AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

 

At Cassaday & Company, Inc., our commitment to providing objective and impartial advice to investors seeking guidance on their financial situations requires that we strive for excellence at every level. Employee development and satisfaction, prudent growth strategies for our business, our integrated wealth management approach, our patented DIESEL system for retiree cash flow, and our succession and continuity plans have attracted the attention of those who monitor our industry.

We are especially proud of the recognition we have received from the industry, our peers, leading financial publications, and the community for our commitment to excellence.

Industry Awards:

  • Advisor Hub - 1000 Advisors to Watch (2024-2026)
  • Arlington Magazine - Best Financial Planners (2015, 2017)
  • Barron’s - #1 Financial Advisor in Virginia (2014, 2016-2023)
  • Barron’s - Hall of Fame Advisor (2019)
  • Barron's - Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams (2019-2024)
  • Barron’s - Top 100 Financial Advisors in the Nation (2016-2026)
  • Barron’s - Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors in the Nation (2008-2026)
  • Barron’s - Top Advisor Ranking by State (2009-2026)
  • Financial Advisor Magazine - Top RIAs in the US (2012-2026)
  • Financial Times - Top 300 RIA Firms (2014-2015, 2018-2020)
  • Financial Times - Top 400 Financial Advisors (2011-2015, 2018-2020)
  • Forbes - America’s Top Next-Generation Advisors (2017-2020)
  • Forbes - America's Top Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) Firms (2022-2025)
  • Forbes - America’s Top Wealth Advisors (2016-2017)
  • Forbes - Best-In-State Wealth Advisors (2018-2026)
  • Forbes - Best-In-State Next-Gen Wealth Advisors (2019-2020, 2022-2026)
  • InvestmentNews - Rising Stars (formerly 40 Under 40) (2023 - 2024)
  • InvestmentNews - Top Financial Professionals in the US (2024 - 2026)
  • Loudoun Times Mirror - Top 40 Under 40 (2015)
  • Northern Virginia Magazine - Top Financial Professionals (2011-2026)
  • Rep. Magazine - Top Next Gen IBD Advisors (2014-2015)
  • Virginia Living - Best Financial Planning Firm (2017, 2020, 2022, 2024)
  • Washingtonian - Top Wealth Advisors (2008-2022)
  • Washingtonian - Top Wealth Advisor Hall of Fame (2023)

Company, Workplace Excellence, and Other Awards:

  • Financial Planning - Best Places to Work in Money Management (2024-2025)
  • Forbes - 100 Fastest Growing RIAs (2016)
  • Inc. - Best Workplaces (2019-2022, 2026)
  • Inc. 5000 - Fastest Growing Companies (2007-2010, 2014-2016, 2019-2021)
  • Inc. 5000 Regionals: DC Metro - Top 250 Fastest Growing Companies (2020)
  • Invest in Others - Charitable Champion (2019, 2022-2024)
  • Investment News - Best Places to Work for Financial Advisors (2018-2026)
  • Investment News - Best Practices: Technology (2015)
  • Leadership Center for Excellence - 40 Under 40 (2017-2018)
  • Radford University - Outstanding Alumnus Award (2016)
  • Virginia Business - #1 Best Place to Work in Virginia - Small Employer Category (2019)
  • Virginia Business - Best Places to Work (2012-2026)
  • Virginia Business - Virginia 500: The Power List (2021-2026)
  • Washington Business Journal - Best Places to Work (2007-2008, 2010-2013, 2015-2024, 2026)
  • Washington Business Journal - Corporate Philanthropy Award (2019-2024)
  • Washingtonian - Great Places to Work (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)
  • Washington Post - Top Workplaces (2020-2024)
  • WTOP News - Top Workplaces (2026)

To view the criteria for each of these awards, click here.

Award Disclosures:

Advisor Hub - 100 Next-Gen Advisors to Watch (2024) - Issued by AdvisorHub on June 2024 for the 2024 award year and awarded to next-generation advisors. Andrew Malay applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) was a minimum of seven years of experience, at least $150 million in assets under management and a clean regulatory record; advisors were ranked on the size and makeup of their practice, year-over-year growth and professionalism. 100 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.advisorhub.com/advisors-to-watch-rankings/ for more details.

Advisor Hub - 100 Solo Advisors to Watch (2024) - Issued by AdvisorHub on June 2024 for the 2024 award year and awarded to solo advisors. Sean Gallahan applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) was a minimum of seven years of experience, at least $150 million in assets under management and a clean regulatory record; advisors were ranked on the size and makeup of their practice, year-over-year growth and professionalism. 100 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.advisorhub.com/advisors-to-watch-rankings/ for more details.

