Sequent Planning: How Client Trust and Strategy Earned a Top National Award

OMAHA, Neb. – May 04, 2026 – In a crowded and competitive financial advisory landscape, Omaha-based Sequent Planning has achieved a significant national milestone. The firm was recently named to USA TODAY’s prestigious list of the Best Financial Advisory Firms 2026, an honor presented in collaboration with the global data and industry ranking provider Statista Inc. The recognition, announced on April 15, places Sequent among the top 1,000 Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) firms in the United States.

For Sequent Planning, the award serves as a powerful external validation of its dual focus on strategic growth and unwavering client dedication. “Making this list is further recognition that the work we’re doing at Sequent Planning is making a mark in the industry and in people’s lives,” said Chelsea Kiehler, CFA, Managing Principal at Sequent Planning, in a statement following the announcement.

Deconstructing the Recognition

The methodology behind the USA TODAY and Statista ranking provides a compelling narrative of what it takes to be a leading firm in 2026. The selection process is independent, with firms unable to pay for inclusion, and is built upon two core dimensions.

A substantial 80% of a firm's score is determined by the development of its Assets Under Management (AUM). This metric is not a simple snapshot but a rigorous analysis of both short-term (12-month) and long-term (five-year) growth, with the latter period carrying more weight. This focus on sustained expansion rewards firms that have built durable, scalable business models rather than those experiencing a momentary surge. For Sequent Planning, which reported approximately $394.7 million in AUM as of mid-2025, demonstrating significant growth from 2021 through early 2026 was paramount to its inclusion.

The remaining 20% of the score is based on recommendations. Statista conducted an independent survey of over 30,000 individuals, including clients, industry peers, and other financial professionals. This qualitative component measures trust, reputation, and client satisfaction—intangible assets that are often the hardest to earn. To qualify, firms must also meet stringent eligibility criteria, including being registered with the SEC for at least a year, maintaining a principal office in the U.S., and, critically, having a clean disciplinary record.

The Engine of Growth: A Strategic Partnership

Sequent Planning’s impressive AUM growth, a key driver of the award, was not accidental. It is deeply rooted in a pivotal strategic decision made in 2021 when the firm was acquired by Senior Market Sales (SMS), a major Omaha-based independent marketing organization. This move was designed to break down the traditional silos between insurance and investment services, creating a more integrated platform for holistic financial planning.

By joining SMS, Sequent Planning dramatically expanded its national reach. While already registered to operate in all 50 states, the partnership provided access to SMS's vast network of independent agents, creating a powerful distribution channel for its advisory services. The firm now operates under the umbrella of Futurity First Wealth Management (FFWM), with both it and Futurity First Insurance Group being wholly owned subsidiaries of SMS. This structure facilitates a seamless client experience, where advisors can address wealth accumulation, retirement income, and legacy planning alongside risk mitigation through insurance solutions.

This integrated model directly addresses a growing demand from consumers for comprehensive, all-in-one financial guidance. By empowering insurance-focused agents to offer financial advisory services through the Sequent Planning platform, SMS created a synergistic ecosystem that fosters client retention and asset growth. The partnership effectively provided Sequent with the infrastructure and scale to compete on a national level, a strategy that has clearly paid dividends and contributed to the AUM growth recognized by the USA TODAY list.

The Trust Dividend: A Fiduciary-First Philosophy

While strategic growth tells one half of the story, the other is a tale of trust. The 20% recommendation component of the award highlights the firm’s success in building strong, lasting client relationships. Sequent Planning operates under a fiduciary standard, a legal and ethical obligation to always act in the best interests of its clients. This commitment is more than just a regulatory requirement; it is a core part of its value proposition.

Publicly available regulatory data reinforces this reputation. An analysis from AdvisorSearch.org as of early 2025 shows Sequent Planning with "0 Disciplinary Alerts," a crucial data point that aligns with the award's clean-record requirement and speaks volumes in an industry where trust is the ultimate currency. While the firm's website features glowing client testimonials praising advisors for their responsiveness and expertise, this independent verification provides objective support for its client-centric claims.

This focus on putting clients first is what transforms financial transactions into long-term relationships, a factor that undoubtedly contributed to the positive recommendations from clients and industry experts in Statista's survey. It is this human impact that Kiehler referenced when she spoke of the firm “making a mark in people’s lives,” suggesting a culture that measures success not only by balance sheets but also by the financial confidence and clarity it provides to the families it serves.

Thriving in a Dynamic and Competitive Market

Sequent Planning’s achievement is particularly noteworthy given the competitive environment. Within its home city of Omaha, it operates alongside regional and national powerhouses managing billions, and in some cases tens of billions, in assets. Its inclusion on the USA TODAY list demonstrates that performance, client satisfaction, and strategic execution—not just sheer size—are the new benchmarks for excellence.

The firm's integrated model also positions it well to capitalize on key trends shaping the wealth management industry. As a significant generational wealth transfer continues, younger clients are demanding more holistic, personalized, and digitally accessible advice. The demand for comprehensive planning that seamlessly blends investment management with tax, estate, and insurance considerations is at an all-time high. Sequent Planning’s structure, born from its partnership with SMS, is purpose-built to meet this exact need.

By successfully merging a robust growth strategy with a foundational commitment to fiduciary care, Sequent Planning has crafted a formula for success that has now earned it a place among the nation's elite advisory firms. This national recognition serves not as a final destination, but as a validation of a journey that continues to prioritize both strategic expansion and the financial well-being of its clients.