Your best interest always comes first at Halpern Financial. Our clients benefit from the sum of our team’s talents in financial consulting, portfolio management, and personal finance education over a lifetime, from optimizing retirement saving to creating a legacy for generations to come.
At Halpern Financial, you have access to a team of experts to advise you on how to reach your goals in all areas of your finances.
Wealth planning for executives and entrepreneurs can be unavoidably complex. From negotiating employment agreements and understanding your compensation options to formulating smart tax strategies and coordinating all your financial resources, both short and long-term financial success require professional guidance and strategic planning.
The good news?
You are already in a position to earn and amass great wealth.
The hurdle?
Finding a team of professionals who understand and can coordinate the intricacies of your financial picture to build and secure generational wealth.
Building wealth doesn't happen by accident. It takes customized planning that encompass all of your goals, resources, and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) assets you may have, including:
All of these items have unique income, tax, and investment considerations that require experts to coordinate and manage—experts who can answer questions like:
How do these compensation options translate into income today and in the future?
When do I exercise my options and which should I allow to accumulate?
How do I assess my total compensation package?
How will each source of income affect my taxes?
Can we make a plan to withhold taxes appropriately as my executive awards vest?
Answering wealth planning questions like these is what the advisors at Halpern Financial do each day. We help executives like you understand the details of your executive benefits package and guide you on how to manage it.
Of course, each executive's plan is unique, which is why we review you and your family’s entire financial picture before presenting detailed strategies that will help you make the most of the resources at hand.
When creating your financial plan, our team provides the personalized advice you need regarding:
Creating and fine tuning your personal plan is just the beginning. Our team continues to proactively stress and strength test the current and long-term plans to identify and inform you when changes to the current plan are necessary; and, of course, when you have changes, we are ready to test the plan before any final decision are made.
Our private wealth management solutions are tailored to meet your individual needs, integrating all accounts and resources for the highest probability of success on your terms. Because we work as a collaborative team, you will always have access to an expert on the financial planning guidance you need, and you can trust they work to ensure your success year-round.
We know your financial landscape may look complicated on the surface, but with over 150 years of combined professional experience, our experts have the knowledge and insight to guide you in the right direction.
Together we will work to turn the success of your career into financial security spanning generations.
The first step of the journey is listening. While everyone’s destination is different, we have the expertise and tools to chart an individualized path to achieve your goals. Our specialty is providing unbiased advice for the large and small financial decisions faced by high net worth individuals and families.
We are a fiduciary. That means we always put our clients’ best interest first, and we work to make sure that you have what you need for your financial future. That’s why we are:
We receive no compensation from any product provider or transaction. Rather, we charge on a “fee-only” basis (a percentage of assets managed). We are paid solely by our clients to give advice and manage their portfolio.
We have no affiliation with any bank, broker, or insurer, and we avoid all conflicts of interest. Our loyalty is firmly to our clients.
We are subject to regulatory standards set by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Our clients benefit from the same exclusive access and cost savings as institutional investors. This access is typically not available to individual investors.
Our clients share their financial hopes, dreams, and fears with us. They trust us not only to handle the financial complexities of their lives, but also to understand what is important to them and provide guidance on the path to achieve financial goals.
Our independence allows total transparency about our offering. You wouldn’t hire any other professional without understanding what you get in exchange for the cost. Why should financial advice be different?
We believe clients deserve a long-term advisory relationship based on integrity and trust, which fosters open communication, encourages candid advice, and promotes innovative strategies. Here’s the path we follow to achieve this.
Our complimentary discovery meeting will center on learning about your financial needs and goals, while giving you the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the values, philosophy, and capabilities of Halpern Financial.
We continue the data gathering process using the Wealth Profile. This provides an overview of your current financial situation, helping us become more aware of your concerns and objectives, and organize and prioritize your goals.
After gathering your information, we will develop a comprehensive review and recommendation report. This report provides a clear picture of the strengths and weaknesses of your current financial situation and presents strategies to help reach your financial goals and objectives.
