Finding the Top Financial Advisors in North Dakota
With so many options out there, trying to find the right financial advisor for you can be a challenge. The process involves a lot of research into lengthy documents loaded with financial and legal jargon. The team at SmartAsset combed through the financial advisors in North Dakota and pulled together the top firms. We cover everything you need to know, like each firm's fees, services, account minimums and more. If you're looking for a more personalized recommendation, the SmartAsset free financial advisor matching tool can connect you with advisors who serve your area.
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We match nearly 50,000 people with financial advisors per month. Get connected to an advisor that serves your area today.Rank | Financial Advisor | Assets Managed | Minimum Assets | Financial Services | More Information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Brady Martz Wealth Solutions ![]() | $599,419,819 | N/A |
| Minimum AssetsN/AFinancial Services
|
2 | Prairiewood Wealth Management ![]() | $273,988,027 | $1,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$1,000,000Financial Services
|
3 | Light Financial Services, Inc ![]() | $145,111,574 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
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4 | Johnson Wealth Management, LLC Find an Advisor | $256,889,061 | $500,000 |
| Minimum Assets$500,000Financial Services
|
5 | Wealth Forward, LLC ![]() | $197,216,763 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
6 | Fjell Capital ![]() | $157,181,843 | No set account minimum |
| Minimum AssetsNo set account minimumFinancial Services
|
7 | Capital City Wealth Management ![]() | $126,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Minimum Assets$1,000,000Financial Services
|
What We Use in Our Methodology
To find the top financial advisors in North Dakota, 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.
Brady Martz Wealth Solutions
Brady Martz Wealth Solutions is an SEC-registered investment adviser focused on retail investors, which include individuals and families. The firm offers wealth management that combines financial planning covering goals, tax planning, risk management, retirement, education and cash-flow with portfolio management.
Portfolio management is charged as a percentage of assets under management, generally billed quarterly in advance. In addition to the advisory fee, clients bear typical third-party costs such as custodian fees, transaction costs, and underlying fund/annuity expenses.
The firm makes allocations to each client’s goals, risk tolerance and time horizon, with continuous monitoring and adjustments as needed.
Prairiewood Wealth Management
Prairiewood Wealth Management is the next firm up on our list of the top financial advisory firms in the state of North Dakota. This small firm has a client base made up almost exclusively of individuals, the majority of which do not have a high net worth. However, most of the firm's total assets under management come from its high-net-worth individual clients. Prairiewood doesn't have many institutional clients, but it does work with a few charities.
Prairiewood works with clients to provide comprehensive wealth management services, from investment management to financial planning services.
Prairiewood Wealth Management aims to tailor its investment strategies and investment portfolio management services to the wants, needs and financial objectives of its clients. The firm states that one of its goals is to help its clients meet their financial goals through the use of financial investments.
When selecting investments for use in client portfolios, Prairiewood tends to use individual equities, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and mutual funds. Their overarching investment approach can be described as "fundamental value discipline in a systemic investing approach."
Light Financial Services
Light Financial Services rounds out our list of the top financial advisor firms in North Dakota. This small fee-only practice primarily works with individuals who do not have a high net worth but also has a limited base of high-net-worth clients, as well. The firm, which is located in Fargo, is also open to working with charities, corporations and other business entities.
Light Financial Services provides investment management, financial planning and 403(b) plan consultations. The firm also offers access to a third-party wrap fee program, which allows clients to pay a flat fee that covers portfolio management, administrative costs, trading fees and other expenses.
Light Financial Services provides investment management services through model asset allocations – prebuilt portfolios designed to meet a particular investment goal. The firm manages individual accounts according to their stated objectives, including maximum capital appreciation, income, as well as tax considerations. Light Financial Services typically invests client assets into a mix of exchange-listed securities and mutual funds.
Johnson Wealth Management
Next up on our list is the small firm Johnson Wealth Management. Johnson is based in Grand Forks and has just a single advisor on staff. It works mainly with individual clients, and the majority of those individuals have a high net worth. Johnson doesn't work with many institutional clients, but it does work with a handful of pensions, profit-sharing plans and charities.
Clients can engage Johnson Wealth Management for investment supervisory services and asset management services. The firm also does financial planning and even has engagements that don't relate to matters involving securities directly.
Johnson Wealth Management works with clients to create investment policy statements that are used to guide investment strategies on an individualized basis. The firm takes note of a client's tolerance for risk, liquidity needs, financial situation and other important information, using it to inform investment decisions on the client's behalf.
At Johnson Wealth Management, client assets are primarily invested in low-cost and passively managed funds. The firm does not believe that security analysis generates additional long-term returns, so it stays away from such investment tactics.
Wealth Forward
Wealth Forward, LLC is last on our list of the top firms in North Dakota. Clients of Wealth Forward are predominantly individuals with less than a high net worth, though it also works with high-net-worth individuals and retirement plans. Services provided include financial planning, retirement plan consulting and investment management. There is no minimum account balance requirement needed to become a client.
Wealth Forward's services include comprehensive and in-depth financial planning, retirement plan consulting and discretionary investment management. The firm also manages a small amount of its assets on a non-discretionary basis.
Advisors at Wealth Forward monitor and rebalance client portfolios on at least a quarterly basis. While the types of securities used to implement a client's portfolio may vary, they typically include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, private placements, convertible securities and more. Investment strategies may also entail the use of third-party investment managers. The firm may also invest client assets in a variety of model portfolios in an effort to drive growth.
Fjell Capital
Fjell Capital a fee-based financial advisory firm that caters to individuals, high-net-worth individuals and businesses. Depending on the services chosen, the firm may require a minimum account size of $500,000, although this requirement may be waived under certain circumstances. The firm offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to enhance financial stability and growth that includes cash flow planning, lifestyle maintenance, budgeting, investment management and risk management.
As a fee-based firm there is the potential for a conflict of interest as the advisors of the firm may earn a commission for the sale of certain securities. However, the firm and its advisors are bound by a fiduciary duty to put the needs of each client first.
The firm employs a disciplined, passive investment strategy, focusing on long-term buy-and-hold principles. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation and periodic rebalancing to optimize portfolio performance. Additionally, the firm's advisors implement tax loss harvesting and promote international diversification to enhance returns and reduce risks.
Typical investment vehicles chosen for clients include exchange-traded funds (ETFs), no-load mutual funds, equities, fixed-income securities and cash equivalents such as money market funds, T-Bills, municipal notes and certificates of deposit (CDs).
Capital City Wealth Management
Capital City Wealth Management (CCWM) is an SEC-registered, fee-only adviser working primarily with individuals and high-net-worth households. CCWM delivers its advice through a wrap-fee program that bundles ongoing discretionary portfolio management and financial planning.
The firm charges an asset-based wrap fee billed quarterly in advance on period-end values. Fees for asset management range from 0.55% to 1.50% depending on the amount of assets under management (AUM) at the firm.
CCWM generally implements diversified, risk-based model portfolios using mutual funds and ETFs, with selective use of individual securities. Accounts are overseen on a continuing basis, and clients can impose reasonable restrictions.