10 Best Financial Advisors in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2024)

With about 1.6 million people living within city limits (the fifth largest city in America) and about 6.2 million people living in the greater Philadelphia Metropolitan Area (the seventh largest metro area in America), there is no doubt that Philadelphia is one of the nation’s most important—and historic—cities. 

In fact, the metro area itself has an annual gross domestic product (GDP) of about $450 billion, meaning that the area itself has quite a bit of money available to be made and, perhaps just as importantly, invested.

Naturally, this means that there are hundreds of thousands (or even more) of people who are interested in finding a Philadelphia-based financial advisor. 

While today’s modern technology makes it easier for people to connect with financial advisors anywhere in the country, there are still plenty of reasons for people living in Philadelphia to seek out a local financial advisor that is in their specific area.

We’ve curated a list of Philly advisors below based on things like regulatory record, fee structure, client retention rate, and more (see our methodology explained below). 

Here are ten of the best financial advisors and financial advisory firms within the greater Philadelphia Area based on our due diligence. Use this as a starting point in your own online research. Let’s get started.

Best Financial Advisors in Philadelphia, PA

1. Wescott Financial Advisory Group

Wescott Financial Advisory Group is independent and slightly smaller company than Merrill Lynch and JP Morgan, but still large enough to have significant connections. The company offers a wide range of financial services. 

Whether you need guidance on financial planning, wealth management, insurance, investing, retirement, estate planning, or wealth preservation, they are committed to helping you reach your financial goals.

If you’re looking for industry recognition, Wescott Financial Advisory Group has been recognized as one of Barron’s “Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors'' for 2023.  They’re also a Forbes 2023 “Best In-State Advisor,” and in 2019 was inducted into the Barron’s Hall of Fame.  

Wescott Financial Group has an impressive online presence and positive reviews from their existing clients. The firm is worth considering for financial planning services in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

2. Graystone Consulting Group

This group—spearheaded by David Eisen, Charles E. Sessa Jr. and Brian Kelly—has been featured or quoted in financial media such as FA Magazine and Barron’s, which is generally considered to be one of the most important lists within the broader financial consulting industry.

With over $515 billion in institutional assets under management, the firm itself has been providing its services to a wide variety of clients for more than 30 years. According to their own platform, they “focus exclusively on helping (their) clients achieve their financial objectives.” 

Graystone Consulting Group’s general approach focuses on providing personally tailored financial solutions, which can be easily adapted to different financial preferences. Furthermore, their association with Morgan Stanley helps them access deep-pocketed resources.

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3. Aguirre-Jankowski Group

The Aguirre-Jankowski Group is another high-power firm, based in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, which currently has roughly $1 billion in assets under management. The minimum investment requirement is $500,000, which is lower than many other groups that Forbes considers to be in a comparable class but still high enough to affirm the group as somewhat exclusive.

The group itself, like many others within the state of Pennsylvania, is associated with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management (MLWM). The firm has been recognized on recent Financial Times “top advisor” lists and Christian Aguirre was recently featured in Forbes’ “Best In State Wealth Management Teams” for 2023. 

With a holistic approach to wealth management and a wide range of financial services, the Aguirre-Jankowski Group is a firm you may consider for your needs.

4. McAdam Financial

With more than 15 years in the industry and over $1.3 billion under management, McAdam is one of the most highly reviewed financial advisory firms in the city of Philadelphia. The firm steadily focuses on retirement planning, though its service package is rather general.

In addition to Philadelphia, McAdam also has locations in Boston, Chicago, and Virginia. The retirement-focused firm has had several notable features, including the Wall Street Journal, U.S. New and World Report, Reuters, Bloomberg, and more.

5. Activate Wealth

As a relatively newer firm, Activate Wealth has strongly established itself within the Philly financial planning community, with a specific focus on estate planning, retirement planning, and general financial planning as a whole.