We will then begin establishing accounts and initiating the transfer process. During the establishment process we keep you informed of progress through proactive communication making it a simplified and seamless experience.
This report details your customized target portfolio allocation based on your objectives and risk propensity and includes specific steps to reach your target portfolio. We use a number of techniques to ensure your portfolio is implemented prudently, including "in-kind" transfers, value-based dollar-cost-averaging and downside protection measures.
By its definition wealth management is an ever-changing process and the approach needs to be flexible to adapt to life events, changes in the markets and economy, as well as new regulatory legislation. In addition to regular portfolio rebalancing and performance reviews, we believe it is essential to regularly assess progress towards your goals and objectives.
Find Out what It's Like To Be A Client
We use a disciplined, scientific investment process that focuses on each client’s unique objectives. Our portfolios are designed to mitigate controllable risks and maximize after tax returns.
Our investment philosophy is influenced by economist Eugene Fama’s Nobel Prize-award-winning research on Modern Portfolio Theory and Efficient Markets. This helps us to find the optimal balance asset mix for each client’s needs, balancing potential risk and returns.
We focus on the factors that are within our control (as opposed to trying to predict the fickle moves of the market).
Rebalancing is the only way to improve your probability of consistently buying low and selling high. However, it feels very counterintuitive to buy “losers” and sell “winners,” so very few individual investors actually do rebalance.
Our portfolios for tax-deferred and after-tax accounts are designed to ensure that various investments are in the correct type of account to limit taxes. In addition to the broad portfolio design, we take tax efficiency into account on a variety of levels, taking specific investments, cash flow needs, and the individual’s tax situation into account. This includes holding the right securities in the right type of accounts, and monitoring the tax implications of gains against losses.
The funds and ETFs we select for our portfolios have extremely low expense ratios, which keeps more money “in your pocket” to grow through the power of compounding. Because of our size and institutional access, we are also able to trade free of cost, and we only use products free from commissions and other hidden fees.
We perform regular performance reporting, use independent third party custodians, and present no hidden fees.
Halpern Financial is strictly fee-only. Our fee consists of an annual percentage of assets managed plus an initial one-time client establishment fee. This covers all-inclusive, holistic wealth management. We do not assess separate fees for financial consulting services; this is all included. This structure places advisor and client on the same side of the table. The only way we are incentivized is to grow your assets under management—not to sell you proprietary products laden with fees and commissions!
Advisory Fees are automatically deducted on a quarterly basis from your accounts. The fee is assessed in arrears on the first day of each calendar quarter—in January, April, July and October. (Example: 1% annual fee/0.25% per quarter) If preferred, you can request to pay the fees manually and will receive an invoice each quarter.
Our tiered fee schedule ranges between 0.20% and 1.20%. This fee structure provides discounted rates as your assets grow. (For assets under $1 million, see "Minimums" section below.)
The minimum size for beginning an investment advisory relationship with Halpern Financial is $2 million, except for existing clients and their families. We will assess a 1.2% annual fee and a one-time client establishment fee of $1,500 on any accounts accepted for management that do not meet our $1 million minimum. Accounts above $1 million will be assessed according to the standard tiered fee schedule. Halpern Financial may waive its 1.2% minimum fee or charge a lesser investment advisory fee or Client Establishment Fee based upon certain criteria (i.e. anticipated future earning capacity, anticipated future additional assets, dollar amount of assets to be managed, related accounts, account composition, negotiations with client, etc.).
The Client Establishment Fee covers the preliminary work done during the initial stages of the client relationship. This includes the Review and Recommendation report, establishing accounts, and any other. The CEF is a one-time flat fee payable within 30 days of signing the Investment Advisory Agreement.
The CEF may be debited from the client's account or paid separately. (For accounts under $1 million, see "Minimums" section above.) The CEF will range between $1,500 and $6,000.
The majority of mutual funds and specific ETFs we use are traded free of charge. Fidelity assesses a transaction fee for the purchase and sale of stocks and certain Exchange Traded Funds (ETF). Halpern Financial, Inc. does not participate in this fee in any way.
