Cassaday & Company, Inc., is honored to announce that two of our Partners have been recognized by Forbes as 2026 Best-In-State Next-Gen Advisors. 

According to Forbes, the largest wealth transfer in American history is reshaping the financial advisory industry. An estimated $85 trillion is expected to pass from Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation to their heirs over the next two decades, even as nearly 40% of advisors are expected to retire within the next ten years — creating room for a new generation of advisors to step forward.  

This year’s Best-In-State Next-Gen Wealth Advisors list recognizes 2,172 advisors nationwide, all born after 1986, managing a combined $6.4 trillion in assets. The advisors who earn a spot on this list are becoming increasingly important to the families they serve: they’re the ones positioned to carry client relationships forward through exactly the kind of transition now sweeping the industry. 

This industry shift underscores why Cassaday & Company has made succession planning a cornerstone of our commitment to clients. Our firm maintains a standing executive team that meets regularly to guide firm policy, direction, and continuity planning. This structure ensures that as our next generation of leaders grows into greater roles, our clients’ multi-generational financial plans are met with the same seamless, experienced guidance they’ve always had. This approach gives the families we serve confidence that their advisory relationship will span generations. 

The Methodology: 

The Forbes Next-Gen Wealth Advisors ranking, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria —mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews—and quantitative data. The ranking highlights advisors across the nation, ranked state-by-state, born in 1987 or later. Decisions are made based on a proprietary algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria, including: 

• In-person interviews 
• Industry experience 
• Compliance records 
• Revenue produced 
• Assets under management 

By the Numbers: 

The Forbes Best-In-State Next-Gen list debuted in 2019. For the 2025 Best-In-State Next-Gen ranking, SHOOK Research received 53,000 nominations: 

• Received 53,000 nominations, based on high thresholds and qualifications 
• Invited 31,443 to complete online survey 
• Completed 27,296 telephone interviews 
• Interviewed 7,722 advisors in-person 
• Conducted 1,553 web-based interviews 
• Considered 5,418 individuals for the Next-Gen ranking 

Award History: 

Cassaday advisors have been honored as Forbes Best-In-State Next-Gen advisors in 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.  

To see the full Best-In-State Next-Gen rankings list, click here.
For more on the methodology and criteria for this award, click here. 

Award Disclosures:

Forbes Best-In-State Next-Generation Wealth Advisors (2019–2026) – The Best-In-State Next-Generation Wealth Advisors ranking issued by Forbes on August 11, 2026, in partnership with SHOOK Research is based on data covering a trailing 12-month period ending March 31. Eligibility requirements included being born in 1987 or later and having a minimum of four years of relevant experience, with advisors demonstrating leadership through building their own practices, leading teams, or being identified as future leaders. Rankings were determined through a combination of qualitative factors, including telephone and in-person interviews, client retention, industry experience, credentials, compliance record review, and firm nominations, as well as quantitative factors such as assets under management (AUM) and revenue generated. Investment performance is not a criterion. Cassaday & Co. did not pay a fee for nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award.