Financial Advisor Magazine America’s Top RIAs Survey & Ranking: Cerity Partners completed a 29-question survey about our team and practice and submitted it to Financial Advisor Magazine. As a registered investment advisors that provides financial planning and related services to individual clients, Cerity Partners met the eligibility criteria for this ranking. Cerity Partners does not pay FA Magazine any fee or other compensation for this ranking. FA Magazine verified the data with Cerity Partners and with regulatory databases applying their rankings formula to the data to generate a ranking. FA Magazine uses the following methodology for their selection criteria: FA’s RIA survey is a ranking based on assets under management at year end of independent RIA firms that file their own ADV with the SEC. FA’s RIA ranking orders firms from largest to smallest, based on AUM reported to us by firms that voluntarily complete and submit FA’s survey by our deadline. We do our best to verify AUM by reviewing ADV forms. To be eligible for the ranking, firms must be independent registered investment advisors and file their own ADV statement with the SEC and provide financial planning and related services to individual clients. Firms must have at least $500 million in assets under management as of December 31, 2021 to be included in the print edition of Financial Advisor magazine’s 2022 RIA survey. Firms with under $500 million will be included the FA’s expanded 2022 online RIA survey. Hybrid RIA firms, corporate RIA firms and investment advisor representatives (IARs) are not eligible for this survey. A corporate RIA is a registered investment advisor most often formed by a broker-dealer that files an ADV with the SEC. Advisors who are affiliated with the broker-dealer or other entity’s corporate RIA may offer investment advice. They are considered Investment Advisor Representatives (IARs) of the corporate RIA. All of the assets under management of the IARs are included in the corporate RIA’s ADV filed with the SEC.

This ranking is not a recommendation of Cerity Partners, reflection of performance, or a testimonial based on any of Cerity Partners clients’ experiences. Investors should do independent research regarding an Adviser including reviewing the Adviser’s Form ADV Part I, Part 2(a), and Form CRS (collectively “Disclosure Brochures”) for information concerning an Adviser’s fees, conflicts of interests, and services offered. To view Cerity Partners Disclosure Brochures, please visit www.adviserinfo.sec.gov or contact a Cerity Partners representative for your free copies.

 

Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors 2022: The Forbes ranking of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, gained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years experience, and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings. To view full criteria and rules which the award is based on, you can visit: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rjshook/2022/04/07/methodology-forbes-best-in-state-wealth-advisors-2022/?sh=18de67d77fee.

 

BEST PLACES TO WORK FOR FINANCIAL ADVISORS (2020-2022): Best Companies Group (“BCG”) is an independent research firm and manages Best Places to Work for Financial Advisors. To enter the process, candidates must meet certain criteria. The process includes two (2) surveys to gather detailed data for each participating company. BCG conducts the surveys, analyzes the data, and determines the winners and rankings. Employees of the participating companies offer honest feedback. All participating companies pay a fee to be considered for this award. To view full criteria and rules which the award is based on, you can visit: https://www.inbestplacestowork.com/process.

 

Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms (2020-2022): Cerity Partners completed a 102-question survey about our Retirement Plan Advisory team and practice and submitted it to Barron’s. Cerity Partners does not pay or required to pay Barron’s any fee or other compensation for this ranking. Barron’s verified the data with Cerity Partners and with regulatory databases applying their rankings formula to the data to generate a ranking. The formula features three major categories of calculations: (1) Assets (2) Revenue (3) Quality of practice. In each of those categories we do multiple subcalculations. For the information concerning Barron’s complete ranking process, please go to Barron’s Top Advisors Methodology

The rankings are not a recommendation of Cerity Partners, reflection of performance, or a testimonial based on any of Cerity Partners clients’ experiences.  Investors should do independent research regarding an Adviser including reviewing the Adviser’s Form ADV Part I, Part 2(a), and Form CRS (collectively “Disclosure Brochures”) for information concerning an Adviser’s fees, conflicts of interests, and services offered.  To view Cerity Partners Disclosure Brochures, please visit www.adviserinfo.sec.gov or contact a Cerity Partners representative for your free copies.