Please review Important Disclosure Information set forth in the last section of this web site.
A: As a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), we are committed to aligning our interests with those of our clients. We can remain unbiased in our relationship with you because we accept no commissions or referral fees. Our compensation comes directly from our clients. Our independence from the broker-dealer and wirehouse world allows us to offer unbiased advice in an objective manner.
A: A Registered Investment Advisor is any person that meets the definition of Investment Advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and is registered with either their state or the SEC. In general a Registered Investment Advisor with more than $100 million under management must register with the SEC, and those managing less than $110 million may register at the state level.
A: It indicates that a financial planner adheres to the industry's most demanding practice requirements, including Fee-Only compensation, and meets NAPFA's rigorous standards. Click here to learn more.
A: Absolutely not. Our sole compensation is management fees paid directly to Halpern Financial from our clients.
A: Halpern Financial believes an advisor should always act in good faith and in the best interest of each client. As such, we all abide by a Fiduciary Oath and disclose any potential conflicts of interest to our clients. We strive to build relationships based on integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism, and diligence.
A: We subject to regulations set forth by the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission. Client assets are held at an independent third-party custodian. We avoid conflicts of interests by not accepting commissions or referral fees. We report performance on a quarterly basis, inclusive of any fees.
A: Halpern Financial has relationships with a wide range of clients, including professionals and business executives, small business owners, widows, individuals, families, retirees, and those with sudden wealth via an inheritance. We best serve clients looking for exceptional client service and that value a long-term partnership.
A: Our current minimum portfolio size is $2,000,000. If you have unique circumstances that you would like to discuss, please do not hesitate to give us a call.
A: Fees include a one-time establishment fee and quarterly advisory fees based on the level of assets under Halpern Financial's direct management. Advisory fees range from 0.20% to 1.20% per year, billed quarterly in arrears. The overwhelming majority of mutual funds we use are traded free of charge. Fidelity assesses a transaction fee for the purchase and sale of certain individual stocks and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).
A: There is no cost for our initial discovery meetings. This meeting gives us the opportunity to get to know one another. We seek a mutual agreement before we begin assessing any fee.
A: Using a team approach you will have access to the expertise of all of Halpern Financial's professionals. The reputation of the Halpern Financial team, the breadth and depth of our experience will provide you with sound and unbiased advice.
A: While we serve as an Authorized Advisor to execute transactions on your behalf, you remain in control of your assets. Accounts are held in your name through the institutional platform of Fidelity Investments, an independent third party custodian.
A: In addition to quarterly investment reviews and regular performance reporting, clients can access their accounts via a private client login 24 hours a day.
A: You can find a guide in our blog post below:8 Questions You Should Ask Before and After Hiring a Financial Advisor
A: Please contact us to schedule your complimentary consultation. During this consultation we will take time to understand your goals and objectives and explain our investment methodology and philosophy on wealth management.
Please review Important Disclosure Information set forth in the last section of this web site.
What truly matters when you are trying to find a financial advisor? We wrote a guide to help in your financial advisor search, but the bottom line is: fee-only, independent, and fiduciary. At Halpern Financial, these qualities are the foundation of everything we do.
Halpern Financial has earned a reputation for excellence in our industry and we have been repeatedly recognized as a top wealth advisor by Washingtonian, Northern Virginia Magazine and others. We regularly contribute our investment and financial planning expertise to publications including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and Bloomberg.
We are proud members of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, Financial Planning Association, International Association of Registered Financial Consultants, and we have multiple Certified Financial PlannerTM professionals on staff.
Learn what all of these qualifications mean for you as a client.
For Families For Retirement For personal finance insights
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AAMS, CRPC, AWMA®, RFC, AIF®
As Founder and President of Halpern Financial Inc., Ted is directly involved in developing and implementing wealth management strategies for affluent families and closely held businesses. He serves as Director of the firm's Investment Research Team and oversees the asset allocation process. Ted believes in educating our clients toward a logical path of wealth accumulation. Since establishing Halpern Financial in 1991 he has drawn his inspiration from motivating clients to achieve their financial goals.