Advisor Hub - 250 Advisors to Watch – Under $1B (2024–2025) - Issued by AdvisorHub on June 2025 for the 2025 award year and awarded to advisors who manage less than $1 billion in assets. Nicholas Harris applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) was a minimum of seven years of experience, at least $150 million in assets under management and a clean regulatory record; advisors were ranked on the size and makeup of their practice, year-over-year growth and professionalism. 250 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.advisorhub.com/advisors-to-watch-rankings/ for more details.

Advisor Hub - Advisors to Watch – Under $1B (2025–2026) - Issued by AdvisorHub on June 16, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to advisors who manage less than $1 billion in assets. Andrew Malay applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is at least $150 million in assets under management, seven years of experience, two years at the current firm in good standing and a clean regulatory record (two or fewer complaints and no significant judgments); advisors were ranked on a 100-point scale across scale, growth and professionalism. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 2-year period. More than 400 advisors were considered for this honor and 400 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.advisorhub.com/advisors-to-watch-rankings/ for more details.

Advisor Hub - 1,000 Advisors to Watch – 250 RIAs (2025–2026) - Issued by AdvisorHub on June 16, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to fee-only individual advisors and teams of advisors. Stephan Cassaday applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) was a minimum of seven years of experience, at least two years at the current firm, a minimum of $150 million in assets under management and a clean regulatory record (two or fewer complaints and no significant judgments); advisors were ranked on the size and makeup of their practice, year-over-year growth and professionalism. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 2-year period. More than 250 advisors were considered for this honor and 250 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.advisorhub.com/advisors-to-watch-rankings/ for more details.

Arlington Magazine - Best Financial Planners (2015, 2017) - Issued by Arlington Magazine in July 2017 for the 2017 award year. Cassaday & Company, Inc. was nominated for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is public nominations; the planners and advisors receiving the most recommendations were named; portfolio performance was not a factor. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award.

Barron's - #1 Financial Advisor in Virginia – Top Advisor Rankings by State (2014, 2016–2023) - Issued by Barron's on March 10, 2023 for the 2023 award year and awarded to financial advisors, ranked by state. Stephan Cassaday applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is Barron's proprietary methodology weighing assets managed, revenue produced and quality of practice, including the regulatory record; investment performance was not a criterion. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 1,200 advisors nationwide were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.barrons.com/advisor/articles/barrons-methodology-for-ranking-financial-advisors-c4831b04 for more details.

Barron's - Hall of Fame (2019) - Issued by Barron's in October 2019 and awarded to advisors who have appeared in Barron's annual Top 100 Advisor rankings for ten or more years. Stephan Cassaday was selected for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is sustained excellence over ten or more years on Barron's Top 100 list and a practice structured to keep serving clients after the advisor leaves the business. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.barrons.com/advisor/articles/barrons-methodology-for-ranking-financial-advisors-c4831b04 for more details.

 Barron's - Top 100 Financial Advisors in the Nation (2016–2026) - Issued by Barron's on May 8, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to financial advisors nationwide. Stephan Cassaday applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory record, quality of practice and philanthropic work. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. Over 7,000 advisors were considered for this honor and 100 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.barrons.com/advisor/articles/barrons-methodology-for-ranking-financial-advisors-c4831b04 for more details.

 Barron's - Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors (2008–2026) - Issued by Barron's in September 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to independent financial advisors with at least seven years of financial services experience and one year at their current firm. Stephan Cassaday applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is quantitative and qualitative measures including client assets, return on assets, client satisfaction and retention, compliance records and community involvement. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 100 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.barrons.com/advisor/articles/barrons-methodology-for-ranking-financial-advisors-c4831b04 for more details.

 Barron's - Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams (2019–2024) - Issued by Barron's in May 2024 for the 2024 award year and awarded to wealth advisory teams serving individuals and families. Cassaday & Company, Inc. applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is team size and structure, regulatory records, credentials of team members and resources available to serve clients. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 250 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.barrons.com/advisor/articles/barrons-methodology-for-ranking-financial-advisors-c4831b04 for more details.

 Barron's - Top Advisor Rankings by State (2009–2026) - Issued by Barron's on March 20, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to financial advisors, ranked by state (Top 1,500 nationally). Stephan Cassaday applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is Barron's proprietary methodology weighing assets managed, revenue produced and quality of practice, including the regulatory record; investment performance was not a criterion. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 1,500 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.barrons.com/advisor/articles/barrons-methodology-for-ranking-financial-advisors-c4831b04 for more details.

