RANKING & REVIEWS
BEST FINANCIAL ADVISORS IN WASHINGTON STATE
Best Financial Advisors and Wealth Managers in Seattle & Bellevue, WA for 2021-2022
Seattle and nearby Bellevue in Washington offer a vibrant landscape of ocean, mountains, and evergreen forests. The selection of the best financial advisors in Seattle can be just as diverse when it comes to the services and expertise they provide.
In these challenging times, you may have goals that you’re saving for such as planning for a comfortable retirement, funding a child’s education, or just making the most of life.
If you’re at a point in your life where you’re looking for expert financial advice, you may be wondering what some of the things are that you should look for in Seattle’s top-rated wealth management firms.
A financial advisor is someone you’ll hopefully be working with for decades to keep you on the right financial path, so finding the best one for your financial situation, personality type, and future needs takes some time to ensure a good fit. You’ll also want to ensure they’re trustworthy and can tailor their solutions to meet your needs.
We’ve worked hard to make your search for a top financial planning firm in Washington state less stressful by ranking the top 9 firms in Seattle and Bellevue, WA.
Our shortlist of the best firms in the state will save you time researching for the perfect Bellevue or Seattle wealth management firm that suits your needs best. From this list, you can read through a summary of each firm to choose a few that you’d like to meet in person.
As always, we’ve included some valuable tips on what you should look for in a financial advisor and how to choose the right one for your unique needs.
Award Emblem: 9 Best Financial Advisors in Seattle & Bellevue (Washington State)
9 Best Financial Advisors in Seattle & Bellevue, Washington in 2021-2022 | Brief Comparison & Ranking
| Top Wealth Management Firms in Washington State | 2021-2022 Ratings |
| Avier Wealth Advisors | 5 |
| Boone Wealth Advisors, LLC | 5 |
| Bordeaux Wealth Advisors | 5 |
| Brighton Jones, LLC | 5 |
| Empirical Wealth Management | 5 |
| EP Wealth Advisors | 5 |
| Laird Norton Wealth Management | 5 |
| Sovereign Wealth Advisors | 5 |
| Merriman Wealth Management, LLC | 3 |
Table: 9 Best Financial Advisors in Washington State | Above list is sorted by rating
See Also: Best Financial Advisors in Franklin, Memphis, & Nashville, TN
Tips for Finding the Best Bellevue & Seattle Financial Planner for Your Financial Goals in 2021-2022
When you begin searching for a good financial advisor in Seattle or Bellevue, Washington, many financial advisory firms may seem very similar because they offer similar key core services.
However, on closer look, you’ll start to see clear differences between them, and those differences can help you zero in on the firm that best meets your needs and will be a great match for your financial goals.
Here are some very important factors you’ll want to consider as you’re reviewing this list of the top-rated Seattle wealth management firms.
Fee Structure
It’s important to know the difference between the two fee structures, “fee-only” and “fee-based.” They inform you how a firm is compensated and how secure you should feel about their financial advice.
Fee-only Seattle financial advisors are firms that only accept client fees as compensation and do not accept any commissions or incentives from companies that sell financial products. This takes away a big potential for conflict of interest and frees up the advisor to make suggestions completely in your best interests.
Fee-based advisors do accept commissions or incentives from the sales of financial products. Because this structure has an inherent conflict of interest, you’ll want to look for a fee-based Seattle financial advisor to also be a fiduciary.
A fiduciary takes on a legal obligation to always act in their clients’ best interests, regardless of any commissions, which helps alleviate any conflict.
You’ll also want to know what are the average financial advisor fees & investment fees you may be charged.
Investable Asset Minimum
Certain Washington state wealth management firms will have a minimum investable asset level for clients they work with. Some firms work with all wealth levels and others only with high-net-worth clients. This factor can immediately rule a firm in or out for you.
Top Financial Advisors in Seattle, Washington
Specialties Firm’s Specialties
Is retirement your biggest financial concern? Then you’ll want to gravitate towards the top Bellevue and Seattle financial planning firms that specialize in retirement planning.
Are you a small business owner and would like both personal and business financial services? Look for a financial advisor that specializes in working with entrepreneurs and business owners.
Specialties, as well as the variety of services offered, are additional factors you can use to narrow down your list of acceptable candidates.
All-in-One Change Management Tools
Top Rated Toolkit for Change Managers.
Get Your Change Management Tool Today...
