Investopedia Top 100 Financial Advisors 2023

For the second time, founder Jason Howell, CFP®, CPWA®, CSRIC®  was recognized by Investopedia for his outstanding contributions to the community. This includes his work as an adjunct professor of finance at George Mason University and American University, his advisory board work at George Mason University and his reach through social media and his book, JOY of Financial Planning. 

"It's an honor to serve the community through my always growing expertise in finance. I see my purpose as empowering people to overcome financial imposter syndrome. With confidence in the area of money, there's little that can't be accomplished." - Jason Howell

Below is the Investopedia methodology for selection. To view the full 2023 list, click here. 

Methodology

The annual Investopedia 100 list honors independent U.S.-based financial advisors who have demonstrated top-of-the-industry skills in the following critical areas:

• Reach: defined as the domain authority of their personal blog or website, followers across socials (LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube), and podcasts (including appearances or ownership of a personal podcast).
• Commitment to financial literacy: measured by the advisor’s participation in workshops, programs, nonprofits or collaboration with others in the community to spread financial education to those who need it most, as well as the creation of accessible content. 
• Community support: measured through peer nominations by industry professionals outside of their own firms, as well as the advisor’s presence and engagement with others in the financial planning industry. 

Each advisor CRD number was checked for validity, and each application was checked for accuracy and quality. Final scores were tabulated according to weights designated for each of the criteria above. Investopedia receives no compensation from placing advisors on our list, nor does an advisor's appearance on our list constitute an individual endorsement by Investopedia of such advisor.

Jason Howell Company is an independent, family wealth management firm that believes in empowering people to overcome financial imposter syndrome.

Jason J. Howell, CFP®, CPWA®, CSRIC® and Douglas W. Tees, MBA, CFP®  have spent a lot of time in the Washington, DC area, and are aware that many people who are first generation wealth suffer from a kind of "financial imposter syndrome."  Successful entrepreneurs are always looking over their shoulder; government contractors worry about the next contract; former Capitol Hill staffers privately wonder if they should "feel bad" for the money they now make. Imposter syndrome is common among people who work for the many corporate headquarters based in this area as well. These feelings get in the way of properly managing wealth. We empower them to get organized, build a team of advisors and make decisions.

Our typical "first generation wealth" families include dual income parents who work, save and have just the right amount of fun. They trend a little older - Baby Boomers (born 1946 - 1964) and Gen-Xers (born 1965 - 1980) - but we're starting to see more Millennials (born 1981 to 1996) who don't want to wait until it's too late. They earn impressive incomes and have accumulated a good bit of savings. As bona fide experts themselves, they expect fiduciary expertise from people they hire. They are just not sure about the "big box" brokerage firms that advertise one thing and seem to do another. 

First generation wealth accumulators realize that they:

• Need to “do something” with the cash in their checking/savings
• Need an investment strategy for “up” and “down” markets
• Need a plan to mitigate market, credit, inflation, and political risks
• Need to start tax planning instead of just tax paying
• Need to be sure they are choosing the right work benefits
• Need to reduce financial miscommunications between partners
• Need to separate business finances from personal finances
• Need to plan for money while alive and for what happens after death