Top Financial Advisors in Washington, D.C.

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Armstrong, Fleming & Moore is SmartAsset's highest-rated financial advisory firm in Washington D.C. However, this fee-based practice requires a relatively high account minimum of $1 million, though it may waive the requirement at its discretion. In fact, the firm states that its services are best suited for individuals and families with a minimum net worth of $3 million.

It firm serves both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals, as well as charitable organizations.

The advisory team holds multiple certifications, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), accredited investment fiduciary (AIF), chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC) designations, among others. 

Armstrong, Fleming & Moore is a fee-based firm. Some advisors are insurance agents and collect sales commissions. The firm is a fiduciary, however, so its advisors are legally required to put clients' best interests before their own.

Armstrong, Fleming & Moore Background

Armstrong, Fleming & Moore not only has the most assets under management on this list, it's also the oldest firm, having been founded in 1983 by chairman emeritus Alexandra Armstrong. Today, the firm is principally owned by Ryan Fleming and Mary Moore.Chris Rivers and Carl Holubowich also became owners in 2012 and 2014, respectively.

No matter where you are in your financial timeline, the firm can offer guidance. Armstrong, Fleming & Moore lists the following as its most common services:

• Investment management
• Cash-flow planning and debt analysis
• Retirement planning
• Tax planning
• Education planning
• Estate planning
• Insurance planning and risk management

Armstrong, Fleming & Moore Investment Strategy

Armstrong, Fleming & Moore’s investment committee, which comprises its principals and other advisors, ultimately decides where to invest your assets. The firm’s investment committee meets monthly to discuss investment opportunities. Typically, the firm uses exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, stocks and bonds. 

The investment committee bases its decisions for individual portfolios on an investor’s risk tolerance and financial goals. As your account matures, the firm will rebalance your account should it drift from your target asset allocation.

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With no set account minimum, Capital Investment Advisors works mostly with individuals who do not have high net worths. It also serves high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, charities and corporations.

As a fee-based firm, some advisors may also be broker-dealer representatives and/or insurance agents. The compensation for these non-advisor roles are transaction-based, which can potentially be a conflict of interest. That said, the firm is a fiduciary, meaning it is legally bound to act in its clients' best interests.

Capital Investment Advisors Background

Capital Investment Advisors was founded in 1998 by John Girouard. Today, the firm is owned by parent company, Capital Asset Management Group. 

Capital Investment Advisors emphasizes the importance of financial independence. The firm strives to help its clients achieve financial independence through its various services, which include:

• Financial planning
• Retirement planning
• Investment management
• Risk management and insurance services
• Estate and legacy planning
• Charitable and philanthropic gifting strategies
• Social Security, Medicare and employer benefit strategies
• Long-term care planning
• Education savings plans
• Comprehensive tax analysis and preparation

Capital Investment Advisors Investment Strategy

Capital Investment Advisors follows a strategic approach to asset management by utilizing a third-party multi-manager program to oversee client portfolios. Portfolios can include a diverse range of investments, including common and preferred stocks, bonds, mutual funds and government securities. These investments are organized into model portfolios that vary in risk, aligning with the client's risk tolerance and financial objectives.

CIA emphasizes a time-segmented approach when planning for clients' future cash needs. Immediate needs within the first five years are allocated to low-risk investments like savings accounts or U.S. government securities. As the timeline progresses, funds designated for the fifth to 10th year and beyond are gradually placed in portfolios with increasing levels of risk to balance potential growth with the client’s long-term goals. For funds earmarked for use beyond the 20-year mark, the firm recommends more aggressive investments to maximize long-term growth potential.

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Graham Capital Wealth Management is a fee-based firm that works entirely with individual clients, both above and below the high-net-worth threshold.. The firm requires at least a $40,000 investment for its portfolio management services, though it may reduce that amount at its discretion. With a relatively low minimum, the overwhelming majority of clients do not have a high net worth.

At Graham Capital, advisors may also be insurance agents. In these sales roles, they can collect commissions, which could potentially be a conflict of interest. But as an SEC-registered firm, the advisors are legally required to put clients' best interests first. 

The firm has two Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®) on staff. 

