Top Financial Advisors in Larkspur, CA

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Meritas Wealth Management is a fee-only firm serving a mix of high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth clients, as well as institutional clients including pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and corporations.

The advisory team at the firm holds multiple certifications, including the certified financial planner (CFP) and certified public accountant (CPA) designations.

There is no minimum account size, but there is a $7,500 minimum annual fee, which may be waived at the firm's discretion.

Asset management fees are based on a percentage of assets under management. Financial planning fees are charged either hourly or at a fixed rate. Advisors do not earn commissions for selling securities.

Meritas Wealth Management Background

The firm was founded in 2008. The principal owners are Gregg E. Clarke, his family revocable trust and Kenneth C. “Kacy” Gott. Mark Leavitt also is a shareholder. In addition to the main office in Larkspur there is a second location in Santa Rosa, California.

Services offered by the firm include asset management, financial planning, cash flow planning, tax planning review, college funding, retirement planning, investment planning and estate planning.

Meritas Wealth Management Investing Strategy

Generally, Meritas’ investment strategy is based on four principles:

1. Markets work.
2. Diversification is key.
3. Risk and return are related.
4. Portfolio structure explains performance.

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Marin Financial Advisors is a fee-based advisory shop managing assets for high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth investors, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans and corporations.

There is a $1 million minimum account size at Marin, though the firm may waive the minimum at its discretion. Clients are also charged a percentage of assets under management for investment management and an hourly fee for financial planning.

Some advisors also earn commissions for selling insurance products, which is a potential conflict of interest. As fiduciaries, though, advisors must act in the client’s best interest and not merely propose securities that meet a "suitability" standard.

There are two advisors on staff at Marin. Between the two of them, they have four designations: one chartered financial counselor (ChFC), one chartered life underwriter (CLU), one certified financial planner (CFP) and one registered life planner (RLP). 

Marin Financial Advisors Background

Marin was founded in 2005. Colin Drake owns 90% of the firm while Dave Shore owns 10%. Both act as advisors for clients.

The firm’s services include asset management, financial planning, life management, debt management, tax planning, estate planning and insurance review.

Marin Financial Advisors Investment Strategy

Portfolio construction at Marin is based on original research from Dimensional Fund Advisors, a separate company based in Austin, Texas. The advisors lean toward small cap and value stocks, plus international companies through mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Long- and short-term purchases are used, plus margin transactions and option writing.

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Shira Ridge Wealth Management works with high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individual investors, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans.

There are two advisors on staff at Shira Ridge. One is a certified financial planner and the other is an MBA. The minimum account size at the firm is $1,000,000, though the firm may waive the minimum at its discretion.

Asset management fees are charged based on a percentage of assets under management. Financial planning is generally included in that fee. If you receive financial planning without access management, the fee is charged hourly. While no advisors at the firm earn commissions for selling securities, there is someone on staff who is licensed to sell insurance.

Shira Ridge Wealth Management Background

The firm was founded in 2000. It is owned by Laurean Sue Nardone, who also acts as an advisor. In fact, Shira Ridge, which takes its name from Mount Kilimanjaro, stands out for being an all-female practice.

Shira Ridge’s services include asset management, financial planning, consulting, investment planning, retirement planning, stock option planning, estate planning, charitable planning, education planning, personal tax planning, real estate analysis, mortgage/debt analysis and insurance analysis.

Shira Ridge Wealth Management Investment Strategy

Advisors at Shira Ridge develop an investment program for each client based on their goals, objectives, risk profile and wealth components. Diversification is key, as is marrying short-term and long-term strategies.

Client money at the firm is invested in mutual funds, stocks, bonds, cash and cash equivalents, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and annuities.

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Private Capital Management works with both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, charities and corporations.

The account size minimum is a $2 million, though the firm may lower the minimum at its discretion. 

Fees for investment management are based on a percentage of assets under management. Financial planning fees are generally fixed and sometimes paid hourly.

There are two advisors on staff, who are both certified financial planners.

As a fee-based firm, some advisors could be licensed to sell insurance and investment products, and could earn commissions on those products. But as fiduciaries, advisors must act in the client’s best interest.

Private Capital Management Background

The firm was founded in 2002. The sole owner is Joe Ramos, who also acts as a financial advisor.

The firm’s services include investment management, asset allocation modeling, portfolio appraisal and historical performance analysis.

Private Capital Management  Investment Strategy

Charting and fundamental analysis are the main analytical frameworks PCM uses to evaluate investments when constructing client portfolios. Both long- and short-term purchases may be used along with margin transactions and option writing. Mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and hedge funds may all be used as investment vehicles.

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Portico Wealth Advisors is a fee-only firm that manages assets for high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, and corporations.

The staff at Portico holds multiple certifications, including chartered financial advisor (CFA), certified financial planner (CFP) and accredited investment fiduciary (AIF) designations.

There is no minimum account size at the firm, but there is a minimum annual fee of $8,500. Fees are charged for investment management based on a percentage of assets under management. No advisors at the firm receive commissions for selling securities or other financial products.

Portico Wealth Advisors Background

Portico was founded in 2010. It is owned by David J. Tarantino and Jonathan D. Leidy.

Services offered by the firm include wealth management, risk management, financial planning, investment management, risk assessment, loss analysis and insurance review.

Portico Wealth Advisors Investment Strategy

Advisors at Portico use Modern Portfolio Theory to design and implement portfolios for clients. This is based on the idea that investors will only tolerate more risk if it means a higher potential return. A number of investments are used, including securities of all market caps, fixed-income investments, including all types of bonds, mutual funds, commodities and currencies.