Washingtonian Awards

To arrive at the names of the area’s top financial advisers — fee-only financial planners, fee-based advisers, estate attorneys, tax accountants, and insurance advisers — the Washingtonian editorial team distributes surveys to hundreds of people who work in the local financial industry. They are asked who they would trust with their own money. The team also does their own research, consulting industry experts and publications. The “Top Financial Advisor” names on this list are the people who received the strongest recommendations. Top bank wealth advisers are judged differently. Banks and brokerages provide the Washingtonian editorial team with the names of individuals with the most assets under management, or AUM.

Northern Virginia Magazine Awards

Each year Northern Virginia Magazine publishes a list of Top Financial Professionals. To compile that list, the editorial staff sends surveys to Northern Virginia financial professionals asking them to recommend other financial professionals whom they would refer to friends and family. The staff then vets those nominated to come up with the final list, which appears in the September issue of the magazine. The Top Financial Professionals from the most recently published list are marked with a badge on the online directory.

Five Star Wealth Manager Awards – Washington, DC

To receive the Five Star Wealth Manager award, a wealth manager must satisfy 10 objective eligibility and evaluation criteria that are associated with wealth managers who provide quality services to their clients. Factors taken into account include assets under management and client retention rate. Candidates also undergo a thorough regulatory and complaint review. The criteria are found in the Five Star Research Methodology publication which is available upon request by sending an email to info@sagevestwealth.com.

Advisory HQ

Advisory HQ independently researches the top financial advisors and wealth management firms across the US, rating the best companies in each region. Their ranking process includes a wide range of filters, including fiduciary duty, independence, transparency, level of customized service, history of innovation, fee structure, quality of services, team excellence, and wealth of experience. Advisory HQ has a detailed description of its methodology available on its website which you can reach by clicking here. However, if this link is not available, please contact SageVest at info@sagevestwealth.com for a copy of that methodology as it exists as of 2026.

AdvisorHub

The Advisors to Watch ranks advisors on the basis of 1) scale and quality of practice, 2) year over year growth and 3) overall professionalism. Nominees are required to have a minimum of seven years experience, $150M minimum AUM, and a clean regulatory record. AdvisorHub has a detailed description of its methodology available on its website which you can reach by clicking here. However, if this link is not available, please contact SageVest at info@sagevestwealth.com for a copy of that methodology as it exists as of 2026.

With regard to all awards, participation in these rankings is open to any firm or advisor and there are no fees for participation. Advisors may purchase plaques and marketing materials after receiving an award. SageVest participates in such options.