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Investment Advisors in Lorain, OH: 2026 rankings

40 investment advisors ranked by RFA ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest RFA Score in Lorain: JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management | A Prosperity Capital Advisors Company, RFA Score 62/100; 4.7★ from 72 Google reviews.

  2. 2

    Most-reviewed: Brookside Tax & Financial Group, 105 Google reviews at 4.8★, the most of 40 ranked; ranked #2.

Rankings can't be bought. Financial advisors can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank

40 Lorain investment advisors are ranked here by RFA Score, from eight published factors. 2 open Saturdays and 1 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 5.0★ across 40 rated firms.

Top 10 investment advisors in Lorain 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.

Top 10 investment advisors in Lorain at a glance
RankBusinessRFA ScoreGoogle ratingBased inNotable for
1JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management | A Prosperity Capital Advisors Company624.7★ (72)Avon, 8 mi awayTop score
2Brookside Tax & Financial Group604.8★ (105)Parma, 23 mi awayMost reviews
3Wells Fargo Advisors593.0★ (4)Westlake, 12 mi away—
4Crescendo Finance594.3★ (3)Bay Village, 15 mi away—
5Victory Capital Management582.6★ (25)Brooklyn, 22 mi away—
6Aspire Investment Management585.0★ (10)Westlake, 12 mi away—
7Legacy Wealth Holdings LLC584.0★ (4)Lakewood, 21 mi away—
8iPlanGroup574.4★ (40)Westlake, 13 mi away—
9Republic Finance565.0★ (15)Avon Lake, 11 mi away—
10Elios Financial Group, Inc.554.5★ (21)Westlake, 12 mi away—

All 40 investment advisors in Lorain, 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.

  4. #4 Crescendo Finance

    Based in Bay Village, 15 mi away

    59/100RFA Score

    Ranked #4 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.3★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment company”.

    • 4.3★ from 3 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 11 AM–4 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    568 Red Oak Ln, Bay Village, OH 44140
    View profile for Crescendo Finance(440) 527-0672

  8. #8 iPlanGroup

    Based in Westlake, 13 mi away

    57/100RFA Score

    Ranked #8 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.4★ from 40 Google reviews.

    • 4.4★ from 40 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    28011 Clemens Rd, Westlake, OH 44145
    View profile for iPlanGroup(855) 604-7526

  9. #9 Republic Finance

    Based in Avon Lake, 11 mi away

    56/100RFA Score

    Ranked #9 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 15 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Loan agency”.

    • 5.0★ from 15 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    377 Lear Rd D, Avon Lake, OH 44012
    View profile for Republic Finance(440) 961-2238

  11. #11 Western & Southern Life

    Based in Amherst, 6 mi away

    55/100RFA Score

    Ranked #11 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.4★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Life insurance agency”.

    • 4.4★ from 13 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    5078 Waterford Dr, Sheffield, OH 44035
    View profile for Western & Southern Life(800) 283-8462

  15. #15 PRO Financial Network

    Based in Westlake, 15 mi away

    54/100RFA Score

    Ranked #15 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 15 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.

    • 5.0★ from 15 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    24930 Detroit Rd, Westlake, OH 44145
    View profile for PRO Financial Network(440) 871-3067

  16. #16 Golden Reserve

    Based in Amherst, 6 mi away

    54/100RFA Score

    Ranked #16 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 7 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.

    • 5.0★ from 7 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    5054 Waterford Dr Ste A, Sheffield, OH 44035
    View profile for Golden Reserve(216) 282-1055

  19. #19 Charles Schwab

    Based in Westlake, 12 mi away

    53/100RFA Score

    Ranked #19 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.8★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.

    • 3.8★ from 13 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    2341 Crocker Rd, Westlake, OH 44145
    View profile for Charles Schwab(440) 617-2301

  20. #20 Afia Wealth Management

    Based in Westlake, 15 mi away

    52/100RFA Score

    Ranked #20 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 9 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.

