The Top Financial Advisors in Montana

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Billings-based Stockman Wealth Management is the top-rated financial advisor in Montana. Stockman has been in business for over two decades and is the largest financial advisor in Big Sky Country. 

The firm works with both high-net-worth clients and non-high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, banking and thrift institutions, government entities, insurance companies and corporations.

Although its account minimum is normally $250,000, it has added a fully online and automated investment program as a new advisory service for private individuals. It runs on the Charles Schwab platform and carries an account minimum of $5,000. Stockman charges a minimum portfolio management fee of $3,000 per year. 

As a fee-only firm, Stockman's advisors do not sell financial products or insurance for third-party compensation, which would constitute a conflict of interest. The team includes advisors who have earned the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), certified exit planning advisor (CEPA) credentials. 

Stockman Financial Corp. began in 1953 when William Nefsy bought a controlling interest in Miles City Bank in Miles City, Montana. Since then it's become the largest family-owned community bank in the state. In 2002 Stockman Wealth Management, doing business as Investment Management Group, was established as a sister company to Stockman Bank and Stockman Insurance. In 2013 financial planning was added to the firm's services.

In addition to its headquarters in Billings, the firm has offices in communities throughout the state, including Bozeman, Helena, Missoula, Whitefish and more. 

As for services, Stockman offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning and 401(k) plan advisory services to individuals, emphasizing personalized goals, risk tolerance and liquidity needs. Additionally, the firm's automated investment program delivers technology-driven portfolio management, including rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting. Its investment recommendations span a wide array of securities, ensuring alignment with each client’s financial objectives and risk preferences.

When investing client assets, Stockman uses the following methods of analysis and strategies:

• Fundamental analysis: The firm seeks to gauge the intrinsic value of a security by looking at economic and financial factors (including the overall economy, industry conditions, and the financial condition and management of the company itself) to determine if a security is underpriced (indicating a good time to buy) or overpriced (indicating a good time to sell).
• Qualitative analysis: Stockman subjectively evaluates non-quantifiable factors such as quality of management, labor relations and strength of research and development. 
• Asset allocation: The firm attempts to identify an appropriate ratio of securities, fixed income and cash suitable to the client’s investment goals and risk tolerance.
• Fund analysis: Stockman assesses the experience and track record of fund managers to determine if they have demonstrated an ability to invest over a period of time and in different economic conditions. The firm also looks at the underlying assets in funds to see if there is a significant overlap in the underlying investments held in other fund(s) in the client’s portfolio.

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Located in Bozeman, Bitterroot Capital Advisors is a fee-only firm that exclusively serves high-net-worth individuals. There are no set account minimums, but the firm does charge an annual $200,000 retainer, which is negotiable. As fee-only practice, the sole compensation that Bitterroot receives comes from client-paid fees, not sales commissions for selling securities or insurance.

Certain members of the Bitterroot team hold the chartered financial analyst (CFA) and a certified public accountant (CPA) designations. 

Founded in 1999 in San Francisco by Andrew S. Martzloff, Bitterroot moved to Bozeman a year later. Today, Bitterroot provides financial planning, portfolio liquidity management, cash flow analysis, tax advice and estate planning. 

Bitterroot offers a multi-disciplinary, whole-team approach to meeting clients' goals. The firm offers discretionary management, as well as non-discretionary asset allocation services. Bitterroot typically relies on diversification techniques to minimize the risk and maximize potential returns.

The firm offers advice on a variety of securities, including: equities, exchange-listed securities, securities traded over-the-counter; and foreign issues; warrants; corporate debt securities and commercial paper; certificates of deposit; municipal securities; mutual fund securities; United States government securities; option contracts on securities; real estate; oil and gas interests; hedge funds and private partnerships investing in venture capital, risk arbitrage, special situations and distressed securities; and private placements and privately held businesses.

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Stack Financial Management (SFM), located in Whitefish, serves both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, investment advisors and corporations. The firm imposes a minimum account requirement of $750,000 for investment advisory services. 

As a fee-only firm, the sole compensation SFM receives comes from clients paying fees that are based on their assets under management. Those fees range from 1.20% to 0.75% for assets under $10 million. For assets greater than $10 million, SFM recommends calling to negotiate a rate.

The SFM team features a number of credentialed professionals, including certified public accountants (CPAs), chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and at least one Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®). Founded in 1994, SFM is a corporation that was registered with the SEC as an investment advisor firm. 

SFM offers fee-only investment advisory services tailored to clients’ needs. The firm specializes in managing equity portfolios with strategies such as Capital Appreciation and Value & Dividend Portfolios. While not a financial planner, SFM provides limited financial planning and consulting services upon request, with clients responsible for notifying the firm of any changes requiring follow-up.

