5 Best Financial Services in Chicago (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Lorian Hartfield, Real Estate and Financial Expert · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 8 min read

Picking a financial advisor or tax preparer in Chicago is one of those decisions that quietly shapes years of your life, yet most people choose based on a referral from a friend rather than the actual record. Every firm on this page holds a Google rating of 4.7 or higher, and between them they have logged more than 250 reviews, so the split here comes down to what kind of service you actually need.

Short answer: McAdam Financial and Serenity Wealth Management both hold perfect 5.0 ratings, with McAdam the most-reviewed of the two at 82 reviews focused on retirement and wealth planning. APA Financial Services stands out for tax preparation specifically, at 4.7 stars across 61 reviews. None of these firms publish flat-fee pricing online, since financial planning and tax work is typically quoted based on your specific situation.

Jump to a business

1. McAdam Financial
2. APA Financial Services
3. Serenity Wealth Manage…
4. Stenger Family Office…
5. CTS Financial Group
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Chicago's Financial Services Firms Compared

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	McAdam Financial	5.0 ★	82	Retirement and wealth planning	View ›
2	APA Financial Services	4.7 ★	61	Tax preparation	View ›
3	Serenity Wealth Management	5.0 ★	44	Younger clients / financial planning	View ›
4	Stenger Family Office \| Chicago Financial Advisor	5.0 ★	44	Family office services	View ›
5	CTS Financial Group	4.8 ★	25	Long-term tax and investment relationships	View ›

5 Best Financial Services in Chicago (2026)

Our picks, reviewed

#1 Overall🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

McAdam Financial

5.082 Google reviews

McAdam Financial is a wealth management and retirement planning firm with a Chicago office among several locations across multiple states, offering full financial planning and asset management. Its advisors work with clients on retirement income strategy, tax liability planning, and protecting savings against inflation and market volatility, and the firm runs regular educational events for prospective clients.

What people praise

Reviewers consistently name specific advisors and describe clear, responsive communication
Multiple reviewers mention advisors working around their schedule
Perfect rating across the largest review base on this page

Worth knowing

Multi-state firm structure means you may work with an advisor outside the local Chicago office

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating5 / 5

Review volume82 · 96th

Confidencemoderate

Recency5 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown99% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed firm here and the top pick for retirement-focused planning, with reviewers consistently praising specific named advisors. A strong first call if retirement is the main goal.

Website +1312-509-4500 Directions

111 W Jackson Blvd Ste 1700, Chicago, IL 60604

#2🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

APA Financial Services

4.761 Google reviews

APA Financial Services is a Loop-based accounting firm offering tax preparation, audit representation, business formation, and insurance consulting, describing itself as serving more than 500 Chicago-area businesses. Alex, the firm's CPA, is named repeatedly in reviews as the primary point of contact for many long-term clients.

What people praise

Reviewers praise fast turnaround and clear communication on tax filings
Long-standing client relationships mentioned across multiple reviews
Handles both individual and business tax needs

Worth knowing

One detailed review describes significant delays and communication issues over a multi-year IRS dispute
A handful of reviews mention high rates relative to the service received

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume61 · 88th

Confidenceearly

Recency4 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown92% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Strong for straightforward tax prep based on most reviews, though the one detailed negative review describes a rough multi-year experience. Ask directly about their process for handling any IRS correspondence delays before signing on.

Website +1312-907-2235 Directions

17 E Monroe St Ste 178, Chicago, IL 60603

#3🕑 Open 6 days/wk

Serenity Wealth Management

5.044 Google reviews

Serenity Wealth Management is a Loop-based financial planning and investment advisory firm whose reviews center heavily on advisor Jason Paplaski, described repeatedly as approachable for clients in their twenties and thirties who might otherwise be overlooked by larger firms. The practice offers portfolio tracking tools and quarterly benchmarking reports alongside standard financial planning.

What people praise

Reviewers specifically credit the firm with making younger clients feel taken seriously
Described as responsive to quick questions, not just scheduled meetings
Perfect rating across all reviews on file

Worth knowing

Smaller review base than the largest firms on this page

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating5 / 5

Review volume44 · 77th

Confidenceearly

Recency5 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown100% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A perfect rating and a clear reputation for working well with younger clients building their first real financial plan. Worth a look if you feel like a smaller account at other firms.