 

Barron’s Top 100 Institutional Consulting Teams (2022): Cerity Partners completed a 102-question survey about our Retirement Plan Advisory team and practice and submitted it to Barron’s. Cerity Partners does not pay Barron’s any fee or other compensation for this ranking. Barron’s verified the data with Cerity Partners and with regulatory databases applying their rankings formula to the data to generate a ranking. The formula features three major categories of calculations: (1) Assets (2) Revenue (3) Quality of practice. In each of those categories we do multiple subcalculations. For the information concerning Barron’s complete ranking process, please go to Barron’s Top Advisors Methodology  

The rankings are not a recommendation of Cerity Partners, reflection of performance, or a testimonial based on any of Cerity Partners clients’ experiences.  Investors should do independent research regarding an Adviser including reviewing the Adviser’s Form ADV Part I, Part 2(a), and Form CRS (collectively “Disclosure Brochures”) for information concerning an Adviser’s fees, conflicts of interests, and services offered.  To view Cerity Partners Disclosure Brochures, please visit www.adviserinfo.sec.gov or contact a Cerity Partners representative for your free copies.

 

FT Top 300 Registered Investment Advisers: The 2015-2020 Financial Times 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers is an independent listing produced by the Financial Times (July 2020). The FT 300 is based on data gathered from RIA firms, regulatory disclosures, and the FT’s research. The listing reflected each practice’s performance in six primary areas: assets under management, asset growth, compliance record, years in existence, credentials and online accessibility. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients and is not indicative of the practice’s future performance. Neither the RIA firms nor their employees pay a fee to The Financial Times in exchange for inclusion in the FT 300.

 

NAPA Top DC Multi-Office Advisor Team (2019-2021): The National Association of Plan Advisors (“NAPA”) is a subset of the American Retirement Association. The award is given to all firms with more than one office/physical location, and with more than $1 billion in defined contribution plan assets under advisement. Receipt of a NAPA Top DC Multi-Office Advisor Team award is not necessarily indicative of any particular client’s experience or a guarantee that the firm will perform in the future as it did during the period evaluated by NAPA. Neither the adviser firms nor their employees pay a fee to National Association of Plan Advisors in exchange for consideration or selection of the award.

 

Crain’s 2021 Notable Wealth Managers: The honorees do not pay to be included. Their profiles were drawn from the nomination materials submitted. This list is not comprehensive. It includes only individuals for whom nominations were submitted and accepted after a review by editors. To qualify for the list, nominees must be based in Northeast Ohio. They must be currently employed full time at a financial institution or company offering wealth management services and showcase professional achievements. They must have a minimum of three years’ experience and oversee at least $10 million in assets under advisement. They must be active in the community and/or philanthropic activities, mentoring programs and/or diversity and inclusion initiatives.

 

Crain’s Cleveland Business Investment Adviser (2022): Cerity Partners does not pay any fee or other compensation to be included in this ranking. Cerity Partners completed a survey about our Clevelend’s office team and investment practice and was selected and ranked based on regulatory assets under local management. Email Chuck Soder at [email protected] for more information on the ranking process.

 

The rankings are not a recommendation of Cerity Partners, reflection of performance, or a testimonial based on any of Cerity Partners clients’ experiences.  Investors should do independent research regarding an Adviser including reviewing the Adviser’s Form ADV Part I, Part 2(a), and Form CRS (collectively “Disclosure Brochures”) for information concerning an Adviser’s fees, conflicts of interests, and services offered.  To view Cerity Partners Disclosure Brochures, please visit www.adviserinfo.sec.gov or contact a Cerity Partners representative for your free copies.

 

Top Retirement Plan Advisors Under 40: The National Association of Plan Advisors (“NAPA”) is a subset of the American Retirement Association. Established in 2014, this list – unofficially,  “young guns” – this year has been rebranded as “Aces”.  Selection for this award is based on applications received from nominees designated by NAPA Broker-Dealer/RIA Firm Partners. Those applications are vetted by a blue ribbon panel of senior advisor industry experts based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative data submitted by the nominees, as well as a broker-check review. There were over 600 nominations for this award (a 20% increase from a year ago), and of those, 100 were selected as winners. 2020 NAPA Aces: Top Retirement Plan Advisors Under 40 award is not necessarily indicative of any particular client’s experience or a guarantee that the advisor will perform in the future as it did during the period evaluated by NAPA. Neither the adviser firms nor their employees pay a fee to the National Association of Plan Advisors in exchange for consideration or selection of the award.