    • 5.0★ from 9 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon 8:30 AM–6:30 PM · Tue–Wed 8:30 AM–5 PM · Thu 8:30 AM–6:30 PM · Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    24500 Center Ridge Rd Ste 115, Westlake, OH 44145
    View profile for Afia Wealth Management(440) 397-4188

All 40 investment advisors

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #40, in RFA Score order; each links to its profile.

investment advisors in Lorain, ranks 26 to 40
RankBusinessRFA ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
26Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Terry L Caudill515.0★ (3)8 mi
27Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Cam Caizzo, CFP®505.0★ (7)19 mi
28Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Paul Hoffman, ChFC®505.0★ (3)10 mi
29Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Greg Beier504.2★ (5)13 mi
30Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Steve Kulikowski, ABFP®|AAMS®505.0★ (7)20 mi
31Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Nick A Miranda, CFP®|CEPA®505.0★ (3)12 mi
32Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Daniel T Trotter, CEPA®505.0★ (3)12 mi
33Smart Tax & Accounting494.0★ (7)21 mi
34Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Khory S Katz, CFP®|ChFC®|CEPA®495.0★ (3)15 mi
35Fifth Third Securities - Darin Kershner483.7★ (3)15 mi
36Copper Ridge Capital475.0★ (3)21 mi
37Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Joseph F LiPuma, CEPA®475.0★ (3)21 mi
38Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Brian A Kljun, CFP®|AAMS®475.0★ (3)21 mi
39Key Investment Services LLC461.4★ (9)22 mi
40Westlake Wealth Management Group441.2★ (89)12 mi

Also serving Lorain

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.

Unranked investment advisors serving Lorain
BusinessGoogle ratingDistance
A to Z Financial Services1.0★ (1)In Lorain
Chris Lewis - ThriventIn Lorain
Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Kim Plzak, CEPA®5.0★ (2)6 mi
Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Lisa Kopco5.0★ (1)4 mi
Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Lloyd Wright5.0★ (2)3 mi
Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Matt Nickels, CRPC™5.0★ (1)9 mi
Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Matthew C Rhode5.0★ (2)22 mi
Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Mike Abfall, CFP®5.0★ (1)8 mi
Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Raymond Loeser, CFP®5.0★ (2)10 mi
Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Ron Dziedziak, CFP®|CRPC™3.0★ (2)12 mi
Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Serina M Lopez5.0★ (2)15 mi
Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Tom Chaplin5.0★ (2)9 mi
Fifth Third Securities - Eric Haddad3.0★ (2)17 mi
Fifth Third Securities - Stephen BeckerIn Lorain
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management1.0★ (2)12 mi
NextGen Wealth Defense LLC.In Lorain
Rob Lord - ThriventIn Lorain
Robert Janik - ThriventIn Lorain
Ruben FinancialIn Lorain
Sweetleaf consulting servicesIn Lorain

How we ranked Lorain investment advisors

We scored 40 Lorain 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.

Read the full method: formula, sources and exclusions

RFA Score factors and weights
FactorWeightComputed fromIn Lorain data
Reputation30%Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it (client experience, not investment results)Measured
Registration20%Active SEC, state or Canadian securities registration matched in public records (not yet measured)Not yet collected
Review volume10%Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the listMeasured
Recency5%Share of reviews from the last 12 monthsNot yet collected
Specialty focus15%How clearly the firm offers this specialty (its Google category and name)Measured
Proximity5%Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it isMeasured
Claimed profile10%The firm has claimed its Ranked Financial Advisors profile (free or paid earn the same)Measured
Partnered5%The firm links to Ranked Financial Advisors from its own website with our badge, checked periodicallyMeasured

How to choose an investment advisor

  1. 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.
  2. Ask whether they act as a fiduciary on your account at all times, and get the answer in writing.
  3. 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.
  4. Read the firm’s Form CRS and Form ADV Part 2A brochure (fees, services, conflicts, disciplinary history) before you sign.
  5. Check designations with the body that grants them, such as the CFP Board for CFP® professionals.
  6. Ask about account minimums and who holds your money: your assets should sit with an independent custodian in your name.
  7. 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 Lorain: frequently asked questions

Which investment advisor has the highest RFA Score in Lorain?

By RFA Score, the highest-ranked investment advisor in Lorain, OH is JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management | A Prosperity Capital Advisors Company with an RFA Score of 62/100. It has 4.7★ from 72 Google reviews. Brookside Tax & Financial Group (#2) and Wells Fargo Advisors (#3) follow. We ranked 40 investment advisors on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many investment advisors are there in Lorain?

RankedFinancialAdvisors ranks 40 investment advisors serving Lorain, OH. Another 20 within 25 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.

Which investment advisors in Lorain work on weekends?

2 of 40 ranked investment advisors post Saturday hours and 1 post Sunday hours. Many advisors meet by appointment, including evenings or by video, outside their posted office hours.

What Google rating do Lorain investment advisors have?

The median Google rating among 40 rated investment advisors in Lorain is 5.0★, with a median of 7 reviews. Brookside Tax & Financial Group has the most, 105 reviews, and ranks #2. 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 Lorain count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 25 mi of the Lorain 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 Lorain 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 Lorain 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 Lorain

  1. November 2026: RFA Scores recalculated for 40 investment advisors serving Lorain.

More investment advisors and Lorain pages