As with other advisory firms, investments are based on client needs and goals. When managing a portfolio, SFM takes into account risk tolerance and time horizon, among other financial factors. 

SFM portfolio investments may include:

• Primarily large-cap and mid-cap stocks, and potentially small-cap stocks
• Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) 
• Mutual funds
• International stocks (ADRs)
• Cash and cash equivalents, including money market funds and U.S. Treasury bills
• Limited positions in bonds

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Allied Investment Advisors, based in Billings, is the next firm on our list of the top practices in Montana. Allied has more than 900 clients and a team of advisors that hold the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), accredited investment fiduciary (AIF), certified exit planning advisor (CEPA), certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA) and accredited portfolio management advisor (APMA) designations. 

Clients include individuals, high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans,charitable organizations and businesses.

The account minimum for Allied, which is a fee-only firm, is $250,000. A minimum annual fee of $3,000 also applies. Fees are based on assets under management, and a typical fee schedule is as follows: 1.2% for the first $1 million under management; 1% for the next $2 million; 0.9% for the next $2 million; 0.8% for $5 million and above.

Allied, which was founded in 2009 and registered as an investment advisor in 2011, provides clients in Montana and Wyoming financial planning, portfolio management (on either a discretionary or non-discretionary basis) and pension consulting services. The firm also publishes monthly newsletters that provide general information on different financial topics, including estate planning, retirement planning and market trends.

Allied follows a long-term investment approach rather than short-term trading, using fundamental analysis to evaluate securities. Portfolios are designed to align with client objectives and typically include individual equities, fixed income securities, mutual funds, ETFs and cash positions.

The firm does not engage in market timing but instead emphasizes disciplined asset allocation. While it may accommodate unique circumstances such as legacy holdings or special tax situations, its focus remains on building diversified, long-term portfolios designed to match clients' financial goals. 

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Main Line Retirement Advisors is a fee-only wealth management firm located in Whitefish that conducts business as Heartstone Advisors. The firm has advisors on staff with several financial credentials, including the chartered mutual fund counselor (CMFC), Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and accredited investment fiduciary (AIF) designations. 

The firm works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals and retirement plans. Just keep in mind that you'll need $1 million to open an account with Main Line/Heartstone, although the firm may choose to waive this requirement. 

As a fee-only practice, the firm is compensated solely by the fees that clients pay for advice. The firm doesn't earn any commissions for selling third-party financial products or insurance. This means you won't have to worry about whether your advisor is making recommendations simply to generate a commission. 

Main Line is a relative newcomer to the state of Montana, having moved from Radnor, Pennslyvania, between 2022 and 2023. Founded in 2016, the practice traces its roots back to 1958 when Alfred Matarazzo Sr. founded Main Line Financial Advisors outside Philadelphia. Despite moving to Montana, where it conducts business as Heartstone Advisors, Main Line still maintains its office in Pennsylvania. Matarazzo's son Al remains the owner of the firm. 

Main Line Retirement Advisors provides discretionary and non-discretionary wealth management. Because these services are comprehensive, in addition to managing your portfolio, Main Line/Heartstone can help you various financial planning topics, including:

• Tax planning
• Retirement planning
• Risk management
• Estate planning
• Cash flow planning
• Business planning
• Education planning

Main Line/Heartstone may use long-term purchases (securities held for at least a year), short-term purchases (securities sold within one year), options and trading (securities sold within 30 days). When formulating advice, it uses fundamental, technical and charting methods of analysis. 

The firm may invest in a variety of securities, including:

• Exchange-listed securities
• Securities traded over-the-counter
• Foreign issuers
• Corporate debt securities (other than commercial paper)
• Commercial paper
• Certificates of deposit
• Municipal securities
• Variable life insurance
• Variable annuities
• Mutual fund shares
• U.S. governmental securities
• Options contracts on securities
• Interests in partnerships investing in real estate 

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Life Planning Advisors is a fee-based advisory firm in Bigfork that primarily works with individual clients who do not have a high net worth. However, the firm also works with some high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans and corporations. Clients are typically required to meet the firm's $250,000 minimum account balance to receive asset management services. 

For asset management, the firm charges an asset-based fee that's calculated as a percentage of your assets under management (AUM). As a fee-based firm, though, advisors are also insurance agents and can receive commissions on the sale of insurance products.

Founded in 2009, the firm was previously located in California and known as Sierra Wealth Group, LLC. However, in 2024, the firm reorganized in Bigfork as Life Planning Advisors. 

