What this article covers
Find financial advisors in Sarasota, Florida ready to help with your financial planning needs so you can enjoy life more with less money stress.
Financial Advisor Directory for Sarasota, Florida
📍 Map: Financial Advisors with their Primary Office Location in Sarasota
Double-click (or pinch the map on mobile devices) to zoom in and expand the details for financial advisors whose primary office location is in Sarasota.
📍Double-click or pinch pins to view more.
📍 Additional Advisors Who Serve Clients in Sarasota
In addition to the advisors featured above, these advisors can also meet with you in person in Sarasota.
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Key Takeaways
You can compare Sarasota financial advisors by credentials, specialty and verified client reviews before you contact anyone.
The map shows advisors whose primary office is in Sarasota, and the section below it lists advisors who also serve Sarasota clients in person or virtually. Profiles include Certified Advisor Reviews™, designations such as the CFP® and the services each advisor offers.
Back-to-back hurricanes, a health care and public-sector job base, and Florida’s retiree-friendly tax rules shape the planning help many Sarasota residents need.
Hurricane Milton made landfall on Siesta Key in 2024, two weeks after Helene’s surge, so flood coverage and storm reserves belong in every plan. Sarasota Memorial and the county school system are the largest employers, and public school staff face a key Florida Retirement System choice. Florida has no state income tax, and voter-approved homestead changes are scheduled to begin in 2027.
Interview more than one advisor and confirm how each one is paid.
Ask about services, fees and whether the advisor acts as a fiduciary, then check their background for free on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website before you hire.
Financial Planning Considerations for Sarasota Residents
Every city has its own financial landscape. Here are a few local factors worth discussing with a Sarasota financial advisor.
Hurricanes Milton and Helene
Hurricane Milton made landfall on Siesta Key as a Category 3 storm on the evening of October 9, 2024, about two weeks after Hurricane Helene’s surge reached Sarasota County’s coast. The National Hurricane Center estimated 4 to 6 feet of Milton’s surge inundation from Longboat Key to Venice. Most standard homeowners policies do not cover flood, and federal flood policies typically take 30 days to become active. Citizens Property Insurance is phasing in a flood coverage requirement that reaches nearly all of its wind-covered home policies by January 1, 2027.
Sarasota Memorial, schools and public employers
SMH Health Care, the Sarasota Memorial system, is Sarasota County’s largest employer with 10,341 workers, followed by the School Board with 6,352 and county government with 3,568. School district employees join the Florida Retirement System and must choose between the Pension Plan and the Investment Plan by the last business day of the eighth month after the month they were hired. See our Q&A for FRS members. Walmart also ranks among the county’s largest employers; see our Walmart Q&A.
No state income tax, and homestead changes ahead
Florida has no personal income tax, so pensions and IRA withdrawals avoid state tax. Save Our Homes limits yearly increases in a homestead’s assessed value to 3% or inflation, whichever is less (2.7% for 2026), and owners who move within Florida can transfer up to $500,000 of that benefit if they apply within about three years of leaving the old homestead. Florida voters approved Amendment 3 on November 3, 2026, according to unofficial returns; as passed, it raises the non-school homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028.
The Benefits of Hiring a Financial Advisor in Sarasota
Hiring a financial advisor can be a great move to help you build a long-term investing strategy. Advisors can help you build an investment portfolio to meet your financial goals and help you plan appropriately for retirement.
As a resident living in Sarasota, hiring a financial advisor who lives nearby and understands the local economy, cost of living, and regional employers can be quite valuable, especially if your individual circumstances are deeply tied to such factors.
Who are the largest employers in the Sarasota area?
Health care, public schools, grocery retail and local government lead Sarasota County’s employer base, along with window and door maker PGT. The list below ranks the county’s largest employers by headcount, and highlighted employers link to advisor Q&As relevant to their workers.
- SMH Health Care (Sarasota Memorial) 10,341 employees
- School Board of Sarasota CountyRead advisor Q&A →6,352 employees
- Publix Super Markets 4,374 employees
- Sarasota County GovernmentRead advisor Q&A →3,568 employees
- PGT Industries 2,368 employees
- WalmartRead advisor Q&A →1,938 employees
- Universal Protection Services 953 employees
- City of North Port 870 employees
- City of Sarasota 867 employees
- U.S. Postal Service 726 employees
Work for one of these companies or another large employer? Explore our employer Q&As for advice on making the most of your benefits.
