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Cresset

Family office services built for entrepreneurs and ultra-high-net-worth families.

Services-only
$237 billion (AUM/AUA as of 1/1/26)Assets on platform / AUM
01 — Overview

What Cresset does

Cresset was founded on a premise that is uncommon among large registered investment advisors: that ultra-high-net-worth families and entrepreneurs deserve access to the same depth of investment strategy, tax planning, and private market opportunities historically available only to the largest single-family offices. With $237 billion in AUM/AUA as of January 2026, it operates as an independent multi-family office structured around a True Fiduciary standard, meaning advisors are legally required to act in the client's interest and the firm discloses no hidden fees.

The firm's service model spans the full range of wealth complexity that principals typically manage across multiple providers:

  • Pre-liquidity and exit planning for CEO founders and entrepreneurs
  • Trust services through Cresset Trust Company, including revocable, irrevocable, dynasty, and special needs trust structures
  • Tax strategy, estate planning, and concentrated stock management
  • Direct access to institutional-quality private investments
  • CFO services, philanthropic planning, family governance, and insurance advisory

In 2025, Cresset completed a strategic combination with Monticello Associates, adding non-discretionary investment consulting for foundations, endowments, and family offices to its offering. The firm subsequently appointed a dedicated OCIO leadership hire to serve institutional clients alongside its private wealth business. Cresset maintains more than 20 US office locations and has received top-tier recognition from Barron's (ranked number 2 among top 100 RIA firms in 2025) and Forbes.

Cresset is best suited to entrepreneurs approaching or post-liquidity events, multi-generational families with complex tax and estate needs, and UHNW clients seeking private investment access without the overhead of a dedicated single-family office. Clients requiring a purely institutional-grade OCIO, or those with cross-border or non-US wealth structures, may find the offering less tailored to their needs. Pricing is not disclosed publicly.

Our goal is to reinvent the way you experience wealth by providing access to the talent, ideas, and investment opportunities available to the largest single-family offices and endowments.

On Cresset, from a family-office user
02 — Product & capabilities

What it covers

Core tasks
  • Private wealth management and investment advisory for UHNW families
  • Exit planning and pre-liquidity strategy for business founders
  • Trust planning, establishment, and ongoing administration
  • Tax strategy, estate planning, and concentrated stock management
  • Private investment sourcing and portfolio access
  • Family governance, philanthropic planning, and multi-generational wealth transfer
Notable features
  • True Fiduciary standard with no hidden fees
  • Trust services via Cresset Trust Company including dynasty, SLAT, GRAT, ILIT, and special needs trusts
  • Direct private investment access at institutional quality
  • CFO services for family financial operations
  • Concentrated stock and tax-efficient diversification strategies
  • Liquidity and exit planning for entrepreneurs
  • Insurance advisory
  • Family governance and next-generation education
  • Philanthropic planning
  • OCIO services for foundations and endowments via Monticello Associates combination
Assets supported
Private EquityVenture CapitalPrivate CreditPublic EquitiesReal EstateLife InsuranceConcentrated Stock Positions
03 — Company

The firm behind it

Ownership
Privately held (independent)
Software type
Services-only
Headquarters / markets
United States
Offices
Chicago, Dallas, Denver, San Francisco, Atlanta, West Palm Beach, Washington D.C., New York
Languages
English
Key people
EEric BeckerFounder and Co-Chairman
AAvy SteinFounder and Co-Chairman
SSusie CranstonPresident
MMark ThompsonExecutive Managing Director, Institutional Consulting
AAnne NovakManaging Director and Vice President, Cresset Trust Company
MMike SilvermanExecutive Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer
Recognition
  • Barron's #2 Top 100 RIA Firms - 2025
  • Forbes Top RIA Firms - 2025
04 — Clients & fit

Who it’s for

Built for Multi Family Office (MFO), Private Wealth Owners / Principals, Single Family Office (SFO).

05 — Support & onboarding

Getting it running

Dedicated advisor teams at 20+ US office locations with direct client relationship management

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