Madison Partners Co-CEO earns Forbes next-gen wealth advisor honor

Madison Partners Co-CEO Mark McFarland was named a 2026 Forbes Best-In-State Next-Gen Wealth Advisor in Wisconsin. The recognition, based on Forbes and SHOOK Research's review of more than 5,400 advisors, is presented as one independent reference point for retirees and pre-retirees comparing advisors.

Why it matters: - The Forbes ranking gives retirees and pre-retirees an outside benchmark when evaluating advisors. - Madison Partners said the recognition does not predict results for any client. - The honor may help the firm stand out in a crowded wealth-management market.

What happened: - Mark McFarland, co-CEO of Madison Partners, was named a 2026 Forbes Best-In-State Next-Gen Wealth Advisor in Wisconsin. - Forbes and SHOOK Research published the ranking in August 2026. - The organizations reviewed more than 5,400 advisors for the 2026 Next-Gen rankings. - Madison Partners said neither the firm nor McFarland paid for consideration, selection or use of the recognition.

The details: - Forbes said the ranking is based on an independent review of quantitative and qualitative factors. - The methodology weighs client impact, industry experience, client retention, best practices, credentials, compliance records and assets under management. - Forbes published the methodology for the 2026 Next-Gen rankings on Aug. 11, 2026. - Madison Partners is a fee-only fiduciary, SEC-registered investment adviser serving pre-retiree and retiree households. - The firm said households can use a ranking as one reference point, but should also ask how an advisor is paid, whether the advisor acts as a fiduciary and what the advisor's Form ADV shows. - Form ADV is a public filing that describes an advisory firm's services, fees and conflicts of interest. - McFarland said the recognition matters less than Madison Partners' ability to keep adapting to changing family needs.

Between the lines: - The release is trying to separate third-party recognition from investment outcomes. - The emphasis on fiduciary status, fee-only compensation and Form ADV suggests the firm wants prospects to focus on due diligence, not awards. - The repeated disclosure language also reflects how heavily regulated advisory marketing is.

What's next: - Madison Partners said the full story and FAQ are available on its website. - The firm's team page includes McFarland's biography. - The release directs readers to adviserinfo.sec.gov for Madison Partners' Form ADV Part 2A.

The bottom line: - Madison Partners is using a Forbes recognition to reinforce credibility, while stressing that rankings are informational and not predictive.