Top Financial Advisors in Bethesda, MD

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Chevy Chase Trust Company (CCTC) is a massive fee-only financial advisor firm that's ranked No. 1 among advisory practices in Bethesda. The firm's principal business is serving high-net-worth individuals and families. It does not work with individual clients below the high-net-worth threshold. Indeed, the firm has a $3 million minimum account size, though it says it is waivable either at the firm's discretion or because of expectations that the account will surpass that minimum at a later date.

Institutional services are also a sizable part of Chevy Chase Trust Company's offerings. In fact, the firm manages assets for charitable organizations, businesses, government entities, pooled investment vehicles, retirement plans, escrow accounts and insurance companies.

Even at its very large size, the advisory staff at this firm boasts a fairly significant number of certifications, including the chartered financial analyst (CFA), Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), certified public accountant (CPA), chartered market technician (CMT) and certified trust and financial advisor (CTFA) designations. 

In addition to being the top-rated firm in Bethesda, CCTC also holds the top spot on SmartAsset's list of the top financial advisors in the state of Maryland. As a fee-only practice, advisors at CCTC do not sell insurance products like annuities for commissions.

Services available to individual clients of this firm include financial planning and investment management. More specifically, financial planning can cover topics like income planning, cash flow planning, risk management, insurance planning, strategic tax planning, estate planning, charitable gift planning and more. Investment services are based around the creation and management of a personalized portfolio. 

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XML Financial Group is a fee-only advisory firm that works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, trusts and estates. Less commonly, the firm also works with corporations, business entities, associations, ERISA plans, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and trusts and estates that are not considered to be retail investors. 

The firm does not have a minimum account size requirement for its services, but some of the third-party manager services do require the assets under management (AUM) to be at least $50,000 at all times. As a fee-only firm, there are no potential conflicts of interest with any investment recommendations as all of its compensation comes from client-paid fees.

Team members hold various professional certifications, including Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC).

XML Financial Group believes in focusing on what matters the most, which is different for each individual client. Each client's investment plan is made depending on their needs, risk tolerance and what type of monetary group they belong to (if they have unique needs). They work with each client to define their future and make an investment plan that helps them achieve their dreams, from building wealth to planning for retirement. 

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Heritage Investors Management Corp. is a fee-only firm that works with both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, charities and corporations. 

The firm imposes a $1 million minimum account size and a $10,000 minimum annual fee, though both requirements can be waived. As a fee-only firm, Heritage's sole form of compensation comes from client-paid fees.

The firm's advisory team holds several financial certifications, including the chartered financial analyst (CFA), chartered investment counselor (CIC) and certified public accountant (CPA) designations.

Financial planning and investment management services are both available through Heritage Investors Management Corp. The firm's investment services are tailored to clients' specific needs and goals.

Heritage Investors Management Corp. works to understand its clients before advisors start investing clients' money. According to the firm's Form ADV, it pays attention to the following when formulating an investment plan: risk tolerance, age and time horizon, income needs, growth needs and tax situation. 

Once the above process is complete, this firm will then work on creating an investment portfolio for the client. In general, the firm tends to invest in U.S. stocks, bonds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), though the firm is also open to investing in foreign stocks and bonds. When analyzing which securities to invest in, the firm uses a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.

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Pennington Partners & Co., LLC has a $100,000 minimum annual fee. While this requirement is waivable, there's no doubt that this is an exclusive firm - it only works with several dozen clients, the vast majority of whom are ultra-affluent high-net-worth individuals. The firm also works with a few pooled investment vehicles.

This firm calls itself a "dynamic family office." Family office services are therefore a major part of its offerings, as it provides clients with the holistic management of all of their assets and investments. The firm offers investment services on a non-wrap fee basis.

Certain on-staff advisors at this firm can receive commissions for insurance sales. Although this represents a potential conflict of interest, the firm is legally required to act in clients' best interests due to its fiduciary duty.

