The Leading RIAs in Washington D.C. | dakota marketplace

Top RIAs in Washington D.C. | Guide for 2025

Top RIAs in Washington D.C. | Guide for 2025
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RIAs are one of the most dynamic and fast growing channels for investment firms to call on when fundraising. The challenge has always been: “what RIAs invest in outside managers and are not investment managers themselves?”

Through dakota marketplace’s database of RIAs, we have aimed to solve that problem by curating and vetting each RIA by hand and only showing those RIAs that are true prospects for an investment firm. This saves both the investment sales team member time, but also saves the “other” RIAs that don’t allocate to other managers from getting unnecessary emails and phone calls.

Below are a few RIAs in Washington D.C. that we thought you might like to know. For a more detailed list of RIAs in Washington D.C., click here to see for free.

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1. Towers Watson Investment Services, Inc.

AUM: $52.22B

Towers Watson Investment Services, Inc. functions as a RIA, headquartered at 800 North Glebe Road, Floor 10, Arlington, VA, and is associated with the Washington, DC metro area. The firm specializes in delivering institutional-grade fiduciary advisory services to asset owners globally, focusing on asset allocation, manager selection, and liability-driven strategies.

The firm manages an AUM of $52.22B. Towers Watson Investment Services emphasizes diversified portfolios and pooled vehicles, providing clients access to pooled fund of funds that may include alternative strategies. Its platform offers comprehensive investment consultancy, from mission clarity to performance monitoring, leveraging global market intelligence to align clients with effective investment strategies.

2. Fiduciary Counselors

AUM: $17.02B

Fiduciary Counselors is an RIA specializing in providing independent fiduciary services for employee benefit plans governed by ERISA. The firm, headquartered at 700 12th Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC, operates within the Washington, DC metro area. With expertise in areas regulated by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and Department of Labor, Fiduciary Counselors offers fiduciary oversight for various types of benefit plans.

Fiduciary Counselors manages an AUM of $17.02B and serves as an independent fiduciary in complex or high-risk scenarios requiring regulatory compliance and neutrality. The firm's services include overseeing employer securities in 401(k) plans, ESOPs, VEBAs, and defined benefit pension plans. Engaged in potential conflict of interest situations, such as employer stock transactions, Fiduciary Counselors ensures expert management of plan assets during corporate dealings or financial challenges.

3. Mason Companies

AUM: $13.3B

Mason Companies is an RIA with assets under management totaling $13.3B. The firm, headquartered at 11130 Sunrise Valley Drive Suite 200, Reston, VA, also operates in San Francisco, CA. The investment strategy primarily focuses on mutual fund model programs, predominantly comprising low-cost, large Fund companies like American Funds, DFA, and Vanguard. Alternatives exposure is limited to precious metals, energy, and natural resources.

The business model at Mason Companies is evenly split between traditional high net worth/private client services and institutional clients. Manager changes are infrequent, occurring approximately once per year, with a meticulous approach to sourcing and underwriting new managers unless an urgent need arises. The firm's manager research and due diligence team, led by Tom Pudner and Andrew Gary, oversees investment decisions, including those related to the mutual fund model programs. Mason Companies also offers separate account structures based on client requirements and operates within the Washington, DC metro area.

4. Andersen

AUM: $6.08B

Andersen operates as a RIA with a focus on Multi Family Office services. The firm is headquartered at 1861 International Drive Suite 501, McLean, VA, within the Washington, DC metro area. Established in 2012, Andersen specializes in tax, valuation, financial advisory, and consulting services for individual and commercial clients.

Andersen manages an AUM of $6.08B. The firm's wealth management division, Andersen Tax, oversees approximately $4 billion in assets, with the main office in McLean, Virginia, handling around $1 billion. Andersen's expertise includes addressing tax complexities unique to investment partnerships, offering practical solutions tailored to alternative investment funds' needs. The firm emphasizes industry-leading quality, top talent investment, and unbiased advice, operating globally with a focus on transparency and client interests.

