69/100RFA Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.0★ from 21 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment company”.
Investment Advisors in Des Moines, IA: 2026 rankings
47 investment advisors ranked by RFA ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest RFA Score in Des Moines: Merchant Investments Inc, RFA Score 69/100; 4.0★ from 21 Google reviews.
- 14
Most-reviewed: Principal Financial Group, 170 Google reviews at 3.5★, the most of 47 ranked; ranked #14.
Rankings can't be bought. Financial advisors can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
47 Des Moines investment advisors are ranked here by RFA Score, from eight published factors. 3 open Saturdays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.7★ across 47 rated firms.
Top 10 investment advisors in Des Moines 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 | Hours | Notable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merchant Investments Inc | 69 | 4.0★ (21) | Des Moines | — | Top score |
| 2 | Van Diest Capital | 66 | 5.0★ (12) | Ankeny, 13 mi away | Sat | — |
| 3 | Wells Fargo Advisors | 66 | 3.6★ (5) | Des Moines | — | — |
| 4 | Mutual of Omaha® Advisors - Midwest - Des Moines | 65 | 4.3★ (6) | Clive, 9 mi away | — | — |
| 5 | Veridian Investment Services: Todd Reinhardt | 65 | 5.0★ (4) | Ankeny, 8 mi away | — | — |
| 6 | Conley Capital Management | 64 | 5.0★ (13) | Des Moines | — | — |
| 7 | Jan Maltby - Prudential Financial | 64 | 5.0★ (3) | Ankeny, 8 mi away | — | — |
| 8 | Wells Fargo Advisors | 64 | 3.4★ (5) | West Des Moines, 10 mi away | — | — |
| 9 | JAG Financial | 63 | 5.0★ (55) | Johnston, 6 mi away | Evenings | — |
| 10 | Hawks Companies | 63 | 3.7★ (3) | Clive, 8 mi away | — | — |
All 47 investment advisors in Des Moines, 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.
Based in Ankeny, 13 mi away
66/100RFA ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 12 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment company”.
Based in Des Moines
66/100RFA ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.6★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
Based in Clive, 9 mi away
65/100RFA ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.3★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
Based in Ankeny, 8 mi away
65/100RFA ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
Based in Des Moines
64/100RFA ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Ankeny, 8 mi away
64/100RFA ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
Based in West Des Moines, 10 mi away
64/100RFA ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.4★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
Based in Johnston, 6 mi away
63/100RFA ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and review volume: 5.0★ from 55 Google reviews.
#10 Hawks Companies
Based in Clive, 8 mi away
63/100RFA ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.7★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
Based in Urbandale, 9 mi away
63/100RFA ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 76 Google reviews.
Based in Urbandale, 8 mi away
62/100RFA ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 44 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Indianola, 17 mi away
62/100RFA ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.2★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
Based in Des Moines
60/100RFA ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and review volume: 3.5★ from 170 Google reviews, the most in Des Moines.
Based in Des Moines
59/100RFA ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.3★ from 11 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in West Des Moines, 6 mi away
58/100RFA ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.0★ from 25 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
#17 Carson Wealth
Based in West Des Moines, 10 mi away
58/100RFA ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 16 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in West Des Moines, 10 mi away
58/100RFA ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 15 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial advisor”.
Based in Ankeny, 11 mi away
57/100RFA ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.7★ from 15 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Des Moines
57/100RFA ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Des Moines
57/100RFA ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Stock broker”.
Based in West Des Moines, 10 mi away
57/100RFA ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.4★ from 14 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Waukee, 11 mi away
56/100RFA ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Ankeny, 11 mi away
56/100RFA ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.7★ from 12 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Des Moines
56/100RFA ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.4★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
All 47 investment advisors
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #47, in RFA Score order; each links to its profile.
Also serving Des Moines
20 more investment advisors within 25 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a specialty we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.
How we ranked Des Moines investment advisors
We scored 47 Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines: frequently asked questions
Which investment advisor has the highest RFA Score in Des Moines?
By RFA Score, the highest-ranked investment advisor in Des Moines, IA is Merchant Investments Inc with an RFA Score of 69/100. It has 4.0★ from 21 Google reviews. Van Diest Capital (#2) and Wells Fargo Advisors (#3) follow. We ranked 47 investment advisors on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many investment advisors are there in Des Moines?
RankedFinancialAdvisors ranks 47 investment advisors serving Des Moines, IA. 11 of them are based in Des Moines; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 25 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
Which investment advisors in Des Moines work on weekends?
3 of 47 ranked investment advisors post Saturday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays is Van Diest Capital (#2). Many advisors meet by appointment, including evenings or by video, outside their posted office hours.
What Google rating do Des Moines investment advisors have?
The median Google rating among 47 rated investment advisors in Des Moines is 4.7★, with a median of 5 reviews. Principal Financial Group has the most, 170 reviews, and ranks #14. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does RankedFinancialAdvisors rank investment advisors?
Each investment advisor gets a 0–100 RFA Score from eight published factors, led by reputation (30%), specialty focus (15%), review volume (10%) and claimed profile (10%). A firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only firms with a confirmed specialty and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do investment advisors outside Des Moines count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 25 mi of the Des Moines city center, our service radius for investment advisors. Each listing shows where the firm is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 5% of the RFA Score, so a nearby firm gets a small edge.
Can investment advisors pay to rank higher on RankedFinancialAdvisors?
No. The RFA Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured firms may appear above the list, labelled Sponsored and showing their honest rank.
What does an investment advisor do?
Investment advisors manage portfolios and give advice about securities for a fee. In the US, firms register with the SEC or a state securities regulator and file a Form ADV brochure; in Canada, portfolio managers and dealers register with the provincial securities regulator.
How are investment advisors in Des Moines ranked?
By RFA Score: public signals such as the Google rating and review count, how clearly the firm offers investment advice and how close it is. Paid placements never change the order, and the score does not measure investment performance.
How do I check an investment advisor’s registration and record?
Search the person and the firm on Investor.gov (the SEC’s adviser search) and on FINRA BrokerCheck. A firm’s Form ADV and any disciplinary history are public there.
Is every investment advisor in Des Moines a fiduciary?
Not necessarily. Investment adviser representatives owe a fiduciary duty on advisory accounts; broker-dealer representatives follow Regulation Best Interest when they recommend a security. Ask which applies to your account and read the firm’s Form CRS.
How much do investment advisors charge?
Fees depend on the firm and the service: a percentage of assets managed each year, a flat or hourly planning fee, a retainer, or commissions. Ask for the fee schedule in writing and read the firm’s Form ADV Part 2A brochure or, in Canada, its relationship disclosure.
Update log for Des Moines
- November 2026: RFA Scores recalculated for 47 investment advisors serving Des Moines.
More investment advisors and Des Moines pages
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