Best Financial Advisors in Cincinnati, Ohio

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Contributor, Benzinga
June 27, 2023

Cincinnati’s known for its professional sports teams, prominent location on the Ohio River and its vast collection of financial advisors. Benzinga analyzed this assortment of money managers so you can effectively manage your wealth and propel your money forward. Here’s how to find the best financial advisor in Cincinnati.

Quick Look at the Best Financial Advisor in Cincinnati, Ohio:

Best for Comprehensive Strategy: National Wealth Management Group

The National Wealth Management Group’s main offering is investment advice and strategy. Some of the services it offers include stock and bond purchase recommendations, portfolio monitoring and asset allocation. As an independent broker-dealer, National Wealth Management may also buy and sell assets on your behalf with your consent. It provides services mainly to individuals and high net-worth individuals, although it also works with charities, trusts, corporations and even municipal governments. 

The minimum required balance to open a personally-managed investing portfolio with National Wealth Management is $250,000. Though it offers retirement advising for lower-value investors, investors looking to manage their wealth will get the most out of National Wealth Management’s services.

NATIONAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT GROUP, LLC

NATIONAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT GROUP, LLC

$145,118,385

The National Wealth Management Group’s main offering is investment advice and strategy. Some of the services it offers include stock and bond purchase recommendations, portfolio monitoring and asset allocation. As an independent broker-dealer, National Wealth Management may also buy and sell assets on your behalf with your consent. It provides services mainly to individuals and high net-worth individuals, although it also works with charities, trusts, corporations and even municipal governments. The minimum required balance to open a personally managed investing portfolio with National Wealth Management is $250,000. Though it offers retirement advising for lower-value investors, investors looking to manage their wealth will get the most out of National Wealth Management’s services.

  • A percentage of assets under your management
  • Hourly charges
  • Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)
$250,000
14
1,175
Yes
94
8
  • Financial planning services
  • Pension consulting services
  • Selection of other advisers (including private fund managers)
  • Educational seminars/workshops
  • HOURLY CONSULTING
Address

11260 CHESTER ROAD SUITE 250CINCINNATI OH, 45246-0002

Phone number

513-772-2592

M1 Finance
Best For
  • Customizable Auto Investing
securely through M1 Finance's website

Best Robo-Advisor: M1 Finance

M1 Finance can offer you some independence if you’re looking for a DIY approach to managing your assets. You’ll be able access low-cost ETFs, individual stocks or a combination of both of these investment types. You can also access a portfolio line of credit up to $10,000 and use M1 Finance’s checking account option to set up direct deposits. 

You’ll be able to choose between 2 account types. M1 Finance’s Core account includes:

  • No trading commissions
  • No management fees
  • Free checking account
  • 3.5% base rate for a portfolio line of credit

M1 Finance’s Plus account includes:

  • Core account features
  • 1% APY on checking account balance 
  • 1% cashback on qualifying debit card purchases, no limits
  • Access to a second daily trade window
  • 2.75% rate for portfolio line of credit (0.75% reduction)

Best for High-Value Portfolios: Kleinfelder Capital

Kleinfelder Capital is a comprehensive financial planning service that offers everything from risk management to investing advice, depending on your individual needs. It’s a registered investment advising firm and can offer asset management with a fiduciary duty that guarantees your interests are always first in line. 

Though its firm doesn’t impose a minimum account size to get started, you’ll pay higher fees if you begin with a lower balance. For example, account holders with $250,000 in assets under management pay 1.50% of their annual portfolio value in fees, while account holders with $1 to $2 million pay just 0.80% annually. This means that its services are best used by those who have high-value portfolios.

KLEINFELDER CAPITAL, INC.

KLEINFELDER CAPITAL, INC.

$129,400,000

Kleinfelder Capital is a comprehensive financial planning service offering everything from risk management to investing advice depending on your individual needs. It is a registered investment advising firm and can offer asset management with a fiduciary duty that guarantees your interests will always be put first. Though its firm doesn’t impose a minimum account size to get started, you’ll pay higher fees if you begin with a lower balance. For example, account holders with $250,000 worth of assets under management pay 1.50% of their annual portfolio value in fees, while account holders with $1 to $2 million pay just 0.80% annually. This means that its services are best used by those who have high-value portfolios.

