The Greatest Wealth Administration Companies and Groups in Canada | 5-Star Advisory Groups

In response to EY’s 2025 International Wealth Analysis Report, 45 % of shoppers view funding as extra difficult now than earlier than. Three worries stood out for these surveyed: 

• inflation
  
   

• political uncertainty
  
   

• volatility

The most effective wealth administration groups are capable of plug the widespread shortfall between shoppers’ demand for services and what their major advisors supply. 

Inglis says, “Staff-based advisory fashions supply the benefit of permitting advisors to deal with a selected specialty, quite than being all issues to all shoppers. They supply better flexibility to fulfill with shoppers in a extra responsive method and collaborate on extra complicated consumer eventualities.” 

Wealth Skilled recognises its 5-Star Advisory Groups of 2025, who’ve responded to what right now’s shoppers need by offering worth and repair that positions them as trusted companions, going far past the normal position of fundamental funding recommendation. 

1. Holistic wealth administration because the norm 

Most main groups supply complete, end-to-end wealth administration that integrates: 

• funding administration
  
   

• tax and property planning 
  
   

• insurance coverage and danger methods 
  
   

• enterprise succession and retirement planning 
  
   

• money circulation and debt administration 

This built-in strategy ensures that each side of a consumer’s monetary life is coordinated and optimized, making these corporations invaluable one-stop outlets. 

2. Shopper-centric philosophy and behavioural focus 

There’s a deep emphasis on: 

• understanding consumer targets, values, and life circumstances 
  
   

• offering customized recommendation and emotional steerage (behavioural teaching) to keep away from widespread investor pitfalls 
  
   

• delivering a white-glove expertise from customized onboarding kits to customized occasion invites 

Groups stood out for incorporating optimistic psychology, meaning-driven planning, and multigenerational relationship-building, enabling deeper emotional engagement and long-term belief. 

3. Distinctive consumer service and communication 

Profitable groups transcend transactional relationships: 

• common proactive check-ins and structured opinions (biannual or extra frequent) 
  
   

• use of a number of languages, digital consultations, and tailor-made consumer experiences (e.g., digital occasions with home-delivered meals) 
  
   

• instructional initiatives like consumer webinars, knowledge-sharing periods, and customized supplies to enhance consumer monetary literacy 

4. Staff energy and tradition 

Elite practices make investments closely in: 

• worker well-being and improvement (coaching, psychological well being, social occasions) 
  
   

• robust inside tradition, fostering collaboration and accountability 
  
   

• guaranteeing workforce members should not solely technically expert but in addition aligned with agency values and consumer wants 

Staff improvement initiatives present how a cheerful, motivated workforce enhances service high quality. 

5. Use of superior instruments and specialization 

Many prime groups: 

• supply discretionary portfolio administration supported by instruments like AI-enhanced fashions 
  
   

• construct custom-made monetary fashions and reviews, usually branded and straightforward to grasp 
  
   

• embody specialist providers like cross-border wealth migration, philanthropic planning, and enterprise structuring 

This specialization positions them as consultants in complicated, high-value consumer conditions, notably amongst high-net-worth and ultra-HNW households. 

6. Multigenerational and values-based planning 

• present planning that features kids and heirs 
  
   

• emphasize legacy and philanthropic methods 
  
   

• supply providers designed for transferring values, not simply property, throughout generations 
  
   

Technique 

With home elections, international political interference and a variety of different components, it’s been a unstable time for monetary markets during the last 12 months. Nevertheless, Canada’s main advisory groups have been capable of navigate this with judgment, perception, and ability. 

Considered one of WP’s 5-Star groups – CG Wealth Administration’s Stenner Wealth Companions+ – has managed to stay web optimistic by way of the primary half of 2025. 

Senior portfolio supervisor Thane Stenner describes it as “one of many hardest intervals of time” the workforce has needed to face. 

 

“On this business, you’re solely going to fly as excessive as the standard of the individuals in your workforce. Our workforce consists of well-trained and good communicators, which all enhances the consumer expertise”

Thane StennerStenner Wealth Companions+

Analysis is prime to SWP+’s strategy, because the workforce collates information from over 50 sources and its methodology led to portfolio de-risking in December 2024. 

“We shifted out of plenty of the elements of the markets globally that had been overvalued,” explains Stenner. “We raised money fairly considerably and likewise repositioned extra in commodities. The excellent news was commodities have completed very well 12 months up to now.” 

Even when markets declined between February and March, SWP+ had money, which had purposely been constructed up. 

Stenner says, “We began shopping for very aggressively throughout that interval and markets rallied within the months after. We’ve been very tactical this 12 months and moved issues round quite a bit as a way to defend capital on the draw back and attempt to take part considerably on the upside.” 