Financial Advisor Magazine - Top RIAs (2012–2026) - Issued by Financial Advisor Magazine in July 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to registered investment advisors reporting assets on Form ADV. Cassaday & Company, Inc. applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is discretionary and nondiscretionary assets under management as reported on Form ADV. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 2-year period. 360 firms ($1B and over category, 2026) were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.fa-mag.com/research/ria-survey for more details.

Financial Planning - Best Places to Work in Money Management (2024–2025) - Issued by Financial Planning on December 8, 2025 for the 2025 award year and awarded to registered investment advisors that employ money managers, with a U.S. facility, at least one year in business and at least 10 U.S. employees. Cassaday & Company, Inc. applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is a two-part evaluation by Best Companies Group: an employee survey (leadership, culture, pay and benefits, training, work environment, engagement, communication) and a review of workplace policies, benefits, philosophy, systems and demographics. 18 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://bestcompaniesgroup.com/best-places-to-work-in-money-management/ for more details.

Financial Times - Top 300 RIA Firms (2014–2015, 2018–2020) - Issued by the Financial Times in August 2020 for the 2020 award year and awarded to registered investment advisory firms. Cassaday & Company, Inc. applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is a proprietary formula based on AUM, asset growth, firm age, industry certifications of key employees, SEC compliance record and online accessibility. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 300 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.ft.com/content/6a45556e-6c21-4770-bc94-468fee0de563 for more details.

Financial Times - Top 400 Financial Advisors (2011–2014, 2018–2020) - Issued by the Financial Times in March 2020 for the 2020 award year and awarded to financial advisors. Stephan Cassaday applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is data from advisors, broker-dealer home offices, regulatory disclosures and FT research across six areas: AUM, asset growth, compliance record, experience, credentials and online accessibility; did not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 400 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award.

Financial Times - Top 400 Financial Advisors (2015, 2018, 2020) - Issued by the Financial Times in March 2020 for the 2020 award year and awarded to financial advisors. Christopher Krell applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is data from advisors, broker-dealer home offices, regulatory disclosures and FT research across six areas: AUM, asset growth, compliance record, experience, credentials and online accessibility; did not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 400 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award.

Forbes - 100 Fastest Growing Top RIAs (2016) - Issued by Forbes in 2016 for the 2016 award year and awarded to SEC-registered investment advisors focused on wealth management for individual clients. Cassaday & Company, Inc. applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is RIAs providing wealth management to individuals as a primary focus; broker-dealers, hedge funds, large fund managers and firms with disciplinary disclosures were excluded. 100 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award.

Forbes - America's Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors (2020) - Issued by Forbes and SHOOK Research on July 22, 2020 for the 2020 award year and awarded to advisors born in 1980 or later with at least four years of relevant experience. Sean Gallahan applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is qualitative measures from interviews and surveys (service models, investment process, client retention, industry experience, compliance records, firm nominations) and quantitative criteria (AUM and revenue generated); investment performance was not a criterion. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 500 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.forbes.com/top-millennial-advisors/ for more details.

Forbes - America's Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors (2017–2019) - Issued by Forbes and SHOOK Research on June 25, 2019 for the 2019 award year and awarded to advisors born in 1980 or later with at least four years of relevant experience. Nicholas Harris applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is qualitative measures from interviews and surveys (service models, investment process, client retention, industry experience, compliance records, firm nominations) and quantitative criteria (AUM and revenue generated); investment performance was not a criterion. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 250 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.forbes.com/top-millennial-advisors/ for more details.

Forbes - America's Top RIA Firms (2022–2025) - Issued by Forbes and SHOOK Research on October 1, 2025 for the 2025 award year and awarded to registered investment advisory firms. Cassaday & Company, Inc. applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is qualitative due diligence (best practices, client retention, industry experience, compliance record, firm nominations) and quantitative factors (AUM and revenue); investment performance was not a criterion. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 250 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination or receipt of the award; firms may pay optional fees for premium listing features after being ranked, which do not affect rankings. Please see https://www.forbes.com/sites/rjshook/2025/10/01/methodology-americas-top-ria-firms-2025/ for more details.

Forbes - America's Top Wealth Advisors (2016–2017) - Issued by Forbes and SHOOK Research on September 26, 2017 for the 2017 award year and awarded to wealth advisors with at least seven years of experience. Stephan Cassaday applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative data including revenue trends, AUM, compliance records, industry experience and best practices learned through telephone and in-person interviews; portfolio performance was not a criterion. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 250 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.forbes.com/sites/rjshook/2016/08/03/shook-research-methodology-forbes-top-wealth-advisors/ for more details.

