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Top Financial Advisors in Michigan

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This review was produced by SmartAsset based on publicly available information. The named firm and its financial professionals have not reviewed, approved, or endorsed this review and are not responsible for its accuracy. Review content is produced by SmartAsset independently of any business relationships that might exist between SmartAsset and the named firm and its financial professionals, and firms and financial professionals having business relationships with SmartAsset receive no special treatment or consideration in SmartAsset’s reviews. This page contains links to SmartAsset’s financial advisor matching tool, which may or may not match you with the firm mentioned in this review or its financial professionals.

Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in Michigan

Handing over your assets to a financial advisor to manage can be nerve-racking. After all, you want to ensure you find an advisor who is well-equipped to meet your specific needs and protect and grow your savings. To help you decide which advisor is best for you, we’ve assembled this list of the top financial advisor firms in Michigan. To figure out which firm suits you, take a look at their fee schedules, investment strategies, offered services and more below. You can also use SmartAsset's free financial advisor matching tool to get connected directly to advisors who serve your area.

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Rank Financial Advisor Assets Managed Minimum Assets Financial Services More Information
1 Plante Moran Financial Advisors Plante Moran Financial Advisors logo Find an Advisor

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$19,432,085,297 $500,000
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting

Minimum Assets

$500,000

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
2 Hantz Financial Services, Inc. Hantz Financial Services, Inc. logo Find an Advisor

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$6,388,759,865 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
  • Advisor selection

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
  • Advisor selection
3 Schwartz & Co. Schwartz & Co. logo Find an Advisor

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$7,740,631,447 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
4 Advance Capital Management, Inc. Advance Capital Management, Inc. logo Find an Advisor

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$4,023,482,795 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
5 Advisory Alpha Advisory Alpha logo Find an Advisor

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$2,997,055,995 None
  • Financial Planning
  • Investment Management
  • Specialty Plan Advisory

Minimum Assets

None

Financial Services

  • Financial Planning
  • Investment Management
  • Specialty Plan Advisory
6 Zhang Financial Zhang Financial logo Find an Advisor

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$5,728,071,112 $1,000,000
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting

Minimum Assets

$1,000,000

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
7 Mainstay Capital Management, LLC Mainstay Capital Management, LLC logo Find an Advisor

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$3,717,394,267 $200,000
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management

Minimum Assets

$200,000

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
8 Rehmann Financial Rehmann Financial logo Find an Advisor

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$3,846,368,000 No set account minimum
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting

Minimum Assets

No set account minimum

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Pension consulting
9 NPF Investment Advisors NPF Investment Advisors logo Find an Advisor

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$2,354,512,728 $1,500,000
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Consultation services

Minimum Assets

$1,500,000

Financial Services

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Consultation services
10 Azimuth Capital Management Azimuth Capital Management logo Find an Advisor

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$3,368,666,924 $1,000,000
  • Portfolio Management
  • Investment Advisory
  • Credit and Cash Management Solutions
  • Risk Solutions

Minimum Assets

$1,000,000

Financial Services

  • Portfolio Management
  • Investment Advisory
  • Credit and Cash Management Solutions
  • Risk Solutions

What We Use in Our Methodology

To find the top financial advisors in Michigan, 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:

  • AUM
    Firms with more total assets under management are ranked higher.
  • Individual Client Count
    Firms who serve more individual clients (as opposed to institutional clients) are ranked higher.
  • Clients Per Advisor
    Firms with a lower ratio of clients per financial advisor are ranked higher.
  • Age of Firm
    Firms that have been in business longer are ranked higher.
  • Fee Structure
    Firms with a fee-only (as opposed to fee-based) compensation structure 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.

Plante Moran Financial Advisors

Plante Moran Financial Advisors (PMFA) is a wealth advisory firm based in Southfield with a client base that includes non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, family limited partnerships (LPs) and family/private foundations. 

For portfolio management services, the firm will typically charge a percentage of your assets under management that ranges from 0.25% to 0.90%, depending on the market value of your assets. Financial planning fees are typically charged at an hourly rate between $110 and $450. The firm requires clients to maintain a minimum account size of $500,000.

