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, according to SmartAsset's metrics. 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 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. There is a $2 million account minimum. 

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 full range 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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Freestone Capital Management, a fee-based advisor in Seattle, next up on our list. The firm works with nearly as many individual clients below the high-net-worth threshold as above it. Freestone also serves pooled investment vehicles, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and corporations. Though there is technically no minimum investment, the firm seeks clients who can invest at least $1 million in discretionary assets ($500,000 if referred through Schwab Advisor Network service). 

Fees for discretionary investment advice are based on a percentage of assets under management. Generally, the annual minimum fee is $6,000 (except for clients referred by Schwab, in which case the minimum fee is $4,000). The firm may charge performance-based fees. 

Freestone Capital Management employs a multi-faceted investment strategy that integrates both internal and external expertise across traditional and alternative asset classes. Their approach combines fundamental and quantitative analysis, utilizing a variety of data sources to inform security selection and portfolio construction.

Freestone typically diversifies portfolios across equity, fixed income and alternative investments, which may include U.S. and global securities, mutual funds, bonds, private equity and real estate. In addition, they offer access to private funds that follow specialized investment strategies, such as distressed investing, private placements, real estate and derivatives. Freestone may also partner with sub-advisers to manage portions of client portfolios.

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Saturna Capital Corporation in Bellingham is a fee-only advisory firm with a relatively small client list. The firm works with more than twice as many high-net-worth individuals as non-high-net-worth inviduals. Saturna also services investment companies, pooled investment vehicles, charitable organizations, corporations and other businesses. 

The firm does have a $1 million account minimum, which can be waived in certain situations. Saturna is a fee-only firm, despite owning a brokerage services company. That's because Saturna Capital advisors – who are registered representatives of the broker-dealer – do not receive commissions or other incentives related to advisory clients' brokerage activities. 

Nicholas Kaiser principally owns the firm, which was founded in 1989. Services include financial planning, investment management through a wrap fee program, as well as a selection of services catered to Muslim investors. Saturna Capital's first and largest client is the Amana Mutual Funds Trust, which adheres to Islamic principles that impose restrictions on the securities in which the entity can invest.

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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, estate 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 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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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 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. Some advisors also earn commissions for selling insurance products. This is a conflict of interest, because third-party compensation gives advisors 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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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. (The 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.

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Moss Adams Wealth Advisors is a fee-based firm with more than $3 billion in assets under management (AUM). Advisors at the firm work with high-net-worth individuals and families, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, foundations, endowments and business entities. Typically each of the other types of clients are owned or operated by the high-net-worth individuals and families. The firm offers investment advisory, financial planning and investment consulting services. 

Fees at the firm can vary based on the service, but typically range between 0.25% and 1.25% of the total AUM of what is invested with the firm. The total costs of financial planning, which is differnt from the other services, typically ranges from $3,500 to $30,000 or more. 

The firm believes that effective investment strategy and overall management will always attempt to achieved the desired return that matches the individual client goals without incurring excessive risk. The firm typically invests across asset classes with different correlations in an attempt to mitigate volatility and maximize long-term return. 

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Evergreen Capital Management is a fee-only advisory firm based in Bellevue that typically requires clients maintain a minimum account size of $1 million. The firm’s client base primarily comprises individuals and high-net-worth individuals, although they also serve corporations and businesses, private investment funds and charitable organizations. 

The firm provides comprehensive financial planning services for most investment management clients, including a written financial plan at no additional cost upon request. This plan usually features a personal balance sheet and various projections. Additionally, the firm offers reports, financial statement projections, and analyses designed to aid in the development and implementation of a financial plan.

Evergreen employs a variety of investment strategies including dynamic asset allocation, seeking global opportunities, and tactical macro approaches. They focus on dividend appreciation, dynamic equity selections and effective cash management. Their typical investment vehicles encompass individual stocks, corporate and government bonds, mutual funds and ETFs. Evergreen also invests in partnership interests in real estate, oil and gas interests, as well as private funds.

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Next is LNW, a fee-only investment advisory firm with billions in client assets under management. LNW's client base primarily consists of high-net-worth individuals. The firm also works with non-high-net-worth individuals, pooled investment vehicles and charitable organizations.

This Seattle-based firm has a significant account minimum: $10 million. However, the firm notes that it serves families with between $1 million and $200 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, philanthropy and 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.