  • A percentage of assets under your management
  • Hourly charges
  • Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)
No minimum account size to get started, but you’ll pay higher fees if you begin with a lower balance
2
211
Yes
94
8
  • Financial planning services
  • Pension consulting services
Address

8050 HOSBROOK ROAD SUITE 200CINCINNATI OH, 45236

Phone number

(513) 808-9700

Betterment
Best For
  • ETF Investors
securely through Betterment's website

Best Mobile App: Betterment

Betterment offers a great robo option if you’re a new investor — or even if you know a lot about investing and want easy access to the markets. It’s only $0 to get started with Betterment Digital. Betterment Premium offers unlimited phone access to certified financial planners for a 0.40% fee and a $100,000 account minimum.  

Tap into Betterment’s customer support team, available 5 days a week to answer questions about your account. Get advice packages starting at $199.

Best for Rebalancing: Center for Wealth Management Advisory

The Center for Wealth Management Advisory is a group of financial advisors in Cincinnati that provides active portfolio management services. Its investment strategy focuses on rebalancing and reallocating clients’ investment portfolios throughout the year instead of focusing on a complete buy-and-hold strategy, which centers around long-term investments. 

Unlike some larger firms, the Center for Wealth Management’s account minimum requirement is usually $100,000, though it claims it also regularly considers asset holders with lower balances. 

It may be the right choice for you if you’re looking for more growth through active management but don’t meet the cap for larger firms like National Wealth Management.

CENTER FOR WEALTH MANAGEMENT ADVISORY

CENTER FOR WEALTH MANAGEMENT ADVISORY

$120,000,000

Center for Wealth Management Advisory is a group of financial advisors in Cincinnati providing active portfolio management services. Its investment strategy focuses on rebalancing and reallocating clients’ investment portfolios throughout the year instead of focusing on the “buy and hold” strategy, which centers around long-term investments. Unlike some larger firms, Center for Wealth Management’s account minimum is usually $100,000 — though it claims it also regularly considers asset holders with lower balances. This can make Center for Wealth Management the right choice for you if you’re looking for more growth through active management but don’t meet the cap for larger firms like National Wealth Management.

  • A percentage of assets under your management
  • Hourly charges
  • Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)
Usually $100,000
6
450
Yes
88
8
  • Financial planning services
  • HOURLY CONSULTING
Address

4355 FERGUSON DR. 200CINCINNATI OH, 45245

Phone number

513-407-5430

Empower
Best For
  • High Net Worth Individuals
securely through Empower's website

Best Portfolio Analysis: Personal Capital

Personal Capital offers 2 types of services — a spending and asset tracker and managed services. You must have an account minimum balance of $100,000 or more to qualify for a managed portfolio. 

You’ll be able to track a multi-asset portfolio with its free investment management tools. A Personal Capital advisor can offer tax optimization strategies and a formula to hit your long- and short-term goals.

Best for Lower Net-Worth Individuals: OJM Group

The OJM Group is one of the top financial advisors in Cincinnati for investing with a lower balance. The minimum account balance to begin with OJM is just $10,000, which makes its services more widely available to younger investors and those with lower balances. OJM uses a series of 12 custom, risk-based model portfolios to help you build the right portfolio for your needs. 

These portfolios draw from over 450 individual ETFs, which makes it generally safer than investing in individual stocks. OJM assesses your age, years until retirement and employment status. If you want to add a personal touch to a lower-value investment portfolio, OJM’s diverse model-based portfolio services might be right for you.

OJM GROUP, LLC

OJM GROUP, LLC

$364,060,439

The OJM Group is one of the top financial advisors in Cincinnati when it comes to investing with a lower balance. The minimum account balance to begin with OJM is just $10,000, which makes its services more widely available to younger investors and those with lower balances. OJM uses a series of 12 custom, risk-based model portfolios to help you build the right portfolio for your needs. These portfolios draw from over 450 individual ETFs, which makes it generally safer than investing in individual stocks. Some of the factors it considers when assigning you a portfolio include age, years until retirement and employment status. If you want to add a personal touch to a lower-value investment portfolio, OJM’s diverse model-based portfolio services might be right for you.