Graham Capital Wealth Management Background

Founded in 2015, Graham Captial Wealth Management received its SEC registration in 2019. Principal and managing director Stash Graham and David Graham indirectly own the firm through parent companies. 

The firm primarily offers wealth management services, which comprise both investment management and financial planning. 

Graham Capital Wealth Management Investment Strategies

Based on its discussions with you, Graham will construct an investment portfolio, consisting of low-cost, diversified mutual funds and/or exchange-traded funds. It may also use individual stocks or bonds – and retain already held investments due to tax considerations and other factors. Generally, the firm takes the long-term approach, though it may engage in short-term trading if deemed appropriate.

When evaluating investments, Graham Capital primarily uses fundamental, technical and/or cyclical methods of analysis. Its sources of research include financial media companies, third-party research materials, Internet sources and company annual reports, prospectuses and press releases.

Bryspen, Incorporated is a fee-only advisor that works almost entirely with high-net-worth individuals. It also maintains advisory relationships with some non-high-net-worth individuals and retirement plans.

The firm does not list a minimum account size requiremnet in its Form ADV brochure. As a fee-only practice, Bryspen advisors do not sell securities or insurance policies for commissions. This means you'll avoid a common conflict of interest.

Bryspen, Incorporated Background

John S. Bryan founded Bryspen, Incorporated in 1993 in Atlanta. The firm has since moved its principal place of business to Washington, D.C. Bryan is still the firm’s president and 100% owner.

Bryspen provides financial planning services to its clients in the form of a “Financial Profile” report. The firm also offers investment supervisory services and consulting services. Without a website, you'll have to read the firm's Form ADV documentation or contact the firm directly to get a better sense of whether it's a fit for you. 

Bryspen, Incorporated Investment Strategy

Bryspen primarily relies on fundamental analysis when evaluating potential securities. This method of analysis attempts to discern the intrinsic or “fundamental” value of a company or stock by examining overall economic and financial factors, then using that value to determine if the stock is overpriced or underpriced.

The firm’s investment strategy is not restricted to any single product or service offered by broker-dealers or insurance companies. Instead, Bryspen provides advice on a variety of investment vehicles, including mutual funds, exchange-listed securities, over-the-counter stocks and foreign issuers. Additionally, the firm offers guidance on corporate debt securities, municipal bonds, certificates of deposit (CDs) and U.S. government securities.

The firm also recommends variable life insurance, variable annuities, and options contracts on securities. For clients seeking alternative investments, Bryspen advises on interests in partnerships investing in real estate and oil and gas ventures.

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Cope Corrales operates on a fee-based structure, catering to individuals, high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit sharing plans, as well as corporations or business entities. The firm does not require a minimum account balance to access its services.

Cope Corrales offers a range of financial planning and investment management services, with fees structured to accommodate various levels of complexity and asset amounts. For financial planning, clients can expect to pay a fixed fee ranging from $99 to $5,000. For portfolio management, the firm charges a tiered asset-based fee. 

Advisors on staff may earn commissions when recommending insurance products, making Cope Corrales a fee-based firm. While this form of compensation is a conflict of interest, the firm is a fiduciary and must act in your best interests. Meanwhile, the firm has several accredited professionals on staff, including advisors with the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), chartered financial consultant (ChFC) and chartered financial analyst (CFA) designations.

Cope Corrales Background

Cope Corrales was founded in 2019 and is jointly owned by Luis Corrales and Joseph Cope. The firm operates under the shared ownership and leadership of its founders.

The firm offers investment planning, life insurance planning, tax planning, retirement planning, college planning and debt/credit planning.

Cope Corrales Investment Strategy

Cope Corrales adopts a strategic approach focusing on long-term trading and margin transactions. The firm tailors its investment strategies to align with individual client profiles, which include considerations such as risk tolerance, income, tax levels, personal financial goals, time horizon, anticipated income and expenses, current investments and other assets. 

The firm typically invests in mutual funds, equity investments like stocks, and a variety of fixed-income investments, including corporate and government debt securities, leveraged loans, as well as high yield and investment grade debt. They also deal in structured products, such as mortgage and other asset-backed securities.