2021-2022 AdvisoryHQ’s Selection Methodology
What methodology does AdvisoryHQ use in selecting and finalizing the credit cards, financial products, firms, services, and products that are ranked on its various top-rated lists?
Please click here “AdvisoryHQ’s Ranking Methodologies” for a detailed review of AdvisoryHQ’s selection methodologies for ranking top-rated credit cards, financial accounts, firms, products, and services.
Detailed Review – Best Wealth Management Firms in Seattle & Bellevue in 2021-2022
Below, please find the detailed review of each firm on our list of 2021-2022 best wealth management firms in Seattle and Bellevue. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these financial advisors in Washington State to score so high in our selection ranking.
Click on any of the names below to go directly to the review section for that firm.
- Avier Wealth Advisors
- Boone Wealth Advisors, LLC
- Bordeaux Wealth Advisors
- Brighton Jones, LLC
- Empirical Wealth Management
- EP Wealth Advisors
- Laird Norton Wealth Management
- Merriman Wealth Management, LLC
- Sovereign Wealth Advisors
Click below for previous years’ rankings:
- 2019 Review: Top 9 Best Financial Advisors in Seattle & Bellevue, WA
- 2018 Review: Top 8 Best Financial Advisors in Seattle & Bellevue, WA
- 2017 Review: Top 10 Best Financial Advisors & Planners in Seattle, Bellevue, & Kirkland
- 2016 Review: Top 10 Best Investment Management Firms in Seattle, Bellevue, & Kirkland
Don’t Miss: Top Rated Financial Advisors in Orlando, FL
Avier Wealth Advisors Review
Taking an integrated and collaborative approach to financial planning, Avier Wealth Advisors is a top-rated Pacific Northwest financial advisor with offices in Bellevue, WA, and Lake Oswego, OR.
This fee-only Seattle area financial advisor believes in a transparent process that includes honest communication and earning their clients’ trust. Client education is an important focus that Avier fosters throughout the wealth management process.
Key Factors That Enabled Avier Wealth Advisors to Rank as a Top Bellevue Wealth Management Firm
Experienced & Talented Advisory Team
Clients working with this top Bellevue wealth management firm have the benefit of being supported by an experienced team of three lead advisors and three associate advisors, adding additional valuable insight into your financial strategy.
Avier boasts a robust team of financial advisors with a wide range of industry-recognized credentials and certifications, including:
- CFP®—Certified Financial Planner
- CFA—Chartered Financial Analyst
- CRPC®—Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor
- CAIA—Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst
- FRM—Financial Risk Manager
Many of these designations come with strict requirements for fiduciary duties and ongoing education, which ensures clients receive advisement that is thoroughly up-to-date and founded in the highest ethical standards.
Along with their commitment to maintaining a low advisor-client ratio, the Bellevue financial advisors at Avier have the ability to set their clients up for success through industry expertise and individualized attention.
Women & Investing
In addition to its team-based services and comprehensive approach, Avier Wealth Advisors is committed to seeing women succeed. This Washington state wealth management firm helps facilitate financial education and independence for women at every stage of life.
This team of Bellevue financial planners is particularly committed to eliminating the myth that women are too busy to manage their own finances and should just pass along the financial decisions to their significant others.
Avier is committed to encouraging women through the opportunity to identify their goals and learn about the strategies that will help them meet their financial objectives. This makes them a top Bellevue financial advisor for women to consider partnering with in 2021-2022.
2021-2022 Best Wealth Management Firms in Washington
Rating Summary
The focus on financial education that aims to help its clients become active participants in their financial success is a specialty that helps Avier stand out from other Seattle and Bellevue financial advisory firms.
With a fee-only and fiduciary commitment, an attentive and well-educated team, and a focus on transparency, Avier Wealth Advisors solidifies a 5-star rating as one of the best financial advisors in Bellevue to consider partnering with in 2021-2022.
Related: Top Wealth Management Firms in Florida
Boone Wealth Advisors Review
Boone Wealth Advisors is a client-driven wealth management firm in Bellevue, Washington that has been serving its clients for over three decades.
Providing seasoned financial guidance and investment advice, the firm is a fee-only financial advisor in the Seattle area that believes in putting the client at the center of everything they do. It distinguishes itself by providing a high level of customer care and personal attention.
