CFA
About Ardent
Advice that answers only to you.
We’re an independent, partner-owned firm of 46 people in New York and Austin. We don’t sell products, we don’t take commissions, and we don’t answer to a bank.
Our story
Started by an advisor who quit to do it right.
In 2008 Daniel Okafor was a top-ranked broker at a large bank. He was also uncomfortable: the products that paid him most were rarely the ones his clients needed.
In 2009 he left to start Ardent with two colleagues, a borrowed conference room and one rule that still guides every decision: we only get paid by our clients, and we only recommend what we’d do with our own families’ money.
Our values
What we stand for.
01
Conflict-free
Fee-only since day one. No commissions, no proprietary funds, no sales targets.
02
Plain English
If we can’t explain it simply, we don’t recommend it. Every report fits on one page.
03
Evidence over opinion
Decisions follow decades of research, not market forecasts or the latest headline.
Milestones
Sixteen years, one rule.
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01 2009
Founded in a borrowed room
Three advisors, eleven client families and a promise to never take a commission.
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02 2014
$500M under advice
We opened our Austin office and added in-house tax planning.
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03 2019
Business owners practice
A dedicated team for founders planning a sale or succession.
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04 2024
$2B and still independent
We turned down three acquisition offers. Ownership stays with the partners who serve clients.
Leadership
Meet the partners.
CFA
CFP®
CPA
CFA
CAIA
46
Team members
19
CFA & CFP® professionals
2
Offices: New York & Austin
$0
Commissions ever taken
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.