  • A percentage of assets under your management
  • Hourly charges
  • Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)
$10,000
8
267
Yes
52
6
  • Financial planning services
  • Pension consulting services
  • Selection of other advisers (including private fund managers)
  • Publication of periodicals or newsletters
  • CONSULTATION SERVICES; RELATED PERSONS AUTHOR BOOKS, PERIODICALS, & ARTICLES; SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Address

8044 MONTGOMERY ROAD SUITE 440CINCINNATI OH, 45236

Phone number

513-791-7525

SmartAsset Financial Advisors
Best For
  • Comparing Advisors
securely through SmartAsset Financial Advisors's website

Best for Finding Custom Financial Advisors: SmartAsset

Find the right financial advisor to prepare for your future. SmartAsset's platform connects investors, soon-to-be-retirees and retirees with financial advisors from across the country. 

As the first comprehensive solution for easily and securely pairing investors with financial advisors, SmartAsset provides you with free and secure access to the financial advisor marketplace and sources advisors that are right for you based on your location, assets and personal preferences. 

Answer a brief survey regarding your preparedness for retirement, investment style and contact information so SmartAsset’s algorithm can match you with the best financial advisor possible.

Best for Estate Planning: Horan Capital Advisors

Horan Capital Advisors is an independent financial advising service and registered investment advising firm. Though it works with individuals and corporations, its business centers around the “family office” method of investing, which pools together investments to form a singular estate or trust. 

Horan Capital Advisors’ investing strategy focuses on small, incremental gains made over years and decades — not days or weeks at a time. This makes the company an excellent choice if you’re looking to protect current family wealth or ensure that you’ll have an inheritance to leave to your heirs after you pass. Though there is no minimum account balance required to receive management services with Horan Capital, larger estates benefit the most from its fee structure.

HORAN CAPITAL ADVISORS, LLC

HORAN CAPITAL ADVISORS, LLC

$353,001,842

Horan Capital Advisors is an independent financial advising service and registered investment advising firm. Though it works with individuals and corporations, its business centers around the “family office” method of investing, which pools together investments to form a singular estate or trust. Horan Capital Advisors’ investing strategy focuses on small, incremental gains made over years and decades — not days or weeks at a time. This makes the company an excellent choice if you’re looking to protect current family wealth or ensure that you’ll have an inheritance to leave to your heirs after you pass. Though there is no minimum account balance required to receive management services with Horan Capital, larger estates benefit the most from its fee structure.

  • A percentage of assets under your management
  • Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)
$0
5
192
Yes
71
6
  • Financial planning services
  • Publication of periodicals or newsletters
Address

4990 EAST GALBRAITH ROAD CINCINNATI OH, 45236

Phone number

513-745-0707

Find the Best Financial Advisor in Cincinnati

One of the best ways to find the best financial advisor in Cincinnati is to ask around. Ask people you know who are good with money — a friend, relative or community leader you know well. One reason you may want a financial advisor in your specific area is that that person will be familiar with the employers in the area and how they structure their 401(k)s. 

Make sure the financial advisor you land on is a fiduciary, which means that he or she has your best interests at heart. This person should also make you feel comfortable investing with his or her firm. It’s your financial future — guard it wisely!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

Do financial advisors check your credit?

A

No. Typically, a financial advisor will not need to pull your credit unless it’s a part of your overall financial plan strategy and you have very specific questions about your credit score.

Q

Can financial advisors help you get out of debt?

A

Yes, financial advisors can be a productive resource as you search for ways to mitigate debt. Be honest with your financial advisor! A lot of clients are reluctant to disclose their full financial picture, for a variety of reasons. Think about this: How can your financial advisor help you if he doesn’t know about your $30,000 of amassed credit card debt?

Q

How do you evaluate a financial advisor?

A

Dig in on Investor.gov, which will direct you to the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) website. Learn more about a specific advisor through FINRA’s BrokerCheck program and/or your state securities regulator.

Methodology

We pored through all SEC registered advisory firms who have an office in Cincinnati to determine the top financial advisors in Cincinnati. We winnowed the list by only including advisors who are registered fiduciaries, had no past disclosures and have minimal personal conflicts of interest. We further broke down the list to find the true top advisors in the area by giving weight to advisors that offered both investment management and planning, had no conflicts of interest, had offices in multiple states, have a wrap fee program and have over $50 million in assets under management.