Expertise.com
2024

Last updated:

Best Financial Advisors in Federal Way

Our Recommended Top 9

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Federal Way Financial Advisors on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

30

Reviewed

21

Curated

9

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
Federal Way, WA
  • Estate Planning
  • Financial Planning
  • Investment Management
  • Retirement Planning
  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Why choose this provider?

Fortis Financial Group is an independent, fiduciary financial advisory firm in the Pacific Northwest that provides financial planning solutions to people in Federal Way. Its team of wealth management professionals is composed of CFPs, CFAs, and CPAs, providing clients with direct access to the company's financial group. Its consultants offer financial planning, scenario analysis, institutional-level investment insights, and tax advice across financial management areas to help technology professionals manage and grow their portfolios. Fortis’ mission is to enrich customers' lives through financial security and freedom.

License Verified:

License: 172198

Investment Adviser Public Disclosure Database, SEC

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Price: Free Consultation

SmartAdvisor by SmartAsset logo
FEATUREDExpertise.com

SmartAdvisor by SmartAsset

Federal Way, WA
  • Estate Planning
  • Financial Planning
  • Investment Management
  • Retirement Planning

Why choose this provider?

SmartAsset's free, five-minute tool makes it easy to find qualified financial advisors in your area. The exclusive tool uses a quick survey to help SmartAsset's exclusive algorithm match you with up to three advisors based on your specific financial needs. Each advisor is a fiduciary, legally bound to work in your best interest, and rigorously vetted by SmartAsset. You can speak with each for free, sometimes within a matter of minutes, and choose whom you want to work with. Hundreds of thousands of smart investors and retirees have already used SmartAsset's simple, no-cost service to find the right financial advisors for them.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.0

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Price: Free Consultation

Website
505 S 336th St #320, Federal Way, WA 98003
  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Why choose this provider?

Serving individuals and families in Federal Way, Cannon Wealth Management is a company that offers financial planning services. It specializes in investment strategies and offers a variety of services to help clients reach their financial goals. These services include retirement planning, investment management, comprehensive financial planning, risk management and insurance, and estate planning. Its founder, Katherine Cannon, has 25 years of experience in investment and financial planning. She is a Certified Financial Planner and has a formal education in engineering.

Website
I-5 Technology Center, 32125 32nd Avenue Suite 100, Federal Way, WA 98001
  • Wealth Management

Why choose this provider?

180 Wealth Advisors develop customized plans to help people achieve their life goals and financial well-being. The Federal Way-based financial advisors assist professionals, retirees, entrepreneurs, and families in managing their wealth. They offer holistic approaches in financial management incorporating estate, tax, investment and, succession planning strategies. Darren Henke, the firm's managing partner and founder, has over 26 years of experience as senior vice president of Merrill Lynch's Private Wealth Division. He is a Certified Financial Planner.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.2
Google
4.2 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
3102 Ruston Way, Suite A, Tacoma, WA 98402
  • Retirement Planning
  • Wealth Management

Why choose this provider?

For over 15 years, Stolz & Associates, P.S., has been helping clients across the Federal Way area. It offers various financial services, including post-divorce and retirement planning. The company has experience advising divorcees through the process of asset division. It also deals with investment management and identifies cash flow techniques to decrease financial risk for its clients. The company's president, David Stolz, holds a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst designation. He has contributed finance-related articles to publications like The Washington Post and The New York Times.

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
33600 6th Avenue South Suite 230, Federal Way, WA 98003
  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Why choose this provider?

Sherif J. Awad is a Certified Financial Planner with the Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. He guides clients through individual financial planning, asset management, corporate retirement planning, and annuities & life insurance. His process includes identifying the client's financial goals, working with a CPA or attorney to address a wide range of aspects, and monitoring the implemented financial strategy periodically to impose adjustments when necessary. Before joining the financial services industry in 1997, Awad worked for an engineering consulting firm.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
6703 South 234th Street, Suite 110, Kent, WA 98032
  • Estate Planning
  • Retirement Planning
  • Financial Planning
  • Wealth Management

Why choose this provider?