For senior funding advisor Dean Bradshaw, there are two methods to handle cash –  from a return or a danger perspective – and he favours the latter. His workforce at Cresco Wealth Administration of Wellington-Altus Personal Wealth look 12 to 14 months upfront. 

 

“We’re not reactive, we anticipate”

Dean BradshawCresco Wealth Administration

“We at all times anticipate volatility and at all times anticipate that we’re going to want earnings. We’re just about proof against any volatility,” he says. 

And he’s fast to state that irrespective of how good the agency’s customer support is, no consumer goes to hold round if the workforce is shedding cash persistently. 

“It must be a powerful one-two punch. By way of the workforce and the providers that we run, I’d put us up in opposition to anyone.” 

All the time guaranteeing asset allocation is right is a tenet for Shawna Perron, senior portfolio supervisor at Perron & Companions, Cumberland Personal Wealth.

She says, “You don’t wish to be chasing the market since you’ll find yourself getting it flawed.”  

 

“We’re very self-driven, however all of us notice that everyone works higher collectively as a workforce”

Shawna PerronPerron & Companions, Cumberland Personal Wealth

Over the past 12 months’s upheaval, the workforce reconfirmed its funding philosophy and technique to make sure it was functioning as supposed.  

“Typically talking, I wouldn’t say we’re speculative. I wouldn’t say we attempt to choose the tops or choose the bottoms. That simply will get you into plenty of hypothesis, and hypothesis is often not an incredible philosophy,” says Perron.

Her workforce tweaked every consumer’s allocation to match private danger and volatility tolerances. 

Communication 

For the most effective wealth administration groups, it’s not sufficient to behave merely as a inventory picker, distant from their shoppers. The highest performers converse persistently with shoppers, growing robust interpersonal connections that foster belief and understanding. 

An extension of this strategy in these unsure instances has required quite a lot of communication from monetary advisory groups, preserving shoppers updated with their response to every consequential coverage change, election, and market shift. 

In response to Inglis, “Companies that present a a lot higher-touch mannequin are going to do a greater job attracting and retaining shoppers. Companies are going to need to adapt their incentive fashions to replicate this higher-touch strategy. A ‘twice-a-year’ check-in won’t be ample to retain their most worthwhile shoppers.” 

Capitalizing on market downturns is usually the place advisory groups can present essentially the most worth by constructing a powerful, dependable portfolio at low cost costs for years to return. The groups stay in shut contact with their shoppers, gauging ranges of consolation and sustaining transparency. 

David Little, senior wealth advisor at 5-Star profitable workforce Blue Oceans Personal Wealth, notes that as a result of shoppers can select from a myriad of advisors, there’s a heightened incentive to supply this first-class service. Little holds a city corridor with shoppers each two months to make sure they totally grasp what is occurring. 

 

“I truly give our new shoppers a service contract I signal that claims, ‘That is what you’ll be able to count on from us, and in return, that is what we count on from you’”
David LittleBlue Oceans Personal Wealth

“I inform them on the very finish of how grateful we’re that they belief us in serving to them with their affairs. The very fact of the matter is, in 2025, multimillion-dollar shoppers can go anyplace,” he says.

Going above and past is what’s anticipated at Blue Oceans. 

“I’ve made certain that my employees is continually conscious that there’s nothing that our shoppers can ask us to try this’s an excessive amount of. That’s what we’re in enterprise for,” provides Little. 

As his personal investments are intently linked to these of his shoppers, his workforce empathizes with the ups and downs of markets. He shares that he would by no means allocate an asset in a consumer’s portfolio that he wouldn’t spend money on himself.   

Whereas digital video calls, cellphone calls, and in-person conferences are all used, newsletters are a well-liked method for an advisory workforce to elucidate its strategic considering. This manner, shoppers can stay totally briefed about macro developments and the way advisory groups are navigating them. 

“As quickly as issues get a bit shaky, we ship a publication to all shoppers. We’re saying, ‘Pay attention, if this occurs, that is what we wish to do. Are you snug with that?,’” explains Georges Achkar, senior funding advisor at 5-Star winner Manulife Wealth. 

 

“We’re a really hardworking group, so we wish to say that we function on a a lot increased stage than our rivals”
Georges AchkarManulife Wealth

Achkar’s workforce additionally reached out to all shoppers in April 2025 because the market reacted to political upheaval. 

“We now have at all times had defensive technique with correct diversification and asset allocation,” he says. “However we contacted our shoppers in April, and now we have both bought or put in fill orders at completely different market ranges for us to have the ability to benefit from the volatility.” 

Cresco Wealth Administration of Wellington-Altus Personal Wealth produces instructional podcasts and newsletters, and emphasizes the worth of talking with shoppers one-on-one, notably throughout instances of maximum volatility and uncertainty.  