5. Cassaday & Company, Inc

AUM: $5.98B

Cassaday & Company, Inc is an RIA specializing in Multi Family Office services. The firm is headquartered at 8180 Greensboro Drive Suite 1180, McLean, VA, operating within the Washington, DC metro area. Composed of seasoned professionals, the team emphasizes unbiased, impartial, and objective advice to assist clients in managing their wealth responsibly.

Cassaday & Company, Inc manages an AUM of $5.98B. Their comprehensive financial planning and investment management services aim to integrate various financial components into a cohesive strategy. With expertise in retirement planning, tax management, estate planning, and life transition services, the firm offers sophisticated financial strategies tailored to clients' needs.

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6. Spire Investment Partners

AUM: $4.62B

Account Overview: Spire Investment Partners is an RIA providing tailored support and solutions to independent advisors. Situated at 7901 Jones Branch Dr., Suite 800, McLean, VA, the firm operates within the Washington, DC metro area. Specializing in using ETFs and separately managed accounts, Spire Investment Partners offers business models that cater to the ownership and operational requirements of independent advisors.

With an AUM of $4.62B, Spire Investment Partners focuses on empowering advisors to efficiently manage their practices. The firm's customized solutions and support enable advisors to navigate their responsibilities effectively, ensuring flexibility in ownership structures and operational processes.

7. Pennington Partners & Co LLC

AUM: $3.95B

Pennington Partners & Co LLC operates as a RIA with a focus on Multi Family Office services. The firm is located at 7920 Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda, MD, and is associated with the Washington, DC metro area. It provides objective advice, strategy, and family office services to ultra high net worth individuals and families.

Pennington Partners & Co LLC manages an AUM of $3.95B. The firm employs a sophisticated investment structure that integrates traditional investments with alternative assets, including private equity, hedge funds, and real estate. This diversified strategy aims to optimize returns while managing risk through careful asset allocation and rigorous due diligence.

8. Keel Point

AUM: $3.46B

Keel Point operates as a RIA with a specialization in Multi Family Office services. The firm is located at 8405 Greensboro Drive, Suite 900, McLean, VA, and is associated with the Washington, DC metro area. Keel Point is dedicated to providing families with comprehensive financial guidance and investment management tailored to their unique needs, leveraging a team of experienced professionals across various financial disciplines.

Keel Point manages an AUM of $3.46B. The firm employs a tailored investment structure that incorporates traditional assets such as equities and fixed income, alongside a sophisticated approach to alternative investments including private equity, hedge funds, and real estate. This strategy aims to enhance diversification and optimize returns, allowing clients to achieve their financial goals through a balanced portfolio approach.

9. Burney Wealth Management

AUM: $3.14B

Burney Wealth Management is an RIA specializing in Multi Family Office services. The firm is headquartered at 1800 Alexander Bell Drive Suite 510, Reston, VA, and operates within the Washington, DC metro area. Burney Wealth Management offers personalized financial planning tailored to individual goals and market conditions. The firm manages an AUM of $3.14B, utilizing a comprehensive investment approach that integrates equities, fixed income securities, and alternative investments like real estate, commodities, private equity, and hedge funds. Burney Wealth Management's strategy focuses on optimal growth, income generation, and risk management, supported by rigorous research and analysis to adapt to changing market conditions.

10. XML Financial Group

AUM: $2.99B

XML Financial Group is an RIA specializing in Multi Family Office services. Situated at 6901 Rockledge Drive, Suite 730, Bethesda, MD, the firm's operations extend to the Washington, DC metro area. Established in 2004, XML Financial Group prioritizes client interests and tailors financial advice to individual needs.

XML Financial Group manages an AUM of $2.99B. As a partner firm of Focus Financial, it emphasizes investment portfolios primarily utilizing ETFs and mutual funds. Additionally, the firm collaborates with CAIS to develop an alternatives platform, enhancing its offerings in the wealth management landscape.

To see a full list of RIAs in Washington D.C. or other metros, book a demo of dakota marketplace!

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Written By: Morgan Holycross, Marketing Manager

Morgan Holycross is a Marketing Manager at Dakota.