Top Financial Advisors in Washington, D.C.

Find an Advisor

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.

Armstrong, Fleming & Moore lists the following as its most common services: Investment management, cash-flow planning, retirement planning, tax planning, education planning, estate planning and risk management. The firm's team includes advisors who hold the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), certified public accountant (CPA), chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC), accredited investment fiduciary (AIF) designations, among others. 

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. 

Find an Advisor

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

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.

Keep in mind that advisors at Graham Capital may receive additional compensation when recommending certain products and services in their separate capacities as insurance agents. While this compensatino model creates a conflict of interest, the firm has a fiduciary responsibility to disclose such conflicts and always act in your best interests. 

Find an Advisor

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. 

Services the firm offers include individualized financial planning, annual financial plan reviews, single-issue consultation and analysis, educational programs, account aggregation reporting, asset allocation advice and asset management. Asset management may be provided on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis, including through third-party multi-manager programs. 

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 generally uses model portfolios and third-party multi-manager programs. These may include platforms such as Cambridge Asset Allocation Platform, AssetMark, Orion Portfolio Solutions and Brinker Capital. Portfolios can include stocks, bonds, municipal securities, government securities, limited partnerships, mutual funds and unit investment trusts.

For planning clients, the firm may use five-year time segment planning over a 20-year horizon. Under this approach, lower-risk investments may be considered for near-term cash needs, while later time segments may be invested according to the client’s longer-term objectives and risk tolerance.

Bryspen, Incorporated is the fourth and final firm on our list of the top advisors in the nation's capital. Bryspen 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 requirement 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 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 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.