Beyond the Bull Market: The RIA Edge 100 Charts a Course for Sustainable Growth
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For years, the pursuit of organic growth has been the elusive challenge for wealth management firms. Even as markets climb, growth rates at many registered investment advisors (RIAs) have plateaued. But a distinct group of firms is breaking the pattern, charting a path of deliberate expansion built on operational excellence rather than market momentum alone.
Wealth Management’s 2026 RIA Edge 100 spotlights these RIAs, recognizing those demonstrating strategic scale while upholding deep client service commitments. These firms are growing intentionally—by strengthening leadership, investing in next-gen talent, and refining operations—as the industry grapples with accelerated consolidation, fierce competition for advisors, and rising client expectations for holistic, tax-aware financial planning.
“The RIA Edge 100 reflects a fundamental shift in how leading firms define success,” said David Armstrong, Editorial Director at Wealth Management. “It’s no longer just about assets under management. Today’s top performers are building resilient organizations capable of thriving in any market cycle, all while delivering a highly personalized client experience.”
The list is analytical, not subjective. RIAs cannot apply, and placement is uninfluenced by commercial relationships. Developed in partnership with ISS MI using data from the Discovery Data MarketPro platform, it identifies SEC-registered advisors specializing in financial planning for high-net-worth clients, with at least $500 million in AUM.
Evaluation was based on equally weighted metrics including five-year AUM growth, the ratio of employees to clients, AUM per advisor, and the percentage of staff holding CFP® certification—all indicators of sustainable, operational health.
“This data underscores a critical evolution,” Armstrong added. “Growth is being engineered, not inherited. These firms are proactively building the infrastructure and culture needed for long-term success, independent of market tailwinds.”
Voices from the Industry
Michael Thorne, Managing Partner at Veritas Advisory in Boston: "This list validates what we've been advocating internally. True growth is a function of process and people. Seeing firms recognized for metrics like employee-to-client ratios and CFP concentration is refreshing—it shifts the conversation from pure asset gathering to sustainable practice management."
Sarah Chen, Principal at Oakmont Financial Strategies in San Francisco: "As a next-gen advisor, I'm particularly encouraged by the focus on talent investment. The firms on this list are likely the ones creating real career pathways and mentorship cultures. That's how the RIA model retains its vitality and avoids becoming just another version of the old wirehouse system."
James Kellerman, a veteran industry consultant based in Chicago, offered a sharper take: "Let's not get carried away. A list is a list. While the metrics are sound, the real test is whether this 'operational excellence' translates during the next sustained market downturn. Many of these firms haven't been tested in a true bear market cycle. Strategic growth is easy when the tide is rising; let's see who's still swimming when it goes out."
Eleanor Vance, CEO of a mid-sized RIA in Atlanta: "This provides a fantastic benchmarking tool. For firms like ours aiming to scale responsibly, it highlights the specific levers—like professional development and operational efficiency—that we need to pull. It's a roadmap, not just a ranking."