Editorial Disclosure: This guide was researched and written by Alvin Carlos, CFP®, CFA, Managing Partner of District Capital Management – a fee-only financial planning firm based in Washington, D.C. As one of the firms included on this list, we have an inherent conflict of interest. Our goal is to provide genuinely useful information to help you compare qualified, fee-only fiduciary advisors in the DC area, and we’ve applied the same objective criteria to every firm listed, including our own. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or an endorsement by any regulatory authority. We encourage you to do your own research and interview multiple advisors before making a decision.
Choosing a fee-only fiduciary financial planner in Washington, D.C. is one of the most consequential financial decisions a professional can make. District Capital Management is an independent, fee-only fiduciary financial planning firm based in Washington, DC, founded in 2013 by Alvin Carlos, CFP®, CFA. We created this guide to help you compare qualified, fee-only advisors in the DC metro area using transparent criteria — whether or not you ultimately work with us.
We also explain how financial advisors charge, what it means to be “fee-only,” and what to look for when you want someone who’s truly acting in your best interest, especially if you’re a busy professional in your 30s and 40s.
We built this guide to help people compare options fairly, even if they choose a different firm. If you’re ready to speak with a fee-only fiduciary advisor, you can start here:
→ Explore our fee-only financial planning
Table of contents
New for 2026: What’s changing in how people find financial advisors
In 2026, more people are using AI tools and “best of” guides to find a financial advisor, but that makes it more important than ever to understand how a firm is compensated and whether they’re truly acting in your best interest.
The biggest trend we’re seeing:
More firms market themselves as “fiduciary” or “fee-only,” while still earning commissions or having hidden incentives.
That’s why in this guide, we focus on firms that meet objective standards like fee-only compensation and CFP® credentials, and we show you how to verify these claims.
How did we search for the best financial planners in Washington, D.C.?
First and foremost, we significantly narrowed down the field by only considering fee-only financial planners who are required to act in your best interest.
A fee-only financial planner is a financial advisor who does not earn commissions and offers transparent pricing. Unlike other financial advisors, a fee-only financial planner is not incentivized to sell you insurance or annuities that may not be good for you.
Fee-only financial planners typically operate as fiduciaries, meaning they are required to put the client’s interests first. When interviewing a planner, ask whether they always act as a fiduciary and whether they are willing to sign a fiduciary oath. This criterion effectively filters out “financial advisors” who are not fiduciaries, like insurance or annuity agents.
The two main directories we used to find fee-only financial planners were:
Second, only firms where the lead planner(s) hold a CFP® designation were included. The CFP® is the most widely recognized financial planning designation and requires extensive training, experience, and adherence to professional standards.
Required criteria
To be included, a firm had to:
- Be fee-only
- Have planners who are CFP® professionals
- Be listed on NAPFA or XYPN (or otherwise verifiable as fee-only)
- Have a website
- Have at least 3 years of experience
We added bonus points for fee-only Washington, D.C., financial planners who:
- have multiple planners on staff
- have CFA®, ChFC®, AFC® or other relevant credentials
- clearly serve a niche (e.g., 30s & 40s professionals, young families, federal employees, entrepreneurs)
- Demonstrate a commitment to public education (ongoing blog/video content). This indicates to us that they value educating the public and giving back to the DC community.
- Are BIPOC-aware. Meaning they have minority representation in their team or in their marketing materials, or they explicitly state they work with BIPOCs. BIPOC stands for black, indigenous, and People of Color.
Washington, D.C., is home to a large number of advisory firms, from large wealth managers to independent fee-only planners. This guide is designed to help professionals compare options using transparent criteria and publicly available information.
Unlike other rankings, we purposely excluded the amount of assets under management. We felt like the number of assets a firm has has nothing to do with the quality of its service.
We conducted the search as if District Capital did not exist and needed to find a financial planner for our loved ones. That said, our firm ended up being in the Top 10 list because it met all our required and nice-to-have criteria!