Key Factors That Enabled Boone Wealth Advisors to Rank as a Top Washington Wealth Management Firm
Talented Advisory Team
For those individuals that prefer to work with a smaller, boutique firm for more hands-on financial guidance, this team of advisors at Boone will be a great fit.
While it may be smaller than competing financial advisory firms in Bellevue, Boone’s investment management and financial planning professionals bring decades of experience and are well-credentialed. Some of their industry certifications include:
- CFP®—Certified Financial Planner
- CFA—Chartered Financial Analyst
- FPQP™—Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional
- AWMA®—Accredited Wealth Management Advisor
These designations come with strict requirements for fiduciary duties and ongoing industry education, ensuring that clients receive financial guidance that is both unbiased and well-informed.
Independent Financial Planning
Bellevue financial planners at Boone Wealth Advisors can help you create a comprehensive plan based upon your assets, risk tolerance, and objectives. Their process of planning your financial strategy includes:
- Drawing up a complete financial statement and setting up goals
- Analyzing relevant aspects of your current financial picture
- Identifying weaknesses and recommending improvements
- Coordinating and implementing your plan
Planning for your financial freedom and security in retirement is one of the best things you can do with your current wealth. The experienced team of advisors at Boone offers multiple ways to help you through a variety of services.
Best Financial Advisors in Bellevue 2021-2022
Private Wealth Management Services
Boone Wealth Advisors offers private Bellevue wealth management services with a broad selection of funds and special access to unique share classes. These Seattle area financial planners can also reduce the amount of transaction fees paid through smart wealth management strategies.
As an independent Bellevue financial advisor, Boone can recommend the best investments and financial products for each client without being beholden to a specific company’s proprietary offerings.
These Washington state financial advisors work with asset management clients who have at least $250,000 in assets under management. They also offer fee reductions for accounts at $1 million, $5 million, and $10 million.
Rating Summary
Boone Wealth Advisors has a passion for serving its clients and strives to guide them through all financial aspects of their life journey. This advisory team believes in “eye-to-eye” relationships and taking the time to get to know their clients and their future dreams.
Whether you want to chat by phoning in, via one of your favorite online conferencing platforms, or by meeting in person, Boone Advisors offer a plethora of options for getting to know each other.
With a well-seasoned team, a focus on building personal relationships, and an independent, fee-only structure, Boone Wealth Advisors earns a 5-star rating as one of the best financial advisors in Bellevue for clients to consider partnering with in 2021-2022.
Popular Article: Best Financial Advisors in Miami & Coral Gables, Florida
Bordeaux Wealth Advisors
Bordeaux Wealth Advisors is an independent investment advisory and wealth management firm with offices in Bellevue, WA, and Menslo Park, CA (Silicon Valley).
This Bellevue, WA wealth management firm charges a “flat fee” that is agreed upon for a period of one year via discussions with each client on an annual basis.
Key Factors That Enabled Bordeaux Wealth Advisors to Rank as a Top Financial Planner in Seattle
Shared Values for IMPACT
BWA’s dedication to its clients has led to a list of values that guide this team of financial advisors in everything they do – both at work and in their private lives.
These respectable values are:
- Integrity, honesty & objectivity
- Motivation and commitment to serve others
- Passion for excellence
- Action-oriented approach
- Compassion & respect for others
- Teamwork & collaboration
With such high standards and a plethora of experience, these financial planners in Bellevue, WA are well-positioned to exceed their clients’ expectations regardless of their financial goals.
2021-2022 Ranking of Best Financial Advisors in Seattle & Bellevue, WA
Comprehensive Financial Services
The BWA team has spent decades managing all the complexities of wealth management. This team of Bellevue financial planners offers customized solutions for growing, preserving, and transferring wealth.
Below are the services offered by this wealth management firm in Bellevue, WA:
- Comprehensive Financial Planning
- Investment Advisory Services
- Values-Based Investing
- Income Tax Planning
- Estate & Wealth Transfer Planning
- Insurance & Risk Managing Planning
- Philanthropic Planning
- Cash Flow Planning
- Retirement Planning
- Education Planning
With the wide selection of services that Bordeaux Wealth Advisors offers, this firm will work to help you reach your unique goals, no matter where you are in your life journey.
Many of the BWA’s clients are venture capitalists, private equity leaders, business owners, young professionals, and retirees.
Rating Summary
Bordeaux Wealth Advisors is an excellent choice for those individuals and business owners who like having peace of mind while staying focused on doing what they love.
