Top Financial Advisors in Kansas City, MO

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Prairie Capital Management is the No. 1 firm on our list of the top-rated financial advisors in Kansas City. Its clients are mostly high-net-worth individuals, with the rest being pooled investment vehicles, charitable organizations and businesses. The firm doesn't use an asset minimum, but rather a $30,000 minimum annual fee for new clients. As a result, a client would need to have $3 million in assets under management (AUM) in order to receive advisory services for the standard asset-based fee of 1%. 

Prairie Capital Management is considered a fee-based firm because employees can receive additional compensation when advisory clients purchase insurance through an affiliated insurance broker. While this is a conflict of interest (because advisors have a financial incentive to recommend clients purchase insurance through the affiliate), the firm has a fiduciary duty to always act in clients' best interests. 

The staff includes advisors with certified public accountant (CPA), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified trust and financial advisor (CFTA) designations. With more than $6.6 billion in assets under management (AUM), Prairie Capital Management manages more money than all other firms on this list combined. 

Prairie Capital Management traces its roots back to 1995. It was founded by managing directors Brian Kaufman, Curtis Krizek and Rob Schneider. The firm is a part of Focus Financial Partners, which owns a network of independent registered investment advisor (RIA) firms. 

Its services include creating investment policy statements, conducting asset allocation studies, selecting and monitoring investment managers and funds, and managing accounts on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis.

Prairie Capital employs a comprehensive investment strategy that includes investment charting, fundamental analysis, technical analysis and cyclical analysis. For accounts utilizing a multi-manager, multi-strategy approach, Prairie Capital conducts quarterly evaluations of investment managers, analyzing their performance and style index results. The firm’s process involves direct contact with managers, reviewing their materials and holding personal meetings with key principals and portfolio managers.

Prairie Capital allocates client assets into separate investment portfolios managed by selected portfolio managers, investing in registered and private investment companies or individual accounts. The firm continuously monitors and adjusts these allocations, maintaining regular communication with portfolio managers to assess performance. 

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Atwood & Palmer, the No. 2 firm on our list, operates on a fee-only basis, meaning neither the firm nor its advisors receive additional compensation for selling financial products or services. The firm caters to a diverse clientele including individuals, high-net-worth individuals pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, corporations, trusts and other business entities.

Notably, the firm does not require a minimum account size to engage their services. The Atwood & Palmer team features at least three chartered financial analysts (CFAs). 

Atwood & Palmer was founded in 1990 by the late Bill Atwood and Steven Palmer, who remains with the firm today. Palmer, who has over 50 years of financial experience, remains a minority owner of the firm. Steven Franke, Spencer Jones and Peter Sowden are the firm's principal shareholders, along with Palmer.

In addition to discretionary investment management, the firm offers a comprehensive suite of financial planning services that may include: retirement planning, risk management, college savings, cash flow analysis, Social Security optimization, debt management, charitable giving strategies, work benefits coordination and estate and incapacity planning.

Atwood & Palmer relies on a diverse set of investment strategies to cater to various investor needs, including long-term and short-term purchases, options strategies and exposure to international and emerging markets.

Typically, the firm invests in stocks, ETFs, and fixed income securities. However, they may recommend certain clients invest in alternative assets like like private equity funds, hedge funds, commodity pools and other private placements.

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Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors is a fee-only advisory firm founded in 2019 and registered with the SEC in 2024. The firm primarily works with individuals and high-net-worth individuals, but also serves charities, corporations and other businesses. 

The firm offers investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan services. Its investment management services include developing client objectives, allocating assets, monitoring portfolios and providing discretionary or non-discretionary trading. Retirement plan services are available to sponsors of 401(k), 403(b), pension and profit-sharing plans. Financial planning covers areas such as retirement strategy, cash flow, estate considerations and risk management.

Sarver Vrooman has a relatively small advisory team that holds a range of financial credentials, including the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC), certified investment management analyst (CIMA) and certified private wealth advisor (CPWA) designations. 

The firm's investment strategies rely on fundamental, technical, charting and cyclical methods of analysis. Portfolios are designed based on the client's goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. The firm emphasizes diversification and long-term perspective while monitoring portfolio risks, including market volatility, interest rate changes, inflation and liquidity constraints.

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Craft & Sage Wealth is a fee-based firm whose advisors may earn commissions when advisory clients purchase insurance through them. While this is a conflict of interest, the firm has a fiduciary duty to act in the client’s best interest.

As for its client base, Craft & Sage works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm also offers services to trusts and estates. While Craft & Sage itself does not impose a minimum account size, third-party managed programs may have varying minimum requirements depending on the manager.

The firm’s team of advisors holds several financial credentials, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), chartered life underwriter (CLU), chartered financial consultant (ChFC), certified funds specialist (CFS), and certified investment management analyst (CIMA) designations.

Craft & Sage was founded in 2012 by John T. Christy, a CFP® professional. Christy remains the primary owner of the business, while Megan Brenner (who also holds the CFP® designation) owns a minority stake.

The firm offers a variety of services and can advise clients on a number of topics, including retirement planning, wealth management and investment analysis, real estate, tax reduction strategies, estate planning, education planning, insurance and risk management, employee benefits and business continuation planning.

In addition to its office in Kansas City, Craft & Sage has an office in Topeka, Kansas.