 

March 2018 401k Specialist Top Advisor by Participant Outcomes: A survey to determine the outcome of this award is conducted by 401k Specialist Magazine. Candidates are nominated by industry peers and the nomination is open to all industry professionals in the field. The nominees must submit answers to questions regarding criteria such as methods of plan analysis, plan goals and objectives, and managing participant involvement and progress. A panel of experts from 401k Specialist Magazine then chooses a winner for each month, and then from the twelve monthly winners, an overall winner for the year. Nomination or receipt of a Monthly 401k Specialist Top Advisor by Participant Outcomes award is not necessarily indicative of any particular client’s experience or a guarantee that the firm will perform in the future as it did during the period evaluated by 401k Specialist Magazine.

 

PLANADVISER Top 100 Adviser: The advisers listed are taken from entries for the 2021 PLANSPONSOR Retirement Plan Adviser and Adviser Team of the Year awards. To enter the awards process, nominees must complete a form providing various details of their practice. The PLANADVISER Top 100 is based solely on quantitative factors. Advisors who are current PLANSPONSOR Retirement Professional designees receive an automatic nomination. Past performance is not indicative of future results and inclusion on this list is not representative of any one client’s experience with an Adviser.

 

The Worth Leading Wealth Advisor Program: All firms and advisors featured in the Worth Leading Wealth Advisors Program have submitted comprehensive questionnaires that Worth magazine used to evaluate their credentials, disciplinary history and business practices. The advisors included in the Worth Leading Wealth Advisors Program contribute toward the production cost of Worth magazine. Worth magazine utilizes services provided by Paladin Advisor Research in its review of the professionals featured in the Worth Leading Advisors Program. Paladin is an information services website that researches financial professionals for investors.

 

The Worth Leading Wealth Advisor admittance process is based on, but not limited to, the Advisor’s experience, education, certifications, fiduciary status, compliance record, wealth management services, methods of compensation and scope of current business. Worth does not represent that the financial professionals profiled in its magazine will produce superior results compared to professionals who are not profiled in the magazine and does not make any guarantees about one client’s experience. Financial professionals profiled in the magazine are not endorsed or recommended by Worth.

 

Crain’s 2019 Notable Women in Banking and Finance: Nominees were submitted by the public and also internally by Crain’s, and Crain’s selected honorees at its sole discretion. The selection criteria included a review of professional achievements, recent press, past awards, civic and philanthropic work, and involvement in organizations (inside or outside their firm) where they mentor other women. Crain’s searched for honorees covering a diverse spectrum of ethnicities, from both big and small firms, and, where possible, from different regions of the New York City metro area. Crain’s did not choose more than three honorees from any given firm. This award is not necessarily indicative of any particular client’s experience or a guarantee that the firm will perform in the future as it did during the period evaluated by Crain’s.

 

Forbes Top 100 Wealth Managers: The Top 100 Wealth Manager list was compiled using data from RIA database. Candidate firms qualify based on both quantitative and qualitative criteria and are ranked by assets under management for year-end 2014, reported as of March 31, 2015. Members of the list must have managed at least 50% of their assets on behalf of retail clients, cannot run a broker-dealer (they can be affiliated with one), cannot be a bank (trust companies are permitted), and must be performing wealth management services. Firms cannot have had any regulatory, civil or criminal disclosures. Selection as a Forbes Top 100 Wealth Manager is not necessarily indicative of any particular client’s experience or a guarantee that the firm will perform in the future as it did during the period evaluated by Forbes.

 

2020 Best Marketing or PR Campaign by ClearView Financial Media: The companies listed are taken from eligible applications. To enter the process, applicants must meet certain criteria. The winners in each category are picked by a panel of independent judges based on the materials submitted by the adviser. Neither the adviser firms nor their employees pay a fee to ClearView Financial Media in exchange for consideration or selection of the award. Selection for this is award is not based on any client testimonials, and should not be construed as indicative of any particular client’s experience or a guarantee that the advisor will perform in the future as it did during the award period. To view the full criteria and rules of which the award is based on you can visit: https://clearviewpublishing.com/clearview-awards-business-terms-and-conditions/.

