Financial advisors can be an invaluable part of your financial life. They can help you determine the best investments, make sound decisions about your retirement and develop effective financial strategies. As such, choosing the right financial advisor is crucial. To help you make an informed choice, here we take a look at the top 10 financial advisor companies.

1. Merrill Lynch: Merrill Lynch is one of the biggest names in the financial advisory business. It offers a wide array of advisory services, ranging from retirement planning to estate planning and money management. This firm provides comprehensive, holistic advice to its clients.

2. Morgan Stanley: Morgan Stanley is another well-known name in the financial advisory arena, offering services such as financial planning, portfolio management, trusts and estate planning and wealth protection. This firm also offers investment banking to corporate clients.

3. UBS Financial Services: UBS provides an array of services for clients with a varied profile of investments. These services range from portfolio management to retirement planning, asset protection and other financial products. UBS also offers a range of services to high net-worth individuals.

4. Raymond James Financial: Raymond James is another reputable financial advisor with a broad range of services. This company specializes in providing tailored advice to clients on issues ranging from college funding to business succession and charitable giving.

5. Edward Jones: Edward Jones is a multi-channel service, offering a broad range of consulting services. It specializes in providing personalized advice to an extensive base of clients. This company has an extensive network of branches and advisors located across the United States.

6. Ameriprise Financial: Ameriprise is another well-known name in the financial planning industry and offers a range of services, ranging from investment management to risk management and estate planning. This firm also works with high net-worth clients to provide comprehensive financial planning services.

7. Charles Schwab: Schwab brings a wide range of services to clients. Apart from providing traditional financial planning services, this company also offers sophisticated financial products. This firm also works to provide individualized advice tailored to a client's needs.

8. Fidelity Investments: Fidelity Investments is a leading player in the financial industry. Its core area of expertise is portfolio management. The firm also offers retirement planning, asset protection and trust services.

9. USAA Financial: USAA Financial is one of the largest financial service providers in the United States. It provides a comprehensive array of services for individuals and families, from retirement planning to investments and portfolio management. USAA also offers access to its trading platform and banking services.

10. Northern Trust: Northern Trust is another major player in the financial advisory industry. It offers services and products for private clients, as well as institutional clients such as corporations, foundations and endowments. Northern Trust prides itself on its personalized advice and wealth management approaches.

With the range of options available, you should be able to find the financial advisor company that’s right for you. In addition to the range of advice and services, you should also consider things such as trustworthiness, fees and customer service when making your decision. An informed decision will help ensure that you get the right financial advice for your situation.