Top Financial Advisors in Charlottesville, VA

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In addition to topping our list, Darrell & King is the oldest qualifying firm on our list, having opened for business in 1975. The firm’s advisors include certifications such as chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified financial planner (CFP). Darrell & King is a fee-only firm, meaning the entirety of its compensation comes from the standard advisory fees that clients pay.

Almost all of the firm's clients are individuals with a net worth below the high-net-worth threshold. Rounding out this client base is a handful of pooled investment vehicles, pension plans, charities and foundations. There is no stated minimum account size at Darrell & King, so technically anyone can open an account.

Darrell & King Background

Jack Darrell founded Darrell & King back in 1975. Darrell still acts as the principal owner to this day, and he has around 50 years of investment experience to his name. Charles G. King is also an owner of the firm.

The firm's primary service offering is investment management, which involves researching and selecting a mix of securities to create an individualized portfolio for each client. The firm provides limited financial planning services.

Darrell & King Investment Philosophy

Individual stocks and bonds usually form the backbone of client portfolios at Darrell & King. Occasionally, the firm may also invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or mutual funds. When selecting specific investments, the firm will analyze both the economy as a whole and factors specific to an individual company or fund.

Before deciding on any investments, the firm will look to establish several client-specific investment characteristics. These can include current wealth level, investment goals, time until retirement, risk tolerance and more. With these considerations in mind, the firm will develop an appropriate asset allocation to help you reach your goals.

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Emergent Financial Services divides its services into two main categories: individual and institutional. Individual services are available to both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth individuals, as the firm currently maintains advisory relationships with both. Institutional clients of the firm include most notably businesses, as well as government entities and charitable organizations.

As a fee-only firm, the entirety of Emergent's compensation comes from client-paid fees.

Emergent Financial Services Background

Emergent Financial Services is a family-owned firm that was established in 2017. Managing partner and chief investment officer (CIO) Xavier Urpí, CEO Alexander Urpí and partners Nickolas Urpí and Michael Urpí are the principal owners of the firm.

For individuals, both investment management and financial planning services are available with no minimum requirements. Financial planning can cover topics like insurance analysis, tax minimization, asset allocation planning, retirement planning, savings planning and investment planning. Investment management involves the creation and oversight of a portfolio built according to your needs.

Emergent Financial Services Investment Process

When you become a client of Emergent Financial Services, the firm will start by providing you with a questionnaire about yourself. This will entail answering questions about your current financial situation, income needs, ultimate financial goals and risk tolerance. Once you return your responses, the firm will determine which of its asset allocation models is best suited to your needs.

Before your money is invested according to the model, the firm will discuss things with you to ensure you are comfortable with the decisions. Then, you and your advisor will develop a more detailed investment plan that will focus on the specific securities that will occupy space in your portfolio. Once implemented, your portfolio will be reviewed on a quarterly basis, with rebalances being completed on an as-necessary basis.

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Although it resides in the latter half of this list, Marotta Wealth Management has one of the largest advisory staffs of any firm on this list. The firm's team includes such certifications as certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial analyst (CFA), accredited wealth management advisor (AWMA) and accredited investment fiduciary (AIF).

A fee-only firm, Marotta works with a few retirement plans and charities, but most of its clients are individuals - both with and without a high net worth. The firm has variable minimum requirements that depend on the investment services you’re looking for:

• "Comprehensive" level: $1 million minimum account size or $2,500 minimum quarterly fee
• "Collaborative" level: $400,000 minimum account size or $1,000 minimum quarterly fee
• "Do-It-Yourself" level: no minimum account size or minimum quarterly fee

Marotta Wealth Management Background

Marotta Wealth Management has been serving its clients for around two decades since it was established in 2000. David John Marotta is the firm's sole owner, as well as its founder, president, CEO and chief compliance officer (CCO).

This firm's goal is to take a holistic approach to the management of each client's finances. As such, it offers both investment management and comprehensive financial planning services. For clients who don't require such a vast range of services, the firm also provides a "Do-It-Yourself" service which includes access to investment management offerings and rebalances.

Marotta Wealth Management Investment Philosophy

Marotta Wealth Management primarily uses exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, closed-end funds, money market funds, certificates of deposit (CDs), individual stocks and individual bonds to construct investment portfolios for each client. The exact combination of these securities will naturally depend on the client's investment goals and tolerance for risk. This firm relies on modern portfolio theory (MPT), among other methods of analysis, to guide its investment advice. 

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A.N. Culbertson & Company has cultivated a client base of about 300 since its founding in 1993. It’s one of the more exclusive firms on this list, as it has a required minimum account size of $1 million. The firm may decide to waive this minimum at its discretion, though, as more than half of its individual clients are below the high-net-worth threshold. The firm also maintains advisory relationships with high-net-worth individuals, pension plans, businesses and charities.

A.N. Culbertson & Company is a fee-only firm. It has a few financial advisors on staff; certifications include chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified financial planner (CFP) and certified public accountant (CPA).

A.N. Culbertson & Company Background

A.N. Culbertson & Company first opened for business back in 1993, and it's currently owned by two individuals: chairman and CEO Alan N. Culbertson and Sharon P. Culbertson. 

