A number of financial advisory firms with an emphasis on retirement planning landed coveted spots on the new Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America.
The 2022 list—released this week and featured in the September issue of Inc. Magazine available Aug. 23, represents a one-of-a-kind look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent businesses. Facebook, Chobani, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000, the magazine notes.
“The accomplishment of building one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., in light of recent economic roadblocks, cannot be overstated,” says Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. “Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that have established themselves through innovation, hard work, and rising to the challenges of today.”
The companies on the 2022 Inc. 5000 have not only been successful, but have also demonstrated resilience amid supply chain woes, labor shortages, and the ongoing impact of COVID-19. Among the top 500, the average median three-year revenue growth rate soared to 2,144%—up from 1,820% for the 2021 list. Together, those companies added more than 68,394 jobs over the past three years.
By the way, the top overall slot on the Inc. 5000 goes to BlockFi, a crypto outfit out of Jersey City, N.J. that, appears to have weathered the crypto winter that has battered and bankrupted so many others. Inc. pegs its growth at an astronomical 245,616%.
While Vestwell—a well-known company in the retirement planning space (and whose CEO Aaron Schumm is this week’s 401k Specialist Podkast guest)—made the list at #435, and a handful of companies like #71 Gold Alliance Capital, #211 Red Rock Secured and #919 Goldco focus on diversifying retirement portfolios with precious metals, our particular interest here is on firms with a heavy emphasis on retirement planning or as a retirement solutions provider.
What follows are 20 companies making the list—sorted via the “Financial Services” category—that mention retirement planning as a specialty. (Editor’s Note: We realize that many additional financial advisory firms making the list no doubt work heavily in retirement planning; we merely included firms that specifically mention it in their brief bio.)
#1182: Fiduciary Financial Advisors, Grand Rapids, Mich. Growth: 550%
Boutique financial advisory firm assisting clients in saving, investing and planning for retirement by focusing on planning and prudent investment.
#1769: Retire SMART, Omaha, Neb. Growth: 347%
Nebraska-based independent financial advisory firm helping clients with retirement planning, including retirement income strategies and wealth management.
#1896: Strategic Wealth Designers, Louisville, Ky. Growth: 319%
Strategic financial services company helping retirees and pre-retirees secure their financial future with a wide variety of financial services.
#2321: PCS Retirement, Philadelphia. Growth: 252%
Independent and conflict-free retirement solution provider offering recordkeeping and a comprehensive retirement solutions platform.
#2443: Abich Financial Services, Ashburn, Va. Growth: 237%
Fiduciary retirement planning firm specializing in Phase 2 retirement planning for pre-retirees and retirees 55 years and older.
#2478: Metcalf Partners Wealth Management, Overland Park, Kan. Growth: 234%
Wealth management firm managing $300 million in assets providing financial and retirement planning along with retirement plans for small businesses.
#3116: XY Planning Network, Bozeman, Mont. Growth: 172%
Offers a platform for fee-for-service financial advisors serving next-gen clients, providing planning services for a monthly fee without asset minimums.
#3123: Zinnia Wealth Management, Ocala, Fla. Growth: 172%
Wealth management firm specializing in retirement and estate conservation, with financial products and services tailored to individual client needs.
#3444: Hightower Advisors, Chicago. Growth: 152%
Wealth management firm providing investment, financial and retirement planning services to individuals, foundations and family offices.
#3546: Foresight Wealth Management, Draper, Utah. Growth: 146%
Financial planner helping clients with every step of the retirement planning process and focused on building strong relationships with clients.
#3858: Mission Wealth, Santa Barbara, Calif. Growth: 128%
Wealth management firm providing financial planning, investment management, estate planning, risk management, charitable giving, tax planning, retirement planning and more.
#3957: King Financial Network, Manalapan, N.J. Growth: 123%
Team-based wealth management network offering guidance in financial, estate, insurance, tax and retirement planning to secure legacies for clients.
#4128: Sensible Money, Scottsdale, Ariz. Growth: 114%
Arizona-based financial planning firm working with high-net-worth clients across the country who are transitioning into retirement.
#4338: Sequoia Financial Group LLC, Akron, Ohio. Growth: 104%
Ohio-based firm offering financial services including asset management, estate and retirement planning, fiduciary consulting and family wealth services.
#4485: Thrive Capital Management/Thrive Financial Services, Fort Washington, Pa. Growth: 99%
Financial services firm offering retirement income planning, investment and risk management, forward tax planning and legacy planning.
#4576: Summit CPA Group, Fort Wayne, Ind. Growth: 95%
Fully distributed accounting firm using a nontraditional approach to provide virtual CFO services and 401k audits.
#4765: Merit Financial Advisors, Alpharetta, Ga. Growth: 88%
Wealth management firm with particular expertise helping individuals and families in transition, including retirement, widowhood, divorce and other life events.
#4771: Krilogy, St. Louis. Growth: 87%
Independent wealth management firm guides clients through retirement, buying or selling a business and leaving a legacy for future generations.
#4940: W.A. Smith Financial Group, Sheffield Village, Ohio. Growth: 82%
Financial services company providing wealth management services, including retirement planning, for over ten years from its three Ohio-based offices.
#4964: Archford, Swansea, Ill. Growth: 81%
Family-forward financial services company offering wealth management, retirement planning, business consulting, accounting, data management and philanthropic services under one roof.
How the 2022 Inc. 5000 was selected
Companies on the 2022 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2018 to 2021. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2018. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2021. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2018 is $100,000; the minimum for 2021 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Growth rates used to determine company rankings were calculated to four decimal places.
Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.
SEE ALSO:
• Vestwell CEO Aaron Schumm on Who Owns the Participant and What’s Next for Recordkeeping
Veteran financial services industry journalist Brian Anderson joined 401(k) Specialist as Managing Editor in January 2019. He has led editorial content for a variety of well-known properties including Insurance Forums, Life Insurance Selling, National Underwriter Life & Health, and Senior Market Advisor. He has always maintained a focus on providing readers with timely, useful information intended to help them build their business.