At this firm, you'll find a number of accredited professionals who hold the following certifications: certified public accountant (CPA), chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified investment management analyst (CIMA), chartered alternative investment analyst (CAIA) and certified private wealth advisor (CPWA).

Investment strategies typically used by advisors at Pennington Partners & Co. include long-term purchases, short-term purchases, trading and options. By incorporating both long- and short-term purchases in its investment philosophy, the firm ensures that it can attempt to meet clients' needs regardless of their time horizon.

When determining which types of securities to invest in, this firm tends to utilize some combination of charting, cyclical, fundamental and technical methods of analysis. The firm is open to using just about any investments when managing client assets.

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FBB Capital Partners is another fee-only firm that primarily works with high-net-worth individuals and non-high-net-worth individuals. Advisors are also equipped to work with individuals' trusts and related estate holdings and trusts, as well as charitable organizations.

For portfolio management accounts with less than a $500,000 balance, the firm generally requires a $5,000 minimum annual fee. Depending on the scope of the services you need, the firm may provide financial planning on an hourly or fixed-fee basis. 

When you establish a relationship with FBB, you’ll have access to advisors with the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation, as well as those who hold the chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified public accountant (CPA) and chartered alternative investment analyst (CAIA) accreditations. 

As a fee-only firm, which means all of its earnings come from client-paid fees and not third-party commissions.

FBB's primary services are investment management and financial planning, the latter of which the firm describes as the often overlooked, blocking and tackling of one's holstic financial well-being." 

FBB Capital Partners designs portfolios based on a client's individual circumstances such as risk tolerance and investment goals. The firm does not limit itself to certain securities and makes recommendations as it deems appropriate to your financial circumstances. Your portfolio may offer exposure to the following securities: exchange-listed securities, securities traded over-the-counter, corporate debt securities, municipal securities, mutual fund shares, United States governmental and agency securities and options contracts on securities. 

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Trumbower Financial Advisors (TFA) is a fee-only firm that doesn't require an account minimum for new clients. The firm works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, their trusts and estates, as well as charitable organizations

This firm works on a fee-only basis, which means it collects compensation solely from client-provided services and doesn’t earn any third-party sales commissions.

The Trumbower advisory team features those who hold the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified public accountant (CPA) designations.

The firm focuses on tax and financial planning services, as well as investment advisory services. More specifically, it offers advice on topics such as estate planning, retirement planning, budgeting and cash flow management. 

TFA deploys a five-step investment advisory process. It begins with establishing a long-term financial plan that considers the client’s investment goals. The firm then examines the client’s existing asset allocations against the information it gathered. It then develops a strategic asset allocation based on the data it gathered from the first two steps. Next, the advisor helps the client determine an investment policy statement (IPS). Finally, the firm and client agree on a regular schedule to review and rebalance the portfolio.

Unless the advisor determines the client has a long-term time horizon, it will follow a conservative fixed-income strategy. This generally involves investing in municipal bonds, FDIC-insured certificates of deposit (CDs). It may also utilize equity mutual funds and unleveraged broad index exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

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MV Capital Management (MVCM) specializes in asset-management advice, and it can provide financial planning services upon request. This fee-based practice works with high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans and charitable organizations. For its investment advisory services, the firm adheres to an aggregate minimum account size of $1 million on a per household basis.

The firm collects fees based on a percentage of your assets under management (AUM). For financial planning services, fees may vary and are based on the scope of the services you need.

As a fee-based firm, certain advisors at MVCM can earn commissions from insurance product sales, which is a potential conflict of interest. The firm still abides by fiduciary duty, however, legally binding it to act in your best interest.

The team includes advisors who hold designations such as chartered financial analyst (CFA), Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), certified public accountant (CPA) and person financial specialist (PFS) designation.

MVCM focuses on discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services. However, financial planning services are available if you need them. These can include wealth accumulation planning, distribution planning, wealth transfer planning, business exit strategizing, estate planning, insurance planning and more.

