How did The Washingtonian put together this list of the area’s top financial experts?
We first surveyed hundreds of area financial professionals, asking them: Whom would you trust with your own money? We also did our own research. The experts listed here received the most recommendations.
No list can be totally comprehensive, and omission from this list doesn’t mean an adviser isn’t good. Likewise, inclusion here doesn’t necessarily mean the person is right for your needs.
Estate planners prepare wills , trusts, and health-care powers of attorney. These experts all have law degrees; we’ve noted those who also are CPAs. We’ve noted any specialties as well, though most attorneys can handle any type of client.
Key Credentials:
CFA: chartered financial analyst
CFM: certified financial manager
CFP: certified financial planner
CFS: certified fund specialist
ChFC: chartered financial consultant
CIC: chartered investment counselor
CIMA: certified investment-management analyst
CLU: chartered life underwriter
CPA: certified public accountant
JD: juris doctor (attorney)
PFS: personal financial specialist
THE LIST:
Charles S. Abell; Chevy Chase
W. Shepherdson Abell; Chevy Chase
Gary Altman; Rockville
Ronald D. Aucutt; McLean
Leigh-Alexandra Basha; McLean
Holly M. Bastian; Washington DC
Edward J. Beckwith; Washington DC
Doris Blazek-White; Washington DC
James L. Boring; Vienna
Thomas H. Campbell; Fairfax
Deborah D. Cochran; Vienna
Earl M. Colson; Washington DC
Michael F. Curtin; Washington DC
Jay M. Eisenberg; Potomac
Nancy G. Fax; Bethesda
Marc R. Feinberg; Bethesda
Donna Esposito Fincher; Vienna
Ellen K. Harrison; Washington DC
Beth Shapiro Kaufman; Washington DC
Don Kozusko; Washington DC
Rhonda J. MacDonald, CPA; Vienna
Robert E. Madden; Washington DC
Mary Ann Mancini; Washington DC
Virginia A. McArthur; Washington DC
Jerry J. McCoy; Washington DC
James E. McNair; McLean
William G. Murray; Arlington
Anne J. O'Brien; Washington DC
Philip L. O'Donoghue; Chevy Chase
Lynn K. Pearle; Washington DC
Thomas W. Richardson; Washington DC
Alban Salaman; Washington DC
A. Christopher Sega; Washington DC
Douglas L. Siegler; Washington DC
Martha Sotelo; Vienna
Kelly A. Thompson; Arlington
Stefan F. Tucker; Washington DC
C. Daniel Vaughan; Vienna
Patrick J. Vaughan, CPA; Vienna
Robert E. Ward; Bethesda
Steven A. Widdes; Rockville
This list first appeared in the November 2010 issue of The Washingtonian.
Contributing to this article were Marisa M. Kashino, Mary Clare Glover, Zac Farber, Anna Spiegel, Luke Mullins, Mollie Reilly, Elliot Kort, Caitlin Fairchild, Sherri Dalphonse, Emily Leaman, Katie Glueck, Jason Koebler, Cindy Rich, Kate Nerenberg, Denise Kersten Wills, Jack Limpert, Garrett M. Graff, and Ken DeCell.
Sherri Dalphonse joined Washingtonian in 1986 as an editorial intern, and worked her way to the top of the masthead when she was named editor-in-chief in 2022. She oversees the magazine’s editorial staff, and guides the magazine’s stories and direction. She lives in DC.