Ted holds a degree in Finance from the University of Maryland. He is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor, a NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor, an Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS), a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), an Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA) and a Registered Financial Consultant (RFC). He is a member of the Financial Planning Association, the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants (IARFC) and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA). He has also been continuously awarded with "Ethics Approved Status" for his adherence to the IARFC Code of Ethics.
In 2019, Ted Halpern earned the AIF® designation. Attainment of the AIF designation demonstrates understanding of the principles of fiduciary duty, the standards of conduct for acting as a fiduciary, and a process for carrying out fiduciary responsibility.
Ted is a dedicated husband and father. He and his wife Bethe live in Leesburg with their twins Jack and Lauren and their dog Einstein.
Media Mentions:
CFP®, AIF®
As the Director of Advisory Services at Halpern Financial, Melissa Sotudeh ensures our clients receive a routinely high-quality level of wealth management guidance from every member of our advisory team. She leads our advisory team on best practices in developing and implementing wealth management strategies to be applied consistently to all our clients. Melissa has extensive financial experience in the development of retirement, investment, tax management and estate planning strategies.
Melissa has a special passion for guiding clients to achieve peace of mind on their financial journey. In particular, she works with clients as they transition through life stages, from paying for children's college expenses to maximizing financial opportunities as an empty-nester, as well as guiding clients through sudden family changes.
Melissa received her Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Texas in Austin, and her Master of Business Administration from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix, Arizona.
Melissa has over twenty years of experience in a variety of business and community service activities. She began her career at the World Bank in Washington, D.C. and then went on to serve as a Management Analyst and International Market Development Specialist in the Office of the Executive Director at The US Securities and Exchange Commission for five years.
In 2010, Melissa completed the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation from the CFP Board of Standards. The CFP® designation is a mark of distinction for the individuals who have met the education, examination, experience and ethics standards established by the Certified Financial Planners Board of Standards (CFP Board). After several years of service as a volunteer with CFP Board, Melissa is a member of the CFP Board Council on Examinations. The Council on Examinations is a volunteer group of CFP® professionals. They serve as primary subject matter experts for the CFP® Certification Examination and provide the CFP Board with recommendations regarding the development, administration and scoring of the exam consistent with best practices in high stakes testing and certification.
In 2019, Melissa Sotudeh earned the AIF® designation. Attainment of the AIF designation demonstrates understanding of the principles of fiduciary duty, the standards of conduct for acting as a fiduciary, and a process for carrying out fiduciary responsibility.
Melissa has a passion for college planning since her two children went through the college search process. She presents her “Late Stage College Funding” talk to D.C.-area parents several times a year with a college admissions counselor. She has written several articles about college funding, and is the author of Find Your Financial Safety School, a choose-your-own-adventure ebook.
She has promoted financial literacy in the region through one-on-one counseling with Capitol Hill staffers and her leadership role on the steering committee for the Metro Washington Financial Planning Day 2011 and 2013. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Financial Planning Association of the National Capital Area for four years. Melissa lives in Bethesda with her husband and two children. She is an avid runner and in 2017, she completed the Boston Marathon.
Media Mentions:
Media Appearances:
Read more of Melissa Sotudeh's media mentions!
Dan Trumbower can truly say that investing and personal finance are his lifelong vocation. From the time Dan was 12 years old, he remembers tracking the performance of mutual funds gifted to him by his grandfather, who was an advisor himself.
Today, Dan is an experienced wealth advisor with two decades of comprehensive experience in the field. He has proven expertise in portfolio development and analysis as well as investment selection and due diligence.
He finds it incredibly fulfilling to meet with clients one on one. He enjoys listening to each client’s financial goals and concerns, and then providing solutions to help them grow and preserve their wealth.
He has special expertise in:
Dan received a BSBA in Finance from Coastal Carolina University, and is a CFP® professional. The CFP® designation is a mark of distinction for the individuals who have met the education, examination, experience and ethics standards established by the Certified Financial Planners Board of Standards (CFP Board).