PMFA is a fee-based firm, meaning its advisors may earn commissions on top of standard advisory fees, either through certain securities transactions or the sale of insurance products. While this may create a potential conflict of interest, the firm has a fiduciary duty to always act in its client's best interests.

PMFA's advisory team holds multiple certifications, including Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®) and chartered financial advisors (CFAs).

Plante Moran Financial Advisors Background

Plante Moran Financial Advisors has been registered as an investment advisor with the SEC since 1993. The firm is wholly owned by P&M Holding Group, LLP, which is one of the nation’s largest public accounting and management consulting firms. According to the firm's brochure, it has over 3,500 staff serving clients nationwide and globally.

The firm provides investment management, general financial planning, wealth management, estate planning, auditing, tax preparation and consulting services. 

Plante Moran Financial Advisors Investment Strategy

Plante Moran typically invests in many different types of securities when constructing client portfolios. These include open-end mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), collective trusts, certificates of deposit (CDs), limited partnership interests, interests in limited liability companies, options contracts on securities, hedge funds and other alternative investments.

Plante Moran uses proprietary models to analyze investment options and attempt to find undervalued securities. The model will factor in statistics like P/E ratio, dividend yield, price-to-book ratio and others to formulate a market valuation that can be compared to historical averages. The firm then compares the results between asset classes and investment styles to identify potentially undervalued or overvalued segments of the equity markets.

Hantz Financial Services

 

Hantz Financial Services caters to a diverse clientele including individuals, IRAs, trusts, businesses, and pension or retirement plans. Notably, the firm does not require a minimum account size to start services.

This firm offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to meet the diverse financial needs of its clients. These services include investment planning, which covers asset allocation, accumulation goals, and education planning, alongside retirement planning that addresses income and expenses, lump sum distribution planning, and specific concerns for business owners. Estate planning is also available, although it excludes legal services.?

As a fee-based firm, there is a potential conflict of interest as the firm and its advisors can earn commissions for the sale of certain securities. However, the firm and its advisors are bound by a fiduciary duty to put ht needs of the client first. 

Hantz Financial Services Background

Hantz Financial Services was founded in 1998. The firm is predominantly owned and controlled by John R. Hantz, who is the majority shareholder. Today, the firm manages more than $6.3 billion in assets under management (AUM) across its 277 advisors. 

Hantz Financial Services Investment Strategy

The firm employs a variety of investment strategies including asset allocation, portfolio diversification, and regular rebalancing. The firm also incorporates Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), mutual funds, and Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs) into its investment approaches. Additionally, the firm offers globally diversified active ETF model portfolios.?Ultimately, though, the firm builds a strategy that is best to meet the needs of each individual client. 

Schwartz & Co.

Schwartz & Co. is a fee-based practice located in Bloomfield Hills. The firm’s client base is a mix of individuals with and without a high net worth, pooled investment vehicles, pension plans, charitable organizations, government entities and corporations.

The firm doesn’t have an account minimum, although it requires a $100,000 minimum investment for a pooled investment vehicle that it advises.  

Schwartz & Co. is fee-based, meaning some advisors may earn commissions from conducting securities transactions, in addition to the advisory fees that clients pay. These commissions may alter incentives and create conflicts of interests. However, the firm is bound by its fiduciary duty to always act in the best interest of its clients.

For investment management services, the firm will often customize fee schedules to each client. However, it estimates the fee to be no higher than 1.50%. These fees are negotiable and may vary from client to client.

Schwartz & Co. Background

Schwartz & Co. first opened its doors in 1976. The firm is wholly owned by Schwartz Holdings, LLC, a financial services holding company.

Gregory Schwartz, Sr., along with his five sons Gregory Schwartz Jr., Walter Schwartz, Joseph Schwartz, Edward Schwartz and Peter Schwartz, all own shares in Schwartz Holdings.

The firm offers financial planning and investment management. Often, the firm will provide both of these services together, but it provides stand-alone financial planning as well.