Forbes - Best-In-State Next-Gen Wealth Advisors (2019–2020, 2022–2024) - Issued by Forbes and SHOOK Research in August 2024 for the 2024 award year and awarded to advisors born in 1985 or later with at least four years of experience. Sean Gallahan applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria gathered primarily through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, including revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and best practices; portfolio performance was not a criterion. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award.

Forbes - Best-In-State Next-Gen Wealth Advisors (2019) - Issued by Forbes and SHOOK Research in September 2019 for the 2019 award year and awarded to next-generation advisors with at least four years of experience. Nicholas Harris applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria gathered primarily through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, including revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and best practices; portfolio performance was not a criterion. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 42 in Virginia were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award.

Forbes - Best-In-State Next-Gen Wealth Advisors (2019) - Issued by Forbes and SHOOK Research in September 2019 for the 2019 award year and awarded to next-generation advisors with at least four years of experience. Adam Huke applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria gathered primarily through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, including revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and best practices; portfolio performance was not a criterion. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 42 in Virginia were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award.

Forbes - Best-In-State Next-Gen Wealth Advisors (2019, 2022–2026) - Issued by Forbes and SHOOK Research on August 11, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to next-generation advisors with at least four years of experience, nominated by their firms. Alex Karkeek applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria gathered primarily through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, including revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and best practices; portfolio performance was not a criterion. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.forbes.com/sites/rjshook/2025/08/06/methodology-americas-top-next-gen-wealth-advisors-2025/ for more details.

Forbes - Best-In-State Next-Gen Wealth Advisors (2019, 2022–2026) - Issued by Forbes and SHOOK Research on August 11, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to next-generation advisors with at least four years of experience, nominated by their firms. Andrew Malay applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria gathered primarily through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, including revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and best practices; portfolio performance was not a criterion. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.forbes.com/sites/rjshook/2025/08/06/methodology-americas-top-next-gen-wealth-advisors-2025/ for more details.

Forbes - Best-In-State Wealth Advisors (2018, 2020–2026) - Issued by Forbes and SHOOK Research on April 7, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to wealth advisors with at least seven years of experience, nominated by their firms. Stephan Cassaday applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria obtained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, including revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and best practices in serving clients; portfolio performance was not a criterion. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 160 in Northern Virginia were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.forbes.com/sites/rjshook/2026/04/07/methodology-forbes-americas-top-wealth-advisors-2026/ for more details.

Forbes - Best-In-State Wealth Advisors (2023, 2025–2026) - Issued by Forbes and SHOOK Research on April 7, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to wealth advisors with at least seven years of experience, nominated by their firms. Sean Gallahan applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria obtained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, including revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and best practices in serving clients; portfolio performance was not a criterion. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 160 in Northern Virginia were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.forbes.com/sites/rjshook/2026/04/07/methodology-forbes-americas-top-wealth-advisors-2026/ for more details.

Forbes - Best-In-State Wealth Advisors (2020–2026) - Issued by Forbes and SHOOK Research on April 7, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to wealth advisors with at least seven years of experience, nominated by their firms. Justin Harris applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria obtained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, including revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and best practices in serving clients; portfolio performance was not a criterion. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 160 in Northern Virginia were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.forbes.com/sites/rjshook/2026/04/07/methodology-forbes-americas-top-wealth-advisors-2026/ for more details.

Forbes - Best-In-State Wealth Advisors (2018–2021, 2023–2026) - Issued by Forbes and SHOOK Research on April 7, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to wealth advisors with at least seven years of experience, nominated by their firms. Nicholas Harris applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria obtained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, including revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and best practices in serving clients; portfolio performance was not a criterion. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 160 in Northern Virginia were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.forbes.com/sites/rjshook/2026/04/07/methodology-forbes-americas-top-wealth-advisors-2026/ for more details.

Forbes - Best-In-State Wealth Advisors (2026) - Issued by Forbes and SHOOK Research on April 7, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to wealth advisors with at least seven years of experience, nominated by their firms. Adam Huke applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria obtained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, including revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and best practices in serving clients; portfolio performance was not a criterion. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 160 in Northern Virginia were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.forbes.com/sites/rjshook/2026/04/07/methodology-forbes-americas-top-wealth-advisors-2026/ for more details.

Forbes - Best-In-State Wealth Advisors (2025–2026) - Issued by Forbes and SHOOK Research on April 7, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to wealth advisors with at least seven years of experience, nominated by their firms. Alex Karkeek applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria obtained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, including revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and best practices in serving clients; portfolio performance was not a criterion. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 160 in Northern Virginia were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.forbes.com/sites/rjshook/2026/04/07/methodology-forbes-americas-top-wealth-advisors-2026/ for more details.

