Executive Summary
Key Takeaway: Nashville’s financial advisory landscape spans SEC-registered independent firms managing from hundreds of millions to over $120 billion in client assets, offering services from retirement income planning for middle-income professionals to family office operations for ultra-high net worth clients, with specializations ranging from musician-focused wealth management to institutional endowment advisory across downtown, West End, and Cleghorn Avenue locations.
What You’ll Find: Goldstone Financial Group (retirement income specialists), Lee, Danner & Bass (Nashville-based independent with institutional expertise), Adams Wealth Partners (entertainment industry focus via Raymond James), HB Wealth (family office services), EP Wealth Advisors (comprehensive planning, nearly $40B AUM), Steward Partners Nashville (hybrid brokerage-RIA model), and Brown Advisory (global investment management with Nashville presence).
Critical Selection Rules:
- Asset minimums vary dramatically: some firms serve clients with hundreds of thousands while others focus on multi-million dollar portfolios requiring family office services
- Fee structures differ: fee-only fiduciary firms charge based on assets under management while hybrid models may include commission-based products
- Specializations matter: entertainment industry expertise, business exit planning, and multi-generational wealth transfer require different advisor backgrounds
- Registration status indicates regulatory oversight: SEC-registered investment advisors (RIAs) operate under fiduciary standards requiring client-first recommendations
- Geographic convenience affects meeting frequency: downtown versus suburban locations influence ongoing relationship maintenance
Additional Benefits: This guide provides confirmed Nashville addresses, phone numbers, and registration details based on publicly available regulatory filings and firm disclosures, distinguishing comprehensive wealth management from specialized retirement planning and institutional advisory services.
Next Steps: Determine your asset level and planning needs (retirement income vs. comprehensive wealth management vs. business succession), verify current regulatory status through SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website, schedule introductory meetings with multiple firms to compare approaches, clarify fee structures and minimum account requirements, verify advisor credentials (CFP, CFA, etc.), and understand service model (ongoing planning vs. investment-only management) before engaging.
Understanding Nashville’s Financial Advisory Landscape
Nashville’s financial advisory sector reflects the city’s economic evolution from regional banking center to diversified wealth management hub serving entertainment industry professionals, healthcare executives, and multi-generational families. The presence of both nationally-scaled firms and Nashville-headquartered independents creates options spanning boutique local expertise and institutional-grade resources.
The downtown and West End corridor concentrates financial advisory offices, positioning advisors near business districts and affluent residential areas. Recent expansion includes firms opening Nashville offices to serve Tennessee’s growing high-net-worth population, particularly clients relocating from higher-tax states seeking Tennessee’s favorable income tax environment. Tennessee levies no state income tax on wages or investment income (the Hall tax on interest and dividends was fully repealed in 2021), though higher sales and local property taxes partially offset that advantage.
Entertainment industry specialization distinguishes Nashville’s advisory landscape from other Southern cities. Advisors serving musicians, songwriters, and entertainment professionals navigate irregular income patterns, royalty structures, and career transition planning unique to creative industries. This expertise concentration reflects Nashville’s music industry dominance and creates specialized advisory niche serving songwriters, producers, and content creators.
Family office services availability increased as Nashville’s ultra-high net worth population grew. Some firms provide consolidated reporting, bill payment, philanthropic coordination, and governance services beyond traditional investment management, serving families requiring comprehensive financial life management rather than portfolio-only services.
Fee-only fiduciary models compete with hybrid commission-and-fee structures, requiring clients to understand compensation differences. Fee-only advisors charge based on assets under management or flat fees, eliminating product sale commissions. Hybrid firms may recommend commission-based insurance or annuity products alongside advisory services, creating different incentive structures.
SEC registration provides regulatory oversight and public disclosure requirements, allowing clients to research advisor backgrounds, fee structures, and disciplinary history through Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) system. Assets under management (AUM) figures indicate firm scale but not necessarily service quality, as boutique firms may provide more personalized attention than large-scale operations.
The Top 7 Financial Advisors in Nashville (2025)
1. Goldstone Financial Group: Retirement Income Specialists
Nashville Address: 222 2nd Ave South, 17th Floor, Nashville, TN 37201
Phone: (630) 620-9300 (corporate line)
Website: goldstonefinancialgroup.com
Registration & Assets: SEC-registered investment advisor. Based on available regulatory filings, Goldstone Financial Group manages hundreds of millions of dollars in regulatory assets under management for clients typically in the mid-six-figure portfolio range. Prospective clients should verify exact current figures against the most recent Form ADV filing.
