Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
Investment Advisors in Carlsbad, CA: 2026 rankings
94 investment advisors ranked by RFA ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest RFA Score in Carlsbad: IPX1031: Jordan Phillips, RFA Score 70/100; 5.0★ from 13 Google reviews.
- 3
Most-reviewed: San Diego Tax & Financial Associates, 277 Google reviews at 4.9★, the most of 94 ranked; ranked #3.
Rankings can't be bought. Financial advisors can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
94 Carlsbad investment advisors are ranked here by RFA Score, from eight published factors. 4 open Saturdays and 1 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 5.0★ across 94 rated firms.
Top 10 investment advisors in Carlsbad at a glance
Ranked by RFA Score from public data such as Google reviews, not by investment performance; sponsored listings are paid, shown separately and never change rank.
| Rank | Business | RFA Score | Google rating | Based in | Notable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IPX1031: Jordan Phillips | 70 | 5.0★ (13) | Carlsbad | Top score |
| 2 | Tj Stroben, Realtor Consultant First Team/CalRes Homes | 70 | 5.0★ (11) | Carlsbad | — |
| 3 | San Diego Tax & Financial Associates | 69 | 4.9★ (277) | Carlsbad | Most reviews |
| 4 | IDA Wealth - Intelligence Driven Advisers | 67 | 5.0★ (131) | Carlsbad | — |
| 5 | IPX1031 - Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc. | 67 | 5.0★ (4) | Carlsbad | — |
| 6 | Sprott Global Resource Investments | 67 | 3.3★ (7) | Carlsbad | — |
| 7 | RG Bar Investment Group | 66 | 5.0★ (8) | Encinitas, 10 mi away | — |
| 8 | Paradigm Investment Group, LLC | 66 | 3.0★ (4) | Carlsbad | — |
| 9 | Splitero | 66 | 3.9★ (190) | San Diego, 21 mi away | — |
| 10 | Quiver Financial Holdings, LLC | 66 | 4.9★ (28) | San Clemente, 24 mi away | — |
All 94 investment advisors in Carlsbad, in rank order
Ordered by RFA Score, a 0–100 score from eight published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Ranked by RFA Score from public data such as Google reviews, not by investment performance; sponsored listings are paid, shown separately and never change rank.
Scores below: based on 6 of 8 factors; registration and recency not yet collected. Hatched segments mark factors we don't have yet.
- 70/100RFA Score
Based in Carlsbad
70/100RFA ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 11 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
Based in Carlsbad
69/100RFA ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.9★ from 277 Google reviews, the most in Carlsbad.
Based in Carlsbad
67/100RFA ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and review volume: 5.0★ from 131 Google reviews.
Based in Carlsbad
67/100RFA ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
Based in Carlsbad
67/100RFA ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.3★ from 7 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
Based in Encinitas, 10 mi away
66/100RFA ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 8 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
Based in Carlsbad
66/100RFA ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
#9 Splitero
Based in San Diego, 21 mi away
66/100RFA ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.9★ from 190 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
Based in San Clemente, 24 mi away
66/100RFA ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.9★ from 28 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
Based in San Marcos, 11 mi away
65/100RFA ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
#12 Trajan Wealth
Based in Carlsbad
65/100RFA ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 55 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in San Marcos, 10 mi away
64/100RFA ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.2★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
#14 Wealthlynk Inc.
Based in Fallbrook, 15 mi away
64/100RFA ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 7 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
Based in Carlsbad
63/100RFA ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 35 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Encinitas, 11 mi away
62/100RFA ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 1.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
Based in San Diego, 18 mi away
62/100RFA ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and review volume: 5.0★ from 99 Google reviews.
Based in San Diego, 20 mi away
61/100RFA ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
#19 WWM Financial
Based in Carlsbad
61/100RFA ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.8★ from 23 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Escondido, 15 mi away
60/100RFA ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 15 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
#21 Canter Wealth
Based in La Jolla, 22 mi away
60/100RFA ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and review volume: 5.0★ from 92 Google reviews.
Based in Encinitas, 8 mi away
60/100RFA ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.9★ from 30 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Carlsbad
60/100RFA ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in La Jolla, 22 mi away
60/100RFA ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.3★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
Based in San Diego, 16 mi away
60/100RFA ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 12 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial advisor”.
How we ranked Carlsbad investment advisors
We scored 94 Carlsbad investment advisors on eight factors, weighted as shown. A firm is ranked when its specialty is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Sponsored businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Carlsbad data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 30% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it (client experience, not investment results) | Measured |
| Registration | 20% | Active SEC, state or Canadian securities registration matched in public records (not yet measured) | Not yet collected |
| Review volume | 10% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 5% | Share of reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Specialty focus | 15% | How clearly the firm offers this specialty (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 5% | Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The firm has claimed its Ranked Financial Advisors profile (free or paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Partnered | 5% | The firm links to Ranked Financial Advisors from its own website with our badge, checked periodically | Measured |
How to choose an investment advisor
- Confirm the investment advisor and the firm are registered: Investor.gov and FINRA BrokerCheck in the US, the CSA National Registration Search in Canada. Read any disclosure events.