By offering a wide selection of services that are deeply rooted in doing what’s right for their clients, this team of advisors in Bellevue, WA has earned a 5-star rating on our 2021-2022 ranking.
Read More: Ranking of Top Financial Advisors in San Diego, CA
Brighton Jones, LLC Review
Brighton Jones, LLC is a top-rated Seattle financial planning firm with additional offices in Portland, OR, San Francisco, CA, Scottsdale, AZ, and McLean, VA.
With a collaborative approach that looks at a client’s entire balance sheet, this fee-only financial advisor in Seattle is also a fiduciary and believes in a community environment that cultivates a culture of connectivity outside of the office. Beyond just your financial peace of mind, Brighton Jones cares about your happiness.
Key Factors That Enabled Brighton Jones, LLC to Rank as a Top Financial Planner in Seattle
Personal CFO Services
For clients that want a comprehensive approach to wealth management and someone to be at their side, Brighton Jones offers Personal CFO Services. These services cover a wide variety of financial needs and goals through all areas of your life journey.
Services provided by the Seattle wealth management professionals at Brighton Jones include:
- Vocational Freedom Planning: Addresses financial dynamics for retirement or a career change.
- Withdrawal Strategy: Creates tax-optimized portfolio spending strategies.
- Risk Management: Assesses whether the risk should be self-insured or handed over to an insurance professional.
- Strategic Philanthropy: Designs and implements a smart charitable giving strategy for your goals.
- Proactive Tax Planning: Optimizes your net after-tax returns.
- Estate Planning: Creates actionable plans to reduce costs and effectively transfer wealth to future generations.
- Outside Expert Coordination: These financial planners in Seattle can expertly partner with in-house and outside experts to ensure that all advice is coordinated with your greater financial plan.
Seattle’s Top-Rated Financial Planning Firms
Expert 401k Advisors
Owning a business can have unique financial complexities, especially when it comes to managing employee benefits packages.
For business owners, enlisting the help of a top financial planner in Seattle can help employees receive the support they need to make informed financial decisions, ultimately improving the overall health of the business.
The Seattle financial advisors at Brighton Jones have a wide range of experience providing fiduciary advice for executive compensation and benefits packages, including for past clients, such as Amazon, Boeing, Microsoft, and Starbucks.
Rating Summary
Brighton Jones has an excellent track record working with both individual and business clients. These advisors focus on results as well as ensuring that all their clients’ needs and objectives are reflected in their well-crafted financial strategies.
Brighton Jones’ fee-only structure and fiduciary commitment to trust and transparency give their clients peace of mind, knowing all advice given is completely objective and without any hidden agendas.
With a client-focused approach, an expert & instructional team, and a wide range of services, Brighton Jones earns a 5-star rating as one of the best financial planners in Seattle to consider partnering with this year.
Empirical Wealth Management
Founded in 2006, Empirical Wealth Management is a fee-based wealth management firm that aims to deliver a coordinated approach designed to integrate and prioritize all aspects of its clients’ lives.
In addition to offices in Seattle, Bellevue, and Spokane, WA, this wealth management firm has offices in Portland, OR, Anchorage, AK, and three offices in California.
Key Factors That Enabled Empirical Wealth Management to Rank as a Top Seattle and Bellevue Wealth Management Firm
Tailored Investment Management
With so many different types of portfolios, finding the right one that fits your unique financial needs requires a deep understanding of you and your financial goals.
This team of advisors works hard to explore your financial opportunities and challenges in order to tailor the most optimal financial advice and solutions for your situation.
As a part of this process, this Seattle and Bellevue wealth management firm will take many things into consideration, such as:
- Prioritizing areas of your life that you find to be most important.
- Positioning your portfolio to sustain your spending needs (both regular and periodic ones).
- Planning with you for uncertainty and taking only those risks needed to help you achieve your goals.
- Designing proactive tax planning to complement your portfolio.
- Considering your family, loved ones, and charitable organizations.
With all of this in mind, EWM will then tailor your portfolio to your unique tax circumstances, liquidity needs, and any other personal constraints while aiming to increase return through specialized portfolio diversification.
Charitable Work
Empirical Wealth Management is highly dedicated to being responsible towards both the local and global community, and the firm puts it into practice by regularly giving back. They are involved in volunteering, charitable donations, pro bono engagements, and many other actions that allow them to make a lasting impact in the community.
