Ranked Top 25 nationally in USA Today's Rising Stars list, recognizing exceptional growth and momentum among financial advisors.
Irvine, CA - DePaolo & May Strategic Wealth has been named to USA Today's 2026 Best Financial Advisory Firms list, earning a Top 25 national ranking in the Rising Stars category. The award, announced April 14, 2026, is presented by USA Today in partnership with Statista Inc., the global data and industry ranking provider.
The Rising Stars category spotlights 50 registered investment advisory (RIA) firms nationwide distinguished by exceptional growth and momentum. Being placed in the Top 25 of that list — a national ranking covering RIAs across the United States — is a meaningful validation of the work we've been doing and the clients who have trusted us to do it.
This award reflects the compounding effect of the work we do every day: tactical investment strategy over static portfolios, integrated planning across investments, tax, and estate, and a service model built around direct access to the principals making the decisions.
We're an independent RIA with no commissions and no products to sell. That structural choice — paired with our four-pillar approach spanning Investment Management, Financial Planning, Tax Strategy, and Estate Planning — is designed to keep incentives aligned with our clients. Recognition like this suggests the model is working, and more importantly, that clients are telling others it's working.
If you're evaluating a new advisory relationship — whether driven by a life event, a change in your existing advisor, or a growing complexity in your financial picture — we'd be glad to have a conversation. There's no cost for an initial discussion and no expectation of engagement. Reach out to schedule your free consultation here.
USA Today Best Financial Advisory Firms 2026 was announced April 14, 2026, based on an evaluation conducted by USA Today in partnership with Statista Inc. The ranking evaluated registered investment advisory (RIA) firms across the United States based on assets under management (AUM) growth over short- and long-term periods (weighted 80%) and recommendations from clients, industry experts, and financial advisors (weighted 20%). Recommendations were collected via an independent survey among more than 30,000 individuals. Self-recommendations were prohibited. AUM development was analyzed using publicly available data. The Rising Stars category recognized 50 firms nationwide. These firms have been in operation as registered investment advisers for three years or less and have already demonstrated significant growth and momentum. To be a rising star, firms had to meet all the same eligibility requirements as our traditional list, but instead of being scored on long-term AUM, they were assessed by their midterm AUM growth from 2023 to 2026. D&M Strategic did not pay any fee, directly or indirectly, to be considered for, included in, or in connection with this ranking.
The full list can be found on the USA Today website.
The ranking discussed above is not indicative of the adviser's future performance, is not an endorsement of the adviser by any client, and may not be representative of any one client's experience. Neither rankings nor recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, publications, or other organizations should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee of future results. Working with a highly rated adviser does not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results.
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