Top Financial Advisors in New Hampshire

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At the top of our list is Lake Street Advisors, a fee-only financial advisor firm, which is headquartered in Portsmouth. The firm also has a branch office in Boston.

The firm primarily serves high-net-worth individuals and pension and profit-sharing plans. Investors are required to have a minimum investment of $20 million. Accounts are managed on a discretionary and non-discretionary basis.

Advisors at Lake Street hold numerous professional professional designations, including chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified financial planner (CFP), investment adviser certified compliance professional (IACCP), certified retirement counselor (CRC), certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA), chartered alternative investment advisor (CAIA) and certified private wealth advisor (CPWA).

Lake Street Advisors Background

Founded in 2003, Lake Street Advisors is an indirect, majority-owned subsidiary of Focus Financial Partners, LLC. CEO Buddy Webb and three other firm managers own small stakes in the firm.

Lake Street offers investment management and stand-alone financial planning. It also provides multi-family office and wealth management services, including holistic financial planning, asset allocation, investment management, financial reporting, cash flow and liquidity reporting, gift and estate planning, insurance and asset protection planning, income tax planning, bill payment administration and concierge services.

Lake Street Advisors Investment Strategy

Lake Street Advisors assigns to each client a team composed of a partner and a dedicated relationship manager (financial planner) who will coordinate with the investment team, which in turn includes an investment manager and investment analyst. Once the client’s portfolio has been constructed, customized to goals and other key factors, the investment team will monitor and periodically rebalance it. The firm notes that its “recommendations are not limited to any specific product or service offered by a broker-dealer, investment company, or insurer.”

As of Lake Street’s most recent SEC filings, the firm invests in a plethora of different securities. These include stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit (CDs), hedge funds, private equity, warrants, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds and more.

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Based in Bedford, The Harbor Group manages client assets primarily on a discretionary basis for both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals. It also works with a few retirement plans and charitable organizations.

The advisory team here includes eight certified financial planners (CFPs), one chartered financial analyst (CFA), one chartered financial consultant (ChFC), one certified public accountant (CPA), one chartered alternative investment analyst (CAIA) and one certificate in investment performance measurement (CIPM).

There is no set account minimum.

The Harbor Group Background 

Marc Herbert and Timothy Riley co-founded The Harbor Group in 1981. Herbert no longer works at the firm. Today, it's owned by president and CEO Tim Riley, chief planning officer (CPO) Chris MacBean and chief investment officer (CIO) Ryan Callaghan.

Investment advisory services are on a fee basis, but advisors who are insurance agents may receive commissions in their other capacities. In addition to investment management and insurance products, the practice offers financial planning, which can cover such topics as cash flow, college planning, retirement planning, tax planning, insurance review and estate planning. 

The Harbor Group Investment Strategy

The Harbor Group primarily uses strategic asset allocation, emphasizing, it notes, “prudent diversification of assets and long-term investment planning consistent with the client’s objectives.” In constructing portfolios, the firm utilizes mostly no-load mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, usually through discount brokers.

In most cases, this firm is not generally involved in the analysis or recommendation of individual securities like stocks and bonds. Instead, it tends to focus on mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

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Charter Oak Capital Management is a fee-only firm, which means all of its compensation comes from client-paid fees. Various professional designations are represented among advisors, including certified financial planner (CFP), certified public accountant (CPA), financial paraplanner qualified professional (FPQP), chartered retirement planning counselors (CRPC) and more.

Investment management accounts are primarily handled on a discretionary basis. The firm's minimum investment is $350,000, though it may, at its own sole discretion, accept clients with less than that. In addition, the vast majority of clients do not have a high net worth. The firm also serves high-net-worth individuals and charitable organizations.

Charter Oak Capital Management Background

Jeffrey Troiano started Charter Oak Capital Management in 2002. He is the majority owner of the firm, while four other partners have minority stakes. While the firm is based in Portsmouth, it has two other offices in Maine (Portland and Kennebunk). 

The firm offers a wide selection of services across areas like portfolio management, financial planning and retirement plan consulting. 

Charter Oak Capital Management Investment Strategy

Using charting, fundamental and technical analysis as well as analysis of economic, market, industry, firm and product cycles and trends, Charter Oak Capital Management’s investment strategies include long-term purchases (securities held at least a year), short-term purchases (securities sold between 30 days and one year) and trading (securities sold within 30 days).