Seattle and Bellevue, WA Best Wealth Management Firms in 2021-2022
Rating Summary
With a wide range of services aimed at both individuals and business owners, Empirical Wealth Management is a great firm to partner with.
Whether you’re looking to preserve and grow your wealth, diversify your portfolio, plan for a comfortable retirement, or anything in-between, this Bellevue and Seattle financial advisory firm will have all your needs covered.
Even though we typically prefer to include fee-only firms, EWM has secured its place in our 2021-2022 ranking due to its commitment to unbiased financial planning, investment solutions, and charitable work. For all the aforementioned reasons, we’ve awarded the firm a 5-star rating.
Related: Best Financial Advisors in Charlotte & Asheville, NC
EP Wealth Advisors Review
EP Wealth Advisors is a top Bellevue, Washington financial advisory firm with seven additional offices in California and two in Colorado. They believe in the principles of transparency, purpose, and simplicity.
With a goal to simplify its clients’ financial lives, this fee-only wealth manager in Bellevue believes in close collaboration with its clients to help them not only reach their financial goals and objectives but also fulfill their aspirations.
Key Factors That Enabled EP Wealth Advisors to Rank as a Top Seattle Wealth Management Firm
Peace of Mind Planning Model
These top Seattle area financial advisors use a “Peace of Mind Planning Model” as a cornerstone for their wealth management process. This model is designed to simplify financial planning and help make the process as easy and straightforward as possible.
This planning model includes the following steps:
- Discover: These Bellevue financial planners take time to get to know you and your family ambitions in order to craft a personalized plan.
- Prioritize: You receive your customized financial plan to review, which organizes your finances and offers a firm financial foundation for the future.
- Implement: The Bellevue financial advisors at EP work with you to put your plan into action, which is based upon a focused, resilient portfolio.
- Monitor: To limit surprises, your strategy is continually monitored, and you are kept informed of the progress and how your plan is meeting your goals.
Top Seattle Wealth Management Firm
Retirement Planning
Planning for retirement is a key objective of many investors. The Bellevue financial advisors at EP Wealth Advisors can help with a comprehensive and well-crafted plan to ensure your finances are ready when you reach your desired retirement age.
These expert financial planners in the Seattle area understand that three key areas need to be balanced when planning for retirement. They are:
- Maximizing your enjoyment of retirement.
- Managing the risk of outliving your income.
- Managing the risk of unexpected life events and market fluctuations.
They offer a very robust set of retirement planning strategies, making them an excellent Washington financial planner for anyone focused on retirement. Their strategies include the integration of:
- Investment Management
- Tax Planning
- Social Security Optimization
- Pension Planning
- Real Estate Investments
- Life Insurance & Annuities
- Insurance Analysis – Medicare and/or Long-term Care
Rating Summary
From life transition planning to financial education to tax-efficient investing, the experts at EP Wealth Advisors can provide you with a tailored strategy to reach your financial goals. Their wide array of services ensures they can handle just about any type of financial need.
With a commitment to trust and transparency, a specialty in retirement planning, and an “Investing in Women” initiative, EP Wealth Advisors scores a 5-star rating as one of the best financial advisors in Washington state to consider working with in 2021-2022.
Laird Norton Wealth Management Review
Laird Norton Wealth Management is a top financial advisory firm in Seattle, Washington that was founded by clients for the benefit of clients. Since 1967, the firm has been serving high-net-worth families, individuals, foundations, and endowments.
The firm is a fee-only Seattle wealth manager that upholds a fiduciary commitment to always act in their clients’ best interests and offer complete fee transparency.
Key Factors That Enabled Laird Norton Wealth Management to Rank as One of the Top Seattle Investment Firms
Full-Service Firm
Laird Norton prides itself on being a premier Seattle financial advisory firm offering a full range of services to meet a variety of financial needs.
Clients benefit from getting multiple financial needs met under one roof and having them integrated to all work together to achieve their financial goals. Services offered by this top-rated financial planning firm include:
- Asset Allocation
- ESG & Impact Investing
- Tax-Aware Investing
- Manager Selection
- Tax Planning
- Philanthropic Planning
- Trust Services
- Estate Planning
Whether you need financial planning, investment management, or trust services, these Seattle financial advisors have you covered with your own three-person team (an advisor, an analyst, and an associate).
Additionally, its larger team size means that Laird Norton can provide additional attention and benefits that may be otherwise unavailable to investors, such as negotiated discounts on investments and preferred pricing.
