Los Angeles Financial Advisors Directory

Top Financial Advisors in Los Angeles, CA

TL;DR

Best financial advisors in Los Angeles, CA ranked by AI visibility and verified reviews. 13.3% top rate (14.63% with payroll tax). Compare the top 8 firms.

We evaluated 195 financial advisors serving Los Angeles and ranked the top 8 by TrustRank — our composite score of AI search visibility, verified client reviews, and credentials.

Los Angeles's financial advisory market serves a California client base where California has 10,511 CFPs — largest state total nationally; regulated by CA DFPI.

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Updated Q1 2026
By Tania Kozar
195 reviewed, 8 selected
50 prompts tracked
Los Angeles Market Overview

Financial Advisors in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has a competitive financial advisory market serving high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners. California has 10,511 CFPs — largest state total nationally; regulated by CA DFPI. The state tax rate of 13.3% (14.63% with payroll tax) shapes planning strategies, with advisors focusing on tax-efficient asset location, estate planning, and retirement income optimization. Typical minimum investable assets range from $500K+ depending on the firm tier.

3,000+
Registered advisors in state
$500K+
Typical minimum investable assets
13.3%
CA income tax rate
1.0%
Typical annual advisory fee on AUM

Primary professional associations include ACG Los Angeles (acg.org/los-angeles) and CFA Society Los Angeles (cfala.org). California financial advisors are regulated by the CA Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI).

ACG Los Angeles (acg.org/los-angeles)CFA Society Los Angeles (cfala.org)NAIFA Los Angeles

How TrustRank Works

Our independent scoring system for financial advisors in Los Angeles

TrustRank is not a paid placement. We independently evaluated 195 financial advisors serving Los Angeles across three measurable dimensions. No firm can pay to appear or improve its rank.

Component 1 — 55%

AI Visibility Score

We tracked 50 prompts across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and Claude asking about financial advisors in Los Angeles. The % of prompts where each firm appears.

Component 2 — 25%

Review Score

Aggregate ratings across Google, Clutch, and the ProCloser.ai verified review system. Weighted by volume and recency of verified client reviews.

Component 3 — 20%

Content Authority

Depth, accuracy, and credibility of published content, case studies, and thought leadership demonstrating sector expertise in Los Angeles.

Top 8 Financial Advisors in Los Angeles, CA

1
Edelman Financial Engines
Serves Los Angeles, CA
94%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.5
Fee-Only Est. 1986 Min: $250K AUM

America's largest independent RIA with a strong Los Angeles presence, offering comprehensive financial planning and investment management to households at every wealth level.

Appears for Prompts
best financial advisor Los Angelesfee-only advisor Los Angelesretirement planning Los Angeles
Retirement PlanningInvestment MgmtTax Planning
2
Creative Planning
Serves Los Angeles, CA
91%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.7
Fee-Only Est. 1983 Min: $500K AUM

Top-ranked national RIA with Los Angeles advisors offering holistic wealth management including tax, legal, and investment services under one roof.

Appears for Prompts
holistic wealth management Los AngelesCreative Planning Los Angelesfinancial planning Los Angeles
Wealth ManagementTax PlanningEstate Planning
3
Fisher Investments
Serves Los Angeles, CA
88%
AI Visibility
★★★★★3.8
Fee-Only Est. 1979 Min: $500K AUM

Large independent investment counselor with Los Angeles representation, managing equity portfolios for high-net-worth individuals using a top-down macro investment approach.

Appears for Prompts
Fisher Investments Los Angelesequity portfolio manager Los Angelesinvestment counselor Los Angeles
Portfolio ManagementHNW ClientsEquity Investing
4
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Serves Los Angeles, CA
84%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4
Fee-Based Est. 1914 Min: $250K AUM

Full-service wealth management firm with multiple Los Angeles offices, offering investment advisory, banking, and estate planning to a broad range of clients.

Appears for Prompts
Merrill Lynch Los Angeleswealth management Los Angelesfull service financial advisor Los Angeles
Full-ServiceBanking IntegrationEstate Planning
5
Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management
Serves Los Angeles, CA
80%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.2
Fee-Based Est. 1857 Min: $100K AUM

Integrated financial planning firm with a large Los Angeles advisor network, combining insurance, investment, and retirement planning services.

Appears for Prompts
Northwestern Mutual Los Angelesfinancial planner Los Angelesinsurance advisor Los Angeles
InsuranceRetirementInvestment Planning
6
Edward Jones
Serves Los Angeles, CA
77%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.1
Fee-Based Est. 1922 Min: $50K AUM

Nationwide brokerage with dozens of Los Angeles offices, offering personalized investment advice to individual investors and small business owners through a local advisor model.