Source: City of Sarasota, Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for fiscal year 2025, Principal Employers in Sarasota County (2026). Counts are for Sarasota County, not limited to the City of Sarasota.
Do you work for one of the largest employers in Sarasota? If so, there’s a good chance the local financial advisor you hire will also have other clients who work there. This knowledge could prove valuable if they are already familiar with your employee benefits, such as a 401(k) plan, Health Savings Accounts, and other components of your total compensation package.
When you reach out to financial advisors you’re considering hiring, let them know where you work and ask if they are familiar with your employer’s unique benefits and compensation structure.
Types of Financial Advisors You’ll Find on Wealthtender
Thousands of people visit Wealthtender each month to find and compare financial advisors based on their location, education, experience, areas of specialization and online reviews. Wealthtender’s Certified Advisor Reviews™ help consumers make informed hiring decisions with important details about the relationship between reviewers and advisors always displayed to ensure you gain the transparency you deserve when your life savings could be at stake.
On Wealthtender, you can explore a diverse range of financial advisors and wealth management firms that include:
- Fiduciary advisors committed to acting in clients’ best interests
- CFP® professionals with advanced financial planning credentials
- Fee-only advisors compensated solely by clients
- Advisors for growing families, people nearing retirement, and business owners
- Specialists across multiple categories (e.g., life stage, occupation, ethnicity, lifestyle, religion)
- Highly-rated advisors with positive client reviews
- Firms of varying sizes with advisors who can meet with you in person or online
- Fee-based advisors who offer access to insurance and alternative investments
How to use this directory: Compare financial advisors in the Sarasota area based on what matters most to you. Use the directory to:
- View advisor profiles to evaluate credentials, services, and areas of specialization
- Read Certified Advisor Reviews™ to learn what clients value most
- Identify advisors recognized with Wealthtender Voice of the Client Awards™
- Contact advisors and schedule free introductory video calls
Wealthtender Voice of the Client Awards™: Top Rated Sarasota Financial Advisors
Wealthtender Voice of the Client Awards™ recognize financial advisors and firms that consistently earn exceptional client feedback. Below are Sarasota-area advisors and firms that have met the criteria for Highly Rated recognition.
| Firm/Advisor | Firm | City | State | Voice of the Client Award | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filip Telibasa, CFP® | Benzina Wealth | Sarasota | Florida | 2026 Highly Rated Advisor | Website |
| Stephen Schulmerich, CFP®, AIF® | Schulmerich & Associates Asset Management | Longboat Key | Florida | 2026 Highly Rated Advisor | Website |
| Dan Bennett, CFP® | Lake Water Advisory | Lakewood Ranch | Florida | 2025 Highly Rated Advisor | Website |
To qualify for a Highly Rated award, advisors and firms must achieve an average client review rating of 4.75 or higher (on a scale of 1 to 5) based on a minimum number of eligible client reviews published on Wealthtender within a defined timeframe for each particular award (Timeframe for 2025 Award: 1/1/24 – 12/31/25; Timeframe for Subsequent Year Awards: July 1 of the preceding year through December 31 of the Award Year (e.g., Timeframe for 2026 Award 7/1/25 – 12/31/26). Eligible reviews are limited to clients (as of the review submission date) that advisors/firms must self-attest have no material conflicts of interest and received no compensation in exchange for their reviews. ↗️ View full award methodology & FAQs
Although financial advisors and wealth management firms compensate Wealthtender for marketing services (including eligibility to be considered for awards), Wealthtender’s award criteria is objective and not influenced by compensation. Wealthtender Voice of the Client Awards are not a guarantee of future performance or success and client reviews may not be representative of the experience of all past or future clients.
Quick Tips For Hiring a Sarasota Financial Advisor
Before hiring a financial advisor in Sarasota, here are a few quick tips to help you find the best advisor for you.