Best Financial Advisory Firms in Seattle, Washington
Expertise in Estate Transfers
From their many decades of experience working with high-net-worth clients, the advisors at Laird Norton are fully knowledgeable of the ins and outs of maximizing wealth transfer between generations.
These financial planners in Seattle help ensure that heirs have the resources they need, and help individuals leave philanthropic legacies through charitable annuities, foundations, or charitable trusts.
Laird Norton also happens to be the oldest independent trust company in Seattle and in the Pacific Northwest. This distinguished Seattle financial advisory firm has assisted hundreds of families in finding the best trust and estate planning options for their unique situations.
Rating Summary
Clients looking for a firm with a long and distinguished track record of serving high-net-worth clients will find Laird Norton to be an excellent option. Their expertise in the complex financial planning of wealthy individuals and families helps ensure a long-lasting and prosperous relationship.
Additionally, the firm is committed to thought leadership and financial education for their clients, and regularly holds Thought Forum™ workshops and presentations.
With a client-centric philosophy, a wide range of financial planning services, and a track record of success, Laird Norton Wealth Management earns a 5-star rating as one of the top Seattle investment firms to consider partnering with in 2021-2022.
Don’t Miss: Everything You Need to Know About Top Wealth Management Firms in Ohio
Sovereign Wealth Advisors Review
With a belief that everyone should have access to personalized and unbiased financial advice, Sovereign Wealth Advisors is an independent Bellevue, WA wealth management firm that’s been serving clients throughout the Pacific Northwest for over three decades.
The firm does not clearly state whether they are fee-only or fee-based, however, their ADV indicates that they are only compensated by a percentage of assets under management, hourly charges, or fixed fees, and do not receive any commissions or performance-based fees.
This would point to the firm being fee-only, however, we always recommend that you confirm a financial advisory firm’s fee structure before contracting with them for their services.
Key Factors That Enabled Sovereign Wealth Advisors to Rank as a Top Washington Wealth Management Firm
Comprehensive Services
This Bellevue-based top-rated financial planning firm works with clients of all wealth levels, serving families and individuals, small business owners, and corporate-sponsored retirement plans.
Their wide range of financial services provides clients the value of filling several financial needs with the same advisory team and having their financial strategies integrated toward the same goals and objectives.
Sovereign Wealth Advisors targets broad financial goals, such as college funding, wealth accumulation, estate transfer retirement, and other life objectives. These Bellevue financial advisors also have the expertise to handle more specialized financial challenges, like:
- Social Security & Medicare Analysis
- Tax, Estate & Legacy Coordination
- Asset Protection
- Stock Option Analysis for Senior Executives
- Business Succession & Continuation Planning
- Analysis & Coordination of Illiquid Assets
- Analysis of Real Estate Holdings & Transactions
Top Wealth Management Firms in Bellevue & Seattle, Washington
Wealth Building
Sovereign Wealth Advisors uses an overall investment strategy based on long-term returns while minimizing risk. Its team of Washington financial planners works with clients to identify their individual goals and risk tolerances in order to develop a fully diversified portfolio suited to their needs.
The process of creating such a portfolio is highly personalized and designed to bring clients comfort and peace of mind that their assets are safe and in good hands. Their services in this area are extensive and include:
- Customized Portfolio Management
- Portfolio Review & Risk Assessment
- Account Rebalancing & Reviews
- Tax-Efficient Portfolio Strategies
- Covered Call Strategies
- Individual Bond Selection
- Private Equity Holdings
- Control & Monitor Investment Expenses
- Institutional Consulting to Retirement Plans, Corporations, Foundations & Endowments
- Company 401k, 401A, 403b, & Retirement Plans
Rating Summary
The Bellevue financial advisors at Sovereign Wealth Advisors use a holistic process to wealth management to help link client visions to executable strategies. They bring several resources to the table to help clients achieve their wealth ambitions.
These financial advisors in Washington state uphold a fiduciary standard that requires them to put their clients’ best interests ahead of their own and be transparent about all fees and compensation.
With a robust set of financial planning services, a welcoming atmosphere to all levels of wealth, and an experienced and attentive team, Sovereign Wealth Advisors scores a 5-star rating as one of the best financial advisors in Bellevue for the fifth.
Merriman Wealth Management, LLC Review
Founded in 1983, Merriman Wealth Management, LLC is a Seattle, Washington financial planning firm that has additional offices in Spokane, WA, and Eugene, OR.