Target Clientele: Individuals approaching or in retirement, upper-income professionals, small business owners focusing on retirement income and “paycheck replacement” strategies rather than wealth accumulation phase.
Service Focus: Goldstone emphasizes retirement income planning including Social Security optimization, IRA and 401(k) rollover strategies, and annuity solutions for guaranteed income streams. The firm coordinates tax planning using tax-deferred and tax-free account combinations, health and Medicare planning including long-term care considerations, and estate legacy planning involving trusts and probate reduction strategies.
The downtown location serves Nashville’s professional and retiree populations, with the 17th-floor office providing convenient access to clients working in or visiting downtown business district. The retirement income specialization distinguishes this from comprehensive wealth management firms serving primarily accumulation-phase clients.
Best for: Pre-retirees and retirees, income planning focus, Social Security optimization
Specialization: Retirement income distribution strategies
Typical client profile: Mid-six-figure portfolios
Fee structure: Verify directly with firm
2. Lee, Danner & Bass, Inc.: Nashville-Based Independent
Nashville Address: One American Center, 3100 West End Avenue, Suite 1250, Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (615) 244-7775 | Toll-free: (888) 955-6111
Website: leedannerbass.com
Registration: Nashville-headquartered SEC-registered independent investment advisor with long-standing presence serving individual and institutional portfolio management needs.
Target Clientele: High net worth individuals, families, foundations, retirement plans, and institutions seeking long-term custom portfolio management rather than standardized investment solutions.
Service Focus: Lee, Danner & Bass provides customized portfolio management across equity, fixed income, and balanced strategies. The firm emphasizes long-term investment approach and risk management tailored to individual client circumstances. Services extend to financial planning and analysis, foundation and endowment portfolio management for institutional clients, and comprehensive wealth strategy coordination.
The West End Avenue location places this firm in Nashville’s traditional wealth management corridor, convenient for West Nashville and Belle Meade area clients. The Nashville-headquartered structure creates local decision-making rather than remote branch management, potentially benefiting clients preferring relationship continuity with local principals.
Best for: Custom portfolio management, institutional clients, local Nashville firm
Specialization: Equity and fixed income management, foundations
Structure: Nashville-headquartered independent
Fee structure: Verify directly with firm
3. Adams Wealth Partners: Entertainment Industry Focus
Nashville Address: 2905 12th Ave South, Suite 108, Nashville, TN 37204
Phone: (615) 435-3644
Website: davidadamsfinancialplanning.com
Registration & Structure: Securities and investment advisory services provided through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. and Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Adams Wealth Partners (formerly branded as David Adams Wealth Group) operates as distinct brand within Raymond James infrastructure.
Target Clientele: Adams Wealth Partners has built a clear niche around songwriters, musicians, entrepreneurs, divorcees, and corporate executives in Nashville’s entertainment ecosystem. The firm serves families experiencing unexpected wealth events, individuals navigating life transitions, and small business owners.
Service Focus: The entertainment industry specialization addresses irregular income patterns, royalty management, and career transition planning common among creative professionals. Services include comprehensive financial planning, retirement strategies and income planning, investment management through Raymond James platform, and coordination of tax, estate, and insurance planning. The firm emphasizes life transition advisory for divorce, career changes, and liquidity events.
The 12th Avenue South location serves Nashville’s creative community and southside neighborhoods, reflecting the firm’s entertainment industry focus. The Raymond James affiliation provides institutional resources and product access while maintaining boutique advisory relationship model.
Best for: Musicians and entertainment professionals, life transitions, comprehensive planning
Specialization: Entertainment industry wealth management (songwriters, musicians, content creators)
Platform: Raymond James affiliated
Fee structure: Verify directly with firm (may include commission-based products)
4. HB Wealth: Family Office Services
Nashville Address: 1033 Demonbreun Street, Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (404) 264-1400 (Atlanta headquarters line)
Email: info@hbwealth.com
Website: hbwealth.com
Registration & Assets: SEC-registered fee-only fiduciary RIA. According to publicly available information, HB Wealth manages over $25 billion in client assets for thousands of clients, with typical client portfolios well into the multi-million-dollar range. Exact current figures should be verified through the firm’s most recent Form ADV filing.
Target Clientele: High and ultra-high net worth individuals and families, multi-generational wealth holders, entrepreneurs, C-level executives, and families with complex asset structures requiring family office-level services.
Service Focus: HB Wealth is explicitly marketed as a fee-only fiduciary RIA providing wealth advisory, investment management, and family office services. The firm offers comprehensive investment management including traditional and alternative investments (private equity, private credit, real estate access), extensive financial planning, multi-generational planning with estate and wealth transfer strategies, tax planning and wealth forecasting, retirement planning with risk management, and family office services including consolidated reporting, bill payment, governance coordination, and philanthropic advisory.
