Top Financial Advisors in Walnut Creek, CA

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Destination Wealth Management takes the top spot on our list. Most of the firm's individual clients have a high net worth. The rest of the firm's client base is comprised of non-high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations and businesses.

In order to become a client of this firm, you'll need at least $500,000 in investable assets. However, the fee-only firm may decide to reduce or waive this minimum at its discretion.

The firm has a wealth management offering, which combines your investment portfolio with a financial plan. By doing this, the firm hopes to align all of your financial needs. Typical financial planning services include retirement planning, tax management, estate planning and review, insurance needs analysis, family and charitable giving planning, education fund planning and more.

Destination Wealth Management Background

Destination Wealth Management has been in business since 1996. The firm was founded by Michael Yoshikami, who now acts as CEO, chairman and lead member of the portfolio strategy committee. Yoshikami has more than 35 years' experience in the financial services industry.

There are quite a few certifications across the advisory team at Destination Wealth Management. These include certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA).

Destination Wealth Management Investment Strategy

On a firm-wide basis, Destination Wealth Management believes in investing with an eye towards long-term returns. More specifically, the firm states in its Form ADV that its focus "tends to be on longer-term trends that we see having a financial impact on investable assets." Despite this approach, the firm realizes that short-term trends in the market may be necessary to adjust for. In these cases, the firm will make investment decisions by combining fundamental analysis with a review of current market trends.

Destination believes in diversification across every asset allocation it creates. These allocations will be decided on based on your personal financial goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. The firm usually invests in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), ex-U.S. positions, options and commodity assets.

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Litman Gregory Asset Management is the next firm on our list of the top financial advisory firms in Walnut Creek. This large firm works mainly with high-net-worth individual clients. Non-high-net-worth individual clients make up the next largest part of the firm's client base. When it comes to institutional clients, the firm works with a small number of pensions, profit sharing plans, charities and businesses.

Litman Gregory is a fee-only firm, so advisors don't earn commissions from selling financial products. The firm normally has a $3 million minimum account size requirement.

Litman Gregory Asset Management Background

Litman Gregory Asset Management was founded in 1987, making it one of the oldest firms on our list. It became an SEC-registered investment advisor a few years later, in 1995. 

The firm provides a range of investment management services to clients, including portfolio management and financial planning services. It also provides clients with access to a number of pre-formed portfolio strategies as well as a wrap-fee program. About half of the firm's assets are managed on a discretionary basis.

Litman Gregory Asset Management Investment Strategy

Litman Gregory Asset Management aims to tailor its investment strategies to the individual financial situations and investment objectives of its clients. This process involves getting to know each client on a personal basis, learning about such things as a client's tolerance for risk and liquidity needs.

Advisors tend to invest on a long-term time horizon. They craft globally diversified portfolios that may include a wide range of investment securities. The specific securities depend upon the individual client.

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Thomas Doll is the next firm on this list. Non-high-net-worth individuals, high-net-worth individuals, pension plans and charitable organizations all work with the firm. As a fee-based firm, certain on-staff financial advisors at Thomas Doll can earn commissions from insurance sales, which causes a potential conflict of interest. Despite this, the firm is bound by fiduciary duty to act in clients' best interests at all times.

Thomas Doll provides a range of services, including wealth management, financial planning, automated investing through the TD SMART Investing program and consulting for employee benefit plans. The firm has a minimum account size of $100,000 for wealth management services and $5,000 for the TD Smart Investing program. If you wish to utilize the tax-loss harvesting feature of the TD Smart Investing program, its aforementioned minimum will raise to $50,000. Other accounts may have different minimums.

Thomas Doll Background

Thomas Doll was founded in 1999, and it’s currently owned by the shareholders of Thomas Doll CPAs, P.C., an accounting business. Thomas Doll CPAs has been in business since the 1960s. Almost all of the firm's advisors are certified public accountants (CPAs).

Thomas Doll Investment Philosophy

Thomas Doll primarily uses passively managed mutual funds to construct client portfolios. It also integrates conservative fixed-income securities to adjust the risk profile of portfolios when necessary. The firm may invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to better access a certain market sector.

The core belief that underscores the firm’s approach to investing is that markets are efficient over the long term. Therefore, by adhering to broad diversification and keeping the long view, the firm is confident that it’s giving its clients the best chance for sustainable success.