Providing an all-encompassing approach to financial management, this fee-only wealth management firm in Washington state believes in treating clients like family. Its investment philosophy is grounded in decades of academic research and relies on objective data, rather than emotions.
Key Factors That Enabled Merriman Wealth Management, LLC to Rank as a Top Washington Wealth Management Firm
Five-Step Process
Merriman has a comprehensive five-step process that starts with a discovery meeting in which advisors get to know their clients’ relationships, values, goals, resources, health, and interests.
After the initial discovery meeting where they learn all about you comes a strategy meeting where a custom investment plan is created with expert advice given by Merriman’s experienced staff of financial planners in Seattle.
An implementation meeting is next. Here, any final questions are addressed by your Seattle financial advisors before the implementation of your customized plan begins.
An advanced planning meeting is next, followed by regular progress meetings to ensure that clients remain on track towards their financial objectives.
Merriman’s straightforward, multi-step program offers its clients peace of mind while simultaneously ensuring forward movement towards their financial goals.
Best Seattle, WA Financial Advisory Firms
Comprehensive Portfolio Strategies
One of the biggest values that this Seattle wealth management firm offers its clients is the ongoing assessment of each client’s goals, needs, resources, and decisions. They don’t just give you a portfolio and then move on, they’re there with you throughout the entire process to continually monitor progress and adjust as needed.
Merriman seeks to keep clients’ portfolios updated with their changing goals and plans through two portfolio strategies:
- MarketWise: This is the most widely used strategy. Assets are allocated and rebalanced across asset classes using a carefully selected mix of low-cost mutual funds.
- TrendWise: This is an actively managed strategy that applies proprietary quantitative models to invest globally and across asset classes (primarily ETFs).
Rating Summary
Merriman Wealth Management believes in a collaborative process that incorporates multiple factors of a client’s financial life, including investments, taxes, insurance, and more. Their mission is to free up time for their clients to do the things they love and live fuller lives.
However, there is little information available online about the specific details of their comprehensive wealth management approach, including strategies for taxes, insurance, and charitable giving. This could cause new clients to have difficulty with evaluating the firm’s full range of capabilities. Thus, we’ve rated them with 3-stars.
By highlighting specific strategies within comprehensive wealth management, Merriman can easily improve both their value proposition to new clients and its rating as a top financial advisor in Seattle, Washington.
Popular Article: Ranking of Top Financial Advisors in Wisconsin
Free Wealth & Finance Software - Get Yours Now ►
Conclusion: 2021-2022 Top-Rated Bellevue & Seattle Wealth Management Firms
The Seattle and Bellevue area of Washington is rich with many natural resources and is also home to many of the best financial advisory firms in the Pacific Northwest.
Now that you have your shortlist of firms to choose from, your next step would be to decide on perhaps three to five firms that you’d like to potentially work with and schedule introductory meetings to get to know them.
To get the most out of your introductory meeting, which is complimentary at many of the best Seattle area financial planning firms, bring the following information with you:
- Your Assets & Income
- Your Debts & Expenses
- Your Tax & Insurance Details
- Your Future Financial Goals
Your consultation with a top-rated Seattle wealth management firm will allow you to gain more personal insight into the firm and its advisors and get a feel for whether or not they are a good fit for your needs.
After this meeting process, you should be able to land upon the financial advisor in Washington state that is a perfect fit for you. Once you’ve chosen your financial planner, you can look forward to a bright future with an expert helping guide you to grow your wealth and reach your goals.
Image sources:
- https://pixabay.com/photos/seattle-washington-panorama-city-2534686/
- https://avieradvisors.com/
- https://www.boonewealth.com/about/
- https://bordeauxwealthadvisors.com/
- https://www.brightonjones.com/why/
- https://www.epwealth.com/
- https://lairdnortonwm.com/
- http://www.sovereignwa.com/
- https://www.merriman.com/merriman-process/
AdvisoryHQ (AHQ) Disclaimer:
Reasonable efforts have been made by AdvisoryHQ to present accurate information, however all info is presented without warranty. Review AdvisoryHQ’s Terms for details. Also review each firm’s site for the most updated data, rates and info.
Note: Firms and products, including the one(s) reviewed above, may be AdvisoryHQ's affiliates. Click to view AdvisoryHQ's advertiser disclosures.
