Top Financial Advisors in Washington

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Brighton Jones, a fee-only financial advisory firm based in Seattle, is the top-rated practice in the state of Washington. Brighton Jones has more assets under management than any firm on this list. In addition to providing portfolio management services, the firm manages several affiliated and non-affiliated private funds and offers wealth management, retirement plan consulting, financial planning and financial wellness consulting.

Brighton Jones has a large team of advisors, many of whom hold professional certifications, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified public accountant (CPA) designations, among others. 

Brighton Jones invests client assets primarily in a range of debt instruments, including bonds and bond funds, as well as fixed-income securities, individual equities, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), based on the client’s investment objectives.

Additionally, the firm may allocate assets to specific asset allocation strategies and recommend investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs), which carry risks typically associated with real estate, such as fluctuations in property values, economic conditions, interest rates and potential environmental issues.

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Coldstream Wealth Management is a financial advisor firm that is based in Bellevue. Coldstream Wealth's client base consists of both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals. The practice specifically lists corporate executives, business owners, multi-generational families and professional athletes as the types of clients it serves. It also provides services to businesses, charitable organizations, pension and profit-sharing plans and investment companies.

While there isn't a stated minimum account size for private wealth management, the firm charges a minimum annual fee of $10,000 ($150,000 for family office services).

Investment advisory services are provided on a fee basis, but advisors who are representatives of brokers or insurance agents may receive commissions in their separate capacities. The receipt of third-party compensation from these sales transactions are a conflict of interest that prospective clients should understand and keep in mind. However, the firm is legally required to act in clients' best interests as a fiduciary. 

When constructing client portfolios, it may allocate assets to domestic, international and emerging markets, as well as a range of equity capitalizations, from large- to small-cap stocks. The firm may also use a variety of fixed-income instruments, alternative investments, including hedge fund strategies, private equity, venture capital and leveraged buyouts. Tangible assets, including public and private real estate, commodities and other natural resources, may also factor into a client's portfolio.

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Cercano Management is a fee-only advisory firm based in Bellevue that works primarily with ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families. In fact, Cercano Management generally requires $100 million to establish a managed account relationship, though the firm may waive this minimum at its discretion. The firm also serves family offices, trusts, estates, foundations and investors in private funds.

Services offered include discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services through separately managed accounts, as well as investment management for privately offered pooled investment vehicles. The firm’s services may also include wealth management, asset allocation across financial and non-financial assets, tax and estate planning, family governance, legacy planning, proxy voting and quarterly reporting. Cercano does not participate in wrap fee programs.

When constructing client portfolios, Cercano may use several investment strategies, including public markets, venture capital, private equity, private credit and investments in third-party limited partnership funds. Its public markets strategy uses a global mandate and fundamental bottom-up research. Private market strategies may include direct investments, lending and yield-oriented investments, secondary purchases and commitments to outside managers.

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Freestone Capital Management is a fee-based advisory firm headquartered in Seattle. Founded in 1999, the firm is 100% employee-owned and has additional offices in Santa Barbara, California; San Francisco; Campbell, California; and Anchorage, Alaska. Freestone works primarily with high-net-worth individuals and families, and also serves pension and profit-sharing plans, financial institutions, trusts, endowments, charitable organizations, corporations, other business entities, third-party managers and investors in private funds.

While the firm doesn't have a set account minimum, it generally seeks clients with at least $1 million for discretionary investment management relationships. clients referred through the Schwab Advisor Network are subject to a $2 million minimum.

Services offered include wealth management, investment advisory services, private fund asset management, financial planning and access to internally managed model portfolios and third-party manager strategies. Planning services may cover estate, tax, philanthropic, retirement, benefit plan, credit, risk, insurance, healthcare, college and corporate benefits planning. The firm may also provide flat-fee or hourly investment and wealth planning advice in certain situations.

In addition to advisory fees, the firm and its affiliates may also receive performance-based fees or allocations from private funds, insurance commissions and third-party compensation related to insurance policy monitoring. This creates a potential conflict of interest, because third-party compensation gives the firm a financial incentive to recommend certain products or services over others. However, the firm is legally required to act in clients' best interests as a fiduciary.

When constructing client portfolios, Freestone may use a mix of equity, fixed-income and alternative investment strategies. Portfolios may include individual U.S. and non-U.S. equities, ETFs, mutual funds, taxable and tax-exempt bonds, high-yield bonds, REITs, master limited partnerships, options and other derivatives. The firm also advises on private funds and alternative strategies that may include distressed debt, arbitrage, private placements, real estate, private equity, fund-of-funds structures and real assets.

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Clear Creek Financial Management is a fee-based financial advisory firm located in Silverdale. The firm, which has been in business as an investment advisor since April 2014, works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, pension and profit-sharing plans, other investment advisors, corporations, limited liability companies and other business entities. The firm does not require a minimum account size to open or maintain an account.

Clear Creek offers a range of services, including asset management, financial planning, pension consulting, referrals to third-party money managers and algorithm-based investment modeling consulting through Helios Quantitative Research. Financial planning and consulting services may cover investment planning, retirement planning, estate planning, charitable planning, education planning, tax planning, real estate analysis, debt analysis and insurance analysis. 

In addition to advisory fees, representatives of the firm may also receive compensation from insurance product sales. This is a conflict of interest, because third-party compensation gives advisors a financial incentive to make certain recommendations over others. However, the firm is legally required to act in clients' best interests as a fiduciary.

