As demand for holistic financial advice grows and the advisor talent gap looms, a standout group of professionals is stepping up to meet the challenge.
In a shifting wealth management landscape marked by demographic headwinds and rising client expectations, InvestmentNews is proud to recognize ten of the most outstanding financial planners in the US through our 2025 Five-Star Financial Planners Special Report.
The top US financial planners featured in this year's report represent a rich cross-section of excellence, from fiduciary-minded strategists and trust-savvy advisors to client educators guiding families through complex intergenerational transitions. They were selected through a nationwide survey conducted between November 18 and December 13, aimed at spotlighting professionals who exemplify integrity, client dedication, and financial planning expertise.
"We don’t just create a one-time plan – we stress-test it against multiple what-if scenarios. We go beyond the numbers to help clients navigate life’s financial decisions with clarity and confidence,” said Scott Van Den Berg of Century Management in Texas, one of this year’s honorees, whose firm works with a diverse client base of retirees, individuals, and small business owners.
New data underscores why this recognition matters. According to McKinsey & Company, the US financial advice industry could face a shortage of 100,000 advisors by 2034 if current productivity trends continue. At the same time, affluent households – those with $500,000 or more in investable assets – are expected to grow by 4 to 5 percent annually, far outpacing the general population.
For the well-heeled elite whose affairs go far beyond personal banking and budgeting, achieving financial balance means retaining professionals with passion and a particular set of skills.
“Their balance sheets are often more complex than some multinational corporations with layers of trust and LLCs and I find that fascinating. I really like the puzzle and complexity of it,” said Robert Westley of Northern Trust, reflecting on his work with high-net-worth families.
More broadly, the rise of clients seeking comprehensive, values-based financial advice is only adding to the urgency. McKinsey found that 52 percent of investors in 2023 sought holistic financial guidance, a sharp rise from 29 percent in 2018.
Helping to address this demand is a growing cohort of qualified planning professionals. In the US, the number of CFP professionals grew by 6,500 in 2024, pushing the total past 103,000, according to statistics from CFP Board.
While many planning professionals followed a simple path into the industry, some took a circuitous route. Eileen Allgrove of Fiducient Advisors started her professional career in the legal space, coming from a law school background before building her reputation in estate and trust planning.
“In some ways that initial lack of a finance background helped me learn how it felt to be intimidated by something out of my comfort zone, and then taking steps to acquire knowledge that I would apply,” she said.
Like any good planner, Allgrove realizes that achieving good outcomes means going beyond pure expertise, using soft skills and a deft touch to navigate the human element of wealth management.
“By fostering communication, education and understanding with the entire family it is more likely that there will be a successful transition of wealth,” she said.
The 2025 Five-Star Financial Planners report showcases 10 individuals who distinguished themselves not just by their credentials, but for their commitment to going beyond transactional planning to deliver meaningful, life-aligned financial outcomes:
Congratulations to all those honored in the 2025 Five-Star Financial Planners winners for this year. To learn more about the top financial planners in the US in 2025, click here.
The $1 trillion RIA is getting serious on inorganic growth as it welcomes the M&A veteran for a dedicated leadership role.
The undoing of the penalty, which has hung over the Wall Street bank for seven years, marks a significant victory for CEO Charlie Scharf.
The big three custodian is unveiling new reporting features, UMA functionalities, and a new advisor growth network, along with other updates at its flagship conference.
Michael Bradley faces allegations of “improper recommendation to clients” who bought GPB securities.
The RIA behemoth overseeing more than half a trillion dollars in client assets is adding to that book with a $1.4 billion firm focused on pro athletes in New York.
How intelliflo aims to solve advisors' top tech headaches—without sacrificing the personal touch clients crave
From direct lending to asset-based finance to commercial real estate debt.
