Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in Indiana
Financial advisor firms typically have different specialties and investment philosophies. To help you determine which firms fit your needs and which don’t, SmartAsset has come up with this list of Indiana’s top financial advisor firms. Below are each firm’s investing philosophies, fees, services and more, affording you a detailed look at what each firm can offer. For those who prefer a simpler search method, the SmartAsset financial advisor matching tool will automatically connect you with advisors who serve your area.
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We match more than 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 |
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1 | Oxford Financial Group, Ltd. Find an Advisor | $18,201,054,484 | $5 million |
| Minimum Assets$5 millionFinancial Services
|
2 | Valeo Financial Advisors, LLC Find an Advisor | $8,944,535,606 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
3 | Sapient Capital LLC Find an Advisor | $9,276,179,084 | None |
| Minimum AssetsNoneFinancial Services
|
4 | SYM Financial Find an Advisor | $4,055,387,303 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
5 | Shepherd Financial Investment Advisory Find an Advisor | $4,016,943,044 | No minimum account requirement |
| Minimum AssetsNo minimum account requirementFinancial Services
|
6 | Donaldson Capital Management, LLC Find an Advisor | $2,677,442,196 | $500,000 |
| Minimum Assets$500,000Financial Services
|
7 | CX Institutional, LLC Find an Advisor | $2,386,979,619 | Varies based on account type |
| Minimum AssetsVaries based on account typeFinancial Services
|
8 | Invst, LLC Find an Advisor | $1,347,246,943 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
9 | Bedel Financial Consulting, Inc. Find an Advisor | $2,137,382,356 | $5,000 minimum annual fee |
| Minimum Assets$5,000 minimum annual feeFinancial Services
|
10 | Thurston Springer Advisors Find an Advisor | $1,353,974,492 | $25,000 |
| Minimum Assets$25,000Financial Services
|
What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in Indiana, 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.
Oxford Financial Group
Oxford Financial Group works with both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals, as well as pooled investment vehicles, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, insurance companies and corporations.
This firm typically imposes a $5 million investment minimum. It is also a fee-only firm. This means advisors don't receive commissions for selling financial products and therefore there's no conflict of interest.
Oxford Financial Group Background
Oxford Financial Group was founded in 1981, making it one of the oldest firms on our list. Jeffrey H. Thomasson is the firm's founder, and he founded it with the fee-only model in mind. The firm also has offices in Cincinnati, Grand Rapids, Minneapolis and Chicago.
Oxford provides clients with a range of services. It has a number of investment and financial planning services available to individual clients and family offices, and a number of other programs available for businesses and institutional clients. About half of the firm's assets are managed on a discretionary basis.
Oxford Financial Group Investment Strategy
Oxford Financial Group, like most other financial advisory shops, tailors its investment strategies to the needs of its clients. Advisors at Oxford meet with clients to determine their financial profile, including such information as a client's tolerance for risk and liquidity needs. The firm provides access to different types of customizable services, depending on the type of client and what specifically the client is looking for.
Advisors at Oxford put significant emphasis on asset allocation and risk mitigation. They seek to craft diversified portfolios using a wide range of investment securities.
Valeo Financial Advisors
Valeo Financial Advisors is headquartered in Indianapolis and has the distinction of being on our list of the top financial advisors in Indianapolis. The firm has no minimum account size.
The firm’s advisory staff is quite large. The team includes several Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), certified public accountants (CPAs), certified divorce financial analysts (CDFAs), certified employee benefit specialists (CEBSs), chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and other certified advisors.
The fee-only firm has more than 2,100 individual clients. More than 1,600 of those clients have a high net worth, giving its advisors ample experience working with this client type. Valeo also offers services for pooled investment vehicles, charitable organizations and corporations.
Valeo Financial Advisors Background
Valeo Financial Advisors, LLC opened in 2003. Principal advisors John Trott, Richard Evans, John Wortman and Timothy Ginn wholly own the firm. The group averages more than 25 years in the financial services industry.
The services this firm offers include cash flow analysis, charitable giving, education fund creation, estate planning, retirement planning, tax minimization, investment management and insurance review.
Valeo Financial Advisors Investing Strategy
While Valeo Financial Advisors abides by your financial goals, risk tolerance and time horizon when investing your assets, it simultaneously utilizes a varied investment class strategy. This essentially means that while the firm will always look to diversify your account, it may underweight or overweight specific asset classes if it believes that to be in your best interest.
Typically the firm invests in equities, fixed-income, commodities, hedge funds, managed futures, master limited partnerships, pooled investment vehicles, venture capital and options. Pooled investments are utilized by this firm to afford clients the opportunity to invest in otherwise unreachable opportunities by combining their invested assets.
Sapient Capital
Sapient Capital is a fee-only firm that caters to a diverse clientele including individuals, high-net-worth individuals, families, trusts, and estates. While no minimum relationship size is required, Sapient Capital does mandate a minimum annual fee of $10,000, which can be adjusted at the discretion of the Advisor.