Forbes - Best-In-State Wealth Advisors (2020, 2022–2026) - Issued by Forbes and SHOOK Research on April 7, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to wealth advisors with at least seven years of experience, nominated by their firms. Christopher Krell applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria obtained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, including revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and best practices in serving clients; portfolio performance was not a criterion. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 160 in Northern Virginia were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.forbes.com/sites/rjshook/2026/04/07/methodology-forbes-americas-top-wealth-advisors-2026/ for more details.

Forbes - Best-In-State Wealth Advisors (2026) - Issued by Forbes and SHOOK Research on April 7, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to wealth advisors with at least seven years of experience, nominated by their firms. Andrew Malay applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria obtained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, including revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and best practices in serving clients; portfolio performance was not a criterion. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 160 in Northern Virginia were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.forbes.com/sites/rjshook/2026/04/07/methodology-forbes-americas-top-wealth-advisors-2026/ for more details.

Forbes - Best-In-State Wealth Advisors (2020–2021, 2023–2026) - Issued by Forbes and SHOOK Research on April 7, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to wealth advisors with at least seven years of experience, nominated by their firms. Christopher Young applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria obtained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, including revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and best practices in serving clients; portfolio performance was not a criterion. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 160 in Northern Virginia were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.forbes.com/sites/rjshook/2026/04/07/methodology-forbes-americas-top-wealth-advisors-2026/ for more details.

Inc. - Best Workplaces (2019–2022, 2026) - Issued by Inc. on June 2, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to independent U.S. workplaces with at least 5 employees, 2+ years in operation and under $1 billion in revenue. Cassaday & Company, Inc. applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is editorial review of application answers, an audit of employee benefits, an employee engagement survey by Quantum Workplace and vetting by Inc.'s research department. Award consideration was based on data covering the prior calendar year. 507 were selected. No fee was paid for the receipt or promotion of the award; however, $495 was paid to apply, covering the cost of the survey and research. Please see https://www.inc.com/best-workplaces/2026 for more details.

Inc. 5000 - Fastest Growing Companies (2007–2010, 2014–2016, 2019–2021) - Issued by Inc. on August 17, 2021 for the 2021 award year and awarded to U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, independent companies generating revenue for at least four full calendar years. Cassaday & Company, Inc. applied for the recognition. Cassaday & Company, Inc. has appeared on the Inc. 5000 ten times (2007–2010, 2014–2016, 2019–2021), earning Ten-Time Honoree recognition. Details reflect the most recent (2021) list. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is percentage revenue growth over the qualifying period. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 3-year period. 5,000 were selected. No fee was paid for the receipt or promotion of the award; however, $195 was paid to register for the 2021 list (early-rate application fee).

Inc. 5000 Regionals: DC Metro - Top 250 Fastest Growing Companies (2020) - Issued by Inc. in 2020 for the 2020 award year and awarded to DC-area U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, independent companies. Cassaday & Company, Inc. applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is percentage revenue growth from 2016 to 2018, with minimum revenue of $100,000 in 2016 and $1 million in 2018. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 3-year period. 250 were selected. No fee was paid for the receipt or promotion of the award; however, a $175 application fee was paid to apply.

Invest in Others - Charitable Champions (2019, 2022–2024) - Issued by Invest in Others in August 2024 for the 2024 award year and awarded to financial advisory firms (RIA, IBD-affiliated or hybrid) in business at least one year with at least 10 U.S. employees. Cassaday & Company, Inc. applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) was based on leadership and culture, events and activities, incentives, contributions and impact. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 10 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://investinothers.org/ for more details.

InvestmentNews - Best Places to Work for Financial Advisors (2018–2026) - Issued by InvestmentNews on March 24, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to RIAs or firms affiliated with independent broker-dealers, in business at least one year. Cassaday & Company, Inc. applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is employee satisfaction surveys; organizations with an average satisfaction rating of 80% or higher were named. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. 35 (firms with under 99 employees) were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.investmentnews.com/best-in-wealth/best-places-to-work-for-financial-advisors-in-the-usa/265602 for more details.

InvestmentNews - Best Practices in Technology (2015) - Issued by InvestmentNews in 2015 for the 2015 award year. Cassaday & Company, Inc. applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is operating profit, revenue growth, productivity (revenue per professional and per staff) and integration score (number of integrated core technology solutions). No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award.

InvestmentNews - 40 Under 40 (2023) - Issued by InvestmentNews in June 2023 for the 2023 award year and awarded to financial advice professionals age 39 or younger. Sean Gallahan applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is accomplishments, contribution to the industry, leadership and future promise, reviewed by the InvestmentNews editorial team. More than 1,000 nominations were considered for this honor and 40 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award.