- Ask whether they act as a fiduciary on your account at all times, and get the answer in writing.
- Ask how they are paid: a percentage of assets, flat or hourly fees, a retainer, commissions, or a mix. Each creates different conflicts of interest.
- Read the firm’s Form CRS and Form ADV Part 2A brochure (fees, services, conflicts, disciplinary history) before you sign.
- Check designations with the body that grants them, such as the CFP Board for CFP® professionals.
- Ask about account minimums and who holds your money: your assets should sit with an independent custodian in your name.
- Compare at least two or three firms, and be wary of anyone who promises returns or pushes you to decide quickly.
Questions to ask an investment advisor
- Are you a fiduciary for all of the advice you give me, and will you put that in writing?
- How are you paid, in total dollars per year for an account like mine? Do you earn commissions or other payments from product providers?
- Which registrations and designations do you hold, and where can I verify them?
- Who will hold my assets, and how will I see statements directly from that custodian?
- What services are included in your fee, and what would cost extra with you as my investment advisor?
- Do you have a minimum account size or minimum fee?
- Have you or your firm had any complaints or disciplinary actions? Where would I see them?
- How often will we meet, and who will I work with day to day?
- What happens to my plan or accounts if you retire or leave the firm?
Terms explained
- Fiduciary
- Someone legally required to act in a client’s interest. In the US, registered investment advisers owe their clients a fiduciary duty of care and loyalty under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
- Registered investment adviser (RIA)
- A firm registered with the SEC or a state securities regulator to give investment advice for pay. Most firms managing $100 million or more register with the SEC; smaller firms usually register with their state.
- Investment adviser representative (IAR)
- A person who gives advice on behalf of a registered investment adviser, usually registered with the states where they work.
- Broker-dealer
- A firm that buys and sells securities for customers. US broker-dealers are members of FINRA; their registered representatives typically earn commissions.
- Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI)
- The SEC rule, in force since June 30, 2020, requiring broker-dealers to act in a retail customer’s best interest when recommending a security or account type.
- Form ADV
- The registration form every investment adviser files. Part 1 holds facts about the firm; Part 2A, the brochure, describes services, fees, conflicts of interest and disciplinary history in plain English.
- Form CRS
- A short relationship summary that advisers and broker-dealers give retail investors, covering services, fees, conflicts, standard of conduct and disciplinary history.
- CRD number
- The Central Registration Depository number FINRA and the SEC assign to each firm and registered person; use it to look them up on Investor.gov or BrokerCheck.
- Assets under management (AUM) fee
- A yearly fee set as a percentage of the money an advisor manages for you. Advisor surveys have put the median around 1% on accounts up to $1 million, lower on larger accounts.
- Fee-only
- An advisor paid only by clients, with no commissions or other payments from product providers.
- Fee-based
- An advisor who charges client fees and may also earn commissions on some products. It is not the same as fee-only.
- CFP® professional
- A person certified by the CFP Board after meeting education, exam, experience and ethics requirements. The CFP Board requires them to act as a fiduciary when giving financial advice.
Investment advisors in Carlsbad: frequently asked questions
Which investment advisor has the highest RFA Score in Carlsbad?
How many investment advisors are there in Carlsbad?
Which investment advisors in Carlsbad work on weekends?
What Google rating do Carlsbad investment advisors have?
How does RankedFinancialAdvisors rank investment advisors?
Do investment advisors outside Carlsbad count in this ranking?
Can investment advisors pay to rank higher on RankedFinancialAdvisors?
What does an investment advisor do?
How are investment advisors in Carlsbad ranked?
How do I check an investment advisor’s registration and record?
Is every investment advisor in Carlsbad a fiduciary?
How much do investment advisors charge?
Update log for Carlsbad
- November 2026: RFA Scores recalculated for 94 investment advisors serving Carlsbad.
More investment advisors and Carlsbad pages
Investment advisors near Carlsbad
- Investment advisors in Oceanside, CA90 ranked
- Investment advisors in Camp Pendleton South, CA79 ranked
- Investment advisors in Vista, CA94 ranked
- Investment advisors in Encinitas, CA114 ranked
- Investment advisors in San Marcos, CA97 ranked
- Investment advisors in Solana Beach, CA114 ranked
- Investment advisors in Escondido, CA110 ranked
- Investment advisors in Fallbrook, CA53 ranked
- Investment advisors in Rancho Penasquitos, CA118 ranked
- Investment advisors in Mira Mesa, CA116 ranked
Other specialties in Carlsbad
- Financial advisors in Carlsbad256 ranked
- Financial planners in Carlsbad165 ranked
- Wealth managers in Carlsbad87 ranked
- Stockbrokers in Carlsbad23 ranked
- All financial advisors in Carlsbad