Life Planning Advisors provides tailored asset management services, building portfolios that it reviews and rebalances quarterly. The firm also facilitates referrals to third-party portfolio management firms, conducting due diligence, monitoring performance and assisting clients in evaluating these services. Additionally, Life Planning Advisors offers financial, estate, tax and risk management planning, addressing prioritized client needs through personalized meetings and ongoing reviews to ensure strategies align with clients' evolving financial situations and objectives.

Life Planning Advisors employs a diversified and research-driven approach to investment management, utilizing methods such as charting, fundamental analysis and technical analysis. The firm integrates both long-term and short-term strategies, including trading, margin transactions and option writing, tailored to clients' risk tolerance and financial goals.

Grounded in modern portfolio theory, Life Planning Advisors emphasizes efficient asset allocation across equities, fixed income and other asset classes, often leveraging low-cost, tax-efficient mutual funds and ETFs. The firm also incorporates tactical asset allocation and alternative investments, such as REITs or private placements, for accredited clients. 

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Capstone Wealth, founded in 2001, provides financial planning, wealth management and specialized advisory services for individuals, high-net-worth clients, business owners and professionals. Its services include retirement planning, business succession planning, investment management, estate planning and guidance on complex compensation packages. The firm also assists clients with 1031 exchange transactions and coordinates with attorneys, accountants and tax professionals when needed.

The firm is fee-based, as some of its personnel are licensed to sell insurance products and may earn commissions, which creates a conflict of interest. Keep in mind that Capstone Wealth and its advisors are legally required to put your interests ahead of their own. 

Advisory clients are primarily individuals and families, with no strict account minimum, though fees apply depending on services. General financial planning is billed hourly (typically $200 per hour with a $250 minimum for phone consultations), while wealth management fees are charged as a percentage of assets under management on a tiered schedule. For business owners and executives, specialized planning is available at $2,500 per quarter.

The firm has at last one Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) on staff. 

Capstone Wealth follows a disciplined, evidence-based investment philosophy that emphasizes strategic asset allocation and diversification. Portfolios typically include mutual funds, corporate bonds, U.S. Treasuries and occasionally individual stocks or private placements. The firm relies on data and research rather than forecasts or market timing, balancing long-term strategies with periodic rebalancing to align portfolios with each client’s objectives and risk tolerance.

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Cladis Investment Advisory (CIA) is another fee-only practice located in Billings. It works with individual clients both above and below the high-net-worth threshold, as well as a handful of charitable organizations. CIA does however typically require a minimum account size of $250,000. 

In addition to asset-based fees, the firm also charges hourly and fixed fees, depending on the needs of the client. As a fee-only practice, CIA and its advisors do not collect commissions for selling certain products and services. This reduces the number of potential conflicts of interest that you'd otherwise have to keep in mind when working with a fee-based advisor. 

The firm has a small team that includes a certified trust and financial advisor (CTFA) and accredited wealth management advisor (AWMA). 

Nick Cladis founded his namesake firm in 2010 after working as an investment advisor for Capstone Wealth Management for several years. Cladis remains the firm's majority owner, while chief operations officer and investment advisor representative Tracy Hawbaker owns a minority stake in the business. 

CIA aims to provide comprehensive wealth management to its clients. So in addition to portfolio management, the firm may help you plan for retirement, navigate the estate planning process, develop a plan to pay down debt or save for your child's college education.

When it comes to investing your money, the firm follows a philosophy centered on diversification and asset allocation, aiming to manage risk and reduce volatility across client portfolios. Portfolios may include domestic and international equities, corporate and government bonds, municipal securities, certificates of deposit, mutual funds and ETFs. The firm actively evaluates asset classes and industry sectors and may overweight certain positions it believes have potential to outperform, while also noting that all investments carry inherent risks.

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Big Sky Wealth Advisors rounds out our list of the top financial advisors in Montana. Big Sky is a fee-based registered investment advisory firm that mainly serves individuals and high-net-worth families, but also works with retirement plans, charities and businesses. Advisory accounts generally require a $50,000 minimum, though the firm may accept smaller accounts under certain circumstances. 

The firm provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting and business valuation services through an affiliated entity. Areas of financial planning include retirement, education, tax, insurance and portfolio allocation. 

Josh Horton, the firm's founder and owner, holds the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC) designations. 

Founded in 2022, Big Sky employs an active management approach, tailoring portfolios based on client goals, market conditions and its investment outlook. Its strategies combine strategic, dynamic, tactical and core-satellite asset allocation methods. In practice, this means portfolios are built with a core of long-term diversified holdings, adjusted over time to account for market shifts, and sometimes tilted toward specific opportunities when conditions are favorable.

Portfolios may include individual stocks, bonds, municipal bonds, corporate bonds, U.S. Treasuries and ETFs, with cash or money market holdings sometimes representing a meaningful portion of assets.