Managing your wealth, planning for retirement, and navigating complex tax rules requires expert guidance. In New York, there are numerous financial advisers and wealth managers, but finding one who truly understands your goals and operates with complete transparency is essential. This FiveFantastic™ guide highlights five of New York’s most trusted and highly-rated independent financial advisers.
We highlight leading firms known for their technical expertise, transparent fee structures, and strong fiduciary commitment. Whether you’re looking for a one-off financial review or a lifelong wealth management partnership, these practices represent the gold standard in New York financial advice.
Editorial note: this is a curated Five Fantastic shortlist, not an exhaustive ranking. Services, fees, and availability vary by firm.
Why use this guide
- Quick comparison:compare services, expertise, and client fit in one place.
- Trust-focused:prioritises established firms with clear regulatory credentials and strong professional reputations.
- Local SEO intent:designed for searches such as best financial adviser New York and top wealth manager New York.
Five Fantastic Financial Advisers in New York
Sax Wealth Advisors, LLC
Notable Professional:Kyle Van Pelt, Wealth Advisor
Sax Wealth Advisors, LLC is a premier independent financial advisory firm in New York, recognised for excellence and client satisfaction. Led by Kyle Van Pelt, the practice offers bespoke wealth management and financial planning tailored to individual client needs.
- Core services:financial planning, investment management, tax planning, estate planning, retirement planning, insurance
- Trust signals:SEC Registered, CFP®
- Best for:Clients seeking top-tier financial planning and financial planning in New York.
Journey Strategic Wealth LLC
Notable Professional:Michael Holland, Managing Director, Partner
Journey Strategic Wealth LLC is a premier independent financial advisory firm in New York, recognised for excellence and client satisfaction. Led by Michael Holland, the practice offers bespoke wealth management and financial planning tailored to individual client needs.
- Core services:comprehensive financial planning, investment management, retirement planning, estate planning, tax planning, risk management
- Trust signals:SEC Registered, CFP®
- Best for:Clients seeking top-tier financial planning and comprehensive financial planning in New York.
Kelleher Financial Advisors, LLC
Notable Professional:John Kelleher, Founder & Managing Partner
Kelleher Financial Advisors, LLC is a premier independent financial advisory firm in New York, recognised for excellence and client satisfaction. Led by John Kelleher, the practice offers bespoke wealth management and financial planning tailored to individual client needs.
- Core services:financial planning, investment management, retirement planning, estate planning, tax planning
- Trust signals:SEC Registered, CFP®
- Best for:Clients seeking top-tier financial planning and financial planning in New York.
Summit Trail Advisors, LLC
Notable Professional:Jack Petersen, Managing Partner
Summit Trail Advisors, LLC is a premier independent financial advisory firm in New York, recognised for excellence and client satisfaction. Led by Jack Petersen, the practice offers bespoke wealth management and financial planning tailored to individual client needs.
- Core services:wealth management, financial planning, investment consulting, estate planning, tax planning
- Trust signals:SEC Registered, CFP®
- Best for:Clients seeking top-tier financial planning and wealth management in New York.
Sovereign Financial Group, Inc.
Notable Professional:Charles “Chuck” L. Failla, Principal
Sovereign Financial Group, Inc. is a premier independent financial advisory firm in New York, recognised for excellence and client satisfaction. Led by Charles “Chuck” L. Failla, the practice offers bespoke wealth management and financial planning tailored to individual client needs.
- Core services:investment management services, financial planning
- Trust signals:Registered since 2019, Hourly, fixed, AUM fee structures, investment advisory fees negotiable (up to 3% per year), hourly fees for planning range from $200 to $450 per hour, flat fees between $1,500 to $10,000, no account minimum, minimum AUM fee is $4,500 a year. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™, CFP ® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S.
- Best for:Clients seeking top-tier financial planning and investment management services in New York.
Looking specifically for Retirement Planning in New York?
Retirement planning is one of the most complex areas of personal finance, involving pensions, tax wrappers, and long-term cash flow modelling.
When choosing an adviser for retirement planning, look for professionals who use advanced cash flow modelling software. This allows you to see visual projections of your wealth over time, helping you answer the crucial question: ‘Do I have enough to retire comfortably?’ Always ensure your adviser is fully independent and not restricted to selling their own company’s products.
How to choose the right financial adviser in New York
- Check regulatory status:ensure the firm is fully authorised and regulated by the SEC or FINRA.
- Understand their independence:ask if they are ‘independent’ (can recommend products from the whole market) or ‘restricted’ (only recommend certain products).
- Look for qualifications:seek out advisers with advanced qualifications, such as Chartered or Certified Financial Planner status.
- Understand the fees:financial advice fees can be complex; ensure you get a clear, written breakdown of initial advice fees and ongoing management charges.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a financial adviser cost in New York?
Fees in New York vary depending on the complexity of your needs. Advisers typically charge an initial fee (often a percentage of the assets being invested, or a fixed flat fee) and an ongoing annual management charge (usually between 0.5% and 1% of assets under management).
What is the difference between an independent and restricted adviser?
An independent financial adviser (IFA) can recommend financial products from the entire market, offering unbiased advice. A restricted adviser can only recommend products from a limited selection of providers, or sometimes only from their own company.
Do I need a lot of money to see a financial adviser?
Not necessarily. While some wealth managers have minimum investment thresholds (e.g., £250,000 or $500,000), many excellent financial planners in {clean_city} work with clients who are just starting to build their wealth or need one-off advice on a specific issue like a pension transfer.
Endnotes and source links
1. Sax Wealth Advisors, LLC. https://www.saxwa.com/
2. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC. https://www.journeyswadvisor.com/
3. Kelleher Financial Advisors, LLC. https://kf-advisors.com/
4. Summit Trail Advisors, LLC. https://www.summittrail.com/
5. Sovereign Financial Group, Inc.. https://www.sfgroupinc.com/