Keeping the mantra “live for today, plan for tomorrow”, Activate Wealth (AW) focuses on a somewhat younger crowd, with a large portion of its clients in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. This has helped the firm become exceptionally desirable for individuals focused on long-term wealth-generation strategies that don’t require sacrificing all of their current capital.

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6. UBS Financial

UBS—which is currently based in the UK—is a firm that has numerous locations, advisors, and officers throughout the greater Delaware Valley. The firm offers a broad range of financial services, including general financial planning, asset management, real estate management, and more.

In general, UBS is a great firm that appeals to investors looking for a stable company—especially one with a proven track record and relatively limited run-ins with the SEC (especially for a firm of its size). The enterprise has a key location in the city center, as well as many others in the nearby Philadelphia suburbs.

7. Glenmede Trust Group

Originally founded in Philadelphia in 1956, the Glenmede Trust Group is one of the oldest privately owned (and independent) dedicated asset management firms in the United States. The group’s long standing connection to the city of Philadelphia and adaptability has helped it stand out from a competitive crowd.

As of June 2023, the firm has about $43 billion in assets under management, as well as an impressive 4:1 client-to-employee ratio. This makes the firm ideal for individuals who are looking for a highly personalized experience. 

Glenmede Trust Group has been seen on CNBC, Bloomberg, and other leading industry media outlets. If you’re looking for a reputable financial planner serving the Philadelphia area, consider reaching out to their local office. 

8. Bryn Mawr Capital Management

With over 1,000 clients and more than $2 billion in assets under management, Bryn Mawr Capital Management is a trusted name for financial planning in Philadelphia.

The company rigidly adheres to a client-focused mentality that strives on delivering with integrity, driving for results, keeping people at the center, and exceeding expectations. Bryn Mawr Capital Management’s long history and clean regulatory record is more than enough to speak for itself. 

Click here to get matched with an advisor in Philadelphia.

9. Levy Wealth Management Group

Levy Wealth Management Group—has had its roots in the city of Philadelphia for over 50 years. Founded by Leon Levy in 1971, the company promises a caring “kitchen table” approach to client and advisor relations.

Forbes once referred to Leon Levy as a “Wall Street investment genius.” While Levy passed away in 2003, his firm stands strong as a trusted wealth management team in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Overall, the approach provided by Levy Wealth Management is fairly comprehensive and includes wealth management, investment management, retirement planningt, as well as general financial research and insight. In general, prospective investors can be as hands-on or as hands-off as they personally prefer, allowing them to cater to a wider variety of clients. The company is well regarded in Philadelphia and active in local philanthropy supporting several charity organizations.

10. Liberty One Wealth Advisors

Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Liberty One Wealth Advisors offers a holistic approach to your financial planning needs. Whether it's personal finance planning or wealth management, they can help provide a plan to fit your unique needs.    

With $75 million in assets under management, the firm is younger than some others on our list. The company however is active in the Philadelphia community and has been recognized as industry leaders in the media and spoken at industry events. In 2022, RIAIntel.com has awarded co-founder Jacky Petit-Homme (CFP) as Advisor of the Year.

If you’re looking for a long-term relationship with a top local financial advisor in Philadelphia, you may want to look deeper into Liberty One Advisors.

Finding an Advisor: Stay Local to Philly?

First of all, working with a local financial advisor makes it much easier to meet with them in person, as needed. This is something that many people consider to be exceptionally important, especially during times of relatively high financial uncertainty (such as what we have seen since 2020). 

Additionally, focusing on a local financial advisor (even if they are connected to a national chain) allows you to work with a professional who is attuned to the everyday nuances of life in your community. A Philadelphia based advisor will have a good grasp of local economic conditions, real estate markets, and state-specific tax laws, which can all impact your financial planning.

For many people, that matters.

Regardless of your reasons for hiring a Philadelphia-based advisor, you might find yourself wondering who the best financial advisors are within the greater Philadelphia Area (often referred to as the Delaware Valley). 