With 18 advisors, they’ve fastidiously chosen an advisor-to-client ratio that permits for every consumer to entry extremely customized providers. 

“Lots of people will do podcasts or blanket emails, which we do, however extra from an training standpoint,” says Bradshaw. “When an even bigger occasion presents itself, we consider that one-on-one contact is actually what separates us. I’ve structured our enterprise in order that we are able to name all of our shoppers in someday if we have to. We’ve needed to do it earlier than, and we’ll need to do it once more.” 

SWP+ has a large scope of abilities as every workforce member is educated to domesticate optimistic interactions with shoppers of their frequent conferences. The workforce works solely with ultra-wealthy shoppers who’ve a minimal funding allocation of $10 million, whereas web worths typically vary from $25 million to multibillions.  

To cater to the precise wants of ultra-wealthy shoppers, Stenner emphasizes the significance of at all times remaining engaged with them, having pertinent discussions that exhibit a eager curiosity of their wants.

“On the finish of the day, you must construct belief. And the way you do that’s by exhibiting a excessive engagement stage while you’re speaking to them and asking them actually good questions,” he explains. A part of that is giving shoppers an annual service dedication. 

Stenner says, “We customise it, so we inform them upfront, ‘Let’s have a dialogue round ‘How usually would you want to speak? What sort of reviews you wish to have exit? What number of in-person conferences? What number of Zooms?’ It’s all mapped out.” 

Shoppers are then furnished with an end-of-year scorecard generated by way of the workforce’s CRM, which lays out intimately all of the types of contact they’ve had. 

“Typically, what occurs is shoppers ask us to scale it again,” explains Stenner. “It’s not us having to listen to from them say, ‘Oh, you haven’t been contacting me that a lot’. It’s extra that we’ve been throughout it and they’re tremendous appreciative, so we are able to dial it again slightly bit.” 

Usually, the workforce reaches out to shoppers anyplace from 25 to 60 instances a 12 months, and likewise sends out bi-weekly newsletters, together with different evaluation. 

“When issues get actually unstable, we crank up the communication stage extra,” provides Stenner. 

Cumberland Perron & Companions deploys a variety of communication kinds equivalent to in-person conferences, occasions, electronic mail, blogs, and social media by way of LinkedIn. 

“On common, we’re in all probability chatting with all of our shoppers each couple of months, if not virtually month-to-month, in some type or vogue,” says Perron.

And outreach has stepped up throughout the disruption over the previous 12 months. 

“A number of it’s data-driven,” she says. “So, as an alternative of taking part in into the emotion that persons are having or the emotion that the media is making an attempt to painting, it’s extra in regards to the information, so understanding what’s going on and taking shoppers again right down to what issues most. It’s instructional.” 

Sturdy items 

Cumberland Perron & Companions’ workforce composition is styled round “breadth and depth,” with every particular person including to the general package deal. Advisors with particular interpersonal expertise are given extra client-facing roles, whereas these with analytical strengths are hands-on with portfolio allocation. 

Perron says, “Our evolution is at all times ensuring we perceive what our bread and butter is, which is portfolio administration, and ensuring that the analysis that we’re doing and the methods that we’re working are nonetheless working primarily based on what we’re seeing within the surroundings.” 

Spreading the load throughout the entire squad is one thing SWP+ practices. Its workforce of 13 manages a consumer base of 51, with every member working straight on every consumer’s file quite than working in silos. Workers are anticipated to be within the workplace 4 days every week, which Stenner feels is crucial for downside fixing and group collaboration. 

“We do plenty of technical evaluation of the relative energy and momentum indicators that we have a look at. There’s additionally a proper weekly Funding Committee the place we assess all of the charts,” he shares. “We’re sort of contrarian, value-oriented traders. We wish to attempt to purchase issues as low cost as attainable, and that’s mirrored in our portfolio.” 

Achkar feels that the arduous work and dedication of Manulife Wealth’s leaders deeply affect the youthful advisors on his workforce. He notes that there aren’t any necessities or strain for advisors to place within the additional hours. Somewhat, they work in a tradition that’s wholesome but aggressive, guaranteeing the workforce is offering distinctive worth for his or her shoppers.  

“Unfavourable power – as a lot as optimistic power – is contagious. We don’t inform anyone to remain late; we don’t inform anyone to do these hours. We simply present them the best way,” he says. “My day doesn’t finish earlier than 8 p.m., and that power trickles down to every stage. After which, I’d say it circles again and turns into a optimistic circle.” 

This tradition of arduous work and additional hours pays off for youthful advisors on Achkar’s workforce. It’s not unusual for advisors to accrue a $100-million ebook inside three years of becoming a member of. 