We reviewed approximately 43 fee-only firms during our research.
Financial planners vs. financial advisors in Washington, D.C.: What’s the difference?
The terms “financial planner” and “financial advisor” are often used interchangeably. Generally:
- A financial planner focuses more on holistic planning (retirement, taxes, investing, insurance, education savings, etc.).
- A financial advisor often refers to someone providing investment management, though many do both.
The more important distinction is not planner vs advisor, it’s:
– fiduciary vs non-fiduciary
– fee-only vs commission-based
– holistic planning vs. investment-only management
How much does a financial advisor in Washington, D.C. cost? (2026)
Based on our research, the cost of a fee-only financial advisor in the DC area ranges from approximately $3,500 to $15,000+ per year for comprehensive planning, with higher fees typically associated with high complexity (equity compensation, business planning, multi-state taxes, etc.).
Common fee models include:
- Flat annual fees (often $3,000–$15,000+)
- Hourly fees ($200–$400+ per hour)
- AUM fees (often 0.50%–1.00% of assets under management)
What you often get at different price tiers (examples)
- $3,500–$6,000: core planning, 1–3 meetings, implementation guidance
- $6,000–$10,000: more complexity (tax strategy, equity comp, family planning), ongoing support
- $10,000+: founders/business owners, multi-state taxes, high complexity, deeper ongoing coordination
Fees are commonly billed monthly or quarterly.
To save you time and energy, here is the fee schedule of the 10 best financial planners in DC according to our list, including how District Capital Management stacks up. We included the ten factors we used in developing the list.
Top Financial Planner Cost Comparison (Washington, D.C. — 2026)
How to use this table: Fees vary because some firms specialize in higher-complexity planning (equity compensation, business owners, multi-state taxes, cross-border planning). Use the table to compare baseline pricing and fee structure, then use the blurbs below to find the best fit based on your needs.| Advisory Firm | Year 1 Minimum - Individual | Year 1 Minimum - Couples | Fee-Only Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planning For Progress | $3,500 | $4,000 | Flat Fee AUM Hourly |
| Mainstreet Financial Planning | $4,310 | $5,415 | Flat Fee Hourly |
| Katz-Moses Financial | $4,800 | $7,200 | Flat Fee AUM Hourly |
| District Capital Management | $6,000 | $6,000 | Flat Fee AUM |
| Dream Financial Planning | $5,799 | $8,699 | Flat Fee AUM Hourly |
| Entelechy | $6,000 | $6,000 | Flat Fee |
| Jade & Cowry | $6,300 | $6,300 | Flat Fee Hourly |
| North Financial Advisors | $6,625 | $10,500 | Flat Fee AUM Hourly |
| Illumint | $9,825 | $9,825 | Flat Fee Hourly |
| Citrine | $15,000 | $15,000 | Flat Fee |
Who are the best 10 financial planners in Washington, D.C. for January 2026?
Important: The table above is sorted roughly by estimated cost. The list below is a curated set of firms that met our criteria, including pricing, specialties, and verification notes — not a ranking based on investment performance. Key features are based on publicly available information, including firm websites and third-party directories.
1) District Capital Management – Washington, D.C.
Best for: Busy DC-area professionals in their 30s and 40s (tech, government, nonprofit, entrepreneurs)
Fee model: Flat fee + AUM options
Minimum fees: Individual: $5,400 / Couple: $6,000
Key features: Fee-only fiduciary firm; CFP® professionals; strong focus on tax-aware, investment-focused planning for high earners
District Capital Management is a fee-only financial planning firm specializing in helping professionals in their 30s and 40s invest smarter, reduce taxes, and work toward early retirement through comprehensive planning.
Lead planner: Alvin Carlos, CFP®, CFA (Managing Partner)
2) MainStreet Financial Planning – Washington, D.C.