InvestmentNews - Rising Stars (2024) - Issued by InvestmentNews in November 2024 for the 2024 award year and awarded to wealth management professionals age 40 or younger as of November 30, 2024. Riley Saunders applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is current role, key achievements, career goals and contributions to the profession, judged by an independent panel of industry leaders. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://digitaledition.investmentnews.com/articles/methodology?article_id=4889349&i=836069 for more details.

InvestmentNews - Top Financial Professionals in the US (2024–2026) - Issued by InvestmentNews on February 26, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to financial advisors nominated by advisors, industry professionals and clients. Stephan Cassaday applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is a weighted ranking of overall assets under management, AUM growth and client growth; no clients were contacted. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.investmentnews.com/best-in-wealth/top-financial-professionals-in-the-usa/265192 for more details.

InvestmentNews - Top Financial Professionals in the US (2024–2026) - Issued by InvestmentNews on February 26, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to financial advisors nominated by advisors, industry professionals and clients. Justin Harris applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is a weighted ranking of overall assets under management, AUM growth and client growth; no clients were contacted. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.investmentnews.com/best-in-wealth/top-financial-professionals-in-the-usa/265192 for more details.

InvestmentNews - Top Financial Professionals in the US (2024–2026) - Issued by InvestmentNews on February 26, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to financial advisors nominated by advisors, industry professionals and clients. Nicholas Harris applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is a weighted ranking of overall assets under management, AUM growth and client growth; no clients were contacted. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.investmentnews.com/best-in-wealth/top-financial-professionals-in-the-usa/265192 for more details.

InvestmentNews - Top Financial Professionals in the US (2024–2026) - Issued by InvestmentNews on February 26, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to financial advisors nominated by advisors, industry professionals and clients. Alex Karkeek applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is a weighted ranking of overall assets under management, AUM growth and client growth; no clients were contacted. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.investmentnews.com/best-in-wealth/top-financial-professionals-in-the-usa/265192 for more details.

InvestmentNews - Top Financial Professionals in the US (2025–2026) - Issued by InvestmentNews on February 26, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to financial advisors nominated by advisors, industry professionals and clients. Christopher Krell applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is a weighted ranking of overall assets under management, AUM growth and client growth; no clients were contacted. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.investmentnews.com/best-in-wealth/top-financial-professionals-in-the-usa/265192 for more details.

InvestmentNews - Top Financial Professionals in the US (2025–2026) - Issued by InvestmentNews on February 26, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to financial advisors nominated by advisors, industry professionals and clients. Christopher Young applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is a weighted ranking of overall assets under management, AUM growth and client growth; no clients were contacted. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.investmentnews.com/best-in-wealth/top-financial-professionals-in-the-usa/265192 for more details.

Leadership Center for Excellence - 40 Under 40 (2017) - Issued by the Leadership Center for Excellence in September 2017 for the 2017 award year and awarded to leaders under 40 who live or work in Northern Virginia. Alex Karkeek was nominated for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is professional and personal achievements, civic engagement and personal impact in Northern Virginia; candidates had to be under 40, live or work in Northern Virginia and be nominated by someone who worked with them (no self-nominations); applications were reviewed by an anonymous selection committee. 40 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award.

Leadership Center for Excellence - 40 Under 40 (2018) - Issued by the Leadership Center for Excellence in August 2018 for the 2018 award year and awarded to leaders under 40 who live or work in Northern Virginia. Andrew Malay was nominated for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is professional and personal achievements, civic engagement and personal impact in Northern Virginia; candidates had to be under 40, live or work in Northern Virginia and be nominated by someone who worked with them (no self-nominations); applications were reviewed by an anonymous selection committee. 40 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award.

Loudoun Times-Mirror - 40 Under 40 (2015) - Issued by the Loudoun Times-Mirror in October 2015 for the 2015 award year and awarded to rising business and community leaders in Loudoun County. Sean Gallahan applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is professional accomplishments, community involvement and commitment to Loudoun County, reviewed by a selection committee of newspaper representatives, members of the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce's Young Professionals Group and prior honorees. More than 100 nominations were considered for this honor and 40 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award.

Northern Virginia Magazine - Top Financial Professionals (2013–2016, 2022–2026) - Issued by Northern Virginia Magazine on August 21, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to financial professionals in Northern Virginia. Carmen Bississo was nominated for the recognition. The list was based on nominations submitted in April 2026. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is a survey sent to past winners and local professionals, who nominated professionals they would refer to friends and family; an editorial team vetted and tallied the nominations to produce the final list. 863 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://northernvirginiamag.com/best/financial-professionals/ for more details.