Appears for Prompts
Edward Jones Los Angeleslocal financial advisor Los Angelessmall business advisor Los Angeles
Individual InvestorsRetirementSmall Business
7
Fidelity Wealth Services
Serves Los Angeles, CA
73%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.4
Fee-Only Est. 1946 Min: $250K AUM

Dedicated wealth management arm of Fidelity Investments serving Los Angeles clients with comprehensive planning, digital tools, and low-cost investment management.

Appears for Prompts
Fidelity wealth advisor Los Angeleslow cost financial advisor Los AngelesFidelity Los Angeles
Digital ToolsLow-Cost InvestingRetirement
8
Vanguard Personal Advisor Services
Serves Los Angeles, CA
70%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.6
Fee-Only Est. 1975 Min: $50K AUM

Digital-forward advisory service from Vanguard, pairing Los Angeles clients with CFP professionals for financial planning at an industry-leading 0.3% advisory fee.

Appears for Prompts
Vanguard advisor Los Angeleslow fee financial advisor Los AngelesCFP Los Angeles
Low FeesCFP AccessDigital Planning

Financial Advisors Market Overview — Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles hosts the most fragmented and specialized financial advisory market in the Western US. Hollywood studios, tech companies in Silicon Beach, and real estate investment create three distinct client profiles. California's 13.3% top marginal income tax rate dominates every planning conversation — it's the highest state income tax rate in the country.

Market Indicator Data Point
Registered RIAs1,200+
State Income Taxup to 13.3%
Median Client AUM$580K
Entertainment Sector Clients~18% of HNW market

Regulatory & Licensing Environment

California RIAs under $100M AUM register with the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI). California imposed a fiduciary standard for investment advisers under the California Securities Law. The DFPI also enforces AB 2017, which strengthened investment adviser conduct rules. Check registration at dfpi.ca.gov.

Financial Advisors Fees in Los Angeles, CA

Fee Type Typical Range
AUM Fee (typical)0.90–1.50%
Flat Annual Retainer$6,000–$15,000
Hourly Consulting$350–$600/hr
Entertainment Tax Planning$5,000–$20,000 project

Entertainment industry clients — actors, directors, producers, musicians — pay significant premiums for loan-out corporation structuring, residual income planning, and talent royalty portfolio management, often as standalone project engagements.

How to Choose a Financial Advisors in Los Angeles, CA

  • California's 13.3% tax impact: Every investment decision has a California tax lens. Prioritize advisors who actively model Roth conversions, tax-loss harvesting, municipal bond allocation, and opportunity zone investments to manage CA's unique high-rate environment.
  • Entertainment and media specialization: Loan-out corporations, residual income, talent royalties, and irregular earnings are staples of LA's entertainment client base. Look for advisors who have worked with SAG-AFTRA members and are familiar with the Entertainment Partners payroll system.
  • Real estate and 1031 exchanges: LA real estate is both the primary investment and the primary estate planning tool for many clients. Ask advisors about 1031 exchange timing, Proposition 19 implications for intergenerational transfers, and opportunity zone investments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about choosing financial advisors in Los Angeles, CA.

How does California's 13.3% income tax rate affect investment strategy in Los Angeles?+−
California taxes all income including capital gains at ordinary income rates — with no preferential rate for long-term gains. At 13.3%, every $100K in capital gains costs $13,300 in state tax. LA advisors prioritize municipal bond allocations, strategic loss harvesting, and Roth conversions to minimize California exposure.
What is a loan-out corporation and why do LA entertainment professionals use them?+−
A loan-out (or loanout) corporation is an S-corp or C-corp through which an entertainment professional (actor, director, writer) provides their services to studios. It allows income to be classified as corporate revenue rather than personal income, enabling deductions for business expenses, health insurance, and retirement contributions that aren't available to W-2 employees.
Are there financial advisors in Los Angeles who specialize in SAG-AFTRA member benefits?+−
Yes — several West LA and Beverly Hills RIAs specialize in Screen Actors Guild members, including AFTRA Retirement Fund coordination, health plan COBRA continuation, and the complex income volatility that comes with residual-based income.
Does Proposition 19 affect inheritance of California real estate?+−
Yes significantly. Proposition 19 (2020) eliminated the parent-child property tax transfer exclusion for investment properties — now only a primary residence transferred to a child who uses it as their primary residence receives the exclusion. LA advisors help parents structure property transfers under new Prop 19 rules before major estate changes.
What is the best way to exit a concentrated Los Angeles real estate position without triggering huge taxes?+−
Options include 1031 exchanges (defer capital gains), Delaware Statutory Trusts (1031 into passive real estate), Qualified Opportunity Zone investments, charitable remainder trusts (CRTs), and installment sales. LA advisors commonly model all five scenarios before recommending an exit strategy.

Reviewed by: Tania Kozar, CFP® — ProCloser.ai Research  |  Last Updated: April 2026  |  Sources: SEC IAPD, FINRA BrokerCheck, state regulatory filings, ProCloser.ai primary research.

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