 

Five Star Wealth Manager Award (2013-2022): Nominees are identified by one of three sources: firm nomination, peer nomination, or pre-qualification. Pre-qualification for the award is identified using internal and external data sources to determine relevant and high-potential candidates who meet certain attributes such as years in industry, fiduciary status and assets administered. Candidates license status and disciplinary history are noted and their regulatory history is reviewed. Five Star Professional conducts a review of each candidate or relies on FINRA BrokerCheck Report, SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website or the firm’s Form ADV. Additionally, Five Star Professional promotes, via local advertising and through their website, the opportunity to submit feedback — including whether a consumer had an unsatisfactory experience — regarding a wealth manager. Nominees who pass review become Candidates and must attest to criteria listed above and must submit information about themselves and their practice. Candidates are required to certify all information provided is correct. Candidates must satisfy ten (10) objective eligibility and evaluation criteria associated with providing quality services to their clients to receive the Five Star Wealth Management award. Neither the adviser firms nor their employees pay a fee to Five Star Professional in exchange for consideration or selection of the award. For complete information regarding the Five Star Wealth Manager Award, you can visit: https://fivestarprofessional.com/ref/research/WM_ResearchMethodology.pdf.

 

PLANADVISER Top Retirement Plan Advisers (2022): The 2022 PLANADVISER Top Retirement Plan Advisers rating recognizes the top defined contribution and defined benefit plan advisers across the U.S. in terms of assets or the number of plans under advisement, or a particular concentration of a specific retirement plan type as client (such as 403(b), 457, nonqualified, SEP, SIMPLE or cash balance plans). In 2022, 321 submissions were received to be considered for this recognition; 240 were considered eligible. Of those, 155 were named to the list. The PLANADVISER Top Retirement Plan Advisers rating, created and conducted by PLANADVISER, is not indicative of an investment adviser’s future performance and no adviser pays, or is paid a fee, to take part in the program. 

 

Northern Virginia Magazine’s 2021 Top Financial Professionals: Awards, rankings, ratings, and/or recognition by unaffiliated rating services and/or publications are absolutely not indicative of CERITY PARTNERS LLC’s future performance, should not be construed as a guarantee that client or prospective client will experience a certain level of results if CERITY PARTNERS is engaged, or continues to be engaged to provide services, nor should it be construed as a current or past endorsement of CERITY PARTNERS Financial by any of its clients. Northern Virginia Magazine’s (“NOVA’s”) 2021 “Best Financial Advisers” list categorizes designees as one or more of the following: “Financial Planner,” “Investment Adviser,” “Insurance Adviser,” “Broker,” “Estate Attorney,” and/or “Tax Accountant”. The publication surveys thousands of industry experts and asks them to identify the leaders in the field. NOVA currently grants its “Top Financial Planners” designation based upon other professionals’ responses to the following question about their peers, which NOVA sent to over 1,500 financial and fiduciary firms: “If you had a close friend or relative who needed financial planning advice, and you could not handle the case yourself, to whom would you refer them?” The specific question that NOVA promulgates in this respect may vary from year-to-year. CERITY PARTNERS applied to NOVA to receive the designation, which was independently granted. The number of professionals nominated for the designation varies from year to year. In 2021: Jon Yankee was listed under the “Financial Planner” and “Investment Adviser” designations; Alan Ness was listed under the “Financial Planner” designation; Alexis Grason was listed under the “Broker, Financial Planner, Insurance Adviser,” and “Investment Adviser” designations. CERITY PARTNERS is not aware of the total number of nominations NOVA received before granting the designations. Winner selection is based on the number of votes received, although NOVA examines each vote to remove any suspect votes before finalizing the tally. All candidates are then vetted to ensure they are in good standing before being confirmed with the designation by reviewing whether the candidates are active in Northern Virginia, and whether they are or have been subject to disciplinary actions that would potentially invalidate the nomination. By considering the disciplinary actions, NOVA seeks to ensure that a participating nominee has an established and significant history and record free from regulatory sanctions. CERITY PARTNERS has not paid a fee to be eligible for the award designation. However, CERITY PARTNERS paid a fee to NOVA in exchange for a commemorative plaque. While CERITY PARTNERS paid this fee after receiving the designation and not as a condition precedent to receiving it, the fact that CERITY PARTNERS paid any fee with respect to its receipt of the designation should be considered if the designation is a factor in a client or prospective client’s evaluation of whether to initially engage or continue to engage CERITY PARTNERS to provide services. CERITY PARTNERS is unaware of any undisclosed facts that could potentially invalidate the appropriateness of the designation. This award designation: does not emphasize favorable client responses, ignore unfavorable client responses, and is not based upon a statistically invalid sample of client responses because it is not based upon information provided by CERITY PARTNERS’s clients. To the best of CERITY PARTNERS’s knowledge, NOVA does not provide the award designation if the survey responses are not statistically valid. NOVA is not affiliated or related to CERITY PARTNERS in any way.