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Frango Financial is a fee-only advisory firm that primarily caters to middle-income and upper-middle-income individuals and families. Frango Financial does not impose any minimum net worth, annual fee or asset requirements for initiating or maintaining a client relationship.

As a fee-only practice, the firm’s advisors do not receive third-party compensation for recommending products and services. Instead, the firm’s revenue is derived from client-paid fees, which are structured as fixed-fee “Open Retainers,” project-based fees or charges related to tax preparation and/or financial fitness reviews.

Frango Financial Background

Frango Financial was founded in 2009 and is solely owned by Frances E. Goldman.  The firm’s primary service offering is called an Open Retainer, which comprises comprehensive financial planning and ongoing portfolio management. Frango Financial also provides financial fitness reviews, tax preparation and filing, as well as consultations. 

Frango Financial Investment Strategy

Frango Financial employs a strategic approach that emphasizes diversification across various asset classes, a long-term buy-and-hold philosophy and a tailored asset allocation strategy. The firm carefully considers a range of client-specific factors including their current situation, earnings potential, employment status, investment experience, overall financial circumstances, goals and aspirations, personal values, age, and both individual and family circumstances. 

The firm typically invests in no-load mutual funds, ETFs, U.S. government securities, money market funds, certificates of deposit and individual bonds, including U.S. Treasury, corporate, agency and municipal bonds.

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Steward, a fee-only advisory firm that does not have a minimum investment or account size requirement, but it does charge a minimum annual fee of $5,000. As a result, the firm focuses on working with clients with “high disposable income” – households earning at least $200,000 per year and have a positive net wealth.

This small firm's client base comprises both high-net-worth individuals and non-high-net-worth individuals, but not institutional clients. Steward offers a variety of fee structures tailored to different services, including asset-based fees for ongoing wealth management, as well as fixed and hourly fees.

Steward Inc. Background

Steward was founded in 2021 and is under the leadership of principal owner Ami Nash Shah. Shah, a graduate of Harvard Business School, is also a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®). She spent a decade as a wealth advisor and consultant for ultra-high-net-worth clients before establishing Steward. 

The firm offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to enhance financial stability and growth. These include business planning, cash flow and debt management, retirement planning, personal tax planning strategies, and estate planning. Additionally, they provide insurance planning, college planning, employee benefits optimization, prioritizing goals, tax optimization and investment strategy.

Steward Inc. Investment Strategy

Steward adopts a comprehensive investment approach that emphasizes diversification across various asset classes, passive investment management and international diversification. The firm tailors its strategies to align with each client's unique financial situation, including aspects such as estate and tax planning, risk management and both short-term and long-term financial aspirations.

Their typical investments include cash and cash equivalents like money market funds and bank certificates of deposit, as well as bonds ranging from corporate to foreign government bonds. They also invest in stocks of both U.S. and foreign companies, real estate through REITs, and explore alternative asset classes and investment strategies.

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Parco Wealth Management rounds out our list of the top financial advisors in the nation’s capital.

Parco, which specializes in providing retirement services to federal workers, operates on a fee-based structure. This means its advisors may receive third-party compensation when selling insurance policies to advisory clients – a conflict of interest. However, the firm is legally required to act in its clients’ best interests as a fiduciary.

The firm’s client base is entirely composed of non-high-net-worth individuals. That’s no surprise, considering Parco does not institute a minimum account size requirement. 

Parco Wealth Management Background

Parco Wealth Management, which was founded in 2022, is owned by John Mantia and Daniel Hampel. The firm’s primary service offering appears to be retirement planning services, which may include income planning, Roth conversions, tax and debt strategy, life insurance optimization, among other areas of need. 

Parco Wealth Management Investment Strategy

While the firm doesn’t list “portfolio management” as one of its services on its Form ADV, Parco does manage $8.2 million in clients assets, as of February 2024. In its firm brochure, Parco states that it uses a strategic approach to investing that emphasizes asset allocation and a broad, diversified distribution of securities and other investments. The firm tailors investment strategies to individual client profiles, considering factors such as investment objectives, time frames, risk appetite, financial conditions, liquidity needs, net worth, income levels and employment status.

The firm typically invests in low-fee, highly liquid ETFs, stocks, fixed income securities, and maintains a portion of assets in cash.