The firm offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to individual financial needs, including investment planning, retirement planning, estate planning, personal savings, and education savings.
Sapient Capital Background
Sapient Capital was founded in 2022. The firm is collectively managed by multiple owners, including Thomas J. Pence, CFA®, James M. Knall, and Jeffrey S. Cohen. Today, the firm manages more than $9 billion in assets under management (AUM) across its 800+ clients and 19 advisors.
Sapient Capital Investment Strategy
The firm employs a strategic approach to investing that emphasizes long-term growth. Their strategies include diversifying investments by reallocating funds across various sectors or asset classes and strategically using cash positions to mitigate market volatility. Additionally, they incorporate a limited selection of alternative investments to enhance portfolio robustness.
When managing client portfolios, Sapient Capital considers several key personal factors including the client's investment objectives, financial circumstances, time horizon, and risk tolerance, along with other specific client needs. This tailored approach ensures that each portfolio is uniquely suited to meet individual client requirements and financial goals.
SYM Financial
SYM Financial is an SEC-registered firm that has been doing business since 1985, making it one of the oldest firms on this list. It provides a diverse range of individual financial management services from cash-flow projection to saving for retirement and even health care expenses. The firm is fee-only, so advisors don't receive commissions from the sale of financial products. It also doesn't have a minimum account size requirement.
The firm works both with non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, charities and corporations.
SYM Financial Background
SYM first opened its doors to the Indiana community in 1985. Today, it acts as a full-service form providing services all around wealth management. Working with SYM, you’d have access to advice on the following topics if you need it.
- Tax and cash flow management
- Investment guidance
- Insurance policy review and consulting
- Estate planning
In addition, the firm can work with you on specific projects of your choice.
SYM Investing Strategy
SYM offers advice about any investments you may have including 401(k) plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), 529 plans and trust funds. The firm would consider several factors when delivering this advice including your time horizon, risk tolerance and financial needs.
However, SYM doesn’t build investment portfolios for its clients, but it does look to tailor its services to the needs of clients as much as possible.
Shepherd Financial Investment Advisory
Shepherd Financial Investment Advisory is a fee-based firm serving both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth clients, as well as pensions and profit-sharing plans. The firm does not impose a minimum account size requirement for clients engaging in advisory services.
The firm charges asset-based fees for advisory services. But as a fee-based firm, some advisors could also get commissions for the products they sell. Commissioned product sales can create a conflict of interest, though the firm says it abides by a fiduciary duty that puts client interests first.
Shepherd Financial Investment Advisory Background
Founded in 2017, Shepherd Financial Investment Advisory offers individual retirement plan consulting, wealth management services, business planning and insurance solutions.
The firm is an Indiana limited liability company owned by Shepherd Financial Holdings, LLC. And Holdings is primarily owned by Steven Wylam, Thomas Mayer, Andrew Denny and David Shepherd.
Shepherd Financial Investment Advisory Investing Strategy
As with other firms, investment strategies are based on client needs and goals, which take into account risk tolerance and time horizon, among other financial factors.
Shepherd Financial Investment Advisory also uses both quantitative analysis, technical analysis and fundamental analysis to determine its investment strategy.
Portfolio investments include mutual funds and/or exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Donaldson Capital Management
Evansville is the headquarters of Donaldson Capital Management. It is a fee-only firm that serves the financial planning and investment management needs of individuals (both high-net-worth and not), pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and corporations.
You must have at least $500,000 in investable assets to begin a client relationship with this firm.
The advisory team holds multiple certifications, including designations as financial paraplanner qualified professional (FPQP), Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), accredited investment fiduciary (AIF), certified public accountant (CPA) and more.
Donaldson Capital Management Background
Chairman and director of portfolio strategy Gregory Donaldson founded Donaldson Capital Management, LLC in 1995. Donaldson now shares ownership of the firm with Michael Hull, its president. The duo has spent a combined more than 65 years in the financial services industry.
This firm doesn’t have a typical list of financial planning services. Instead, it focuses on listening to the individual needs of each client and building an investment plan around them.
Donaldson Capital Management Investing Strategy
Conservative investing is the central focus of Donaldson Capital Management, LLC. This approach has led the firm to target long-term financial gain for its clients. However, the firm does realize that most clients will require some level of liquidity in their accounts, so some short-term investing is also included.
To meet its own standards for success, this firm attempts to hit three essential benchmarks: security, income and growth. These refer to the long-term preservation of capital, generous and dependable income now and in the future and the growth of income at a rate faster than inflation.
CX Institutional
CX Institutional is formerly known as Credent Wealth Management. This fee-based firm has several advisors serving thousands of clients, including individuals, both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth, as well as charitable organizations, insurance companies and corporations.
Some firm representatives may recommend and sell investment and insurance products for commissions. Such fee structures can create a conflict of interest if advisors are incentivized to neglect client needs to receive higher fees. However, Credent works under a fiduciary duty to prioritize each client’s best interests.
