Top Financial Advisors in San Diego, CA

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Pure Financial Advisors requires all of its financial planners to either be a certified financial planner (CFP), certified public accountant (CPA) or chartered financial analyst (CFA) with at least five years of financial planning experience. Within their first year of joining the firm, financial planners must also become accredited investment fiduciaries (AIFs).

Pure Financial Advisors does not require a set account minimum. The firm says that it serves mid- to high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans. 

Pure Financial Advisors Background

Pure Financial Advisors was formed in 2007. The firm's principal shareholder is its founder and chairman, Michael Fenison. In addition to its main office in San Diego, the firm has offices in the Golden State in Irvine, Woodland Hills and Brea.

The firm's services include both model and individual portfolio management, pension consulting and financial planning. Its financial planning services encompass tax planning, cash flow, investments, risk management and estate planning.

Pure Financial Advisors Investment Strategy

As mentioned above, Pure Financial Advisors offers two types of portfolio management: individual and model portfolio management. As its name suggests, individual portfolio management is centered on a client's individual needs, time horizon, liquidity needs and risk tolerance determined through the financial planning process. Pure says that this service is typically only provided for fixed income portfolios or to accommodate existing clients.

Most of Pure's clients instead use the firm's model portfolio management services. Unlike individual portfolios, these portfolios are managed based on the portfolio's goals rather than on clients' individual goals, though the firm does consider clients' unique circumstances when selecting a model portfolio. The firm has several model portfolios, which are designed to meet different risk and return profiles and which have equity exposure ranging from 0% to 100%. Typically, these portfolios are globally diversified and contain a combination of ETFs, no-load index funds and/or institutional class mutual fund shares.

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HoyleCohen is a part of Focus Financial Partners, a partnership that offers support and resources to independent wealth management firms. The firm, which requires a minimum of $1 million in aggregate investments, says that it caters to high-net-worth individuals and families "in all stages of life and with varying financial concerns, challenges and complexities." Uniquely, HoyleCohen also has a women's practice, designed to serve the unique needs of financially independent women.

This San Diego firm boasts an impressive 16 certified financial planners (CFPs). In addition. HoyleCohen has some chartered financial analysts (CFAs), chartered alternative investment analysts (CAIAs) and certified investment management analysts (CIMA). HoyleCohen is a fee-only firm, which means all of its compensation comes from client-paid fees.

HoyleCohen Background

HoyleCohen was founded in 2001. In 2006, HoyleCohen became part of the Focus Financial Partners network of independent firms. It's now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Focus Operating, LLC, which also owns other registered investment advisors, broker-dealers, pension consultants and insurance firms.

The firm offers financial planning, investment management, risk management and wealth simplification. While financial planning may be a lesser focus for some investment management firms, HoyleCohen considers financial planning a "core capability."

The firm insists on crafting a clear plan of action for each of its clients. HoyleCohen calls its financial planning method "wealth by design," which focuses on digging into what you ultimately want to accomplish by growing your wealth. The firm uses what it calls "intelligent planning" to create a specific analysis for each client.

HoyleCohen Investment Strategy

HoyleCohen says it developed its CorePlus investing system "to deliver our clients a more stable, inflation-beating return with lower downside risk than a comparable stock/bond portfolio." The firm supplements the traditional core stock and bond portfolio, which it believes lacks "key ingredients to successful investing," with specific strategies.

These strategies include taking advantage of opportunities outside of traditional stock and bond classes, including investments in direct real estate, distressed credit and mortgage-backed securities. HoyleCohen says that it also includes built-in “cushions” that can offer even greater downside protection than traditional diversification alone would.

The firm's CorePlus program offers numerous special programs, which are designed to address at least one of three concerns: stability, protection or opportunistic growth.

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Kingswood Wealth Advisors is a fee-based firm that works on a minimum account requirement of $100,000. Its services include investment management, financial consulting, the recommendation of third-party managers and retirement plan consulting. As a fee-based firm, its advisors may receive commissions for the sale of securities and this could create a conflict of interest. However, the firm must put the needs of the client first and is bound by a fiduciary duty to do so. 

Kingswood Wealth Advisors Background

Kingswood was founded in 2016 and has over 20 advisors serving the San Diego area today. The firm is backed by the larger Kingswood group that has over $10 billion in assets under management (AUM). 

Kingswood Wealth Advisors Investment Strategy

Kingswood Wealth Advisors aims to provide a unique investment management solution to all of its individual clients. The firm utilizes a broad analysis approach to determining which potential investments make sense and how long to hold each. It utilizes charting, technical, fundamental and cyclical methods for analysis.

The firm utilizes a number of different investments across its portfolio of client accounts. These include bonds, foreign-issued securities, emerging markets securities, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), municipal securities, private placements, hedge funds and more. 

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Telos Capital Management primarily provides advisory services to individuals, though it also serves a number of high-net-worth investors. This fee-only firm has a set account minimum of $250,000. 

