fixed fees for financial planning that range from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the complexity of the engagement. For ongoing plan maintenance, a flat fee of $1,000 is charged. The firm also charges an annual asset-based fee ranging from 0.75% to 1.50% of assets under management, with the exact rate being negotiable.

As a fee-only practice, Financial Synergies and its advisors don’t earn third-party compensation, like sales commissions, for recommending certain products and services. Instead, the firm’s revenue comes strictly from the fees that clients pay for advice. However, the firm may charge performance-based fees, which can incentivize advisors to make riskier investments in the hopes of generating a higher fee.

Financial Synergies Background

Financial Synergies was founded in 1986. The firm is led by president Michael Booker, who is also the majority shareholder. The ownership is shared among several stakeholders, including Michael Minter, Heath Hightower and Bryan Zschiesche, who all hold minority shares.

The firm's comprehensive suite of services encompasses investment planning, retirement planning, estate planning, charitable planning, education planning, personal tax planning, asset management services, ongoing plan maintenance and held away account services.

Financial Synergies Investment Strategy

Financial Synergies employs a comprehensive investment approach that includes asset allocation, fund analysis and structured products. The firm tailors its strategies to each client by considering their current financial situation, goals, objectives, financial circumstances, investment objectives, risk tolerance and time horizons.

The firm typically invests in no-load mutual funds, ETFs, individual equities, and bonds. Additionally, they offer variable annuities, variable life insurance products, and structured products. For those interested in more diverse options, the firm also explores alternative investments, cryptocurrencies, as well as digital coins and tokens.

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Mosaic Advisors, next on our list of the top-rated firms in Houston, features the lowest client-to-advisor ratio of all firms all 10 firms. Mosaic Advisors has a small pool of clients, most of whom are high-net-worth individuals. The firm also works with a handful of individual investors who don't have high net worths. New clients are not required to maintain a certain account minimum. 

The firm has Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®) on staff, with several other advisors working on completing their certifications. But as a fee-based firm, some Mosaic advisors are also licensed insurance agents who can earn commissions on certain transactions. Despite this potential conflict of interest, Mosaic is a fiduciary and must act in its client's best interests.

Mosaic Advisors Background

Mosaic Advisors, which has been in business since 2012, is owned by Mosaic Wealth Partners, LLC – which in turn is owned by Brandon Henry and Carey Kesner. The firm specializes in financial planning and due diligence services, family office services and investment advisory. 

A majority of clients opt for discretionary asset management, but Mosaic Advisors provides a small percentage of its client base with non-discretionary advisory services. 

Mosaic Advisors Investment Strategy

Mosaic Advisors spreads its clients' assets among stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and cash. However, the firm measures a client's risk tolerance, time horizon and investment goals when designing a portfolio. 

Advisors may use a combination of fundamental, cyclical, charting and technical methods of analysis in evaluating investments. Other strategies used rely on long-term purchases, short-term purchases and/or options writing.

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Chilton Capital Management, a fee-only firm, is up next on our list. The on-staff team of advisors at Chilton Capital includes chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®), as well as advisors with the certified public accountant (CPA) and certified private wealth advisor (CPWA) designations. The firm does not have a minimum investment requirement for new clients.

Over 88% of Chilton Capital’s clients are high-net-worth individuals and non-high-net-worth individuals, but the firm also works with charitable organizations, businesses, government entities, pensions and profit-sharing plans, along with two investment companies. 

Chilton Capital Management Background

Chilton Capital Management has been in business since 1996. The firm has combined with many different firms over the years. Most recently, Chilton acquired Texan Capital Management, Inc., a Houston-based investment advisory operation. Knapp Brothers, LLC, a holding company, is the majority shareholder of Chilton. The leftover shares are employee-owned.

Nearly all of Chilton’s services revolve around investment management, which it provides as either a discretionary or non-discretionary service. On its website, the firm lists financial planning among its services, which may touch on cash flow planning, retirement planning, estate planning and asset management.

Chilton Capital Management Investment Strategy

The first thing every new client does when joining Chilton Capital Management is meet with a financial advisor to determine what type of investor he or she is. This entails doing a detailed analysis of your tolerance for risk, time horizon, liquidity needs and any definitive investment goals you may have. Once a clear profile is evident, you are then matched with one of several investment strategies that Chilton has built.

In order to maintain the relevance of each strategy, the firm has appointed a dedicated investment team for each one. This group of financial advisors and market analysts will look over the strategy’s performance and make a three-year projection to determine if the current setup is still desirable. If not, the team alters the strategy.

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Paul Comstock Partners, a fee-only firm, is the next highest-rated financial advisory firm in Houston. The practice imposes a $10 million account minimum for new clients, so it's no surprise that Paul Comstock works exclusively with high-net-worth individuals and families, as well as charities. 

While this firm's advisory staff is on the smaller side, it does have a few advisory certifications to its name. These include the Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®) and chartered financial analyst (CFA) designations. As a fee-only firm, Paul Comstock Partners only charges its client's asset-based fees and/or fixed fees, not commissions. 

Paul Comstock Partners Background

Paul Comstock Partners was founded in 1983 by Paul Comstock, who remains the firm’s minority owner and director. Today, the firm is under the principal ownership of CEO Alison Comstock Moss.

Paul Comstock Partners offers what it calls chief investment officer (CIO)-structured investment advisory services, which the firm explains emphasize a strong working relationship with clearly defined goals, cash flow requirements and risk levels. The firm says it strives to prioritize its fiduciary duty to clients, as well as a sensitivity to costs.