Decide Which Services You Need
Before hiring an advisor, determine what services you need from them. Whether it’s full-service investment management or a plan focused on a specific area of your finances, put together a list of what you’d like help with before contacting an advisor.
Though most people use a financial planner simply to invest for retirement, this is only a small part of what many advisors offer. Here’s a quick rundown of potential services a financial advisor may offer you:
- Budgeting and money management
- Debt management
- Insurance planning
- Retirement planning
- Other investment planning
- Inheritance planning
- Estate planning
- Tax planning
As you can see, financial advisors can help you with your entire financial picture, not just investing. As you start to plan for life’s bigger milestones, you should consider finding a financial advisor who specializes in those areas.
Finding the right advisor can help you minimize risk, maximize gains and take advantage of tax breaks while investing for your future. They can also help you protect your assets with the right kinds of insurance and help you pass on your financial legacy with a proper estate plan.
Consider Your Budget and Payment Preferences
Once you have a list of services you would like, review the fee structures financial advisors offer. Finding a balance between the services you need and the cost of those services will help narrow down the field of advisors you may want to work with.
If you are looking for a full-service advisor to manage all of your investments, consider searching among fee-based financial advisors. If you want to manage your money yourself, consider the flat fee and monthly subscription advisors for ongoing support.
Interview Multiple Financial Advisors
Once you have chosen the services and fee structure you prefer, it’s time to contact a few advisors and interview them. Here are questions to ask financial advisors:
- What services do you provide?
- What are all the ways you get paid? (fee transparency)
- What is your investment strategy?
- How do you measure investment performance?
- How do we communicate about my plan?
Interview multiple advisors to get a feel for who you want to work with. A combination of fees, services, and customer service will help you determine the best fit for your financial advice.
Review Financial Advisor Credentials
Once you find an advisor (or two) you feel comfortable with, it’s always a good practice to check their credentials and the firm’s details. You can do this at the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) website.
You can check both the individual and the firm to view their background and experience details, as well as any disciplinary action taken against them or their firm.
As licensed financial professionals, there is oversight into how financial advisors conduct business, so running a quick (free) check on them is recommended.
For additional information about advisor credentials, read our article to learn the most popular designations held by financial advisors, as well as specialized credentials which may be important to consider if you have unique financial planning needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Financial advisors and wealth management firms that consistently receive superior client reviews can also qualify for Wealthtender’s Voice of the Client Awards™ designed to recognize America’s most trusted advisors. Learn More About Wealthtender Voice of the Client Awards™
Clients and other individuals can submit reviews for financial advisors and wealth management firms that have turned on the reviews feature. Before each review is publicly displayed, financial advisors agree to disclose important information about their relationship with the reviewer to ensure consumers gain the transparency they deserve when their life savings could be at stake. These disclosures also help financial advisors satisfy compliance with industry regulations.
After financial advisors provide the required disclosures, Wealthtender publishes the review with the Certified Advisor Review™ mark. Learn More About Certified Advisor Reviews™
For example, financial advisors who have earned their Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation are fiduciaries. To hold themselves out as a CFP, these credential holders must acknowledge they will adhere to the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct and act as a fiduciary when providing financial advice to their clients. Learn More About Fiduciary Financial Advisors
When viewing financial advisor profiles on Wealthtender, look for the Compensation Methods section that shows ways each financial advisor can be paid for their services, including if they offer fee-only financial planning services. Learn More About Fee-Only Financial Advisors
Please note: Wealthtender may be compensated by financial advisors featured on our site and within this guide. Learn more about how we operate with integrity to earn your trust.
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About the author
Founder & CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Wealthtender
Brian Thorp is the founder and CEO of Wealthtender and its Editor-in-Chief. With more than 25 years in the financial services industry, he is applying his experience and passion at Wealthtender to help more people enjoy life with less money stress.
Brian and his wife live in Austin, Texas.
Wealthtender is a trusted, independent financial directory and educational resource governed by our strict Editorial Policy, Integrity Standards, and Terms of Use. While we receive compensation from featured professionals (a natural conflict of interest), we always operate with integrity and transparency to earn your trust. Wealthtender is not a client of these providers. ➡️ Find a Local Advisor | 🎯 Find a Specialist Advisor