Best for: Advice-only, project-based planning (no investment management required)
Fee model: Flat fee + hourly options
Minimum fees: Individual: $4,310 / Couple: $5,415
Key features: Fee-only planning; project-based model; designed for clients seeking a clear path to financial independence
MainStreet Financial Planning is a fee-only firm offering project-based planning without requiring investment management, making it a good option for those who want planning guidance only.
Lead planner: Team-based firm with CFP® professionals
3) Dream Financial Planning – Reston, VA
Best for: Young professionals and minorities seeking long-term planning support
Fee model: Flat fee + AUM + hourly options
Minimum fees: Individual: $5,799 / Couple: $8,699
Key features: Fee-only fiduciary planning; CFP® professional; mission-driven firm serving historically underserved communities
Dream Financial Planning focuses on helping young people and minorities navigate financial planning decisions and build long-term confidence with their money.
Lead planner: Lamar Watson, CFP®
4) Planning For Progress – Silver Spring, MD
Best for: Values-based planning and goal-driven advice
Fee model: Flat fee + AUM + hourly options
Minimum fees: Individual: $3,500 / Couple: $4,000
Key features: Fee-only fiduciary planning; CFP® professional; objective guidance tailored to goals, needs, and values
Planning For Progress provides fee-only planning designed to help clients make clear financial decisions through objective guidance and personalized strategies.
Lead planner: Ethan Miller, CFP®
5) Illumint – Washington, D.C.
Best for: Young couples and families navigating major life transitions
Fee model: Flat fee + hourly options
Minimum fees: Individual: $9,825 / Couple: $9,825
Key features: Fee-only fiduciary planning; CFP® professional; specialized focus on millennial couples and young families
Illumint offers fee-only planning for peers navigating big decisions like buying a home, repaying student loans, and building long-term investment plans.
Lead planner: Kevin Mahoney, CFP®
6) Katz-Moses Financial – Washington, D.C.
Best for: Educators and government employees who want straightforward, practical guidance
Fee model: Flat fee + AUM + hourly options
Minimum fees: Individual: $4,800 / Couple: $7,200
Key features: Fee-only fiduciary planning; CFP® professional; niche focus on educators and government employees
Katz-Moses Financial helps educators and government employees make sense of their finances through fee-only, fiduciary planning designed to simplify complexity.
Lead planner: Andrew Katz-Moses, CFP®
>> Ready to maximize your finances? Schedule your free discovery call today with one of our fee-only financial advisors.
7) Jade & Cowry – Arlington, VA
Best for: Cross-border and globally mobile professionals (international families, visas, working abroad)
Fee model: Flat fee + hourly options
Minimum fees: Individual: $6,300 / Couple: $6,300
Key features: Fee-only fiduciary firm; CFP® professionals; deep expertise in cross-border and global family planning
Jade & Cowry focuses on helping globally mobile professionals and multinational families plan across borders so they can make confident decisions regardless of where life takes them.
Lead planners: Hui-chin Chen, CFP® and Sefa Mawuli, CFP®
8) North Financial Advisors – Washington, D.C.
Best for: Women and those planning to start a business
Fee model: Flat fee + AUM + hourly options
Minimum fees: Individual: $6,625 / Couple: $10,500
Key features: Fee-only fiduciary planning; CFP® professional; boutique fixed-fee approach for women and entrepreneurs
North Financial Advisors is a boutique firm serving clients in DC and virtually, providing fee-only planning with a focus on women and those preparing to launch businesses.
Lead planner: Cady North, CFP®
9) Citrine Capital – San Francisco, CA
Best for: Founders, entrepreneurs, and tech professionals with equity compensation complexity
Fee model: Flat fee
Minimum fees: Individual: $15,000 / Couple: $15,000
Key features: Fee-only fiduciary firm; CFP® professional; specialization in equity compensation and founder-level complexity
Citrine Capital supports founders and tech professionals with high-complexity planning, including organizing finances, managing investments, planning for retirement, and mitigating taxes.