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Burton Enright Welch has been providing investment advice in Walnut Creek for over 30 years. The firm principally works with individuals of both a high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth nature. Institutional clients include pension plans, charitable organizations and businesses.

The firm specializes in investment management and financial planning, as well as consulting for 401(k) and other retirement plans. Occasionally, the firm may allocate a portion or all of a client’s assets with independent managers. The firm does not have a specific minimum account size for new clients.

Burton Enright Welch is a fee-only firm; while some of its advisors are licensed insurance agents, they do not receive any commissions. As a result, all of the firm's compensation comes from client-paid fees.

Burton Enright Welch Background

Burton Enright Welch was founded in 1989, but its SEC registration dates to 2008. Benjamin Peters, Peter M. Burton, Robert D. Enright and Jeremy A. Welch combine to own the firm. Among the firm’s advisors are certifications such as certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial consultant (ChFC) and more.

Fees for investment management services are based on a percentage of client assets that can range from 0.30% to 1.50%. These fees are typically not negotiable.

Burton Enright Welch Investment Philosophy

Burton Enright Welch generally recommends that clients invest in a combination of mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), individual stocks and bonds, options and more. The intent behind these securities is that clients will hold onto them for a year or longer. The firm may also recommend investing in individual stocks and bonds.

The firm begins the portfolio creation process by working with each client to establish a target asset allocation. This serves as a starting point for each portfolio, but the firm will continue to analyze investment options and reevaluate if changes to the allocation could potentially be beneficial to you.

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Castle Rock Wealth Management is next up on our list. This group works with a large client base. Clients include non-high-net-worth individuals, high-net-worth individuals, retirement plan sponsors and businesses. The firm does not maintain a minimum asset requirement, so technically anyone can open an account with Castle Rock.

Castle Rock offers portfolio management, financial planning and consulting services to its clients. Occasionally, the firm may refer client assets to third-party investment advisors.

Castle Rock is a fee-based firm, which means some advisory employees can sell insurance products or securities on a commission basis. Although this represents a potential conflict of interest, the firm abides by fiduciary duty, legally binding it to act in your best interest.

Castle Rock Wealth Management Background

Castle Rock Wealth Management first opened its doors in 2015, making it one of the youngest firms on this list. The firm is wholly owned by founder James Luippold, which Mark Bertoli acting as the firm’s managing partner.

Among the advisors here, there are advisory certifications such as certified financial planner (CFP), accredited investment fiduciary (AIF), certified wealth strategist (CWS) and certified plan fiduciary advisor (CPFA).

Castle Rock Wealth Management Investment Philosophy

Castle Rock Wealth Management typically invests in individual stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options, mutual funds and other public and private securities when constructing client portfolios. 

Before deciding on any specific investments, the firm will look to establish a few important factors that are unique to each client. This can include current resources, investment goals, time until retirement, risk tolerance and even tax concerns. With these considerations in mind, the firm will develop a diversified asset allocation that matches the client’s tolerance for risk and delivers an expected return that’s in line with their goals.

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Next on our list is Bedell Frazier Investment Counselling. Most of the firm's clients are individuals, with a nearly even split between those with and without a high net worth. The firm also works with pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and businesses. The firm has a minimum opening account size of $500,000, though it reserves the right to lower this minimum at its discretion.

Bedell Frazier offers a wide range of services including investment management, financial planning and individual and retirement plan consulting. Financial planning services include estate planning, retirement planning, tax planning, wealth transfer planning, trust planning and more.

Bedell Frazier is a fee-only firm, as no members of its advisory team are licensed to sell financial products to clients in exchange for commissions.

Bedell Frazier Investment Counselling Background

Bedell Frazier Investment Counselling first opened its doors back in 1975. Today, it’s wholly owned by BlueSpring Wealth Partners, LLC.

On the advisory team here, there are certifications such as chartered market technician (CMT), chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC), certified financial planner (CFP) and chartered financial analyst (CFA).

Bedell Frazier Investment Counselling Investment Philosophy

Bedell Frazier starts its investment process by sitting down with each client to understand their current financial situation and resources, investment goals and risk tolerance. From there, the firm will develop an investment strategy centered around a diversified asset allocation that matches the client’s tolerance for risk.