When constructing client portfolios, Clear Creek Financial Management may use long-term purchases, short-term purchases, trading, short sales, margin transactions and option-writing strategies. Its analysis may include fundamental analysis, technical and charting analysis and cyclical analysis, depending on the client’s needs and investment approach. 

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Empirical Wealth Management in Seattle is a fee-based firm with a minimum account size requirement of $3 million. The firm works mostly with individuals, but also has institutional clients including corporations and businesses, government entities, charitable orgaizations, as well as pooled investment vehicles.

Services offered include retirement planning, tax preparation, insurance and real estate services, executive consulting services and portfolio management through a wrap fee program. Advisory fees are based on a percentage of assets under management, and a wrap-fee program is available. Empirical can also make referrals to an outside estate planning firm. 

Empirical approaches investing by following modern portfolio theory (MPT), which emphasizes building diversified portfolios using various asset classes that interact differently with one another. Their portfolios typically include 12-21 distinct asset classes. Empirical primarily invests in low-cost mutual funds and ETFs but may also select individual securities for larger accounts.

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LNW is fee-only advisory firm located in Seattle. LNW's client base primarily consists of high-net-worth individuals, although the firm also works with non-high-net-worth individuals, pooled investment vehicles and charitable organizations.

The firm has a significant account minimum: $3 million. However, the firm notes that it serves families with less than $1 million, as well as those with more than $450 million in investable assets. However, the firm is fee-only, so you won't have to worry about the potential conflict of interest that could arise from an advisor receiving commissions from the sale of financial products to clients that they advise.

The firm offers personalized wealth management services tailored to the unique financial needs of wealthy individuals and families with complex holdings. Their core services include investment management, wealth planning and collaborative professional services. Wealth planning covers areas like retirement planning, liquidity analysis and philanthropic estate planning. LNW also coordinates with clients' other advisors, such as attorneys and CPAs, for integrated financial strategies. 

As is the case with many other financial advisor firms, LNW tailors its investment management services, investment advice and investment strategies to the financial needs and investment objectives of its clients. Each client relationship begins with the creation of an investment policy statement that outlines the client's time horizon, risk tolerance and investment targets. From there, advisors can figure out strategies that best meet the needs of clients.

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Northwest Asset Management is a fee-based firm that works mostly with individual clients (both with and without a high net worth), plus institutional clients like pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and corporations.

Northwest Asset Management is located on Mercer Island and offers a comprehensive range of financial services tailored to meet clients' unique needs. Their investment management approach is highly personalized, focusing on goal setting, risk assessment, strategy development and continuous monitoring. In addition, the firm provides advisory services for retirement plans, financial planning and consulting on a variety of financial matters. The firm can also partner with outside portfolio managers, offers sub-advisory services to other advisors and provides tax preparation services. 

Fees could be asset-based, fixed or hourly. Advisors may also earn additional compensation when recommending advisory clients work with an affiliated trust company. This is a conflict of interest, because advisors have a financial incentive to make certain recommendations over others. However, the firm's fiduciary status requires it to act in clients' best interests. 

Northwest Asset Management utilizes a range of investment strategies designed to align with the specific financial goals of each client. The firm relies on both fundamental and technical analysis to assess securities, understanding that market changes can pose risks. Following the principles of modern portfolio theory, Northwest prioritizes diversification across various asset classes to minimize risk and promote long-term growth.

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Kiley Juergens Wealth Management is a fee-based financial advisory firm located in Olympia. Founded in 2009, the firm works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals and families, as well as estates, trusts, partnerships, retirement plans, corporations and charitable foundations. The firm generally requires a minimum account size of $100,000, though this minimum may be waived in certain situations.

Advisory services are provided on a fee basis, but certain advisors may receive commissions from brokerage or insurance activities in addition to advisory fees. This is a conflict of interest, because third-party compensation gives advisors a financial incentive to recommend certain products over others. However, the firm is legally required to act in clients' best interests as a fiduciary.

Services offered include discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, estate planning, legacy management, third-party money manager implementation and retirement plan advisory services. Financial planning services may cover investment planning, retirement planning, insurance planning, tax planning, education planning, portfolio review and allocation review.

Kiley Juergens Wealth Management generally uses long-term holding strategies, strategic asset allocation, tactical asset allocation and cash or cash-equivalent allocations. Its approach may include money market funds, CDs, commercial paper or government-backed debt instruments for cash management.

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Founded in 1966, Badgley Phelps Wealth Managers is the oldest firm on our list of the top financial adivsors in the Evergreen State. This fee-only firm manages billions in assets, mostly on a discretionary basis. To be a client of the firm, which primarily serves high-net-worth individuals, you’ll generally need at least $1 million, although this minimum may be waived under special circumstances.

The practice also serves trusts, estates, corporations and other busineses, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable institutions, foundations and endowments. 

Badgley Phelps provides an array of wealth management-related services, including wealth transfer planning, asset protection, investment management, cash flow planning, college planning, retirement planning, estate planning, tax planning, foundation management, risk management, legacy planning, philanthropic planning and investment policy development.

When it comes to equity securities, Badgley Phelps Wealth has four investment strategies: consistent growth, relative value, small and mid cap and international. Both the consistent growth equity strategy and the relative value equity strategy generally hold between 30 to 40 stock positions, and the Russell 1000 Growth Index serves as their relative benchmark. The small- and mid-cap strategy and the international strategy invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds. The firm also employs fixed income and alternative investment management.