Donald Jay Korn

When it comes to working with clients, Wells Fargo financial advisor Christopher Purdue, who lands at Number 30 on our list, emphasizes old-fashioned house calls.

When it comes to serving a broad swath of affluent clients, Morgan Stanley financial advisor Andrew Stern relies on a strong asset allocation foundation.

Morgan Stanley financial advisor Carrie Gallaway, who ranks at Number 32 on On Wall Street’s list, says using an empathetic approach to clients was especially useful in the run-up to the fiscal cliff negotiations.

In the wake of the newly-passed American Tax Relief Act of 2012, it’s likely many wealthy clients will continue to make large family gifts. If they are giving away hard-to-value assets, they might consider following a tactic from the Wandry case, decided by the Tax Court in 2012.

The last-minute tax deal cobbled together in Washington contained several key elements for estate planning. Now advisors can break the good news to wealthy clients:

Morgan Stanley's Jim Detterick started out by beta testing a career as a financial advisor. Now he applies that acumen to clients’ portfolios.

IPO volume reached $43 billion in 2012, the highest amount since $49 billion in 2007, reports Renaissance Capital, which tracks IPOs. What can advisors expect for 2013?

Advisors can start the year off on a positive note by going over clients’ insurance plans. Here are some tips from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Jonathan Yolles followed his father and uncle into the financial advisory business. His first client was a distant cousin. Now, he lands at number 34 on the Top 40 Under 40 list.

UBS financial advisor Jonathan Beukelman often works to advise his clients’ children on everything from buying a car to compound interest.

This increase indicates that “investors are successfully using 529 plans for their intended purpose of qualified higher education expenses,” according to the Financial Research Corp.

Allen Saunders went from pet food distributor to UBS financial advisor to number 36 on On Wall Street’s 2012 list.

This year was a “slower year than many expected,” in terms of financial advisors departing major firms for other pastures, according to Chip Roame, the managing partner at Tiburon Strategic Advisors. “I believe 2013 may be slower, too,” he says.

Wells Fargo financial advisor John Handley, number 37 on On Wall Street’s list, remembers getting that very first client and the cadre of business relationships he’s had for years.

For Pedro Marti, who nabs the number 38 slot on On Wall Street’s 2012 list, serving as a financial advisor at Wells Fargo is the perfect blend of financial analysis and personal interaction.

Industry experts and thought leaders make their predictions about what is to come for advisors and investing in 2013.

Celebrating its two-year anniversary with an announcement of its 11-figure status, New York-based Dynasty Financial Partners aims to separate itself from the myriad of firms offering services to registered investment advisors.

Wells Fargo financial advisor Matthew Fryar, who ranks number 39 on On Wall Street’s 2012 list, says providing personalized services has meant a heavy emphasis on looming tax changes.

For Annemarie Thomas, a Wells Fargo financial advisor who ranks number 40 on On Wall Street’s list, now is the time to take advantage of a “sea change” for women and finances.

“Go online or contact your Human Resources department now and request an increase in your salary deferral, beginning with your first paycheck in January,” advises Matthew Illian, a planner with Marotta Wealth Management in Charlottesville, Virginia. “The people there will appreciate the advance notice.”