Schwartz & Co. Investment Strategy

A key aspect of Schwartz & Co.’s investment process is tailoring its strategy to individualized factors like your time horizon, need for liquidity, risk tolerance and investment goals. With that in mind, the firm will construct a diversified portfolio of investments.

The firm often invests in or provides advice on equities, corporate debt securities, certificates of deposit (CDs), municipal securities, government securities, interests in real estate partnerships, variable life insurance, variable annuities and mutual fund shares.

Advance Capital Management, Inc.

Fee-only Advance Capital Management works with both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension plans, charitable organizations and corporations.

The Southfied-based firm does not have a set account minimum. However, for investment management and financial planning services, it charges a percentage of your assets under management (AUM) from 0.65% to 1.00%. The firm may decide to negotiate a different fee agreement based on additional factors as well.

The advising team at ACM is spread across several offices. The advisory team holds multiple certifications, including certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified public accountant (CPA), among other designations.

Advance Capital Management Background

Advance Capital Management was established in 1986. The firm is owned by holding company Advance Capital Group, Inc., which itself is principally owned by the ACG Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The remaining shares are owned by John C. Shoemaker, Raymond A. Rathka, Robert J. Cappelli and Christopher M. Kostiz.

The firm offers financial planning and investment consulting services for individuals and institutional clients. 

Advance Capital Management Investment Strategy

Advance Capital Management usually invests in mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), provided that these securities fit in with a client’s risk tolerance and overall investment goals. The firm may also use alternative investments as a way to further diversify a portfolio.

When deciding on what funds to invest in, the firm considers factors like its risk-adjusted performance, size, manager tenure, Morningstar rating and availability to new investors. From there, the firm’s investment committee will further analyze and narrow down the options to a list of approved funds. To determine the proper asset allocation, advisors will consider the client’s risk tolerance, investment objectives, time horizon, income needs and tax circumstances.

Advisory Alpha

Advisory Alpha is a fee-based advisory firm that offers financial advising services to a diverse clientele including individuals, high-net-worth individuals, other registered investment advisors, as well as defined contribution and defined benefit retirement plans, and corporate and institutional investors. The firm does not typically require a minimum asset account to work with their advisors. ?

As a fee-based firm, there is a potential conflict of interest that the firm or its advisors may earn commissions for the sale of certain securities. However, the firm and its advisors are bound by a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of its clients. 

Advisory Alpha Background

Advisory Alpha was founded in 2011. The firm is solely owned and led by Steve Osterink, Jr., who holds the titles of CFA®, CFP®, and AIF®. Today, the firm manages over $2.9 billion across its 60 advisors. 

Advisory Alpha Investment Strategy

The firm employs a variety of investment strategies tailored to meet diverse client needs. These strategies include factor-based security selection, customized structured products with downside protection, and bond ladder strategies utilizing both high-yield and treasury securities. The firm also focuses on diversified strategies for income generation, long-term capital appreciation, and traditional asset allocation, often leveraging institutional-quality approaches.?Investments often encompass ETFs, mutual funds, individual securities and structured products. 

Zhang Financial

Zhang Financial is a fee-only firm with a team that includes certified financial planners (CFPs), certified public accountants (CPAs), chartered financial analysts (CFAs), chartered financial consultants (ChFCs), certified divorce financial analysts (CDFAs) and chartered life underwriters (CLUs) on its team.

While Zhang Financial works with individual clients above and below the high-net-worth threshold, you'll need a minimum investment of $1 million to establish an account. The practice also offers its services to charitable organizations, pension and profit-sharing plans and municipal government entities.

As a fee-only practice, Zhang Financial and its advisors do not sell financial products for commissions.

Zhang Financial Background 

Headquartered in Portage, Zhang Financial has been operating as a registered investment advisor since 2012. Founder and CEO Charles Zhang remains the principal owner of the business. 

The firm provides investment management services on a discretionary, either through or not through a wrap fee program. It also advises portfolios on a non-discretionary basis. Additionally, it offers financial planning and consulting on topics including retirement saving, estate planning and managing trusts. What's more, the firm acts as sub-advisor to pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and municipal government entities.