The firm’s staff holds multiple certifications, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified public accountant (CPA) designations.
CX Institutional Background
CX Institutional was established in 2018 through the combination of Hefty Wealth Partners, Inc. and Oak Point Wealth Management, LLC. The firm’s advisory services consist of portfolio management, financial planning and consulting, non-discretionary pension consulting and wrap and non-wrap fee programs.
CX's owners are Hefty Wealth Partners, Inc., Oak Point Wealth Management, LLC and CFP Texas.
CX Institutional Investing Strategy
CX uses a mix of several different investment analysis methods when conducting research and offering advice. These methods include fundamental analysis, quantitative analysis, technical analysis and cyclical analysis.
As for its investment strategies, the firm primarily uses short-term purchases, long-term purchases and option writing. Advisors also aim to tailor advisory services to the needs of clients.
Invst, LLC
Invst, formerly known as Jarred Bunch Consulting, LLC, is a financial advisor firm based in the heart of Indianapolis. There is no specific minimum you need to meet to become a client of the firm.
The firm works mostly with individuals with less than a high net worth, though it also boasts high-net-worth and retirement plan clients.
The team of advisors at Invst is fairly large. This group includes a handful of Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®). However, some of these advisors can sell securities on a commission basis. While this is a potential conflict of interest, the firm’s fiduciary duty compels it to put client interests first.
Invst Background
Invst was created in February of 2016. The firm was founded by its current CEO, Scott Jarred. Jarred still principally owns the firm.
Regardless of whether you want investment management or financial planning, Invst should have something for you. These services can help with issues relating to retirement, taxes, estate planning, risk management, charitable giving and more.
Invst Investment Strategy
When you invest with Invst, your investor profile will dictate how your money is placed in the market. For instance, your advisor will determine, with your help, your risk tolerance, income needs, time horizon and investment preferences before investing a dime. These factors will play a large part in your portfolio’s asset allocation.
Generally speaking, Invst will look to place your assets in investments like individual stocks and bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, U.S. government securities, real estate investment trusts (REITs), certificates of deposit (CDs) and more.
Bedel Financial Consulting
The fee-only financial advisor firm Bedel Financial Consulting works with both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as charitable organizations and corporations.
While there is no set minimum account size required, this firm does call for a minimum annual fee of $5,000. Bedel is located in Indianapolis. It is also on SmartAsset’s list of the top financial advisors in Indianapolis.
Bedel Financial Consulting Background
CEO, president and founder Elaine Bedel established Bedel Consulting, Inc. in 1989. However, she has been in investment management for nearly 40 years. She has received numerous professional awards and titles, including 2016’s Woman Business Owner of the Year by the National Association for Women Business Owners, as well as the honor of being named one of Financial Times’ top 300 RIAs in 2014 and 2016.
This firm says that it prefers not to be bogged down by the restraints of a defined set of financial planning services. With that being said, its most commonly provided services include:
- Retirement planning
- Estate planning
- Income tax planning
- Insurance needs analysis
- Family business planning
- Charitable gift planning
- Education funding
Bedel Financial Consulting Investing Strategy
To build your portfolio, Bedel Financial Consulting uses a distinct strategy that combines the specializations of both financial planners and investment managers. The firm believes that this helps to set it apart from its competitors, as this provides clients with as complete and diversified a financial management portfolio as possible.
To ensure that all client portfolios are diversified appropriately, Bedel Financial Consulting, Inc. utilizes the following investment types: exchange-traded funds (ETFs), real estate investment trusts (REITs), exchange-listed securities, U.S. government securities, mutual funds, insurance products, municipal securities, warrants, corporate debt securities, certificates of deposit (CDs) and more.
Thurston Springer Advisors
Thurston Springer Advisors rounds out our list of the top financial advisors in Indiana. Non-high-net-worth individuals make up the majority of the firm’s client base. Currently, it doesn't work with any institutional clients. This firm has a $25,000 minimum initial investment.
Some advisors at this firm also sell financial products for which they can receive commissions. This is a potential conflict of interest. However, the firm is a fiduciary, making it legally obligated to act in the best interests of clients at all times.
Thurston Springer Advisors Background
Thurston Springer Advisors was founded as a broker-dealer back in 1981. It then became a state-registered investment advisor in 2004 and an SEC-registered advisory shop in 2010. Several advisors on staff are Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®).
The firm provides clients with a wide array of financial planning services. They also do portfolio management, estate planning, retirement planning and long-term wealth management.
Thurston Springer Advisors Investment Strategy
Like many other advisors, Thurston Springer Advisors looks to tailor its investment services and strategies to the needs of clients. It does so by figuring out the whole financial profile of each client before providing advisory services.
Thurston Springer Advisors uses a handful of different strategies and methodologies when investing on behalf of clients. On strategy, tactical momentum, looks to find securities that outperform market benchmarks when markets are on the upswing. When markets take turn for the worse, advisors typically focus on capital preservation.