Lead planner: Ryan S. Cole, CFP®
10) Entelechy – Bethesda, MD
Best for: Integrated planning + tax preparation + investment management under one relationship
Fee model: Flat fee
Minimum fees: Individual: $6,000 / Couple: $6,000
Key features: Fee-only fiduciary firm; CFP® professional; integrated “one relationship” planning that includes tax support
Entelechy combines financial planning, investment management, and tax planning & preparation under one flat annual fee — a strong fit for clients who want everything coordinated in one place.
Lead planner: Ben Brown, CFP®, EA
How is District Capital different from other financial advisors in Washington, D.C.?
District Capital Management stands apart through three core strengths: an investment team anchored by two CFA charterholders, a modern planning platform built on Monday.com that gives clients real-time visibility into their plan, and a culture of excellence.
Like the ten best financial planners in DC that made it into our top 10, District Capital is also a fiduciary and has CFP®, AFC® and ChFC® professionals on our team. We have a modern website and frequently give free financial tips through our written and video blogs. We believe in comprehensive financial planning and serve professionals and entrepreneurs in their 30s and 40s. We have been in business since 2013.
District Capital’s three uniques are:
1) Strong investment team. We have two CFA charterholders in our firm; the CFA designation is considered the gold standard in investing. Two of our co-founders manage a multi-million-dollar pension/foundation portfolio and meet regularly with investment analysts across the nation. Our ears are very close to the ground when it comes to investment opportunities and risks. We’re also well-versed in socially responsible investing funds.
2) Modern and dynamic platform. We use Monday.com to power our detailed, comprehensive financial plans. With this platform, our clients can easily track their progress and communicate with us regularly.
3) We are a majority-minority firm. More than half of our clients are minorities. This was recognized by the Financial Planning Association, which awarded our Managing Partner and Financial Planner, Alvin Carlos, the 2018 Diversity Scholarship at the Financial Planning Association Retreat. Many of our team members are military spouses, who have one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation due to their highly mobile life.
Our pricing is competitive. We’re not the cheapest – we’re not willing to discount the value we provide. We’re not the most expensive – we have found an efficient and highly effective way of creating and delivering plans with the help of modern tech platforms and collective knowledge.
How does our DC financial advisor ranking differ from others?
There are 3 popular best financial advisor lists in the DC area.
The Washingtonian’s Best Financial Adviser in DC ranking is perhaps the most well-known one. Their list is produced by doing a survey to people working in the DC financial industry. While the Washingtonian is a highly regarded publication, there are three limitations to their survey:
- It includes non-fiduciary financial advisers (those who do not have to act in the client’s best interest).
- They don’t actively disseminate the survey to members of the Financial Planning Association of Washington, D.C. (FPA National Capital Area). Thus, the survey may not be that representative.
- It’s by nomination. So those who know more people have a higher chance of getting more nominated.
SmartAsset also produces a top financial advisor in Washington, D.C. list. One major feature of this survey is its sole focus on the amount of assets under the firm’s management. Their list also only selects advisors that are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This leaves out scores of other DC-based registered investment advisors that are registered not with the SEC but with the District of Columbia.
Lastly, Yelp has a list of the best financial planners in the DC area, along with client reviews. While Yelp is my go-to review site for restaurants, Yelp customer reviews of financial advisors come with a big caveat. Virginia, Maryland, and many other states currently prohibit financial planners from asking clients to leave reviews and from publishing testimonials.
How do I find a good local financial advisor in DC?
Finding a trustworthy financial planner can be hard. Less than 10% of financial advisors in the country are required to act in your best interest. Here are some organizations that we recommend to help you find a fee-only fiduciary financial planner in Washington, DC.
- National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA): a non-profit association of fee-only financial planners.
- XY Planning Network: a newer organization of fee-only financial advisors who generally work with Generation X and Generation Y clients.
- CFP Board: is the entity that administers the CFP® designation. However, not all CFP® professionals are fee-only financial advisors so make sure to ask.