Website +1312-734-1415 Directions

333 S Wabash Ave Unit 2700, Chicago, IL 60604

#4🕑 Open 5 days/wk

Stenger Family Office | Chicago Financial Advisor

5.044 Google reviews

Stenger Family Office is a fiduciary financial advisory firm with a Chicago location among several across multiple states, offering wealth management, investment management, family office services, and tax preparation. The firm markets specialized expertise for retirement planning and clients affiliated with specific large employers.

What people praise

Reviewers describe the team as responsive and easy to work with
Multiple reviewers mention feeling genuinely cared for, not just processed
Perfect rating across all reviews on file

Worth knowing

Multi-state firm, so local Chicago office experience may vary from the general reviews
Smaller review base than the top pick on this page

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating5 / 5

Review volume44 · 77th

Confidenceearly

Recency4 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown100% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A fiduciary firm with a clean rating and warm reviews, though the multi-location structure means it is worth confirming exactly who in Chicago will be handling your account.

Website +1630-912-8295 Directions

150 N Riverside Plaza #1950, Chicago, IL 60606

#5🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

CTS Financial Group

4.825 Google reviews

CTS Financial Group is a Michigan Avenue firm offering wealth and investment management, financial and tax planning, and insurance services, with several reviewers describing relationships going back a decade or more. Named advisors Max, Jon Much, Todd and Chris appear repeatedly across reviews as the primary contacts clients return to year after year.

What people praise

Multiple reviewers describe working with the firm for 10 or more years
Reviewers highlight patience with detailed or last-minute tax questions
Handles both W-2 and 1099 income situations, per reviewers

Worth knowing

Most recent reviews on file are a couple of years old, so recent client experience is less visible

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.8 / 5

Review volume25 · 58th

Confidenceearly

Recency3 years ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown96% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The firm with the deepest apparent client tenure on this page, useful if you are looking for someone to stick with long term rather than a one-off consultation.

Website +1312-337-1040 Directions

737 N Michigan Ave #2120, Chicago, IL 60611

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How we compare these firms

Rating is the live Google average for each firm. Review volume shows how many clients have actually left a review, weighed against others on this page. Confidence blends rating with volume, since a perfect score built on a handful of reviews carries less weight than one built on hundreds. Recency tracks how recently clients are still reviewing. No firm can pay to change any of these numbers.

What do financial services cost in Chicago? (2026)

None of the firms on this page publish flat fees online. Financial planning and wealth management are typically priced as a percentage of assets managed or a flat retainer, while tax preparation fees vary by the complexity of your return. Ask each firm for a written fee schedule before committing, and treat any advice here as a starting point, not a substitute for your own professional consultation.

Financial services firms across Chicago

These firms cluster in and around the Loop and Michigan Avenue corridor, with a couple maintaining offices in nearby Riverside Plaza and along Wabash Avenue. That downtown concentration makes most of them easy to reach for anyone working in the central business district, whether you need an in-person meeting or are comfortable handling most communication remotely.

What to ask before you hire a financial services firm

Are you a fiduciary, and is that in writing?
How are you compensated: flat fee, percentage of assets, or commission?
Who exactly will be my main point of contact, and how quickly do you respond?
How do you communicate delays or issues, including with agencies like the IRS?
Can you provide references from clients with a similar financial situation to mine?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these financial services firms?

We looked at financial planning, wealth management, and tax firms in Chicago with a real Google presence, then compared their live ratings, review volume, and what clients say about communication and outcomes.

How often is this updated?

We refresh the ratings and review data periodically. This page was last verified in July 2026.

Should I still meet with more than one firm before deciding?

Yes. Ratings and reviews are a useful starting point, but a financial advisor or tax preparer works closely with your personal situation, so an initial consultation to compare fit and fees is worth doing before committing to one firm.

The bottom line

McAdam Financial is the safest default given its review volume and consistent praise for retirement planning, while Serenity Wealth Management is worth a look if you are younger and want an advisor who won’t treat your account as an afterthought. Whichever firm you choose, get the fee structure in writing before signing anything.

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