 

Investment News List of “40 Under 40”: Investment News is a multi-media news outlet that provides news, analysis, and information directed towards the financial advisory community through its publication of a weekly newspaper, website, newsletters, research, events, videos, and webcasts. Investment News “40 under 40” seeks to recognize top financial advisers and associated professionals who are under the age of 40. For this Award, nominees are cast through an online web form and may be submitted by Investment News subscribers as well as other peers in the financial planning industry. Nominees are then evaluated by Investment News’ editorial staff based on the following key criteria: (1) accomplishments in the advisory business, such as industry-related projects and the wider world in an advisory capacity, as exhibited by the nominee’s credentials and achievements; (2) contributions to promote the financial advice profession such as advocating for financial literacy and engagement in pro bono financial planning work; (3) demonstration of leadership through the provision of guidance and successful management within a company or the industry as a whole; and (4) level of promise for continued success by a demonstration of the nominee’s passion, enthusiasm, ideas and commitment to the field. Investment News does not require membership or payment in order for Award designees and applicants to be considered for an Award designation. Neither Cerity Partners LLC nor any other participating advisers paid a fee to be eligible for the “40 under 40” Award. However Cerity Partners LLC or its representatives may have paid fees in exchange for plaques, logo licensing, or article reprints commemorating the Award. The fee would have been paid after receiving the Award and not as a condition precedent to receiving it. However, the fact that any fee is paid with respect to receipt of the Award should be considered if the Award is a factor in a client or prospective client’s evaluation of whether to initially to engage or continue to engage Cerity Partners LLC for investment advisory services. For 2014, Investment News received 1,200 nominations to be considered for the Award and forty honorees were ultimately selected. This Award: does not emphasize favorable client responses, ignore unfavorable client responses, and is not based upon a statistically invalid sample of client responses.

 

Washingtonian Top Financial Advisors: Washingtonian Magazine (“Washingtonian”) currently grants its “Washington, DC’s Best Financial Advisers: Fee-Only Financial Planners” designation based upon responses from “hundreds” of participating “people who work in the local financial industry” to the following question about their peers: “Whom would you trust with your own money?” The specific question that Washingtonian promulgates in this respect may vary from year-to-year. Washingtonian also indicates that before granting the award/designation, it: conducted its own research and consulted industry publications; and that “the professionals listed received the strongest recommendations from all sources.” Cerity Partners LLC has applied to Washingtonian to receive the designation, which was independently granted Cerity Partners LLC has not paid a fee to be eligible for the award designation. This award designation: does not emphasize favorable client responses, ignore unfavorable client responses, and is not based upon a statistically invalid sample of client responses because it is not based upon information provided by Cerity Partners LLC’s clients. To the best Cerity Partners LLC’s knowledge, Washingtonian does not provide the award designation if the survey responses are not statistically valid. Washingtonian is not affiliated or related to Cerity Partners LLC in any way.
More information about Washingtonian’s Top Financial Advisors is available at https://www.washingtonian.com/best/financial-advisers/