The firm makes option transactions when clients make a special request. That said, for accounts whose discretionary investment authority it controls, the firm does not use options or other derivatives.

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Northeast Planning Associates (NPA) works solely with individuals with and without a high net worth. As a fee-based firm, some of NPA’s advisors may be licensed to sell insurance and investment products, and they could earn commissions on those transactions. Although this is a potential conflict of interest, the firm’s fiduciary obligations require the team to act in the best interests of clients, at all times.

NPA does not impose a minimum account requirement to engage in services.

Northeast Planning Associates Background

NPA was founded as a registered investment advisor in 1984. The owners of NPA are founder and CEO Edward C. Hiers and president and chief operating officer (COO) Benjamin Hiers.

The firm’s financial team holds multiple certifications, including certified financial planners (CFP), chartered financial consultants (ChFC), chartered life underwriter (CLU), certified investment management analyst (CIMA) and certified kingdom advisor (CKA).

Northeast Planning Associates Strategy

NPA offers investment advice, insurance strategies and brokerage services based on client financial goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. These include:

• Financial planning
• Investment management
• Educational accounts
• Insurance programs

Research and analysis from NPA is derived from numerous sources, including financial media companies, third-party research materials, Internet sources, and review of company activities, including annual reports, prospectuses, press releases and research prepared by others. Fundamental analysis utilizes economic and business indicators as investment selection criteria.

 NPA generally employs a long-term investment strategy for its clients, as consistent with their financial goals. 

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Independence Financial Advisors works primarily with individuals whose assets are both above and below the high-net-worth threshold. It also serves pension and profit-sharing plans and businesses. 

As a fee-based firm, some of Independence Financial’s advisors may be licensed to sell insurance and investment products, and could earn commissions on those transactions, which is a potential conflict of interest. However, the firm’s fiduciary obligations require the team to act in the best interests of clients.

Independence Financial does not impose a minimum account requirement.

Independence Financial Advisors Background

Headquartered in Franklin, Independence Financial Advisors was founded in 2011. The firm is a wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Savings Bank, a New Hampshire state-chartered mutual savings bank.

Client assets are managed mostly on a discretionary, but some accounts are managed on a non-discretionary basis. The firm employs seven investor advisor representatives.

Independence Financial Advisors Strategy

Independence Financial manages client assets based on financial goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. These include:

• Wealth management
• Retirement planning
• Estate planning
• Financial planning

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Named after founder Dave Carlson, DL Carlson Investment Group has been in business since 1989. The fee-only firm in Concord employs a team of advisors that includes one chartered financial analyst (CFA) and one chartered alternative investment analyst (CAIA).

With a minimum $250,000 investment required, the firm serves both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals. The firm's on-staff advisors also work with pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and businesses.

DL Carlson Investment Group Background

Firm chairman Dave Carlson founded DL Carlson Investment Group in 1989. Carlson has had a long career as a financial advisor, as he's spent more than 50 years in the industry. The firm is employee-owned, with president and chief investment officer (CIO) Jay Mullins acting as principal owner.

The boutique practice primarily offers investment management services, in addition to a selection of wealth management offerings.

DL Carlson Investment Group Investment Strategy

DL Carlson Investment Group offers three portfolio investment styles: equity, balanced and fixed-income. Primarily using fundamental analysis when selecting investments, it employs long-term purchases, short-term purchases, trading, margin transactions and option writing (including covered options, uncovered options or spreading strategies).

Before the firm invests any of your money, it makes sure to go over your personal needs with you directly. This involves doing a deep dive into your risk tolerance, time horizon, long- and short-term investment goals, income needs and more. In the end, your portfolio's composition and management will rely on these guiding characteristics.

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Lending the first initial of their last names to the firm’s name, the founders of CMH Wealth Management are Brian Carolan, Karen McCloskey and Kristen Hanley.

They, along with a few other advisors, manage the firm's client assets on a solely discretionary basis. Team members hold various professional accreditations, including certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified trust and fiduciary advisor (CTFA) and certified private wealth advisor (CPWA).

With around a few hundred clients, the North Hampton practice’s client-to-advisor ratio is quite low. It serves individuals who are both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth. The fee-only firm does not have a published investment minimum, though it charges a minimum $8,000 annual fee.

CMH Wealth Management Background

Before founding their boutique investment firm in 2009, McCloskey, Carolan and Hanley worked at U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management together. Carolan and McCloskey primarily own the firm, while Hanley has a small stake.

