America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors 2025

The Forbes Top Advisor Rankings: A Comprehensive Overview

Forbes’ top advisor rankings, developed in collaboration with SHOOK Research, stand out as the most rigorous and comprehensive in the financial industry. Unlike other rankings that rely heavily on quantitative data, SHOOK Research takes a holistic approach, combining quantitative metrics with qualitative insights. This unique methodology involves in-depth interviews with advisors—conducted in person, virtually, or by telephone—to gain a deeper understanding of their practices and client relationships. The rankings are designed to identify role models in the industry, focusing on those who uphold best practices and deliver exceptional client experiences. By emphasizing both quality and performance, SHOOK Research ensures that the rankings reflect the true value of an advisor’s work.

How SHOOK Research Ranks America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors

The Forbes ranking of America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors and Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State is based on a sophisticated algorithm developed by SHOOK Research. This algorithm evaluates advisors through a combination of qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative factors include best practices such as service models, investing strategies, and compliance records, while quantitative factors encompass revenue trends, assets under management, and client retention. Advisors must have a minimum of seven years of experience to be considered, and portfolio performance is not a criterion due to the variability in client objectives and the lack of audited data. Importantly, neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research accepts fees from advisors or firms in exchange for inclusion in the rankings.

The SHOOK Research Process: Setting High Standards

SHOOK Research begins by scouring the financial services industry, including banks, brokerages, custodians, and insurance companies, to identify potential candidates. Nominations are only accepted if advisors meet predefined thresholds, including a minimum of one year at their current firm (with exceptions for acquisitions) and a recommendation from their firm. Advisors then complete an online survey, and their business practices, particularly those involving individual clients, are carefully evaluated. SHOOK Research also conducts thousands of telephone, in-person, and virtual interviews to assess an advisor’s impact on their clients’ lives. This thorough process ensures that only the most deserving advisors make it to the final rankings.

Quantitative and Qualitative Metrics: A Balanced Approach

SHOOK Research uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative metrics to evaluate advisors. Quantitative metrics include revenue and production data, assets under management, and client retention rates. Qualitative metrics, on the other hand, focus on factors such as an advisor’s service model, investing process, fee structure, and community involvement. SHOOK also places a strong emphasis on compliance records, with a willingness to overlook minor infractions that are not directly tied to an advisor’s due diligence. The research team evaluates an advisor’s ability to provide a full client experience, including their use of team dynamics, credentials, and discussions with management and peers. This balanced approach ensures that the rankings reflect both the quantitative success and qualitative impact of an advisor’s work.

Addressing Compliance Issues: Fair and Transparent

SHOOK Research takes a nuanced approach to compliance issues, recognizing that not all infractions are equal. Certain conditions, such as complaints arising from product failures or administrative errors, may be considered less severe. The research team also takes into account the age of the complaint and whether it was resolved satisfactorily. If an advisor’s compliance record is deemed acceptable, they must still meet additional criteria, including high qualitative ratings and letters of recommendation from their firm. This transparent and fair process ensures that the rankings are both credible and fair.

The Ranking Algorithm: A Fair and Dynamic System

The SHOOK Research algorithm is designed to fairly compare advisors based on both quantitative and qualitative elements. Data are weighted to prioritize best practices, business models, and recent activity, ensuring that the rankings reflect the most up-to-date and relevant information. Each variable is graded and assigned a specific value, with the results fed into an algorithm that measures thousands of advisors against each other. SHOOK Research remains completely independent and objective, with no ties to advisors, firms, or media outlets. This independence, combined with a focus on quality and transparency, makes the Forbes rankings a trusted resource for investors seeking exceptional financial advice.

By focusing on quality, transparency, and fairness, SHOOK Research has set a new standard for advisor rankings, providing investors with a reliable guide to finding the best financial advisors in the industry.