The Demonbreun Street location positions HB Wealth in Nashville’s Gulch area near downtown business district. The substantial typical client portfolio size indicates focus on high net worth segment rather than mass affluent market. The fee-only fiduciary structure eliminates commission-based product recommendations.
Best for: High net worth families, family office services, alternative investments
Specialization: Multi-generational wealth, complex estate planning
Assets under management: Over $25 billion
Typical client profile: Multi-million-dollar portfolios
Fee structure: Fee-only fiduciary (no commissions)
5. EP Wealth Advisors: Comprehensive Planning at Scale
Nashville Address: 3835 Cleghorn Ave, Suite 250, Nashville, TN 37215
Phone: (615) 292-6889
Website: epwealth.com
Registration & Assets: Large independent RIA managing over $32.6 billion in client assets as of March 31, 2025, and nearly $40 billion by August 31, 2025, operating through more than 50 offices nationwide following various strategic acquisitions.
Target Clientele: Upper-income individuals, families, business owners, and corporate retirement plans. Nashville office typically serves affluent families, professionals, and business owners across wealth spectrum.
Service Focus: EP Wealth provides comprehensive financial planning, investment management and portfolio construction, retirement planning, tax planning coordination, estate and legacy planning, and business owner exit and liquidity planning strategies.
The Cleghorn Avenue location serves Green Hills and surrounding affluent Nashville neighborhoods. The national scale provides institutional resources while maintaining local advisory relationships. The broad client base (not exclusively ultra-high net worth) creates accessibility for professionals and business owners not meeting family office minimums.
Best for: Comprehensive planning, business owners, upper-income professionals
Specialization: Business exit planning, retirement strategies
Assets under management: Over $32.6B (March 2025), nearly $40B (August 2025)
Scale: 50+ offices nationally
Fee structure: Verify directly with firm
6. Steward Partners Nashville: Hybrid Brokerage-RIA Model
Nashville Address: 555 Marriott Dr, Suite 150, Nashville, TN 37214
Phone: (615) 637-2070
Website: stewardpartners.com
Registration & Assets: Steward Partners Investment Advisory, SEC-registered with hybrid structure. According to firm disclosures, Steward Partners’ advisory entities are responsible for over $32 billion in client assets as of January 2024, with additional assets under advisement.
Target Clientele: Families, multi-generational investors, institutions, business owners requiring full-service brokerage plus registered investment advisor capabilities for complex financial needs.
Service Focus: Comprehensive wealth planning, investment strategy and professional portfolio management, corporate advisory and business solutions, coordination of retirement, tax, and estate planning across disciplines.
Important Note: Some third-party mapping sources indicate this location as “permanently closed,” though SEC filings and firm websites continue listing Nashville office in active locations. Prospective clients should verify current operational status directly with firm before scheduling meetings.
The Marriott Drive location serves eastern Nashville and surrounding areas. The hybrid brokerage-RIA structure provides both commission-based brokerage accounts and fee-based advisory accounts, allowing clients to choose compensation models based on service needs.
Best for: Clients seeking hybrid service model, institutional advisory
Specialization: Multi-generational planning, business solutions
Assets reported: Over $32 billion (as of January 2024)
Structure: Hybrid brokerage and RIA
Status note: Verify current operational status before contact
7. Brown Advisory: Global Investment Management
Nashville Address: 1222 Demonbreun Street, Suite 1435, Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (629) 276-9001
Website: brownadvisory.com
Registration & Structure: Independent global investment management and strategic advisory firm with 1,000+ employees operating as employee-owned partnership serving institutional and individual clients. According to its most recent Form ADV filing, Brown Advisory managed approximately $121.9 billion in regulatory assets under management as of December 31, 2024, and reports overseeing about $148 billion in total client assets globally in its most recent annual report.
Target Clientele: High and ultra-high net worth individuals and families, family offices, foundations, endowments, institutions, and charitable organizations requiring institutional-grade investment management.
Service Focus: Brown Advisory provides institutional-quality investment management across public and private markets, strategic advisory services including asset allocation policy and governance, ESG and sustainable investment strategies, family wealth planning, and charitable and foundation advisory services.
The Demonbreun Street location positions Brown Advisory in Nashville’s downtown Gulch area. The global scale and employee-ownership structure distinguishes this from privately-owned local firms or national broker-dealer networks. The institutional client base indicates expertise serving complex organizations alongside individual wealth management.