- Fee-Only Network: all of the financial advisors listed here are fee-only and are fiduciaries, meaning that they act in your best interest.
If you’re a federal employee navigating TSP allocations, FERS pension decisions, or PSLF eligibility, our dedicated guide to federal employee financial planning covers what to look for in an advisor who understands your benefits.
During your research stage, scroll through financial advisor websites and read their blogs. See if they are working with clients who are similar to you. If they are, then there is a good chance that they will be a good fit for you.
Featured in Washingtonian’s Top Financial Advisors in Washington, D.C. (2026)
The most important questions to ask a DC financial planner
Once you have identified two or three financial planners that resonate with you, set up a discovery call with them. This is typically free. During the exploratory call, you may want to ask various questions, including the below:
Are you always acting as a fiduciary?
How do you get paid? Do you earn commissions?
What are your credentials and experience with clients like me?
What is your investment philosophy, and how do you manage risk?
How do you incorporate taxes into planning?
How often will we meet, and what’s included?
What happens if I need help between meetings?
What is your client onboarding process?
In the end, do you feel like you’re getting a good vibe from your conversation? Is the financial planner asking you relevant questions and expressing interest in your financial life? You’ll be sharing personal information with this planner, which may include sensitive topics like fertility and past major financial mistakes. So it is important that you feel comfortable working with this person.
For more details on the questions, you should ask a financial advisor, watch our video on 8 Questions to Ask a Potential Financial Advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a financial planner and a financial advisor?
A financial planner provides holistic guidance across taxes, retirement, investments, insurance, and education savings, while a financial advisor typically focuses on managing investment accounts. In practice, the two terms are often used interchangeably — the more important distinction is whether the advisor is a fee-only fiduciary who is required to act in your best interest. When evaluating advisors, focus on the compensation model and fiduciary status rather than the title. At District Capital Management, we combine comprehensive financial planning and investment management into a single, coordinated strategy.
Are fee-only financial planners in the DMV area truly fiduciaries?
Fee-only financial planners do not earn commissions from product sales, which eliminates a major source of conflicts of interest — but “fee-only” and “fiduciary” are not automatically the same thing. To verify, ask whether the advisor always acts as a fiduciary, review their Form ADV on the SEC’s IAPD website, and ask if they are willing to sign a fiduciary oath. Firms listed on NAPFA or XYPN have already met fee-only verification requirements, which is why we used those directories as the starting point for this guide.
What is a fee-only financial advisor?
A fee-only financial advisor is compensated exclusively by client-paid fees — typically a flat annual fee, hourly rate, or percentage of assets under management — and does not earn commissions, referral fees, or compensation from selling financial products. This matters because commission-based advisors may be incentivized to recommend products that benefit them financially, even if a lower-cost alternative would better serve the client. Fee-only advisors like District Capital Management have fewer conflicts of interest because their revenue comes directly from the people they advise, not from product manufacturers.
What is the difference between a fee-only and a fee-based financial advisor?
A fee-only advisor earns compensation exclusively from client-paid fees and never receives commissions or product-based compensation. A fee-based advisor charges fees but also earns commissions on certain transactions — such as selling insurance policies or annuities — which creates potential conflicts of interest. The distinction matters because “fee-based” sounds similar to “fee-only” but permits a fundamentally different compensation structure. To verify, review the advisor’s Form ADV Part 2A, which discloses all compensation methods. Every firm in this guide is fee-only, not fee-based.
How can District Capital help families in DC balance 529 superfunding with retirement savings?
The 529 superfunding strategy lets you contribute up to five years’ worth of gifts to a college savings plan in a single year — up to $95,000 per beneficiary in 2026 (or $190,000 for married couples). At District Capital Management, our fee-only fiduciary advisors in Washington, DC run cash flow analyses and retirement projections to help you determine how much to superfund without putting your own retirement timeline at risk. The key trade-off is accelerated tax-advantaged college savings versus maintaining adequate retirement contributions — and the right balance depends on your income, existing savings rate, and target retirement age.
