CNBC announces the top 100 financial advisory firms of 2026

They are the 100 firms that have proven to be the top providers of financial planning services to everyday investors. The CNBC Financial Advisor 100 out today, now in its eighth year. The firms are in 36 states. They have combined assets of over $300 billion and they've been in business an average of 35 years. Topping the list this time around is Howland Capital in Boston. They're celebrating 59 years in business with 4 billion under management. Heritage Investment Group ranked second, followed by Beard Harris Wealth Management and ZWJ Investment Council. The firms were chosen from a pool of more than 40,000 registered investment adviserss, companies with regulatory disclosures or violations. They were removed. They were then screened through CNBC's methodology in partnership with Acupoint Solutions. The criteria includes years in business, number of investment advisors, ratio of adviserss to employees, assets under management, and a lot of other measures. Now, firms do not apply or pay to be considered on this list. That's very important to mention. Now, with investors increasingly turning to AI for investing advice, these top adviserss are leaning into estate planning and tax, wealth transfers, and philanthropy advice. For the full list and the full methodology, you can go to cbc.com/fa