Best for: Institutional-grade management, ESG investing, foundations
Specialization: Sustainable investing, strategic advisory, institutional clients
Structure: Employee-owned global firm
Assets under management: Approximately $121.9 billion (December 31, 2024)
Total client assets: About $148 billion globally
Client types: Individuals, families, institutions, charities
Fee structure: Verify directly with firm
How to Choose the Right Financial Advisor in Nashville
Nashville’s financial advisory diversity requires matching advisor selection to your specific circumstances rather than assuming all advisors serve similar needs.
For retirement income planning: Goldstone Financial Group specializes in distribution phase strategies, Social Security optimization, and income-focused portfolio construction for pre-retirees and retirees. This differs fundamentally from wealth accumulation advisors serving younger professionals building assets.
For entertainment industry professionals: Adams Wealth Partners’ entertainment specialization addresses irregular income patterns, royalty structures, and career transition planning unique to musicians, songwriters, and creative professionals. Generic financial planning may not adequately address these industry-specific challenges including royalty management and career lifecycle transitions.
For high net worth families: HB Wealth and Brown Advisory provide family office services and institutional-grade resources appropriate for complex multi-generational wealth. The substantial typical client portfolio sizes indicate these firms target affluent segment rather than mass market.
For business owners: EP Wealth Advisors emphasizes business exit planning and liquidity event management, critical for entrepreneurs planning succession or sale. Generic advisors may lack expertise navigating business valuation, tax optimization, and post-liquidity wealth management.
For local Nashville focus: Lee, Danner & Bass operates as Nashville-headquartered independent firm, creating local decision-making and potentially stronger community relationships than national branch offices with remote management.
For institutional clients: Lee, Danner & Bass and Brown Advisory serve foundations, endowments, and retirement plans requiring investment policy development, governance frameworks, and institutional-grade oversight beyond individual wealth management.
Understanding fee structures: Fee-only advisors (like HB Wealth) charge based on assets under management or flat fees, eliminating commission-based product sales. Hybrid firms may include commission-based insurance or annuity recommendations alongside advisory services. Fee transparency requires direct inquiry about all compensation sources.
Verifying credentials: Check advisor backgrounds through SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) website at adviserinfo.sec.gov. Review Form ADV documents detailing services, fees, conflicts of interest, and disciplinary history. Professional designations (CFP for financial planning, CFA for investment analysis) indicate specialized training.
Asset minimums vary: Some firms serve clients with several hundred thousand dollars while others require multi-million dollar minimums for family office services. Clarify minimum account requirements during initial consultations to ensure alignment.
Service model differences: Some advisors provide ongoing comprehensive financial planning with regular meetings and life event advisory, while others focus primarily on portfolio management with limited planning services. Clarify service scope and meeting frequency expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between fee-only and commission-based advisors?
Fee-only advisors charge based on assets under management, hourly rates, or flat fees without earning commissions from product sales. This structure aligns advisor compensation with client portfolio growth. Commission-based advisors earn compensation from insurance, annuity, or investment product sales, creating potential conflicts between product recommendations and client needs. Hybrid advisors may use both models. HB Wealth operates as fee-only fiduciary, while firms affiliated with broker-dealers may offer both structures.
What asset level requires a financial advisor?
Advisors serve varying wealth levels. Some firms serve clients with portfolios in the mid-six-figure range, while others focus on multi-million-dollar accounts. Generally, comprehensive financial planning benefits individuals with $500,000+ in investable assets, though retirement planning and tax optimization provide value at lower asset levels. Many firms establish minimum account requirements; verify directly.
How do I verify an advisor’s credentials?
Check SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) website at adviserinfo.sec.gov. Search advisor or firm name to access Form ADV documents detailing services, fees, disciplinary history, and conflicts of interest. Verify professional designations: CFP (Certified Financial Planner) requires comprehensive planning education and ethics standards, CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) indicates investment analysis expertise. State securities regulators provide additional oversight information.
What questions should I ask potential advisors?
Essential questions include: What services do you provide (planning vs. investment-only)? How are you compensated (fee-only, commission, hybrid)? What are your credentials and experience? What’s your investment philosophy? What are your account minimums? How often will we meet? Can you provide client references? What’s your approach to tax planning? How do you coordinate with my CPA and attorney? Request Form ADV Part 2 brochure explaining services and fees.
Do Nashville financial advisors specialize in entertainment industry clients?