To keep up excessive expectations from his agency, Little leads by instance. He desires Blue Oceans to supply extremely customized providers to shoppers, who ought to really feel as if their advisors are at all times reachable.  

“I set the usual from the highest down. There’s no passing the buck and that’s from continuously reinforcing by way of our workforce conferences. That is what we do, and we by no means lose sight of that,” he says. 

Earlier than bringing any new workforce members onboard, Little ensures candidates are really aligned together with his client-first philosophy, a non-negotiable for the business veteran. By preserving this outlook deeply entrenched, the workforce’s turnover stays low, with many consumers remaining for many years.  

Little provides, “Do they perceive consumer care? That’s crucial half. It’s not lip service – you’ve received to actually wish to really feel it, stay it, and breathe it. And so they need to have the understanding that this can be a service enterprise. Each time we lose a consumer, it takes a lot extra effort to get one again.” 

To enhance workforce bonding, Bradshaw and his colleagues are intently related, and  they consult with their assembly room as “the warfare room”. Their workforce mantras emphasizing honesty, openness, and placing shoppers first are posted on the wall. 

“We usher in psychological coaches and even Olympic workforce coaches to higher the surroundings,” he says. 

There may be additionally a collective charity exercise the place the workforce’s newest challenge goals to boost $50,000 for the group in Okotoks, AB. Alongside which are month-to-month lunch and learns, which vary from {golfing} tricks to monetary business coaching. Bradshaw even hosts two barbecues at his home yearly. All of this reinforces the robust bonds that allow the workforce to work collectively extra successfully. 

He provides, “We don’t do good, so if we do fumble slightly bit, it’s about us all asking, ‘What did we study and what can we do in another way?’ Our greatest focus is to be advocates of our shoppers, in order that we pressure our business to boost the bar for higher experiences for all shoppers.” 

🧠 1. Deep emphasis on monetary planning 

Widespread themes: 

• Monetary, tax, property, and legacy planning integration 
  
   

• Money circulation optimization and retirement readiness 
  
   

• Multigenerational wealth switch 
  
   

• Customized, individualized planning processes 
  
   

• Sturdy use of planning software program and forecasting instruments 

Why they stand out: 

These corporations go far past easy funding administration. They construct complete wealth blueprints that adapt to shoppers’ lives. This positions them not simply as advisors, however as long-term strategic companions in monetary life administration. 

🤝 2. Distinctive service and relationship administration 

Widespread themes: 

• Frequent, hands-on conferences all year long 
  
   

• Devoted service groups (typically multilingual)  
  
   

• “4 Seasons” service mannequin analogies 
  
   

• Radical transparency and upfront pro-bono planning 
  
   

• Lengthy-term retention and private reference to shoppers’ households 
  
   

Why they stand out:  

Many corporations create a concierge-style expertise. The dedication to communication, training, and proactive assist – particularly throughout unstable market intervals – interprets to loyal shoppers, excessive retention, and robust word-of-mouth reputations. 

🌐 3. Innovation, know-how, and thought management 

Widespread themes: 

• Use of cutting-edge wealthtech instruments and client-friendly portals 
  
   

• Recognition for progressive options 
  
   

• Considerate communication (movies, newsletters, birthday playing cards) 
  
   

Why they stand out:  

These corporations should not solely maintaining with technological developments – they’re pioneering them. By leveraging instruments that improve transparency, effectivity, and customization, they serve tech-savvy and next-gen shoppers in a method conventional corporations usually can not. 

🏆 4. Awards, recognition, and credibility 

Widespread themes: 

• A number of business awards and media visibility 
  
   

• Nationwide and native recognition  
  
   

• Advisor profiles featured in talking circuits and publications 
  
   

Why they stand out:  

Repute and recognition validate consumer belief. These corporations persistently exhibit business excellence, not simply in efficiency but in addition in observe administration, philanthropy, and innovation, lending third-party credibility to their claims. 

🌍 5. Sturdy moral foundations and philanthropy 

Widespread themes: 

• Dedication to group service, DEI, and charity 
  
   

• Integration of consumer values into monetary methods 
  
   

• Massive-scale charitable facilitation  
  
   

Why they stand out:  

Shoppers more and more search values-aligned investing and advisory relationships. Companies that exhibit a tangible dedication to social accountability and encourage shoppers to offer again construct deeper emotional engagement and belief. 

💼 6. Funding strategy with private alignment 

Widespread themes: 

• No cookie-cutter portfolios 
  
   

• Use of options and non-traditional asset courses 
  
   

• Precept of “consuming their very own cooking” – advisors spend money on the identical merchandise 
  
   

Why they stand out:  

Shoppers recognize genuine alignment of curiosity, transparency, and complicated danger mitigation. The avoidance of mass-market fashions and third-party managers permits these corporations to stand behind their efficiency and preserve agility.