For a firm with a smaller staff of advisors, Telos Capital Management’s team has a decent spread of certifications. There are four certified financial planners (CFPs), five chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and one accredited investment fiduciary (AIF).

Telos Capital Management Background

The firm was founded in 1986 by Alexander & Muckermann. Its name was changed in 2003 to A&M Investment Management, and in 2009 it became Telos Capital Management, which is primarily owned by Stefan Meierhofer, the firm's founder, president and CEO. Jonathan Fairchild, Telos' executive vice president, and Andrew Weld, chief investment officer (CIO), each hold minority interests in the firm.

The firm's name, Telos, is derived from the Greek word meaning "ultimate purpose" or "goal." The firm says that its name reflects its belief that investment success can only be achieved if investors lay out clear goals and purposes. Telos subsequently invests its clients' assets with the objective of helping them to achieve their unique goals. Telos' services include investment management and financial planning.

Telos Capital Management Investment Strategy

Telos Capital Management says that it specializes in separately managed portfolios, which it describes as highly customized and tax-efficient. The firm focuses more so on achieving long-term results, rather than on quarterly performance. Its investment philosophy is grounded in careful stock selection, diversification and proper asset allocation.

The firm offers two main investment management programs:

• TCM Legacy Portfolios: These portfolios strive to achieve long-term capital appreciation and preservation. The methodology for these portfolios, which invest in companies with long-term, fundamental investment value, is based on value and growth investing. 
• Sherman Core Portfolios: Telos' Sherman Core Portfolios uses three different types of investments, which are combined according to a client's investment objectives. The firm's individual equities portfolio, for instance, uses individual stocks, closed-end mutual funds and ETFs.

Within each of those portfolio types, there are numerous different portfolio styles to choose from.

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Private Asset Management has one of the lower account minimum requirements on our list. To be a client of the firm, you'll need just $100,000 in investable assets.

Though the staff at Private Asset Management does have a decent number of certifications, it does not have as many as other firms on this list that are comparable in size. Private Asset Management has three certified financial planners (CFPs) on staff, in addition to two chartered financial analysts (CFAs), one certified public accountant (CPA) and one certificate in investment performance measurement (CIPM) holder.

Notably, the firm only provides financial planning through one of its employees. This is a fee-based firm, as one of the its employees earns compesation for preparing tax returns for clients. The firm is a fiduciary, requiring it to always act in clients' best interests.

Private Asset Management Background

Private Asset Management was founded in 1993 by Stephen Cohen. After Cohen's death in 2016, ownership of the firm was transferred to The Stephen J. Cohen Trust, which also serves as the management committee for the firm's day-to-day operations. Several of the firm's employees, including its current president and CEO, Jonathan Elsberry, are the co-trustees and members of the management committee.

The firm offers four main categories of services: asset management, fiduciary trustee services, bill pay services and tax services.

Private Asset Management Investment Strategy

Private Asset Management creates customized portfolios for its clients based on their financial needs. Its portfolio options include equity/growth, either taxable or tax-free income or balanced with a blend of equity and income. The firm takes a long-term approach to growth and aims to minimize volatility and trading.

Though each account is individually managed, Private Asset Management said that most of its accounts contain similar securities. The firm primarily invests its clients' assets in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, federal and state government obligations, exchange-traded funds, options and ADRs. The firm has a team of in-house research analysts and portfolio managers who are responsible for making investment decisions.

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Fee-based firm Financial Sense Advisors serves nearly 1,000 non-high-net-worth individuals, individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations and corporations. Some of the qualifications among the firm’s team include certified financial planner (CFP), chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC), chartered market technician (CMT), certified tax specialist (CTS) designations and more.

When it comes to advisory fees, the firm charges asset-based fees, hourly charges, fixed fees and commissions. The firm’s account minimum varies based on account type. Advisors earning commissions is a potential conflict of interest, but advisors still must act in the best interest of the client due to their fiduciary duty.

Financial Sense Advisors Background

Financial Sense Advisors began its operations in 1985. James J. Puplava is the firm’s president and founder, and Ryan J. Puplava is the firm’s chief executive officer (CEO).

This firm mainly offers portfolio management and financial planning services. The latter can cover retirement planning, estate planning, tax planning, college fund planning and more.

Financial Sense Advisors Investment Strategy 

Financial Sense Advisors' primary securities analysis methods are fundamental analysis and technical analysis. The firm’s investment strategies are long-term purchases, short-term purchases, margin transactions and option writing. 

The firm also applies the following strategies and objectives: fixed-income, conservative, balanced, growth with income, growth, income and tactical.

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The Retirement Group employs a fairly large number of financial advisors who work with its client base. These clients include almost entirely individuals without a high net worth, though the firm also has a few high-net-worth clients. Account minimums at the firm can range up to $50,000, depending on the program you subscribe to.

As its name suggests, The Retirement Group typically works with people who are nearing retirement and have worked at large companies. Beyond its advisory services, the firm does in-person seminars to teach retirement planning.