MV Capital Management analyzes clients’ financial profiles to design portfolios. It takes into account various factors like goals, risk tolerance and time horizon to create an appropriate asset allocation. It may spread your assets across multiple asset classes including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), stocks, bonds and other securities.

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Edgemoor Investment Advisors is a fee-only firm that mainly works with individuals and high-net-worth individuals. However, the firm does require clients to maintain an account size of $1 million. Edgemoor also works with charitable organizations, corporations and businesses. 

The team of advisors at Edgemoor includes those who hold the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and chartered financial analyst (CFA) designations.

As a fee-only firm, Edgemoor makes money via client-paid fees, not third-party sales commissions.

Edgemoor Investment Advisors provides personalized investment advisory and financial planning services to clients. Investment services will be based on your needs and goals. Financial planning services follow a similar structure, but they tend to focus on financial situation analysis, income planning, insurance planning, risk management, college savings planning and more.

Edgemoor Investment Advisors believes in building client portfolios according to their needs and goals rather than a firm-wide philosophy. To understand exactly what you're looking for out of your investments, the firm will talk with you to figure out your long- and short-term investment goals, risk tolerance, current financial position, time horizon and income needs.

Once the firm feels comfortable in its understanding of your personal situation, it will put together and implement a portfolio plan that's specifically tailored to the aforementioned factors. In general, the firm tends to invest in some combination of equities and income-generating investments. As your portfolio ages, the firm will continuously review and rebalance your investments.

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Sargent Investment Group (SIG) provides investment advisory services to a wide range of clients. It also offers financial planning services to these clients on one-time or ongoing flat fee basis. Financial planning services can cover any area that the client needs help with. Most of SIG's clients are high-net-worth individuals. However, the firm also works with non-high-net-worth individuals, trusts, estates, non-profit organizations and businesses.

The firm has a $500,000 minimum account size. On certain occasions, this fee-based firm can earn commissions from the sale of third-party investment products. Despite the potential conflict of interest this creates, the firm is legally bound by fiduciary duty to act in your best interest at all times.

Sargent Investment Group’s investment advisory strategy begins with a thorough analysis of the client’s current situation. The firm examines factors like risk tolerance, investing goals, tax status, investing time horizon and more. It then builds a portfolio with an asset allocation that’s appropriate to you based on this information.

The firm generally invests client assets across mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and individual securities such as stocks and bonds. The firm may also utilize third-party fund managers when it deems it appropriate to your situation. SGI selects such managers based on qualitative and quantitative analysis that may incorporate several points such as performance and volatility characteristics.

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The Family Firm, Inc. works primarily with individuals and families, providing both financial planning and investment management services. The firm has been in business for more than 40 years and specializes in serving clients who rely on their investment portfolios for a substantial portion of income in retirement.

Its advisory team includes professionals who hold the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA), certified private wealth advisor (CPWA) and certified investment management analyst (CIMA) designations. Each client is assigned a primary financial advisor, paraplanner and investment manager, and CFP® certification is required for lead advisors.

The Family Firm offers continuous, comprehensive financial management that integrates discretionary investment management, financial modeling, tax planning, cash flow planning, annual updates and ad-hoc advice. Client portfolios are customized to reflect individual circumstances, and accounts are reviewed regularly with detailed reports provided quarterly and annually.

As a fee-only firm, The Family Firm does not accept commissions, referral fees, 12b-1 fees or performance-based fees. Compensation is derived solely from client fees, and all staff sign a fiduciary oath to act in the best interests of their clients at all times

When constructing portfolios, the firm emphasizes diversification across seven major asset classes: cash, U.S. bonds, foreign bonds, U.S. stocks, foreign stocks, commercial real estate and natural resources. Investments may include individual stocks and bonds, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Family Firm weighs cost, risk, tax impact and management quality when selecting securities. Portfolios are rebalanced periodically, with performance calculated annually and compared to relevant benchmarks.