Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in Illinois
One of the ways you can plan for your future is by finding a financial advisor who will help you figure out your financial goals and set up a plan to achieve them. If you use a financial advisor, it’s important that it’s someone who you feel comfortable with and who has a similar investing philosophy. With that in mind, here is SmartAsset’s list of the top financial advisor firms in Illinois. Determined through hours of research, this list outlines each firm’s fee structure, investing approach, services and more so you can better differentiate which firm might suit you. You can also use SmartAsset’s free financial advisor matching tool to be 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 | Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors, LLC ![]() | $180,614,282,519 | None |
| Minimum AssetsNoneFinancial Services
|
2 | Fiducient Advisors LLC ![]() | $67,638,977,77 | Varies based on account type |
| Minimum AssetsVaries based on account typeFinancial Services
|
3 | Cresset Asset Management, LLC ![]() | $62,017,355,005 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
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4 | Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC ![]() | $31,731,798,984 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
5 | Savant Wealth Management ![]() | $29,647,673,271 | $300,000 |
| Minimum Assets$300,000Financial Services
|
6 | Choreo, LLC ![]() | $18,232,358,701 | Varies based on account type |
| Minimum AssetsVaries based on account typeFinancial Services
|
7 | Capital Strategies Investment Group LLC ![]() | $21,292,246,925 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
8 | The Mather Group, LLC ![]() | $11,710,038,016 | $1,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$1,000,000Financial Services
|
9 | Great Lakes Advisors, LLC ![]() | $15,298,949,943 | Varies based on account type |
| Minimum AssetsVaries based on account typeFinancial Services
|
10 | Gresham Partners, LLC ![]() | $11,650,765,321 | $180,000 minimum annual fee |
| Minimum Assets$180,000 minimum annual feeFinancial Services
|
What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in Illinois, we first identified all firms registered with the SEC in the state. 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:
- 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.
Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors
Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors offers fee-based services to a wide range of clients. These include individuals, banks, pensions and charities.
The firm impose minimum account sizes, depending on the services, which can range from $3,000 to $1 million.
Gallagher’s investment strategy focuses on broad diversification. The firm builds portfolios using various asset classes, including large-cap and small- to mid-cap stocks.
It also incorporates international holdings while accounting for factors like currency and political risk.
Each investment plan is tailored to specific client needs. Advisors consider risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity and personal goals when developing a strategy.
Fiducient Advisors
Formerly known as DiMeo Schneider & Associates, Fiducient Advisors works with both individual and institutional clients. Its clients include high-net-worth individuals, banks, pension plans, charities and businesses.
Advisors at the Chicago-based firm hold many certifications, including including Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®), chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and certified investment management analysts (CIMAs), among other designations.
Clients seeking investment management services typically have a minimum account requirement of $50,000 for model portfolios. The firm charges annual advisory fees between 0.01% and 1% of assets.
As a fee-based firm, some advisors may earn commissions, but they are still required to act in the client’s best interest.
Fiducient recommends investment managers based on client needs and also offers planning services for taxes, insurance, retirement, and cash flow.
Cresset Asset Management
Cresset Asset Management works with both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals, as well as institutional clients like charities and pooled investment vehicles.
It offers a variety of advisory services and charges asset-based and fixed fees. As a fee-based firm, it may receive third-party compensation, but it must still follow fiduciary standards.
Advisors at the Chicago-based firm hold many certifications, including Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®), chartered financial analysts (CFAs), and certified public accountants (CPAs), among other designations.
Cresset offers services such as portfolio management, financial planning, pension consulting and advisor selection. It uses multiple forms of investment analysis, including fundamental, technical and quantitative approaches.
Typical strategies include investing in traditional assets like stocks and bonds, as well as alternative assets such as hedge funds, private equity, real estate and derivatives. The firm also uses both long- and short-term trading strategies.
Kovitz Investment Group Partners
Kovitz Investment Group Partners provides advisory services to high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals and their related accounts like trusts, IRAs and partnerships.
The firm also serves retirement and benefit plans such as 401(k)s and profit-sharing plans, along with small businesses and other institutional clients.
Kovitz generally prefers a $1 million minimum to open a separate account, but it does not have a firm stated minimum. The firm can accept or decline any client engagement at its discretion.
As a fee-based firm, Kovitz may receive commissions from selling certain investment products. This compensation structure presents a potential conflict of interest, but the firm is required to act in clients’ best interests under its fiduciary obligations.
The firm's investment approach incorporates value investing, sector diversification and dividend-focused strategies, with fixed income used to help manage volatility.