Dan has been a member of the Financial Planning Association of the National Capital Area for over a decade.
Dan Trumbower resides in Frederick County, MD with his family. He is an avid golfer and also enjoys fishing and woodworking in his spare time.
dtrumbower@halpernfinancial.com
Media Mentions
How You Can Profit As Market Shifts From Growth To Value Stocks - Forbes
Your Loved One Just Made a Huge Money Mistake—Now What? - GoBankingRates
The 2010s in Review: 5 RIAs Look Back Over the Decade - CityWire
CFP®, AIF®
As the Director of Portfolio Management for Halpern Financial Inc., Kirsty is primarily responsible for the design and application of investment strategies in client portfolios including the ongoing analysis of securities. She monitors balances, news, cost basis, activity and performance of portfolio holdings. She keeps clients in touch with their investments and how their portfolio responds to market movements. Kirsty is responsible for a broad array of customized portfolio strategies including the concepts of asset allocation, portfolio optimization, cash flow, tax efficiency and retirement planning. Kirsty is a member of the firms Investment Research Team, and contributes her expertise to the Smarter Investor column at U.S. News & World Report.
Kirsty joined Halpern Financial, Inc. in 2002, motivated by Ted's vision of the challenges and opportunities of working with an independent advisory firm.
Kirsty is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, with a Bachelors Degree with Honors in Education from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Kirsty is also a Registered Investment Advisor Representative and is certified as a Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ through the College for Financial Planning. In 2019, Kirsty Peev earned the AIF® designation. Attainment of the AIF designation demonstrates understanding of the principles of fiduciary duty, the standards of conduct for acting as a fiduciary, and a process for carrying out fiduciary responsibility.
She lives in Virginia with her husband and sons.
Media Mentions:
CFP®, EA, AIF®
As Head of Planning for Halpern Financial Inc., Jennifer Davis ensures that clients receive the financial consultations they need at critical turning points in their lives—from the birth of a child to retirement. Jennifer provides planning expertise covering a variety of topics, from cash flow planning, debt reduction, insurance analysis, tax management, retirement projections and retirement income security planning. She helps to analyze and evaluate each client’s current financial status and goals, then develops and tests optimal recommendations to bridge the gap between where they are today and where they want to be.
Committed to expanding financial wellness and education, Jennifer prides herself in giving honest, transparent and sound guidance. She joined the Planning Team at Halpern Financial, Inc. in 2015 and values the relationships developed with clients as she helps them meet life’s goals.
She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. The CFP® designation is a mark of distinction for the individuals who have met the education, examination, experience and ethics standards established by the Certified Financial Planners Board of Standards (CFP Board). She also holds a federally licensed Enrolled Agent tax designation, the highest credential the IRS awards. In 2019, Jennifer Davis earned the AIF® designation. Attainment of the AIF designation demonstrates understanding of the principles of fiduciary duty, the standards of conduct for acting as a fiduciary, and a process for carrying out fiduciary responsibility.
She graduated with a B.S. in Finance and a minor in Philosophy from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Jennifer's interests include being active, reading, and exploring the great outdoors with her family and friends. She volunteers with the Metro Washington Financial Planning Day to provide needed financial information to the community and raise awareness of the importance of financial planning. She also likes to compete in triathlons, which sometimes take her all over the world!
She lives in Maryland with her husband, son and two cats.
Media Mentions:
"Are You on Track to Retire?" Kiplinger
"13 Money Mistakes That Are Keeping You in Debt." SELF.
“Filing Early for Social Security: When it Makes Sense”, Investopedia
Read all of Jennifer Davis' media mentions!
As the Director of Client Experience for Halpern Financial Inc., Jennifer is responsible for all aspects of client care and service, including establishing new client accounts, transferring assets and reconciling portfolios in the firm's portfolio management software. She is in frequent contact with clients to ensure that customer care with Halpern Financial, Inc. is of the highest standard. Jennifer ensures that the firm is always up to date with industry standards and frequently monitors new financial technology to optimize the performance of the back office.