Clarity Capital Management offers financial services to customers living in Federal Way and the surrounding areas. The company provides clients with accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll support. It also advises small businesses and individuals on strategies to help minimize their tax liabilities. In addition, it carries out estate and retirement planning tasks to aid testators in preserving their assets. Clarity Capital Management is led by Matthew Bumstead, who has been in the wealth management field since 2003.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (12)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
27604 Marine View Drive S, Des Moines, WA 98198
  • Financial Planning

Why choose this provider?

Financial Design Group, Inc. is a local firm that has been providing financial solutions for clients in Federal Way since 1994. The independent financial management firm helps in planning finances by developing long-term strategies that balance financial goals and restrictions, risk tolerance, and time horizon. In addition, its financial advisors develop tax strategies to lower tax liability. Additional services are retirement and estate planning. Financial products are also available, including individual stocks, bonds, and fixed annuities.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2115 N 30th Street, Suite 102, Tacoma, WA 98403
  • Financial Planning

Why choose this provider?

Columbia River Advisors is an independent wealth advisory firm that serves clients in Federal Way and neighboring areas. With a focus on serving retirees, the firm's team of wealth management advisors delivers comprehensive advice on different areas of financial planning, such as retirement, insurance, tax, estate, and investment. They also offer accounting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation services for businesses, non-profits, trusts, and estates. Adam Zimmerman, one of the firm's financial advisors, is a Chartered Financial Consultant.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Introduction

    There are many titles for financial professionals, so it's challenging to track what each one means. A financial advisor is probably the term you've heard most often. Financial advisor is a broad term for a professional who helps individuals or companies manage their finances, including investment choices. There are over 100 certifications that financial advisors can obtain.

    • Financial planners, wealth managers, and investment advisors are all financial advisors with different focus areas.
    • A financial planner helps an individual or a company make a plan to achieve long-term financial goals.
    • A wealth manager helps individuals maintain their wealth through various disciplines and services, such as taxes, estate planning, and investment advice.
    • An investment advisor offers investment advice and recommendations to individuals or organizations.
    There’s a misconception that you have to be extremely wealthy to use a financial advisor. In reality, they can be beneficial for people from any income level. Keep reading to find answers to the most commonly asked questions about financial advisors, so you know which type can fit your specific needs.

  • Does the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation protect Federal Way depositors?

    In the event of bank failure, depositors in Federal Way are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for up to $250,000 per depositor and per insured bank for deposits in checking accounts, savings accounts, money market deposit accounts, and certificates of deposit. Meanwhile, certain investments and securities are insured by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation for up to $500,000.

  • Does the government incentivize Federal Way residents to save up for retirement?

    Residents of Federal Way may be able to claim the IRS’ Saver’s Credit for making contributions to their IRA or company-sponsored retirement plans such as a 401(k) or 403(b). Those aged 50 or older are also allowed to make annual catch-up contributions of up to $7,500 to retirement accounts such as IRAs or 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans.

  • What are alternatives to opening a Federal Way bank account?

    An alternative to banking that is open to Federal Way residents is a lending circle, which is a zero-interest and zero-fee loan maintained by a group of people. An example of this is the El Centro de la Raza’s Lending Circles, located in Seattle. Other banking alternatives include prepaid debit cards, fintech apps such as Venmo, PayPal, or Square, and credit unions.

  • What 529 plans are available in Federal Way?

    Families in Federal Way looking to fund their children’s college education may choose to open a savings or a prepaid tuition 529 plan. The savings plan, or the DreamAhead College Investment Plan, is managed by the Washington Student Achievement Council. Both plans keep pace with the fluctuating costs of college tuition, as ensured by the Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) Program.

  • Are Federal Way capital gains taxable?

    As per ESB 50956, which was signed by Washington Governor Jay Inslee in May of 2021, the state must impose a tax rate of 7% on long-term capital gains in Federal Way and the rest of Washington. Exemptions to this include all sales of real estate and gains from certain eligible assets such as retirement accounts, timber and timberlands, commercial fishing privileges, and certain breeding livestock.

  • Are financial advisors worth it?

    Whether or not a financial advisor is worth it depends on your personal situation. If your finances are fairly straightforward, then you may be better off handling it on your own. But if you have substantial assets or a complex investment portfolio, then hiring someone to handle it for you can be well worth the cost.