This firm invests in certificates of deposit (CDs), municipal securities, government securities, equity securities, corporate debt securities, commercial paper, warrants and options contracts on securities.

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Boltwood Capital Management, which has been in business since 1986, has no set minimum account size. Every one of the firm’s clients are individuals. There's about an even split between individuals below and above the high-net-worth threshold.

The firm offers financial planning services, along with portfolio management and individual investment advice. Boltwood is a fee-only firm, meaning it only earns compensation from the advisory fees it charges.

Boltwood Capital Management Background

Boltwood Capital Management was established in 1986 under the name Sommer & Boltwood Investment Management, Inc. The firm has been operating under its current name since 2009, and its current owners are Zachary R. Wolf and president Michael J. Stock.

Of the firm’s advisors, there are advisory certifications such as certified financial planner (CFP) and chartered financial analyst (CFA).

Boltwood Capital Management Investment Philosophy

Boltwood Capital Management personalizes its approach to investing for each client. The firm will factor in the client’s appetite for risk, time until retirement and ultimate financial goals before arriving at the proper asset allocation.

Boltwood typically diversifies client portfolios across many major asset classes, including large-, mid- and small-cap stocks; international developed and emerging market stocks; and government, corporate bonds and municipal bonds.

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Integrity Wealth Partners is a small fee-only advisory firm. Its clients include individuals with and without a high net worth, with a large majority of the latter.

Integrity Wealth Partners specializes in asset management, financial planning and consulting services. The firm has a minimum account size of $250,000, though it may be willing to negotiate this requirement.

Integrity Wealth Partners Background

Integrity Wealth Partners was founded in Walnut Creek in 2013. The firm has one sole owner in Ryder Brose, who has 25 years' experience in financial services.

Integrity Wealth Partners Investment Philosophy

Integrity Wealth Partners uses two primary methods of analysis when determining investment options for its clients: fundamental analysis and technical analysis. The former is the practice of examining a company’s financial documents and the overall economy to gauge the intrinsic value of its stock. The latter involves analyzing price and volume data as a method of forecasting future price movements.

The firm typically builds client portfolios with individual stocks or bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options, mutual funds and other public and private securities.

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Cedar Wealth Management has a fairly small client base comprised of mostly high-net-worth individuals. It also works with non-high-net-worth individuals, charitable organizations, businesses and family partnerships. The firm does not abide by a minimum account size.

This is a fee-only firm, which means all of its compensation comes from client-paid fees and not third-party sales commissions. The advisory team also holds a handful of certifications, such as certified financial planner (CFP), certified public accountant (CPA), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and more.

Cedar Wealth Management Background

Cedar Wealth Management was established back in 2014 by lead wealth advisor Neil Jubaili. Jubaili still owns the firm to this day, and he has an MBA.

This firm specializes in wealth management, meaning it focuses on both client investments and their financial plans.

Cedar Wealth Management Investing Strategy

Cedar Wealth Management work with clients to develop their investor profile before it puts any of their money into the market. For instance, you and your advisor will detail things like your risk tolerance, time horizon, risk aversion, tax situation, long- and short-term financial goals and more. This is typically done through questionnaires and in-depth conversations.

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Archvest Wealth Advisors does not have a minimum account size for new clients. In turn, the firm's client base is split between individuals with and without a high net worth. The firm's only institutional clients are retirement plan sponsors and charitable organizations.

This firm is a fee-only operation. That means all of its compensation comes from client-paid fees. On the other hand, a fee-based firm would receive client-paid fees and third-party sales commissions.

Archvest Wealth Advisors Background

Archvest Wealth Advisors has two owners: CEO Eric Lai and chief financial officer (CFO) John Wenzel. The firm has been in business since 2014.

Financial planning services here can cover things like retirement planning, cash flow planning, trust and estate planning, tax planning, charitable gift planning and more. The firm also provides investment management services.

Archvest Wealth Advisors Investing Strategy

Archvest Wealth Advisors typically invests client assets in some combination of mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), individual stocks, individual bonds and independent money managers. However, the makeup of your portfolio will depend on the specific of your financial situation and desired future. To determine these factors, you and your advisor at Archvest will work to determine your risk tolerance, time horizon, income needs, financial objectives and more.