Asset management and financial planning are the two core services available to clients of this firm. The former is on a discretionary basis, and the latter can include investment review, tax planning, estate planning, insurance coverage, college funding, long-term goal planning and risk tolerance review.

A.N. Culbertson & Company Investment Philosophy

A.N. Culbertson & Company typically assemble client portfolios using a mix of investments. This is done to ensure that your funds are diversified throughout various areas of the market. The firm tends to invest in equities, corporate debt securities, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), certificates of deposit (CDs), municipal securities and U.S. government securities.

The firm employs fundamental analysis when it comes to evaluating securities. Fundamental analysis is the attempt to discern a company or fund’s intrinsic economic value by analyzing "fundamental" indicators like its balance sheet, management and other financial documents, rather than focusing only on the movement of its market price.

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Chase Investment Counsel Corporation is a fee-only firm with 72 clients but has been in business for 65 years. It's a boutique firm that aims to give a personal approach to investment management. The firm, which does not have a required account minimum, works with individuals, partnerships, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, Taft-Hartley plans, Governmental plans, municipalities, not-for-profit entities, corporations and other business entities. 

Chase Investment Counsel Corporation Background

Chase Investment Counsel Corporation was founded in 1957 by Derwood S. Chase, Jr., who continues to serves the Chairman Emeritus today. The firm is still managed by the Chase family and its employees. The firm's advisors hold designations such as certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial analyst (CFA), chartered market technician (CMT) and investment advisor certified compliance professional (IACCP). 

Chase Investment Counsel Corporation Investment Philosophy

Chase Investment Counsel Corporation has served generations of the same family members and aims for a smaller, boutique approach to investment management. Chase aims to differentiate itself with an active investment approach and manages the purchase of primarily stocks and bonds.

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Solitude Financial Services is a small fee-only financial advisor firm. As a fee-only operation, the firm's sole form of compensation is the fees that clients pay. On the other hand, a fee-based firm would be anyone that earns both client-paid fees and third-party commissions for things like insurance product sales.

There is no set account minimum for new clients of Solitude Financial. The firm's entire client base is comprised of individuals, those both with and without a high net worth.

The firm's investment services are divided into four subcategories: initial portfolio review and asset allocation analysis, annual portfolio review and rebalances, advice on specific securities and discretionary account services. Financial planning services revolve around taxes, risk management and insurance.

Solitude Financial Services Background

Solitude Financial Services has been in business since 2006. The firm is owned by Gene Kowalski, who is also its founder and lead advisor. Kowalski joined the Air Force in 1985 and has a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, though he made his shift to the financial space in 2005.

Solitude Financial Services Investment Strategy

When creating an investment portfolio for a client, Solitude Financial Services most importantly focuses on their personal needs and goals. As a result, the firm will work with you to determine your risk tolerance, financial objectives, tax situation, time horizon, income needs and any other relevant information. Based on these factors, the firm will create a detailed asset allocation plan that will dictate the makeup of your portfolio.

Generally speaking, Solitude Financial tends to invest in some combination of common stocks, individual bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and cash instruments. Other strategies the firm may use include covered calls, put protection or long in-the-money calls.

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Rede Wealth manages the investable assets of about 200 clients. This client base includes non-high-net-worth individuals, high-net-worth individuals, pension plans and charitable organizations. This fee-only firm doesn’t impose a minimum account size, making it available to most prospective clients.

In terms of the size of the advisory staff at Rede Wealth, it is fairly small. In addition, one of its advisors holds a certified financial planner (CFP) designation.

Rede Wealth Background

Founded in 2015, Rede Wealth is one of the youngest firms on our list. Today, the firm is owned by its sole advisors and co-founders: CEO Stephen McNaughton and chief operating officer (COO) Matthew Dawson.

The firm has two primary service offerings: financial planning and discretionary investment management. These might encompass investment portfolio assessment, asset allocation planning, retirement planning, college fund planning and more.

Rede Wealth Investment Philosophy

Rede Wealth generally recommends that clients invest in a combination of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The intent behind these choices is that clients will hold onto them for at least a year, or even longer. The firm may also recommend investing in individual stocks and bonds.

The firm begins the portfolio creation process by working with each client to establish a target asset allocation. This serves as a starting point for each portfolio, but the firm will continue to analyze investment options and reevaluate as needed.

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Grand Strategy Capital is a fee-only firm that offers services such as investment strategy, asset allocation, financial planning, regular portfolio monitoring and the selection of other advisers. The firm works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations and other business entities.  

Grand Strategy Capital Background

The firm, which has a $50,000 minimum account balance, was founded in 2010 by Harvey Graham Jr., who still serves as the principal owner today. The firm aims to provide a team-based approach to create the right strategy for clients in an effort to provide a high-quality customer service experience. 

Grand Strategy Capital Investment Philosophy

GSC offers an individualized investment approach to its main investment management service. The investment strategy is designed and tailored made for each client after answering a series of questions regarding their goals and appetite for risk. The firm may advise clients to invest in mutual funds, equities, bonds, fixed-income, debt securities, ETFs, real estate, third-party money managers, REITs, limited partnerships, private placements or government securities.