The Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor ranking, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receives a fee in exchange for rankings.
The award was issued on 12/31/2025 to 1000 advisory firms by Newsweek based on data analysis by Plan-A Insights Group (an independent data analytics company) of 16,000 eligible firms with more than $20 million assets under management (AUM), a minimum of 3 wealth advisors, at least 5 clients, and at least 2 years of SEC registration. The analysis also included a review of disciplinary records as a disqualifying factor and the availability of portfolio management services to individual investors. Other factors included: AUM and client growth over the short-term (2024 to 2025) and long-term (2020-2025), wealth advisor experience, client-to-advisor ratio, breadth of wealth advisory services offered, and the extent of a firm’s conflicts of interests. Award recipients did not pay to be considered but do pay a fee to Newsweek if they choose to use the award logo as a financial benefit for sponsoring the award. The award is not an endorsement nor is it based on or indicative of any individual client’s experience with the advisor, past investment performance or a guarantee of future results.