His vision for starting GWS was to deliver investment strategies and wealth management services typically available at the highest levels of wealth. Today, clients benefit from these sophisticated financial services targeted to meet their unique needs.
One of the primary reasons that I founded Glassman Wealth Services and a core foundational principle of our firm is transparency. I’ve written about the importance of transparency in business and in life, most recently in my Forbes article, Transparency Wins!
I mention this because in full transparency, there are times that we meet with potential clients and it’s just not a fit. Perhaps they don’t meet our $2 million of investable assets minimum. (I plan to write about the importance of client fit and how minimums are good for clients and advisors in a future article.) Or perhaps our investment philosophies are not aligned. Whatever the reason, I will recommend other financial advisors that I believe are more well-suited to their needs.
Having been a financial advisor in the DC metro area for over 20 years, I’ve gotten to know quite a few of my fellow advisors both professionally and personally. There are many great financial advisors in the DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland areas, and I’d like to take this time to mention a few with solid reputations in this industry. Below is my list along with a few blurbs from their websites.
The Best Financial Advisors/Firms in the DC/Md/Va Area
Alexandra Armstrong, Armstrong Fleming & Moore – Washington, DC
Ryan Fleming, Armstrong Fleming & Moore
Our philosophy is grounded in an unwavering commitment to helping safeguard the things that matter most to you. We demonstrate this by adhering to time-honored investment principles, a research-driven process, and a highly personalized approach—all strengthened by the values we share in common with you.
Glen Buco, West Financial Services – McLean, VA
As part of Sandy Spring Bank, West Financial Services has spent over 30 years building a firm dedicated to taking a conservative and ethical approach to growing and protecting our clients’ wealth and prosperity.
Elissa Buie, Yeske Buie – Vienna, VA
You’re successful; you’ve earned the right to explore life and all it has to offer. You have the right to explore with confidence. We help bring clarity to your situation, provide financial advice based on empirically-validated theory, and engage in the ‘straight talk’ that is essential in today’s increasingly complex financial landscape.
Stephan Cassaday, Cassaday & Company – McLean, VA
Our mission is to provide objective guidance to investors seeking advice about their financial situations, to do so with the highest levels of honesty, integrity and overall excellence possible, and to provide faultless quality and courteous service – at a reasonable price.
Marjorie Fox, FJY Financial – Reston, VA
Jon Yankee, FJY Financial
With years of collective experience providing financial planning and investment management services, the team at FJY Financial set out to build a client-centered firm that works the way they believe it should: A fee only, fully transparent model. A holistic approach that incorporates every aspect of the client’s lifecycle. A strong commitment to the community. And a keen ability to translate clients’ vision and goals into a customized and comprehensive plan.
Susan Freed, Freed Advisors – Chevy Chase, MD
Freed Advisors provides comprehensive wealth management to affluent and high net worth individuals. With over five decades of combined experience Freed Advisors offers a coordinated approach to financial management that encompasses investment management, charitable giving, business planning and strategies designed to maximize family wealth.
Michael Gildenhorn, Chevy Chase Trust – Bethesda, MD
Everything we do is designed to pursue the potential in your investment portfolio. It requires a level of dedication—and even a philosophy—you simply won’t find in a conventional money management firm. It also requires focus. It means we act as a fiduciary in the context of an individualized investment strategy. And to that end, we also recommend a comprehensive financial plan that informs asset allocation and other key decisions
Mary Malgoire, Family Firm – Bethesda, MD
The Family Firm is a deliberately independent fee-only full-service personal financial advisory firm headquartered in Bethesda, MD and, in addition, serves clients from Washington, DC and San Diego, CA.
Paul Pagnato, Pagnato-Karp Group, Hightower Advisors – Reston, VA
We focus on serving the ultra-affluent by providing objective, transparent and pure investing advice. We have placed an emphasis on controlling client’s costs, taxes and entry points into the markets, while also implementing proprietary solutions such as custom stock portfolios, custom indexes and direct private investment opportunities.
Neal Simon, Highline Wealth Management – Rockville, MD
Highline Wealth Management is for those who have achieved success and continue to rise. The goal of HWM is to help you to continue to defy gravity in life. To keep a high line financially, means more freedom to achieve. Reaching your goals for life, career and wealth is like scaling a mountain. In spite of gravity’s pull, you keep moving up.
Greg Sullivan, Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros & Blaney – McLean, VA
Mark Johannessen, Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros & Blaney
SBSB offers comprehensive financial planning, portfolio management, fiduciary services, and tax services. You can rely on us for the expertise, objectivity and the individual attention you need to pursue your financial goals with confidence.
Stephen Bingham, Bingham Financial Advisory – Arlington, VA
Steve is my go-to advisor when I need to refer someone who may be looking for just a financial plan rather than investment management. He works with clients on an hourly or plan basis to develop a financial plan that considers their risk parameters and goals.
This is by no means a comprehensive list and I’m sure that there are others equally deserving of a place here. And keep in mind that this is purely my opinion and not a testimonial or endorsement of these advisors.
It’s important to do your homework and ask a lot of questions when deciding on which financial advisor to engage. I hope this makes your process a bit easier. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us directly here.