Northern Virginia Magazine - Top Financial Professionals (2012–2026) - Issued by Northern Virginia Magazine on August 21, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to financial professionals in Northern Virginia. Stephan Cassaday was nominated for the recognition. The list was based on nominations submitted in April 2026. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is a survey sent to past winners and local professionals, who nominated professionals they would refer to friends and family; an editorial team vetted and tallied the nominations to produce the final list. 863 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://northernvirginiamag.com/best/financial-professionals/ for more details.

Northern Virginia Magazine - Top Financial Professionals (2023–2026) - Issued by Northern Virginia Magazine on August 21, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to financial professionals in Northern Virginia. Sean Gallahan was nominated for the recognition. The list was based on nominations submitted in April 2026. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is a survey sent to past winners and local professionals, who nominated professionals they would refer to friends and family; an editorial team vetted and tallied the nominations to produce the final list. 863 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://northernvirginiamag.com/best/financial-professionals/ for more details.

Northern Virginia Magazine - Top Financial Professionals (2023–2026) - Issued by Northern Virginia Magazine on August 21, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to financial professionals in Northern Virginia. Justin Harris was nominated for the recognition. The list was based on nominations submitted in April 2026. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is a survey sent to past winners and local professionals, who nominated professionals they would refer to friends and family; an editorial team vetted and tallied the nominations to produce the final list. 863 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://northernvirginiamag.com/best/financial-professionals/ for more details.

Northern Virginia Magazine - Top Financial Professionals (2020–2024) - Issued by Northern Virginia Magazine in September 2024 for the 2024 award year and awarded to financial professionals in Northern Virginia. Nicholas Harris was nominated for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is a survey sent to past winners and local professionals, who nominated professionals they would refer to friends and family; an editorial team vetted and tallied the nominations to produce the final list. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://northernvirginiamag.com/best/financial-professionals/ for more details.

Northern Virginia Magazine - Top Financial Professionals (2025) - Issued by Northern Virginia Magazine in September 2025 for the 2025 award year and awarded to financial professionals in Northern Virginia. Alex Karkeek was nominated for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is a survey sent to past winners and local professionals, who nominated professionals they would refer to friends and family; an editorial team vetted and tallied the nominations to produce the final list. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://northernvirginiamag.com/best/financial-professionals/ for more details.

Northern Virginia Magazine - Top Financial Professionals (2011–2016, 2018–2026) - Issued by Northern Virginia Magazine on August 21, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to financial professionals in Northern Virginia. Christopher Krell was nominated for the recognition. The list was based on nominations submitted in April 2026. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is a survey sent to past winners and local professionals, who nominated professionals they would refer to friends and family; an editorial team vetted and tallied the nominations to produce the final list. 863 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://northernvirginiamag.com/best/financial-professionals/ for more details.

Northern Virginia Magazine - Top Financial Professionals (2022–2023) - Issued by Northern Virginia Magazine in September 2023 for the 2023 award year and awarded to financial professionals in Northern Virginia. Andrew Malay was nominated for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is a survey sent to past winners and local professionals, who nominated professionals they would refer to friends and family; an editorial team vetted and tallied the nominations to produce the final list. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://northernvirginiamag.com/best/financial-professionals/ for more details.

Radford University - Outstanding Alumnus Award (2016) - Issued by Radford University in August 2016 for the 2016 award year and awarded to Radford University graduates. Stephan Cassaday was nominated for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is remarkable contributions to society through their profession. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award.

REP. Magazine - Top 50 NextGen Independent Broker-Dealer Advisors (2015) - Issued by REP. Magazine in April 2015 for the 2015 award year and awarded to next-generation advisors at independent broker-dealers. Justin Harris was nominated for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is nominations from the 30 largest independent broker-dealers by headcount (per Cerulli Associates); nominees were ranked exclusively by total assets under management. 50 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award.

REP. Magazine - Top 50 NextGen Independent Advisors (2014–2015) - Issued by REP. Magazine in April 2015 for the 2015 award year and awarded to next-generation advisors at independent broker-dealers. Christopher Krell was nominated for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is nominations from the 30 largest independent broker-dealers by headcount (per Cerulli Associates); nominees were ranked exclusively by total assets under management. 50 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award.

REP. Magazine - Top 50 NextGen Independent Broker-Dealer Advisors (2014–2015) - Issued by REP. Magazine in April 2015 for the 2015 award year and awarded to next-generation advisors at independent broker-dealers. Christopher Young was nominated for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is nominations from the 30 largest independent broker-dealers by headcount (per Cerulli Associates); nominees were ranked exclusively by total assets under management. 50 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award.

