Finding a Top Financial Advisor Firm in New Hampshire
Finding a financial advisor can mean doing a lot of homework as you compare different advisors' fees, services and other factors. To help you make this important decision, we set out to identify the top ten advisor firms in New Hampshire. In this list you can easily compare the firms across such fundamentals as assets under management (AUM), fees and investment strategy. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
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1 | The Harbor Group, Inc. ![]() | $1,734,378,971 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
2 | Charter Oak Capital Management ![]() | $1,419,829,350 | $350,000 |
| Minimum Assets$350,000Financial Services
|
3 | Independence Financial Advisors, LLC ![]() | $432,940,469 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
4 | Northeast Planning Associates, Inc. ![]() | $327,668,966 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
5 | Eldridge Investment Advisors Inc ![]() | $790,942,444 | $25,000 |
| Minimum Assets$25,000Financial Services
|
6 | Carlson Investments ![]() | $698,436,517 | $250,000 |
| Minimum Assets$250,000Financial Services
|
7 | CMH Wealth Management, LLC ![]() | $774,040,243 | $8,000 minimum annual fee |
| Minimum Assets$8,000 minimum annual feeFinancial Services
|
8 | Summit Wealth Group, LLC ![]() | $656,268,782 | $1,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$1,000,000Financial Services
|
9 | Milestone Financial Planning, LLC ![]() | $486,717,369 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
10 | Affinity Investment Group, LLC ![]() | $515,273,568 | $250,000 |
| Minimum Assets$250,000Financial Services
|
What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in New Hampshire, 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.
The Harbor Group
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 many designations such as 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).
Charter Oak Capital Management
Charter Oak Capital Management is a fee-only firm, which means all of its compensation comes from client-paid fees. The firm offers a wide selection of services across areas like portfolio management, financial planning and retirement plan consulting.
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.
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.
Independence Financial Advisors
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. Independence Financial does not impose a minimum account requirement.
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.
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 manages client assets based on financial goals, time horizon and risk tolerance.
Northeast Planning Associates
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. 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 and more.
Research and analysis from NPA is derived from numerous sources, including financial media companies, third-party research materials, Internet sources, and reviews 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.
Eldridge Investment Advisors
Eldridge Investment Advisors is a fee-based firm that works with individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations and corporations. Services offered include investment management and financial planning.
The annual fee for investment management will not typically exceed 1.00% of assets under managmeent (AUM). Something unique at the firm is that all investment management clients receive financial planning services for free.
Investing with the firm means advisors will use a variety of analysis to determine the right investments. These align with the client's risk tolerance and long-term goals. The client is able to change objectives of their portfolio.
DL Carlson Investment Group
Named after founder Dave Carlson, DL Carlson Investment Group has been in business since 1989, making it the second oldest firm on the list. 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. The boutique practice primarily offers investment management services, in addition to a selection of wealth management offerings.
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.
CMH Wealth Management
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. 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 offers portfolio management and financial planning. It can provide guidance on such areas as financial, retirement, estate, tax, insurance and charitable planning.
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.
Summit Wealth Group
Summit Wealth Group is a fee-based firm that is the newest firm on the list, having been founded in 2016. Services offered by the firm include wealth management, tax preparation and financial consulting. These services are targeted at individuals, families, trusts, charitable organizations, pensions and corporations.
Wealth management services have a fee range annually between 0.25% and 1.5% of assets under management (AUM). Fees at the firm are negotiable, though, based on the nature of the account. Some of the fixed fee services at the firm could range from $750 to $10,000.
The firm sets up asset allocation guidelines for each individual client, based on the objectives of the client. The assets chosen will depend on what the client wants to accomplish and their appetite for risk.
Milestone Financial Planning
Milestone Financial Planning is a fee-only firm that caters to a diverse clientele including individuals, high-net-worth individuals, trusts, non-profit organizations and small businesses. The firm does not require a minimum asset level to start a relationship.
The firm provides education funding analysis, retirement planning, estate planning, and investment management services. Other offerings encompass cash management, insurance for asset protection, education planning, and coordination with other advisors such as estate planning attorneys, tax accountants and insurance agents.
The firm employs a strategic approach to investing that emphasizes long-term growth through globally diversified portfolios of stocks and bonds. The firm focuses on disciplined asset allocation, tax efficiency and the avoidance of market timing and speculative practices. Investments are primarily made in low-cost, passively managed mutual funds and ETFs. Regular rebalancing is conducted to ensure that each client's investments align with their desired risk tolerance levels.
Affinity Investment Group
Affinity Investment Group is a fee-based firm offering financial planning and portfolio management services to a variety of clients. The targeted clients include individuals, high-net-worth individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations and other business entitites.
Portfolio management fees range annually between 0.50% and 1.25% of assets under management (AUM) invested with the firm. Minimums at the firm are $250,000 of AUM and $3,125 in fees. Financial planning is charged at a fixed fee and typically ranges between $2,500 and $10,000.
The firm's primary investment strategy used on client accounts is strategic asset allocation utilizing a core and satellite approach. This means that the firm utilizes, at its core, a passively-managed index or a variety of ETFs. The firm then utilizes actively-managed funds. Each individual portfolio is diversified to help control risk, based on the tolerance of the client.