Adams Wealth Partners explicitly serves musicians, songwriters, entertainment professionals, and content creators, addressing irregular income, royalty management, and career transitions specific to creative industries. This specialization distinguishes Nashville’s advisory landscape from other cities. Generic advisors may lack expertise navigating entertainment industry financial complexities including publishing rights and touring income.
What’s the difference between RIA and broker-dealer advisors?
Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) operate under fiduciary standard requiring client-first recommendations regardless of advisor compensation. Broker-dealers operate under suitability standard, recommending products suitable for client needs but not necessarily optimal. Some firms (like Steward Partners) offer hybrid models with both RIA and broker-dealer services. Fee-only RIAs (like HB Wealth) eliminate product sale commissions.
When should I consider family office services?
Family office services suit families with substantial investable assets requiring comprehensive financial life management beyond portfolio oversight. Services include consolidated reporting across all accounts, bill payment and cash flow management, philanthropic coordination, governance frameworks for family decision-making, and coordination of multiple professional advisors. HB Wealth and Brown Advisory provide family office capabilities in Nashville.
How do advisors charge fees?
Common structures include: assets under management (AUM) fees typically ranging 0.50% to 1.50% annually depending on account size, hourly planning fees, flat-fee planning for comprehensive plans, and commission-based product sales. Many advisors combine approaches. Request written fee disclosure covering all compensation sources including product commissions and referral payments.
What credentials matter for financial advisors?
Key designations include: CFP (Certified Financial Planner) for comprehensive financial planning covering investments, taxes, retirement, estate, and insurance, CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) for investment management and portfolio analysis, CPA (Certified Public Accountant) for tax expertise, and ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) for financial planning emphasis. Designations require education, examination, experience, and continuing education. Verify through issuing organizations.
Should I use a local Nashville advisor or national firm?
Local firms (like Lee, Danner & Bass) offer Nashville-based decision-making and potentially stronger community relationships. National firms (like EP Wealth, HB Wealth) provide institutional resources, specialized expertise, and geographic diversification if you relocate. Consider: preference for in-person vs. virtual meetings, importance of local market knowledge, desire for institutional resources vs. boutique attention, and whether you plan to remain in Nashville long-term.
Important Disclaimers
This guide provides general information only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Financial advisory services involve complex considerations unique to individual circumstances including risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, tax situations, and estate planning goals.
No recommendation or endorsement: Inclusion in this guide does not constitute endorsement or recommendation of any advisor or firm. Prospective clients must conduct independent due diligence including reviewing regulatory filings, verifying credentials, comparing fee structures, and assessing service alignment with personal needs.
Verify current information: Addresses, phone numbers, assets under management, fee structures, and service offerings change over time. Verify all information directly with firms before making decisions. Regulatory status should be confirmed through SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) system at adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Assets under management figures: All AUM and client asset figures cited in this guide are based on publicly available regulatory filings, firm disclosures, and press releases current as of the dates specified. These figures may have changed since publication. Prospective clients should verify current figures directly through the firm’s most recent Form ADV filing or direct inquiry.
Past performance does not guarantee future results: Investment returns vary based on market conditions, asset allocation, and individual circumstances. No advisor can guarantee specific investment outcomes or eliminate investment risk.
Consult multiple advisors: Interview multiple firms, request proposals in writing, compare fee structures transparently, verify credentials independently, and consider second opinions before engaging any financial advisor.
Fiduciary status: Verify whether advisor operates under fiduciary standard (legally required to act in client’s best interest) or suitability standard (recommendations must be suitable but not necessarily optimal). Fee-only advisors typically operate as fiduciaries, while commission-based advisors may operate under suitability standards.
Conflicts of interest: Review Form ADV Part 2 for disclosure of conflicts including compensation from product sales, referral arrangements, affiliated businesses, and proprietary investment products. Understanding conflicts allows informed evaluation of recommendations.
Tax and legal coordination: Financial advisors typically do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Coordinate with qualified CPAs for tax planning and attorneys for estate planning documents. Comprehensive wealth management requires coordinated professional team.
Operational status verification: Some address and operational status information is based on third-party sources and public listings. Prospective clients should verify current operational status, office locations, and contact information directly with firms before scheduling meetings or traveling to office locations.
Content current as of 2025: Firm information, assets under management, addresses, and contact details based on publicly available sources as of 2025. Regulatory filings, firm disclosures, and operational details may have changed since publication. All information should be independently verified before making financial decisions.
No liability: Author and publisher assume no liability for decisions made based on this information. Financial decisions should result from comprehensive analysis with qualified professionals licensed in appropriate jurisdictions. This guide does not create any advisory, fiduciary, or professional relationship between readers and any firms mentioned.