Paul Comstock Partners Investment Strategy

Paul Comstock Partners uses a long-term investment strategy that recommends a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds. Depending on a client’s needs and preferences, the firm may also recommend alternative investments. Paul Comstock Partners contends that a diversified portfolio of stocks will provide appropriate exposure to the overall economy and can act as a long-term hedge against inflation. 

"Within diversified portfolios, Comstock recommends investment managers who purchase a range of securities with different risk characteristics," the firm states in its Form ADV brochure. "Comstock’s role is to analyze both the quality of the management and understand the risk characteristics of the underlying investments."

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CORDA Investment Management is a fee-only firm that uses value investing, mainly catering to individuals and high-net-worth individuals. However, the firm also works with pensions, profit-sharing plans and charities.

For advisory accounts, the firm has a minimum annual fee of $5,000, which it may waive or lower at its discretion. In addition, clients who open an account with CORDA after being connected with the firm through SmartAsset's financial advisor matching tool will have a reduced minimum asset requirement of $250,000.

The firm's advisory team includes Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®), as well as advisors with the accredited investment fiduciary (AIF) and certified public accountant (CPA) designations. 

CORDA Investment Management Background

Founded in 1999, CORDA offers a combination of portfolio management and financial planning services. Bonner C. Barnes, the firm’s president, chief investment officer (CIO) and founder, remains its majority owner. He has worked in the financial management industry for over 35 years. The Dana Wahl Barnes Trust and Corrin Barnes Trust own minority interests in the firm.

In addition to asset management and financial planning, the firm optionally provides pension-consulting services, as well as educational seminars.

CORDA Investment Management Investment Strategy

CORDA believes in value investing, a strategy introduced decades ago by Benjamin Graham and espoused by Warren Buffett. The firm looks for businesses that its analysts believe are temporarily priced at a discount, will appreciate over time and provide steady dividends and cash flow. Portfolios at CORDA are customized according to client needs and created based on in-house research.

The firm does not prioritize tax efficiency in its asset management strategy unless it explicitly agrees with a client to do so. While CORDA primarily opts for long-term investments, it notes that its strategies and investments could have “unique and significant tax implications” and recommends consulting with a tax professional.

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Icon Wealth Partners is a fee-based advisory practice that does not require a minimum account size. The firm offers investment advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charities and corporations. 

The firm has Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®) on staff, as well as one chartered alternative investment analyst (CAIA). Icon largely charges set management fees, but as a fee-based company, advisors may earn a commission related to insurance products they recommend. Despite this potential conflict of interest, Icon is a fiduciary and must act in its client's best interests.

Icon Wealth Partners Background

Icon was founded in 2016, and is owned and operated by Blake A. Pratz, Mark B. McAdams, Stephen T. Schwarzbach, Brooks McGee and James Pavlik. The firm specializes in financial planning and discretionary investment management. Estate planning and retirement planning are also among the services that Icon offers its 500+ clients. 

Icon Wealth Partners Investment Strategy

Icon primarily employs a long-term investment strategy for clients, basing decisions on fundamental and technical analysis to determine estimated long-term security value and market patterns. Depending on a client's rebalancing and liquidity needs, the firm may hold securities for a shorter period.

The firm stresses on its website that it takes an individually tailored approach to investment management. "We don’t use model portfolios, and we don’t use asset allocation models. Our first step is to sit down and fully understand your current and projected future financial circumstances. We will sit down and discuss your short-term and long-term goals and desires." 

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Tanglewood Total Wealth Management rounds out the list of top financial advisors in Houston. The firm works with individual investors – with and without high net worths – as well as corporations, charities, pensions and profit-sharing plans. Tanglewood has seven Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®), one chartered financial analyst (CFA) and one financial paraplanner qualified professional (FPQP) on staff.

While the firm does not impose a minimum account size requirement, Tanglewood does charge a minimum fee of $14,000 per year for wealth management clients. However, as a fee-only firm, Tanglewood is solely compensated through asset-based management fees, not commissions or other hidden charges. 

Tanglewood Total Wealth Management Background

Tanglewood Total Wealth Management was founded in 1979, making it the oldest practice on this list. In February 2017, the firm slightly tweaked its name from Tanglewood Wealth Management to Tanglewood Total Wealth Management. The stated purpose was to better reflect the firm’s goal of looking after the totality of a client’s financial well-being. The company is primarily owned by John Merrill, its current president and chief investment officer. Partners Brian Merrill and Keith Fenstad are minority owners, each owning 10% stakes.

Tanglewood asserts that its process is designed to meet each client's individual needs and priorities. The firm accomplishes this through what it calls its "signature service," which the firm defines as its dedication to giving clients the same care and attention it would a close friend. The firm strives to inspire “uncommon confidence” in its clients.

Tanglewood Total Wealth Management Investment Strategy

Tanglewood’s investment strategies are illuminated in the five books that its investment officers John Merrill and Brian Merrill have written. One of Tanglewood’s underlying principles of asset allocation is that financial history is both rational and repetitive in the long term.

Tanglewood’s investment management services begins with a two-part process. First, the firm establishes a pre-determined mix of stocks and fixed income. Once that ratio is set, the firm evaluates, selects and allocates client assets to each individual class. Tanglewood portfolios primarily use domestic stocks, international stocks, real assets, bonds and cash. However, the firm typically does not include commodoties or international bonds as part of its normal asset allocation. Each client has an investment policy statement that specifies risk aversion and their rate-of-return for their portfolio.