How did The Washingtonian put together this list of the area’s top financial experts?
We first surveyed hundreds of area financial professionals, asking them: Whom would you trust with your own money? We also did our own research. The experts listed here received the most recommendations.
No list can be totally comprehensive, and omission from this list doesn’t mean an adviser isn’t good. Likewise, inclusion here doesn’t necessarily mean the person is right for your needs.
The category of fee-only advisers includes certified financial planners — who create detailed financial plans and often also manage money — as well as financial advisers who manage and invest portfolios. Fee-only advisers do not accept commissions or referral fees — a practice, they say, that keeps them free of bias. Most charge a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a fee based on a percentage of assets.
“Minimum” is the minimum investment portfolio handled by an adviser — although many take smaller portfolios, such as when a young professional with whom an adviser is working has the promise of higher future earnings.
While most offer a range of services , we asked the advisers or those who recommended them to tell us of any specialties.
Key Credentials:
CFA: chartered financial analyst
CFM: certified financial manager
CFP: certified financial planner
CFS: certified fund specialist
ChFC: chartered financial consultant
CIC: chartered investment counselor
CIMA: certified investment-management analyst
CLU: chartered life underwriter
CPA: certified public accountant
JD: juris doctor (attorney)
PFS: personal financial specialist
THE LIST:
George F. Albright Jr., JD; Washington DC
Mark Atherton, CFP; Reston
Michael F. Bearer, CFP, CPA, PFS, CIMA; Bethesda
John (Terry) Beaty Jr.,; Bethesda
Paul C. Bennett, MSF, ChFC, CFP; Great Falls
Gordon Bernhardt, Bernhardt Wealth Management
Stephen E. Bingham, CFP; Arlington
William G. Brennan, CFP, PFS, CPA; Washington DC
Joseph M. Brodecki, CFP; Washington DC
Christopher N. Brown, MBA, CFP; Rockville
Cal Brown, CFP; McLean
Glen J. Buco, CFP; McLean
Elissa Buie, CFP; Vienna
Paul F. Cocozza, CFP, CPA; Arlington
Thomas B. Conway, CFP, JD; Rockville
Fred J. Cornelius, CFA, CFP; Rockville
Michael Cornfield, CFA, CIC; Bethesda
John T. Devine, CPA, PFS; Chevy Chase
Michael Farr
Marjorie L. Fox, CFP, JD; Reston
Thomas D. Frank, CFA; Bethesda
Susan Freed, CFP; Chevy Chase
Barry Glassman, CFP; McLean
Herbert G. Hopwood, CFP, CFA; Great Falls
Donald Irwin IV; Washington DC
Mark Johannsessen, CFP; McLean
J. Mark Joseph, CFP, CPA, PFS, CLU; Reston
Daniel Kane, CFA, CIC; Chevy Chase
Glenn Kautt, CFP; McLean
Veena A. Kutler, CFA, Bethesda
Steven D. Lockshin, CIMA; Rockville
J. Michael Martin, CFP, JD; Columbia
James W. (Skip) Mersereau, CFA, CIC; Chevy Chase
Helen L. Modly, CFP, ChFC; Middleburg
Eileen M. O’Connor, CFP; McLean
Everrette B. Orr, CPA, CFP, CFA; Orr Financial Planning
Alice Paik, Brown Advisory
Christine Parker, CFP; La Plata
Ron Rubin, PFS, CPA; Bethesda
Karen P. Schaeffer, CFP; Rockville
Robert Scherer; Potomac
Annette F. Simon, CFP; Bethesda
Neal J.B. Simon; Bethesda
Leslie K. Smith, JD; Bethesda
Peter C. Speros, CFP; McLean
Greg Sullivan, Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros & Blayney, Inc.
Steven Thalheimer, CFP; Silver Spring
David Zier, CIMA; Rockville
This list first appeared in the November 2010 issue of The Washingtonian.
Sherri Dalphonse joined Washingtonian in 1986 as an editorial intern, and worked her way to the top of the masthead when she was named editor-in-chief in 2022. She oversees the magazine’s editorial staff, and guides the magazine’s stories and direction. She lives in DC.