As with other firms, Kovitz customizes investment strategies based on the client’s financial profile, risk tolerance, liquidity needs and long-term goals.
Savant Wealth Management
Savant Wealth Management is a fee-only firm that works with both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals. It also serves institutions like pension plans, charities and corporations.
Clients at Savant have access to a team that includes certified financial planners™ (CFPs®), certified public accountants (CPAs) and accredited investment fiduciaries (AIFs).
To open an investment account, clients generally need at least $300,000. Fees are based on a percentage of assets managed, typically ranging from 0.50% to 1.50%.
The firm focuses on helping clients manage finances through major life events such as marriage, retirement, or raising a family.
Savant builds long-term investment strategies using mutual funds and ETFs. Each portfolio is designed to match a client’s goals, risk level, timeline and income needs. The firm also considers taxes and liquidity when building and adjusting portfolios.
Choreo
Choreo is a fee-based financial firm that works with individuals, families, pensions and retirement plans, as well as charities, businesses and other institutional clients.
The firm generally requires clients to have at least $1 million in investable assets, but may lower this amount or waive its $8,000 annual minimum fee at its discretion.
Choreo builds globally diversified portfolios designed for long-term goals. The firm avoids emotional decisions or market timing and instead uses a steady investment process based on each client’s risk level, goals and time frame.
Each plan is customized to fit the client’s full financial picture. This includes income needs, liquidity, taxes and future plans. The firm aims to provide clear strategies that are built to adapt as life changes.
Capital Strategies Investment Group
Capital Strategies Investment Group (CSIG) is a fee-only advisory firm that works primarily with high-net-worth individuals and retirement plans. The firm also serves individuals without high net worth, as well as charitable organizations and corporate clients.
The firm’s team includes advisors with professional designations such as chartered financial analyst (CFA) and accredited investment fiduciary (AIF). This credentialed team supports services in portfolio construction, retirement planning and other areas of wealth management.
CSIG does not impose a minimum investment requirement. Clients typically pay asset-based fees ranging from 0.05% to 1% annually, or a flat fee for investment consulting.
Advisors do not sell investment products or insurance, avoiding the conflicts that can arise from commission-based compensation.
The firm's investment strategy centers on building custom portfolios with a long-term focus. It uses a diversified mix of no-load mutual funds, ETFs, limited partnerships and other securities to align client portfolios with personal goals, risk tolerance and investment time horizons.
The Mather Group, LLC
The Mather Group, LLC (TMG) is a fee-only firm that serves both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth clients, as well as insitutional clients like retirement plans and charities.
When you work with TMG, you’ll have access to wide range of professionals, including Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®) and chartered financial analysts (CFAs), among other designations.
TMG typically requires clients to have at least $1,000,000 to open an investment account. It charges fees for investment advisory services based on a percentage of your assets under management, generally ranging from 0.25% to 2.00%.
The firm describes itself as a “full-service wealth partner” that offers clients a variety of financial planning services, including retirement planning, risk mitigation, debt management and budget and cash flow.
TMG also says that it uses research to develop low-cost portfolios with a focus on income generation and risk management, as well as tax strategies that aim to lower liability and optimize benefits.
Great Lakes Advisors
Great Lakes Advisors (GLA) provides investment management services to a wide range of clients, including individuals, investment companies, pension plans, charities, government entities and businesses.
The firm works with both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals, offering portfolio management services and other investment solutions.
GLA charges fees based on a percentage of assets under management, with a maximum fee of 2% for accounts under $5 million. Minimum account sizes vary depending on the investment strategy, generally ranging from $1 million to $2 million. These thresholds reflect the firm’s focus on large and institution-level clients.
As a fee-only firm, GLA does not earn commissions from trades or the sale of investment products. This structure helps limit potential conflicts of interest and aligns the firm’s compensation with its clients’ portfolio value.
GLA uses multiple investment strategies, including disciplined equity, value-focused equity, fixed income, multi-asset portfolios, Smart Beta and goal-based private wealth management.
Gresham Partners, LLC
Gresham Partners serves high-net-worth clients and insitutions that include other investment and business development companies, and charitable organizations.
As a fee-based firm, a conflict of interest may exist because advisors could earn commissions from selling certain securities. However, they must uphold a fiduciary duty that prioritizes client needs.
Advisors at the firm hold a variety of certifications, including certified public accountants (CPAs) and Certified Investment Management Analysts (CIMAs), among other designations.
Gresham Partners typically charges a "minimum annual fee of $180,000” for investment advisory services. This is based on a percentage of your assets under management, which can range from 0.30% to 0.75%.
The firm says that is offers services to maximize opportunities. These include investment management, wealth planning and family office services.