Zhang Financial Investment Strategy 

Zhang Financial primarily provides advice on individual stocks or bonds, exchange traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds and other public securities or investments.

When selecting investments, Zhang Financial applies fundamental, technical and cyclical methods of analysis. It uses long-term purchases (securities held for at least a year), short-term purchases (securities sold within a year), trading (securities sold within 30 days), margin transactions and option writing.

Mainstay Capital Management

Fee-only firm Mainstay Capital Management has its home office in Grand Blanc. The firm's staff holds a number of designations, such as chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC), Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), accredited asset management specialist (AAMS), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and other designations.

This firm primarily works with non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as banking or thrift institutions, and corporations or businesses.

Clients will need $200,000 to establish an account at Mainstay. 

As a fee-only practice, Mainstay advisors do not sell financial products or insurance for commissions. This reduces potential conflict of interests for the firm and its advisors. As for fees, the firm charges clients a percentage of their assets under management.  

Mainstay Capital Management Background

Mainstay Capital Management was created in 2000 and it is under the principal ownership of CEO David Kudla. Kudla has been in the financial services industry for over 15 years, and has been named one of Barron’s top 100 independent financial advisors in the U.S.

The firm’s main services are comprehensive investment management, individual 401(k), 457 and 403(b) account management and retirement plan transitions. But the firm’s services extend way beyond just that, as it also offers:

  • Estate planning
  • Retirement planning
  • College savings planning
  • Charitable gift planning
  • Tax minimization
  • Debt and mortgage optimization
  • Buyout analysis

Mainstay Capital Management Investment Strategy

Mainstay Capital Management offers a few different pre-built investment strategies, ranging from ultra-aggressive to ultra-conservative. The firm is open to using short-term purchases within its client accounts, but not necessarily for the purpose of market-beating investing. Instead, the firm uses these investments to satisfy a client’s need for liquidity by shooting for quick, albeit risky, returns.

Exchange-traded fund (ETFs) and mutual funds are explicitly stated as the favored investment types of Mainstay Capital Management. But because these investments won’t always fit neatly into everyone’s plans, the firm will also review various stocks and bonds to flesh out certain client accounts.

Rehmann Financial

Rehmann Financial is a fee-based financial advisor firm located in Lansing. The advisory team holds multiple certifications, including certified public accountants (CPAs), Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®) and chartered global management accountants (CGMAs).

The firm advises both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals. It also does business with institutions, including pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, insurance companies and corporations.

The firm does not have a minimum account size requirement or minimum fee, but some individual advisors may impose them.

Investment management fees are paid based on a percentage of assets under management. Some advisors may also sell you securities or insurance products and earn a commission for doing so. This is a potential conflict of interest, but the firm is still a fiduciary and must act in your best interest.

Rehmann Financial Background

Rehmann Financial has been in business since 2001. It is owned by parent company Rehmann Financial Group, LLC, which in turn is owned by Rehmann, LLC. No shareholder of the parent firm holds more than 25% interest in the advisory business.

The following services are available for Rehmann clients:

  • Financial planning
  • Financial consulting
  • Investment management
  • Insurance
  • Savings
  • Investments
  • Portfolio analysis

Rehmann Financial Investment Strategy

Your advisor at Rehmann Financial will help you come up with a portfolio strategy that makes sense for you. Your asset allocation will vary based on your financial situation and goals, but will include equities, fixed-income investments and alternative investments. Both individual securities and mutual fund shares may be used, depending on your preferences.

The firm uses a number of modes of analysis, including technical analysis and qualitative analysis, to decide which companies and other investments to choose for its clients.

NPF Investment Advisors

NPF Investment Advisors is a fee-only advisory firm that's been in business since 1933. With a $1.5 million minimum account size, NPF primarily works with high-net-worth individuals. However, the firm also serves individuals below the high-net-worth threshold, charities, retirement plans, corporations and other businesses. 

NPF, which is located in Grand Rapids, has advisors on staff who hold the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and chartered financial analyst (CFA) designations, among others. 

