Bloomberg’s Economy Diversity Index listed Pittsburgh as the most diverse economy in the country in 2019. It’s also the 6th largest municipal economy, so financial opportunities are plentiful. Pittsburgh has a stacked deck of financial advisors to match.
Benzinga has done the research for you. Consult our list of financial advisors to find the best resources to manage your money.
Quick Look at the Best Financial Advisors in Pittsburgh:
- Best for Holistic Financial Planning: HBKS Wealth Advisors
- Best Robo-Advisor: M1 Finance
- Best for Wealth Management: Fragasso Financial Advisors
- Best for Investment Management: XPYRIA Investment Advisors
- Best Portfolio Analysis: Personal Capital
- Best for Finding Financial Advisors: SmartAsset
- Best for Asset Management: Fort Pitt Capital Group
Best for Holistic Financial Planning: HBKS Wealth Advisors
HBKS is a family-oriented investment firm and financial manager that offers a holistic approach to wealth management. HBKS specializes in delivering custom investment management plans.
Financial planning spans the range of services and can be comprehensive or modular. The firm serves all types of clients and prides itself in taking a personal approach to every account.
- A percentage of assets under your management
- Hourly charges
- Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)
- Financial planning services
- Pension consulting services
- Selection of other advisers (including private fund managers)
- Publication of periodicals or newsletters
Address
ZUCK ROAD OFFICE PARK 5121 ZUCK ROADERIE PA, 16506
Phone number
814-836-5776
- Customizable Auto Investing
Best Robo-Advisor: M1 Finance
M1 Finance is a mashup between a client-directed portfolio builder and robo-advisor. It’s great for investors who like to take a proactive role in their financial management.
M1 Finance’s portfolio management is algorithm-powered and based on 1 of the 80 expert portfolio models available. Client-built investment portfolios are composed of low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or individual stocks. M1 Finance uses dynamic rebalancing or you can also adjust investment ratios yourself with the app.
This platform is fairly easy to use, but there’s not a lot of hand-holding. It’s up to you to set investment goals and targeted strategies. Investors who enjoy an online brokerage will likely love M1 Finance.
Best for Wealth Management: Fragasso Financial Advisors
Fragasso Financial Advisors has been in operation since 1972 with 5 locations to serve you. Each client features a financial advisor, portfolio manager and administrative specialist. Investment managers design portfolios for clients who align with Fragasso’s investment strategies.
You’ll be charged an annual fee based on a tiered structure. This fee will be deducted from your account on a quarterly basis. Your total fee may be reduced as your assets grow.
Barron’s recognized Fragasso as a Hall of Fame Advisor and also ranked the firm No. 1 in western Pennsylvania in March 2020.
Best for Investment Management: XPYRIA Investment Advisors Inc.
XYPRIA Investment Advisors Inc. develops asset allocation strategies for each client. It’s a small firm, and the advisors offer a variety of certified financial professional credentials. XYPRIA offers comprehensive, individualized financial planning services in addition to a wealth of white papers, articles and news on its website.
The firm outsources allocation management to 3rd-party managers. These managers are carefully vetted and monitored by XYPRIA. Retirement planning is also available. It serves individuals, pension plans, businesses and philanthropic foundations. XYPRIA was listed as 1 of the top 300 financial advising firms in 2014.
- A percentage of assets under your management
- Hourly charges
- Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)
- Financial planning services
- Publication of periodicals or newsletters
Address
THREE GATEWAY CENTER, SUITE 550 401 LIBERTY AVENUEPITTSBURGH PA, 15222-1004
Phone number
412-232-3310
- High Net Worth Individuals
Best Portfolio Analysis: Personal Capital
Personal Capital offers comprehensive financial planning and robo-investing.
You’ll need at least a $100,000 balance to work with Personal Capital. It assigns 2 dedicated advisors to clients with a balance of $200,000 or more. Fees range from 0.89% or 0.49% of AUM.
Comprehensive financial planning is available for all clients. Estate planning is open for those with a minimum $1 million account balance. Custom portfolios can use advanced tax optimization strategies that align with your goals.
Personal Capital is for investors who want a clear picture of their portfolio management but prefer to let an investment manager take the helm.
- Comparing Advisors
Best for Finding Financial Advisors: SmartAsset
Find the right financial advisor to prepare for your future with SmartAsset. It’s a comprehensive solution for pairing investors with financial advisors.
The site provides you free and secure access to the financial advisor marketplace. Answer a brief survey regarding your preparedness for retirement, investment style and contact information. Then SmartAsset’s algorithm can match you with a few options to find the best financial advisor for you.
Best for Asset Management: Fort Pitt Capital Group
Fort Pitt Capital Group is a comprehensive wealth management firm founded in 2015. The group offers services to individuals and institutional clients like trusts and charitable organizations.
Fort Pitt portfolios model 1 of 3 strategies:
- Stock-focused to invest wisely but aggressively
- Bonds-focused to carry less risk near retirement
- Asset allocation to amplify return over longer periods with riskier options
The firm conducts investment management on both a discretionary and non-discretionary basis.
Is a Financial Planner Right for You?
It doesn’t matter if you’re a financial planning newbie or a money master — a fresh set of professional eyes could be the ticket to accumulate more wealth. A financial advisor can provide comprehensive wealth management or a specific type of advice. Anyone can benefit from the services of a financial planner. Start with our recommended firms to find your financial advisor today to help manage your investments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What return should I expect from a financial advisor?
The rate of return should be 1.5% to 4% with the help of an advisor. However, this number depends on circumstances like the market performance and the assets in your portfolio.
Can financial advisors help mitigate debt?
Yes. You don’t have to disclose your debt to an advisor if debt management isn’t part of your goal, but it’s best practice to give your advisor a clear look at all of your finances. Advisors have seen it all, so feel free to tell them the good, the bad and the ugly. This will empower them to advise you the best way possible.
How can I research the background of my financial advisor?
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Advisor Public Disclosure Website is the most trusted source for advisor background information. Firms must submit Form ADV brochures to the SEC. These inform consumers of everything from the firm’s fee schedule to disclosures. The Finance Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) BrokerCheck website is a credible resource as well.
Methodology
To determine the top financial advisors in Pittsburgh, we pored through all SEC-registered advisory firms who have an office in Pittsburgh. We winnowed the list by only including advisors that are registered fiduciaries, have no past disclosures and have minimal personal conflicts of interest. To further break down the list to the true top advisors in the area, we gave weight to advisors that offer both investment management and planning, have no conflicts of interest, have offices in multiple states, have a wrap fee program and over $50 million in assets under management.
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