We’ve developed this comprehensive guide based on the criteria below. Decide for yourself which factors are important to you when comparing financial advisors within the greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania region, and of course always interview your prospects before hiring a financial professional.

What Should I Look for When Choosing a Financial Advisor?

Whether you are hiring a financial advisor in Philadelphia, an advisor elsewhere in the United States, or even a financial advisor abroad, it will be important to perform due diligence and carefully research each of your available options. 

Many people will simply flock towards somebody they already know or someone who has been recommended to them by a friend or family member. Of course, this can be an effective approach in many different situations. But, at the same time, it never hurts to go online, read reviews, and take a closer look at your options.

Here are just a few things you should consider when comparing the thousands of financial advisors within the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area:

Credentials and Expertise

Check for well-regarded certifications such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), or Certified Public Accountant (CPA). These credentials indicate a high level of education and expertise. Advisors who invest in their education demonstrate a commitment to their profession and to providing high-quality advice.

Related: Best Financial Advisors in Washington, DC (Ranked and Rated)

Regulatory Record

Ideally, any financial advisor you are considering will have a clean history with major regulatory agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Of course, if the individual or firm has a long track record, it's possible they will have had a few minor run-ins with the SEC over the course of multiple decades. 

Run any potential advisor through the SEC and BrokerCheck by FINRA websites.  If it seems that the advisor(s) you are considering have a notably troublesome track record with regulators, that could be a red flag.

Fee Structure

How do financial advisors get paid? Traditionally, financial advisors have levied quarterly fees that are calculated as a percentage of the client's total investable assets under their management. Generally, as the total assets in the account increase, the percentage fee charged decreases. 

Alternatively, some advisors opt for a flat fee structure regardless of account size. Make sure to compare two or three Philadelphia based advisors and compare their fee structure before making a decision. 

Ask questions, look at the total annual costs for working with your advisor and decide whether or not it’s worth it for your personal situation. 

Note: The higher your net worth, the more leverage you have with negotiating your total fees. 

Investment Philosophy and Fiduciary Duties

Every financial advisor you might possibly work with ought to clearly outline their investment philosophy and illustrate how they make their specific selections. Some will be extremely aggressive—investing in stocks with strong future potential, as well as a high risk of losing value—while others will be more focused on investing in time-tested blue-chip stocks that will produce moderate dividends. The approach that is right for you will depend on your personal risk-reward preferences, but it is certainly something worth considering.

Communication and Access

While many people are comfortable with email correspondence, others will want to ensure that their financial advisor is someone they can meet and communicate with on a regular basis. If ongoing communication is a top priority, make sure you find a Philadelphia-based financial advisor that can adequately meet your needs.

As you can see, there are many factors that will need to be considered before deciding on a financial advisor or financial advisory firm—this is true for people living in Philadelphia, the Greater Delaware Valley, and just about everywhere else.

Ongoing Education and Support

Top advisors will not only manage your current financial situation but will also educate and empower you to make informed financial decisions. They should provide resources and ongoing support as your financial situation evolves.

Community Involvement

On our list of top financial advisors in Philly, we’ve given extra attention to financial advisory firms that give back to the local community. When reviewing financial planners, check their website for ‘news’ or other recognition for their philanthropic work. While this isn’t an indicator of your advisor’s abilities, it is for some an added bonus knowing you’re supporting a firm that is focused on helping organizations in your city. 

The Bottom Line: Which Philadelphia Financial Advisor is Right for You?

Keep in mind, the firms listed above are just a few of the many excellent Philadelphia-based financial advisors and financial advisory firms. Before making a final decision, always remember to do your due diligence and directly consider each of your available options. 

It’s also a good idea to use an online advisor “matchmaking” service like WiserAdvisor. Simply fill out their quick questionnaire and Wiser Advisor will match you with 2-3 vetted advisors in the Philadelphia area. 

While many of these firms might seem similar, at first, taking the time to narrow down your options can really make a major difference.