The FA 100 ranking for 2024 will be determined in this manner.

• The 2024 CNBC FA 100 ranking of registered investment advisors was prepared in collaboration with data provider AccuPoint Solutions.
• An analysis of AccuPoint Solutions' database of RIAs was conducted, covering a range of core data points such as compliance record, years in business, total accounts, and assets under management.

AccuPoint Solutions was enlisted by CNBC to help with the ranking of registered investment advisors for the FA 100 list.

Analyzing core data points from AccuPoint Solutions' proprietary database of registered investment advisors was the methodology's first step.

The analysis began with a list of 40,896 RIAs from the SEC database, which was later reduced to 903 RIAs that met CNBC's specific criteria.

CNBC staff sent an email survey to advisory firms that met initial criteria, requesting additional information. These firms responded with a comprehensive application. CNBC verified the data with both the firms and the SEC regulatory database. AccuPoint used CNBC's proprietary weighted categories to refine and rank the firms, resulting in the top 100 list.

CNBC does not receive any compensation for featuring financial advisory firms on our list, and an advisor's inclusion does not represent an individual endorsement by CNBC.

The analysis was conducted using a minimum baseline or a range of primary data points, which were reviewed to eliminate firms that did not meet CNBC's requirements. After the initial list was compiled, weightings were applied accordingly. The data points included were:

• The regulatory/compliance record of an advisory firm was checked for validity, and any firm with a disclosure on its SEC ADV was disqualified from the ranking.
• Number of years in the business.
• Number of certified financial planners.
• Number of employees.
• Number of investment advisors registered with the firm.
• The ratio of investment advisors to total number of employees.
• Total assets under management.
• Percentage of discretionary assets under management.
• Total accounts under management.
• Number of states where the RIA is registered.
• Country of domicile.