Virginia Business - Best Places to Work (2012–2026) - Issued by Virginia Business on March 31, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to for-profit, nonprofit or government employers with a Virginia facility, at least 15 Virginia employees and at least one year in business. Cassaday & Company, Inc. applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is a survey and evaluation process administered by Best Companies Group. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://virginiabusiness.com/16th-annual-best-places-to-work/ for more details.

Virginia Business - Virginia 500: The Power List (2021–2026) - Issued by Virginia Business on September 1, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to Virginia's most influential leaders across 20 sectors. Stephan Cassaday was selected for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is editorial research on leadership role, company revenue, employees overseen, scope of responsibilities, newsworthiness, industry and community prominence, board memberships and philanthropy. 500 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://virginiabusiness.com/virginia-500-the-2025-26-power-list/ for more details.

Virginia Living - Best Financial Planning Firm in Northern Virginia (2017, 2020, 2022, 2024) - Issued by Virginia Living in May 2024 for the 2024 award year and awarded to financial planning firms in Northern Virginia. Cassaday & Company, Inc. was nominated for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is public recommendations; the firms receiving the most recommendations were selected; portfolio performance was not a criterion. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://virginialiving.com/best-of-virginia/2024/ for more details.

Washington Business Journal - Best Places to Work (2007–2008, 2010–2013, 2015–2024, 2026) - Issued by the Washington Business Journal in May 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to Washington-area companies, by size category. Cassaday & Company, Inc. applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is an employee engagement survey; companies were ranked by overall engagement score, factoring in the number of responses. 35 large companies were considered for this honor. No fee was paid for the receipt or promotion of the award; however, a $250 application fee was paid to participate. Please see https://www.quantumworkplace.com/best-places-to-work-in-washington-dc for more details.

Washington Business Journal - Corporate Philanthropy Award (2019–2024) - Issued by the Washington Business Journal in July 2024 for the 2024 award year and awarded to small companies (under 100 employees) in the Washington, DC metro area. Cassaday & Company, Inc. applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is total charitable giving in the DC metro area in 2023. Award consideration was based on data covering the prior calendar year. 10 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award.

The Washington Post - Top Workplaces (2020–2024) - Issued by The Washington Post (with Energage) in July 2024 for the 2024 award year and awarded to Washington-area employers. Cassaday & Company, Inc. applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is an employee engagement survey on workplace culture administered by Energage. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 12-month period. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://www.washingtonpost.com/pr/2024/06/21/announcing-washington-posts-2024-top-workplaces-dc-area/ for more details.

Washingtonian - Great Places to Work (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019) - Issued by Washingtonian in April 2019 for the 2019 award year and awarded to Washington-area companies. Cassaday & Company, Inc. applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is detailed employee surveys on benefits, personnel and workplace policies, with a minimum participation threshold. Award consideration was based on data covering a trailing 2-year period. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award.

Washingtonian - Top Financial Advisers (2008–2022) - Issued by Washingtonian in March 2022 for the 2022 award year and awarded to financial professionals recommended by their industry peers. Stephan Cassaday was nominated for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is recommendations from industry peers surveyed by Washingtonian; those receiving the most recommendations were selected; portfolio performance was not a factor. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://washingtonian.com/best/financial-advisers/ for more details.

Washingtonian - Top Financial Advisers (2016, 2021–2022) - Issued by Washingtonian in March 2022 for the 2022 award year and awarded to financial professionals recommended by their industry peers. Christopher Krell was nominated for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is recommendations from industry peers surveyed by Washingtonian; those receiving the most recommendations were selected; portfolio performance was not a factor. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://washingtonian.com/best/financial-advisers/ for more details.

Washingtonian - Top Wealth Adviser Hall of Fame (2023) - Issued by Washingtonian in February 2023 and awarded to financial advisers, tax accountants, insurance professionals and estate attorneys named to Washingtonian's Top Financial Advisers list at least eight of the past 14 years, including three of the most recent five. Stephan Cassaday was selected for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is appearances on the Top Financial Advisers list, which was based on peer recommendations. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://washingtonian.com/2023/01/31/top-wealth-adviser-hall-of-fame/ for more details.

WTOP News - Top Workplaces (2026) - Issued by WTOP News on June 22, 2026 for the 2026 award year and awarded to Washington, DC employers. Cassaday & Company, Inc. applied for the recognition. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) is pay and benefits, direction, leadership, meaningfulness and appreciation, based on employee feedback. Award consideration was based on data covering the prior calendar year. 342 were selected. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Please see https://wtop.com/partner-content/2026/06/heres-how-washington-d-c-s-top-workplaces-are-determined/ for more details.

Third-party ratings are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client nor are they representative of any one client's evaluation.