Ranked #1 in Lake Forest
Based in Buffalo Grove, 9 mi away
72/100RFA Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.9★ from 167 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Wealth Managers in Lake Forest, IL: 2026 rankings
112 wealth managers ranked by RFA ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest RFA Score in Lake Forest: Wealth Financial Services & Tax Advisory, RFA Score 72/100; 4.9★ from 167 Google reviews.
- 3
Most-reviewed: Stenger Family Office | Naperville Financial Advisor, 174 Google reviews at 5.0★, the most of 112 ranked; ranked #3.
Rankings can't be bought. Financial advisors can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
112 Lake Forest wealth managers are ranked here by RFA Score, from eight published factors. 10 open Saturdays and 1 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 5.0★ across 112 rated firms.
Top 10 wealth managers in Lake Forest 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 | Wealth Financial Services & Tax Advisory | 72 | 4.9★ (167) | Buffalo Grove, 9 mi away | Top score |
| 2 | MTD Financial & MTD Wealth Management | 68 | 5.0★ (66) | Rolling Meadows, 15 mi away | — |
| 3 | Stenger Family Office | Naperville Financial Advisor | 68 | 5.0★ (174) | Naperville, 35 mi away | Most reviews |
| 4 | Guardian Wealth Advisory Group | 68 | 5.0★ (107) | Elgin, 29 mi away | — |
| 5 | Stenger Family Office | Chicago Financial Advisor | 67 | 5.0★ (89) | Chicago, 28 mi away | — |
| 6 | Savant Wealth Management | 67 | 4.9★ (22) | Arlington Heights, 7 mi away | — |
| 7 | Puzzle Wealth Solutions® LLC | 66 | 5.0★ (39) | Schaumburg, 18 mi away | — |
| 8 | Ryan May - Private Wealth Advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC | 66 | 5.0★ (16) | Deerfield, 7 mi away | — |
| 9 | Apollon Wealth Management | 66 | 4.6★ (52) | Barrington, 17 mi away | — |
| 10 | Eiduk Tax and Wealth Management | 66 | 5.0★ (24) | Palatine, 15 mi away | — |
All 112 wealth managers in Lake Forest, 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 Rolling Meadows, 15 mi away
68/100RFA ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 66 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Naperville, 35 mi away
68/100RFA ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 174 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial advisor”.
Based in Elgin, 29 mi away
68/100RFA ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 107 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Chicago, 28 mi away
67/100RFA ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 89 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial advisor”.
Based in Arlington Heights, 7 mi away
67/100RFA ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.9★ from 22 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Schaumburg, 18 mi away
66/100RFA ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 39 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial advisor”.
Based in Deerfield, 7 mi away
66/100RFA ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 16 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Barrington, 17 mi away
66/100RFA ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.6★ from 52 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Palatine, 15 mi away
66/100RFA ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 24 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Tax preparation service”.
Based in Lombard, 30 mi away
66/100RFA ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 57 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Rolling Meadows, 16 mi away
65/100RFA ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 24 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Forest Park, 26 mi away
65/100RFA ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 41 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Chicago, 29 mi away
65/100RFA ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 46 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Crystal Lake, 20 mi away
65/100RFA ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 25 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Cary, 21 mi away
65/100RFA ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 24 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Palatine, 15 mi away
65/100RFA ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.8★ from 19 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Lincolnwood, 18 mi away
65/100RFA ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 19 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
#19 Heritage Wealth
Based in Naperville, 35 mi away
64/100RFA ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 49 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial advisor”.
Based in Downers Grove, 29 mi away
64/100RFA ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 33 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Bensenville, 20 mi away
64/100RFA ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 19 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Palatine, 15 mi away
64/100RFA ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Downers Grove, 29 mi away
64/100RFA ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.8★ from 40 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Northbrook, 9 mi away
64/100RFA ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 8 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Libertyville, 5 mi away
64/100RFA ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Investment service”.
Wealth managers ranked #26 to #50
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #50, in RFA Score order; each links to its profile. We publish the top 50 of 112 ranked wealth managers here; the rest are on their profiles.
Also serving Lake Forest
20 more wealth managers within 40 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a specialty we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.
How we ranked Lake Forest wealth managers
We scored 112 Lake Forest wealth managers 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 Lake Forest 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 a wealth manager
- Confirm the wealth manager 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 a wealth manager
- 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 wealth manager?
- 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.
Wealth managers in Lake Forest: frequently asked questions
Which wealth manager has the highest RFA Score in Lake Forest?
By RFA Score, the highest-ranked wealth manager in Lake Forest, IL is Wealth Financial Services & Tax Advisory with an RFA Score of 72/100. It has 4.9★ from 167 Google reviews. MTD Financial & MTD Wealth Management (#2) and Stenger Family Office | Naperville Financial Advisor (#3) follow. We ranked 112 wealth managers on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many wealth managers are there in Lake Forest?
RankedFinancialAdvisors ranks 112 wealth managers serving Lake Forest, IL. Another 20 within 40 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
Which wealth managers in Lake Forest work on weekends?
10 of 112 ranked wealth managers post Saturday hours and 1 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Serenity Wealth Management (#14), WealthCamp Advisors (#15) and Armor Wealth Group (#18). Many advisors meet by appointment, including evenings or by video, outside their posted office hours.
What Google rating do Lake Forest wealth managers have?
The median Google rating among 112 rated wealth managers in Lake Forest is 5.0★, with a median of 8 reviews. Stenger Family Office | Naperville Financial Advisor has the most, 174 reviews, and ranks #3. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does RankedFinancialAdvisors rank wealth managers?
Each wealth manager 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 wealth managers outside Lake Forest count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 40 mi of the Lake Forest city center, our service radius for wealth managers. 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 wealth managers 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 a wealth manager do?
Wealth managers combine investment management with planning, tax and estate coordination, usually for households with larger portfolios. Most charge a yearly percentage of the assets they manage and many set an account minimum.
How are wealth managers in Lake Forest ranked?
By RFA Score: public signals such as the Google rating and review count, how clearly the firm offers wealth management and how close it is. Paid placements never change the order, and the score does not measure investment performance.
How do I check a wealth manager’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 wealth manager in Lake Forest 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 wealth managers 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 Lake Forest
- November 2026: RFA Scores recalculated for 112 wealth managers serving Lake Forest.
- November 2026: 1 duplicate listing merged.
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