CMH offers portfolio management and financial planning. It can provide guidance on such areas as financial, retirement, estate, tax, insurance and charitable planning.

CMH Wealth Management Investment Strategy

In its investment management process, CMH Wealth Management applies qualitative and quantitative analyses to select securities. It may invest in individual stocks and bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and money market instruments.

All client portfolios are tailored to their owner's specific needs. To accurately build a portfolio for you, the firm will meet to discuss your risk tolerance, investment goals, time horizon, liquidity needs and more. As your goals change over time, the firm will adjust your portfolio accordingly.

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Mascoma Wealth Management is a fee-only firm, which means its only form of compensation is what clients pay for services. While Mascoma Wealth tends to focus on investment services, it also provides financial planning.

The firm has a $10,000 minimum investment requirement. When it comes to individual clients, the firm works with more people below the high-net-worth threshold than above it. Institutional clients of the firm include charities, businesses, government entities and retirement plans.

Most of Mascoma Wealth Management's client account are managed on a discretionary basis, with a minority managed on a non-discretionary basis.

Mascoma Wealth Management Background

Mascoma Wealth Management was created in 2013. The firm, whose office is in Hanover, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mascoma Bank. Zuzana Brochu joined the firm in October 2022. 

Among the professional certifications held by various team members are certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial consultant (ChFC), chartered advisor for senior living (CASL), FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, 65, 66 licenses and juris doctorate.

Mascoma Wealth Management Investment Philosophy

When working with clients, Mascoma Wealth Management will work to understand their needs. This is done before the creation of a portfolio, as a client's investing characteristics play a large part in how their portfolio is built. For example, the firm may go over your risk tolerance, time horizon, income needs and long-term goals.

Once your investor profile is complete, the firm will flesh out your portfolio with a wide variety of securities. According to the firm's Form ADV, it tends to invest in some combination of individual stocks and bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and cash.

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Secure Planning serves individuals, small business owners and other professional advisors in the areas of asset management, taxes and estate and retirement planning. The firm offers its services on a discretionary and non-discretionary basis.

As a fee-based firm some advisors can earn commissions on the sale of insurance products to clients. That creates a conflict of interest, but as a fiduciary Secure Planning is obligated to put the best interests of clients first, at all times. 

Secure Planning Background

Edward Mallon founded the firm in 1990 and is the president. The Edward J. Mallon Revocable Trust owns a 100% interest in the firm, which is also an insurance agency.

Advisors at the firm hold various professional designations, including chartered life underwriter (CLU) and certified financial planner (CFP). In addition, all advisors have passed the Series 65 or Series 7 and 66 securities examinations administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Secure Planning Investment Strategy

The firm states on its website that "the most important investment decision an investor can make is not which investment to buy - but rather, how assets should be allocated based upon your personal attitudes, objectives, life circumstances, and tolerance for risk." Secure Planning may make the asset allocation based on the conditions of the economy or market. To obtain this information, the firm uses uses software that allows it to review different asset classes, the performance of specific funds and widely accepted indexes going back for 15 years or longer.

It also uses the internet, financial newspapers and magazines are used as resources as well as research material, annual reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

Once a plan is made the firm rebalances the portfolio on a quarterly basis.

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Brophy Wealth Management is one of the oldest firm on our list, having begun operations in 1995. It serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations and business entities.

Advisors hold numerous professional designations, including chartered financial planner (CFP), chartered financial consultant (ChFC), chartered advisor for senior living (CASL), chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPS) and FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, 66 licenses.

As a fee-based firm, some of its advisors can be compensated by third-parties for selling insurance products, such as annuities, to clients. This is a conflict of interest, but as a fiduciary Brophy is obligated to put client interests' best interests first, at all times.

Brophy Wealth Management Background

The firm is owned by Stephen A. Brophy, who is the founder and majority owner, and James S. Brophy. Brophy Wealth Management is the result of a merger with Grodman Financial Group. 

Brophy offers estate, legacy and charitable planning, as well as investment management. 

Brophy Wealth Management Investment Strategy

The firm uses fundamental and technical methods of analysis, which are based in large part on the research capabilities and due diligence efforts of certain third-party vendors. 

The primary investment strategy used with client accounts is strategic and tactical asset allocation. Portfolios are generally globally diversified to control the risk associated with traditional markets. The investment strategy for a specific client is based upon the objectives and risk tolerances stated by the client during consultations. Clients may change these objectives at any time.