CFA
Independent wealth management · Est. 2009
Capital that works as hard as you do.
Fee-only advisors managing $2.4 billion for founders, families and professionals. No commissions, no products to sell, just a plan built around your life.
S&P 500 6,412.30 ▲ +0.84%NASDAQ 21,087.55 ▲ +1.12%10Y TREASURY 4.12% ▼ -0.03GOLD $2,981.40 ▲ +1.20%EUR/USD 1.0874 ▲ +0.10%OIL (WTI) $71.08 ▼ -0.62%BITCOIN $96,240 ▲ +2.31%
As featured in
The Ledger ReviewNorthgate WeeklyCapital QuarterlyMeridian BusinessThe Advisor BriefHarbor & Main
Who we are
Independent advice for people who’ve built something.
We started Ardent in 2009 with a simple promise: the advice you get should depend on what’s best for you, not on what pays us more. Sixteen years later we still don’t sell a single product.
- Fee-only fiduciary, legally bound to act in your interest
- One dedicated advisor and a team behind them
- Your money stays in your name at an independent custodian
- Clear reporting every quarter, in plain English
$2.4B
Assets under advice
Across 1,800 households and 40 businesses.
1,800+
Families served
In 31 states and 6 countries.
16
Years independent
Founded in 2009, still partner-owned.
98%
Client retention
Average over the last ten years.
What we do
One plan for every part of your money.
01
Wealth management
A diversified, low-cost portfolio built around your goals, rebalanced quarterly and reported in plain English.
02
Retirement planning
Know when you can stop working, how much you can safely spend, and which accounts to draw from first.
03
Tax strategy
Year-round planning with your accountant: harvesting losses, Roth conversions and charitable giving done on purpose.
04
Estate & legacy
Wills, trusts and beneficiary designations that match what you actually want, coordinated with your attorney.
05
Business owners
Plan the sale of your company years ahead, set up the right retirement plan, and keep business and family money apart.
06
Family & education
College savings, teaching kids about money, and supporting aging parents without derailing your own plans.
Performance
Patient capital, measured results.
Our core Balanced Growth model has compounded at 9.3% a year over the last decade, net of fees, while taking less risk than the market.
- Globally diversified across 11 asset classes
- Average fund cost of 0.09% a year
- Rebalanced on rules, not headlines
Portfolio
60/40 benchmark
Growth of 100 invested, net of fees. Illustrative data.
Growth calculator
See what steady investing could do.
Move the sliders to see how a starting amount and a monthly habit could grow over time.
Projected value
$621,895
- You put in
- $265,000
- Investment growth
- $356,895
Illustration only. Assumes a steady return compounded monthly; real returns vary and past performance does not guarantee future results.
How it works
Three steps to a plan you can actually follow.
No jargon and no pressure. Most clients go from first call to a finished plan in under a month.
-
01 Week 1
Discovery call
We learn your goals, your timeline and what keeps you up at night. You bring statements; we bring questions.
-
02 Weeks 2–3
Your written plan
Investments, taxes, retirement income, insurance and estate, in one document you can actually read.
-
03 Ongoing
We manage, you live
We run the portfolio, rebalance, harvest losses and meet every quarter as life changes.
Our advisors
The people behind your plan.
Every client works with a credentialed lead advisor, backed by planning, tax and investment specialists.
CFA
CFP®
CPA
CFA
CAIA
Client stories
They turned eleven accounts and a shoebox of statements into one clear plan. For the first time in twenty years, I know exactly where we stand.
Amara JohnsonFounder, Lumen Health
When I sold my practice, Ardent had already mapped out the taxes, the timing and the income. Retirement felt like a plan, not a leap.
Tomás RibeiroRetired orthopedic surgeon
Straight answers, no product pitches and a fee I can read on one line. That’s rarer in this industry than it should be.
James WhitfieldCFO, Northwind Logistics
Pricing
Flat fees. Nothing hidden.
One published fee that covers planning, investing and tax strategy. No commissions, no percentage of your gains, no surprise charges.
Foundations
For professionals building wealth.
$250
/month
- Included: Comprehensive financial plan
- Included: Annual plan update
- Included: Retirement & tax projections
- Included: Unlimited email questions
- Not included: Ongoing portfolio management
Wealth
Most chosenPlanning plus full portfolio management.
$650
/month
- Included: Everything in Foundations
- Included: Ongoing portfolio management
- Included: Quarterly reviews
- Included: Tax-loss harvesting
- Included: Dedicated lead advisor
Private Office
For families with complex needs.
$1,500
/month
- Included: Everything in Wealth
- Included: Estate & trust coordination
- Included: Business exit planning
- Included: Family meetings & education
- Included: Direct line to a partner
Insights
Clear thinking on money and markets.
How to build a portfolio that survives the next downturn
Downturns are certain; their timing isn’t. Here’s how to build a portfolio you can stick with when markets…
Read article — How to build a portfolio that survives the next downturn
Five tax moves to make before December 31
A few hours of planning in the fourth quarter can save thousands. Here are the five moves we…
Read article — Five tax moves to make before December 31
What changing interest rates mean for your retirement income
Higher rates are a gift for new retirees and a headache for borrowers. Here’s how to make them…
Read article — What changing interest rates mean for your retirement incomeFAQ
Questions, answered.
Can’t find what you need? Our team answers every message within one business day.
How do you get paid?
We charge a flat, published fee, billed quarterly. We are fee-only: we never receive commissions, kickbacks or revenue sharing from any product we recommend.
Is there a minimum to work with you?
Our planning service has no minimum. Ongoing investment management starts at $250,000 in investable assets.
Where is my money held?
Your accounts stay in your name at an independent custodian. We can place trades and bill our fee, but we can never withdraw money to ourselves.
Do you work with clients outside New York?
Yes. About half of our clients live in other states and meet with us by video. We’re happy to meet in person whenever you’re in the city.
Free 30-minute review
Your first conversation is on us.
Bring your statements and your questions. You’ll leave with a clear view of where you stand and three things you can do this year, whether or not you hire us.