CNBC outlines 2026 Elite Advisors selection methodology for U.S. wealth management firms

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CNBC Elite Advisors methodology 2026

Highlights

CNBC's 2026 Elite Advisors list includes 25 unranked independent RIAs, each managing U.S. clients with at least $25 million in investable assets.
Eligibility requires no regulatory disclosures on Form ADV and performance across measures like organizational scalability, ultra-high-net-worth AUM, services breadth, and client retention.
The methodology, developed with AccuPoint Solutions and Cerulli Associates, targets RIAs outside traditional banking/brokerage, underscoring the growing influence of specialized, independent wealth advisers.

Selection framework for 2026 list

As reported by CNBC, the 2026 Elite Advisors methodology was developed with input from AccuPoint Solutions and Cerulli Associates, two firms focused on wealth management research, data and consulting. CNBC says the process is designed to identify advisory firms operating at the highest end of the market, where client needs often span businesses, generations and international financial interests.

Independent registered investment advisors, or RIAs, managing U.S. clients with investable assets of $25 million or more were eligible for this year’s list. CNBC says it solicited information from more than 100 firms, then used that information for a quantitative review that produced an unranked list of 25 firms.

The assessment measures organizational scalability, assets under management tied to ultra-high-net-worth clients, the breadth and sophistication of services and investment strategies, professional certifications, industry recognition and broader reputation factors such as client retention and tenure. Firms also must pass a due diligence review that includes checking regulatory disclosures in Form ADV filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and any firms with such disclosures are excluded.

Industry focus and market significance

CNBC says the methodology is intentionally centered on firms outside the traditional brokerage and banking model, allowing for more consistent comparison among advisors with similar business structures and obligations. That focus highlights a distinct part of the advisory market that is becoming increasingly influential as wealthy families seek more specialized and independent financial guidance.

The list aims to capture more than firm size alone, reflecting the ability to build lasting relationships with affluent clients and to manage complex financial demands with advanced capabilities. In practice, that positions the Elite Advisors designation as a marker of operational depth and client-service quality in the upper tier of the U.S. wealth management sector.

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