Craft & Sage employs a variety of investment strategies, including long-term purchases, short-term purchases and strategic asset allocation. When building a portfolio, the firm takes into account the client's current financial situation, their goals and their risk tolerance. This personalized approach seeks to align the client's investment plan with their unique needs and objectives.

The firm typically invests in a diverse range of assets such as stocks, bonds, cash equivalents, ETFs, and fixed income investments. Additionally, they offer opportunities in real estate investments, Regulation D private placements, and privately held investment real estate.

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Sterneck Capital Management is a fee-only practice that primarily works with individuals and high-net-worth individuals. It also works with charitable organizations and businesses.

Because advisors at Sterneck Capital do not early sales commissions when recommending certain products and services, the firm is considered fee-only. Fee-only firms typically have fewer conflicts of interest than fee-based firms, whose advisor may earn third-party compensation on certain transactions. 

There is a $500,000 minimum account size requirement at Sterneck Capital. However, this minimum is negotiable. The small staff of advisors includes at least one Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®). Sterneck Capital Management has one of the longest histories of any firm on this list. Frank Sterneck started the firm in 1989. 

The list of account services offered by Sterneck is extensive. The firm provides investment management and financial planning services, retirement plan rollover recommendations, as well as executive coaching.

Sterneck Capital typically invests its client assets in stocks, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), master limited partnerships (MLPs), real estate investment trusts, bonds and mortgage-backed and index-linked notes. The firm emphasizes fundamental analysis, focusing on acquiring shares of fundamentally sound companies at the right price, with a long-term investment approach. SCM states in its firm brochure that it often "buys on weakness and sells on strength."

The firm's investment committee manages a structured security selection process, using a variety of information sources, including equity screens, industry journals, independent research, sales brokers, watch lists and technical analysis, to make buy, sell or hold decisions.

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Founded in 1988, Nicholson Meyer Capital Management is the oldest firm on this list. The fee-only investment advisory practice provides investment management, retirement plan advisory services and financial consulting to a client base made up of individuals, high-net-worth individuals, charities and government entities.

The minimum account size is generally $400,000 for investment management services and $1 million for retirement plan services, though exceptions may be made. For consulting, clients must typically have a net worth of at least $400,000.

Nicholson Meyer's financial consulting services may address retirement planning, tax planning, estate considerations, insurance and broader financial goals.

The firm has a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and a certified investment management analyst (CIMA) on staff. As a fee-only practice, neither the firm nor its advisors sell third-party financial products or services on a commission basis. The firm's revenue comes solely from the fees that clients pay for advice. 

Based on a client’s risk tolerance and financial goals, Nicholson Meyer primarily builds portfolios with stocks, bonds, ETFs and mutual funds. The firm may also consider specific investments based on a screening process that considers factors like performance, internal fees and manager tenure.  

The firm generally makes long-term security purchases, but makes short-term purchases when deemed appropriate. NCM states, "Because some of these investment strategies involve certain additional degrees of risk, they will only be recommended when consistent with the client’s stated tolerance for risk."

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Mader & Shannon Wealth Management is a fee-based practice with several credentialed advisors on staff. These certifications include the Certified Financial Planner (CFP), chartered life underwriter (CLU), chartered financial consultant (ChFC) and chartered market technician (CMT) designations. 

Mader & Shannon does not require a minimum amount of assets to open an account. It primarily serves non-high-net-worth individuals. However, the firm does also serve high-net-worth clients, other investment advisors, pension and profit-sharing plans, as well as other businesses or corporations.

This is a fee-based firm, so be aware that you may encounter insurance offers when working with Mader & Shannon. Any sales may result in extra earnings for the firm’s advisors. However, this firm is a fiduciary, which means it must act in your best interest at all times. 

Mader & Shannon was founded in 2005 by James Mader and George Shannon. Today, the firm is run by its principal owners, Kyle Sanders and Bret Guillaume. 

As for services, the firm offers a mix of discretionary asset management, retirement planning and financial consulting. The firm manages client portfolios primarily through active investment in securities, while also offering financial planning that evaluates net worth, tax liabilities, retirement and estate plans. Additionally, it provides expert witness services on securities matters, research and analysis.

The applies an active management approach, primarily investing in individual securities traded on major U.S. exchanges. Its analysis draws on fundamental, technical, historical and cyclical factors, using independent research services and corporate reports to inform its investment decisions. The firm emphasizes relatively liquid securities and seeks long-term tax advantages, but it may use short-term trading or ETFs in certain market conditions.

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Sonas Financial Group, a fee-only advisory firm founded in 2002, wraps up our list of the top financial advisors in Kansas City. The firm's client base primarily comprises individuals and high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans.  

A $100,000 minimum account size is typically required for asset management, although the firm may choose to waive this minimum.

The firm’s services include investment management, retirement plan services and financial planning. Asset management is offered on either a discretionary or non-discretionary basis and may involve the use of sub-advisors. Financial planning services can address retirement strategies, cash flow, tax reduction approaches, investment allocation and estate considerations. 

The firm's two financial advisors are both Certified Financial Planners™ (CFP®), while on of them is also a certified public accountant (CPA). 

Sonas uses a variety of investment approaches, including fundamental, technical and quantitative methods of analysis, as well as modern portfolio theory. Portfolios may hold ETFs, mutual funds, equities, fixed income, alternatives, and in some cases private investments. Strategies are designed around client goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.