As a fee-only practice, NPF and its advisors do no sell financial products for third-party commissions. The firm collects fees directly from clients. Fees are either charged as a percentage of assets under management or at an hourly rate. 

NPF Investment Advisors Background

Founded in 1933, NPF is the longest-tenured firm on our Michigan state list. While the firm conducts business as NPF Investment Advisors, its legal name is Norris Perne & French LLP. Chief investment officer Kurt Arvidson is the firm’s current principal equity owner. NPF's brochure says John Wisentaner, Charles Dutcher, David Hodge, Daniel Lupo and Tyler Bosgraaf are the firm’s current minority equity owners.

NPF offers portfolio management on either a discretionary and non-discretionary basis, as well as financial planning. The latter offering may include net worth and cash flow analysis, asset allocation review, tax management, estate planning, insurance planning, debt management, education planning and other services. 

NPF Investment Advisors Investment Strategy

The firm's investing strategies are guided by asset allocation, fundamental analysis, mutual fund/ETF analysis, as well as technical analysis, charting and cyclical analyiss. NPF may engage in long-term purchasing, which involves buying an asset and holding it for at least a year. The firm may also use short-term purchasing and trading, which involves holding an asset for less than a year or under 30 days, respectively.

Azimuth Capital Management

Azimuth Capital Management is a fee-based advisory firm that caters to a diverse clientele including individuals, high-net-worth individuals, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, and charitable institutions. The firm primarily focuses on providing tailored financial advice and management services to its clients. The firm also facilitates capital or debt financing, tax consulting, and participation in business ventures or partnerships. Investment opportunities offered include private equity, venture capital, real estate, hedge funds and funds of funds, among other assets or securities.  

As a fee-based firm, there is the potential that the firm or its advisors may earn commissions for the sale of certain securities. While this can create a potential conflict of interest, the firm and its advisors are bound by a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of its clients. 

Azimuth Capital Management Background

Azimuth Capital Management was founded in 2004 and is collectively managed by multiple owners. The ownership includes Ted Haddad, Janet Hewlett, Dan McEnroe (currently serving as the firm's Chief Compliance Officer), Paul Ragheb, Mark Van Faussien, and Bill Gough. Additionally, the firm has indirect ownership through investment vehicles affiliated with Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC (CD&R) and Stone Point Capital LLC (Stone Point). Today, the firm manages more than $3.3 billion in assets under management across its 10 advisors. 

Azimuth Capital Management Investment Strategy

The firm considers a comprehensive list of factors to ensure alignment with individual client needs and objectives. These factors include asset allocation, risk exposure, income requirements, tax implications, and the client's specific preferences or needs. Other considerations include the client’s risk tolerance, liquidity needs, financial condition, type of securities held, and the complexity of their financial circumstances. The firm also takes into account cash flow, budgeting, retirement planning, estate and wealth transfer, education funding, and overall financial goals to provide a tailored investment experience.

How Long $1mm Lasts in Retirement

SmartAsset's interactive map highlights places where $1 million will last the longest in retirement. Zoom between states and the national map to see the top spots in each region. Also, scroll over any city to learn about the cost of living in retirement for that location.

Least
Most
Rank City Housing Expenses Food Expenses Healthcare Expenses Utilities Expenses Transportation Expenses

Methodology We analyzed data on average expenditures for seniors, cost of living and investment returns to determine how many years of retirement a $1 million nest egg would cover in cities across America.

First, we looked at data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on the average annual expenditures of seniors. We then applied cost of living data from the Council for Community and Economic Research to adjust those national average spending levels based on the costs of each expense category (housing, food, healthcare, utilities, transportation and other) in each city. Using this data, SmartAsset calculated the average cost of living for retirees in the largest U.S. cities.

We assumed the $1 million would grow at a real return (interest minus inflation) of 2%. Then, we divided $1 million by the sum of each of those annual numbers to determine how long $1 million would cover retirement expenses in each of the cities in our study. Cities where $1 million lasted the longest ranked the highest in the study.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Council for Community and Economic Research