Jennifer has been a part of the Halpern Financial team since April 1999, motivated by the opportunities of working for an independent advisory firm. She is certified as a Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ through the College for Financial Planning and if ever in need, Jennifer is a Notary Public.
A native of the Washington Metropolitan area, Jennifer resides in Rockville with her husband and daughter. In her free time, she volunteers with the school PTA board and spends time with family and friends enjoying the culture, diversity and opportunities the area has to offer.
Lindsie James joined Halpern Financial in 2016 as the Operations Administrator. Lindsie ensures the firm's delivery of exceptional client service by providing critical knowledge and operational support to the team. She has brought with her a wealth of administrative and operations experience from her eight years as a patent prosecution legal assistant. She takes pride in a job well done, from the smallest of tasks to large-scale projects. She earned her B.S. in Business Marketing from Davis & Elkins College, as well as a Paralegal Certification from Boston University. Lindsie is also a Notary Public to facilitate document signatures in our Virginia office.
Born and raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Lindsie now lives in Leesburg, Virginia with her husband and son. She enjoys being outside, staying active, and traveling back to Ocean City, Maryland whenever she has the chance!
As Client Administrator for Halpern Financial Inc., Susan enjoys being the starting point of contact with our clients. Her responsibilities include a number of administrative duties, as well as coordination of internal communications and email correspondence. She personally greets all visitors to our office and is an integral part of maintaining the total client experience at Halpern Financial, Inc.
Susan resides in Maryland with her husband Michael and son Ryan.
As the Retirement Plan Consultant and Portfolio Administrator for Halpern Financial Inc., Nisha Patel provides objective guidance that is aligned with the needs of plan sponsors and employees eligible for the applicable retirement savings plan.
As Portfolio Administrator, Nisha oversees the operations related to portfolio construction, trading activity and confirmations. This includes portfolio and trading reports, trade generation in coordination with the Direction of Portfolio Management, and operations management of client and portfolio targets.
Nisha holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Management and Business from Barat College of DePaul University in Illinois. She resides with her sons in Loudoun County, Virginia.
CFA
Cody is a wealth planner at Halpern Financial after joining the firm in the Fall of 2021. As a wealth planner, Cody works collaboratively with the Head of Planning and proactively seeks to identify opportunities within wealth planning and investment management to provide clients with an efficient and suitable path forward in achieving their financial goals. Proud to be a fiduciary and passionate in discovering, validating and illustrating opportunities, Cody strives to deliver value to every client.
Cody graduated from the University of Virginia in 2017, studying at the McIntire School of Commerce and concentrating in both finance and accounting. Before joining Halpern Financial, Cody worked in housing finance where he provided mortgage portfolio scenario and sensitivity analysis.
Cody holds his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a member of the CFA society of Washington, DC. The CFA Program teaches and tests the fundamentals of investment tools, valuing assets, portfolio management and wealth planning.
Cody was born and raised in Loudoun County and currently resides in Ashburn. In his spare time, Cody enthusiastically follows the Tennessee Titans and Denver Nuggets very closely, and UVA sports of course. Cody also enjoys playing pick-up basketball at his local gym, playing tennis and skiing.
As the Communications Coordinator for Halpern Financial Inc., Olivia Luper manages both public relations and business promotion strategies, including the development and implementation of a digital presence and maintenance of ongoing client and prospect communication. Olivia is passionate about connecting the talented individuals on the Halpern team with the individuals and families who can benefit most from their services.
Olivia Luper holds a B.A. in English and a M.A. in English Literature from Florida Atlantic University. As a professional finance writer, she aims to simplify and humanize complex financial topics into a language that is easily accessible.
Olivia resides in South Florida with her husband and three exceptional children. Her interests include reading, competitive bodybuilding, and kicking up her feet on the beaches of her current hometown.
Media Mentions:
Virginia Office20365 Exchange Street, #200
Ashburn, VA 20147
11 North Washington Street, #720
Rockville, MD 20850