For someone earning $300K combined income in D.C., what’s a reasonable amount to pay for comprehensive financial planning?
A reasonable range for comprehensive, fee-only financial planning on a $300,000 household income in the D.C. area is roughly $5,000 to $10,000 per year for most situations. The actual value depends less on income and more on financial complexity — someone with stock compensation, multiple savings goals, or a growing family may benefit as much from professional guidance as a higher earner. At District Capital Management, most clients in this income range work with us under a flat-fee fiduciary model, meaning pricing is transparent and not tied to investment balances.
What are realistic costs per hour or per year for a reputable fee-only financial advisor in the DMV area in 2026?
In the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area, reputable fee-only fiduciary advisors typically charge $400 to $600 per hour for project-based advice, or $5,000 to $15,000+ per year for comprehensive ongoing planning. The wide range reflects differences in complexity: a straightforward retirement plan for a single professional costs less than multi-state tax planning for a business owner. District Capital Management operates within this range, offering flat, transparent pricing with no commissions or hidden costs.
How do I verify a fiduciary financial advisor in Washington, DC?
Start by asking the advisor directly: “Are you always acting as a fiduciary — in every engagement, with every client?” Then verify independently by looking up the firm’s Form ADV on the SEC IAPD database, which discloses compensation methods, conflicts of interest, and disciplinary history. If the advisor is also a registered broker, check their BrokerCheck profile for commission-based products and any disclosures. A fee-only advisor registered with NAPFA has already passed a third-party fee-only verification.
Do I need a CFP® financial planner?
A CFP® designation is not legally required to call yourself a financial planner, but it is one of the strongest indicators of formal training, tested competency, and adherence to ethical standards. CFP® professionals must complete coursework, pass a rigorous exam, accumulate thousands of hours of experience, and commit to ongoing continuing education. If you’re comparing multiple advisors, requiring a CFP® credential is one of the fastest ways to narrow the field to qualified planners.
Can I work with a Washington, D.C. financial planner virtually?
Yes — some fee-only firms in Washington, DC now serve clients virtually across DC, Maryland, Virginia, and nationwide. District Capital Management operates as a virtual-first firm, conducting meetings via video conference while maintaining deep expertise in DMV-specific planning topics involving tax law or 529 plans. When evaluating a virtual firm, confirm how often you’ll meet, how communication works between meetings, and whether the advisor is registered in your state.
Is it worth hiring a financial advisor in your 30s?
For high-earning professionals, the 30s are often when financial complexity increases fastest — through equity compensation, home purchases, marriage, children, and competing savings goals — making it one of the highest-value times to work with an advisor. A fee-only financial planner can help you make tax-efficient investment decisions, maximize employer benefits, and build a long-term wealth strategy during the years when compounding has the most time to work. District Capital Management specializes in working with professionals in their 30s and 40s, and many of our clients say they wish they had started working with a planner earlier.
Schedule your free consultation with District Capital
Are you in your 30s or 40s, and you want to retire by 55? Do you work in tech and want to maximize your RSU and ESPP package? Are you a DC government employee who is saving $1,500 a month and wants to maximize that money? Maybe you have a newborn child and want to start saving for their college, while also being able to renovate your kitchen?
District Capital is one of the fastest-growing local fee-only financial planning firms in Washington, D.C. We can help you reach your life goals and be smarter with your money. You can receive top-notch advice from our diverse team of experts, all with well-recognized designations and well-versed in your financial situation. We will meet you where you are.
>> Ready to start? We specialize in helping DC-area professionals in their 30s and 40s maximize their money, simplify their lives, and retire early. Schedule a free discovery consultation with one of our fee-only financial planners today.
We are a financial planning firm and may benefit if readers choose to contact us. No firm paid for placement in this guide.