Certain on-staff advisors can receive commissions from the sale of securities or insurance products to clients. Despite the potential conflict of interest this creates, the firm's fiduciary duty requires it to act in clients' best interests at all times.

The Retirement Group Background

The Retirement Group was created back in 2008. The team includes some retirement income certified professionals (RICPs).

As we stated above, this firm specializes in retirement income planning. It provides these services through financial planning, investment management, asset allocation planning, income planning, separately managed accounts and more.

The Retirement Group Investment Strategy

The Retirement Group will focus on learning about you before building a portfolio with your assets. Your advisor will speak with you about things like your long-term financial goals, proximity to retirement, risk tolerance, income needs, current investments and more. Based on this information, a personalized portfolio will be constructed for you. This could end up being either an internally or separately managed account.

Advisors at the firm tend to focus on long-term holdings rather than riskier short-term moves. The firm tends to invest in stocks, preferred stocks, ETFs, index funds, corporate bonds, CDs, mortgage-backed securities, various types of mutual funds and more.

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Centura is a fee-based firm that works with accounts of $2,000,000 or more. The firm offers the services of investment management and financial planning consulting services. Financial consulting can consist of a variety of services ranging from retirement planning to tax planning, real estate planning, insurance services, or even cash flow forecasting. 

As a fee-based firm there is a potential conflict of interest as the firm or its associates can receive compensation for the sale of certain securities. However, the firm is bound by a fiduciary duty that erases that potential conflict as it must act in the best interest of its clients. 

Centura Wealth Advisory Background

Centura Wealth Advisory was founded in 2018 by advisors Derek Myron and Kyle Malmstrom, who both serve as Managing Directors of the firm today. The firm employs 15 advisors who have obtained a number of different designations such as the certified financial planner (CFP) and the chartered financial analyst (CFA). The firm manages more than $650 million in assets under management (AUM) today. 

Centura Wealth Advisory Investment Philosophy

Centura may utilize the following investment strategies when implementing investment advice given to clients:

• Long-Term Purchases - securities held at least a year.
• Short-Term Purchases - securities sold within a year.
• Trading - securities sold within thirty (30) days.
• Margin Transactions - use of borrowed assets to purchase financial instruments.
• Options - contract for the purchase or sale of a security at a predetermined price during a specific period of time.

However, each strategy is built around the individual client's need. 

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Rowling & Associates is one of the smallest firms on our list in terms of assets under management (AUM). The fee-only firm specializes in tax planning services, and its financial planning services are focused on getting retirement ready. The firm is also registered as a professional accounting firm, and it may recommend its accounting services to clients.

Rowling & Associates primarily serves individuals and high-net-worth individuals. It does not have a set account minimum. The firm’s staff includes three certified financial planners (CFPs). As a testament to its tax expertise, it also has three certified public accountants (CPAs) on staff, one of whom is also a personal financial specialist (PFS).

Rowling & Associates Background

Founded in 2012, Rowling & Associates is one of the younger firms on this list. The firm is owned and managed by director of tax services Tara Weisinger, director of operations Juan Aguilar and director of wealth management Lorenzo Sanchez.

The firm offers an array of services. Its investment management services, which are tailored to clients' unique goals, include sustainable investing. The firm's financial planning services encompass retirement planning, college funding, estate planning, life insurance needs and free financial workshops. Meanwhile, its tax planning services include income tax planning, charitable planning, tax preparation services and tax strategies for stock options.

Rowling & Associates Investment Strategy

As one might expect from a firm that specializes in tax planning, Rowling & Associates prioritizes tax efficiency when investing its clients' assets. The firm offers two levels of investment management services. With Intricity, which is recommended for young professionals, you manage your portfolio with Rowling's guidance. With Rowling's wealth management, the firm does it all for you, including advanced year-end tax planning. Rowling recommends this option for retirees and executives.

Rowling considers a client's age, risk tolerance, income tax bracket and required rate of return when crafting an investment strategy. The firm determines your portfolio's performance in three ways: asset allocation, investor behavior and location optimization, which describes the firm's positioning of assets in taxable, tax-deferred and tax-free accounts.

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Wilsey Asset Management is a fee-only firm that offers services in investment management and financial planning. The firm offers services to individuals, pensions, profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, corporations, business entities, trusts and estates. As a fee-only firm there is no potential conflict of interest for the sale of securities but there is a minimum $100,000 account size to obtain the firm's services. 

Wilsey Asset Management Background

Wilsey Asset Management was founded in 2009 Brent Wilsey. The firm has two financial advisors today, and at least one has obtained his certified financial planner (CFP) designation. The firm manages more than $400 million in assets under management (AUM) today. 

Wilsey Asset Management Investment Philosophy

When implementing investment advice to clients, the firm may employ a variety of strategies to best pursue the objectives of clients. Depending on market trends and conditions, Fiduciary Architects will employ any technique or strategy herein described, at the firm’s discretion and in the best interests of the client. The firm does not recommend any particular security or type of security. Instead, the Firm makes recommendations to meet a particular client’s financial objectives