Commonly Highlighted Awards and Rankings

 Barron’s – Top 100 RIA Firms (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)

• Disclosure: The most recent ranking was based on data for the 12- month period ending June 30, 2026 and awarded on September 11, 2026. Previously awarded each September based on data from a 12-month period through June 30 each year.
• About: The tenth annual ranking of independent advisory companies is based on assets managed by the firms, growth, technology spending, succession planning, and other metrics. Barron’s ranks the largest registered investment advisor firms separately from its broader RIA ranking. For the list of mega RIAs, Barron’s selected firms that manage over $90 billion and staff over 1,000 people. Collectively, the nine firms represent nearly half of the total assets of all ranked firms.
• View Details »: For a complete listing and more information about the methodology used, please visit the website linked.
• Methodology: “Advisors who wish to be ranked must first pass a prequalification process aimed at ensuring that those in the mix are experienced and sophisticated advisors. Those who meet the criteria then fill out a survey with more than 100 questions about their practices. We verify that data with the advisors’ firms and with regulatory databases, then we apply our rankings formula to the data to generate a ranking. The formula features three major categories of calculations: 1) assets, 2) revenue, and 3) quality of practice.

In each of those categories, we do multiple subcalculations. For instance, we take into account not just the amount of assets an advisor manages, but also the type of assets—are they private wealth assets or institutional? If they’re institutional, are they for a foundation or an endowment, or are they corporate assets? We measure the growth of advisors’ practices and their client retention. We also consider a wide range of qualitative factors, including the advisors’ experience; their advanced degrees and industry designations; the size, shape, and diversity of their teams; their charitable and philanthropic work; and, of course, their compliance records.

The rankings are meant as a starting point for clients looking for an advisor—a first-pass vetting that can help investors narrow a search. Each advisor will have his or her own approach to investing, financial planning, and other services. Clients are encouraged to approach a search for an advisor the way they would a search for a doctor—interviewing multiple professionals and getting opinions from multiple third parties.”

Barron’s – Top 100 Institutional Consulting Teams (2017, 2018, 2020-2026)

• Disclosure: The most recent ranking was based on data for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2025 and awarded on May 18, 2026. Previously awarded each May based on data from a 12-month period through December 31 each year.
• About: Now in its tenth year, the Barron’s ranking evaluates independent firms based on a variety of qualitative and quantitative criteria, including institutional focus, regulatory compliance, and assets under advisement. To qualify, firms must manage at least $1 billion in institutional assets, derive the majority of their business from institutional advisory services, and meet rigorous standards for experience and compliance among their lead advisors. Many of the nation’s top wealth management teams specialize in investing for large organizations—pension plans, university endowments, charitable foundations, and the like. These teams also serve individual investors, many of whom want institutional-style oversight of their investments.
• View Details » For a complete listing and more information about the methodology used, please visit the website linked.
• Methodology: “Advisors who wish to be ranked must first pass a prequalification process aimed at ensuring that those in the mix are experienced and sophisticated advisors. Those who meet the criteria then fill out a survey with more than 100 questions about their practices. For this year’s Top 100 Women Advisors ranking, 1,094 advisors submitted data. We verify that data with the advisors’ firms and with regulatory databases, then we apply our rankings formula to the data to generate a ranking. The formula features three major categories of calculations: 1) assets, 2) revenue, and 3) quality of practice. In each of those categories, we do multiple subcalculations. For instance, we take into account not just the amount of assets an advisor manages, but also the type of assets—are they private wealth assets or institutional? If they’re institutional, are they for a foundation or an endowment, or are they corporate assets? We measure the growth of advisors’ practices and their client retention. We also consider a wide range of qualitative factors, including the advisors’ experience; their advanced degrees and industry designations; the size, shape, and diversity of their teams; their charitable and philanthropic work; and, of course, their compliance records.
  
  The rankings are meant as a starting point for clients looking for an advisor—a first-pass vetting that can help investors narrow a search. Each advisor will have his or her own approach to investing, financial planning, and other services. Clients are encouraged to approach a search for an advisor the way they would a search for a doctor—interviewing multiple professionals and getting opinions from multiple third parties.”

CNBC – Financial Advisor 100 (2020, 2021)

• Disclosure: The most recent ranking was based on data obtained from the Firm’s most recent ADV (data as of 12/31/20). and awarded on October 6, 2021. Previously awarded each October based on data obtained from the Firm’s most recent ADV.
• About: The CNBC FA 100 celebrates those advisory firms that top the list when it comes to offering comprehensive planning and financial services to help clients navigate their financial lives. The advisors at these firms assist in setting realistic financial and personal goals. And they will help a client stay on track to meet changing goals due to personal circumstances, and any life-changing events.
• View Details » For a complete listing and more information about the methodology used, please visit the website linked.
• Methodology: The methodology consisted of first analyzing a variety of core data points from AccuPoint’s database of financial services firms. This analysis started with an initial list of 37,369 RIA firms. AccuPoint then applied weighted categories to further refine and rank the firms, ultimately creating the list of the top 100. The primary data points used in the analysis were reviewed, either as a minimum baseline or within a range, eliminating those firms that did not meet our requirements. Once the initial list was compiled, weightings were also applied accordingly. These data points included:
  • Disclosures
  • Number of years in the business
  • Number of employees
  • Number of investment advisors registered with the firm
  • The ratio of investment advisors to total number of employees
  • Total assets under management
  • Percentage of discretionary assets under management
  • Total accounts under management
  • Number of states where the RIA is registered
  • Country of domicile

Financial Advisor Magazine – RIA Survey and Rankings (2013, 2021, 2024, 2025, 2026)

• Disclosure: The most recent ranking was based on data for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2025 and awarded on July 10, 2026. Previously awarded each July based on data from a 12-month period through December 31 each year.
• View Details » For a complete listing and more information about the methodology used, please visit the website linked.
• Methodology: FA’s RIA survey is a ranking based on assets under management at year end of independent firms that file their own ADV with the SEC. FA’s RIA ranking orders firms from largest to smallest, based on AUM reported to us by firms that voluntarily complete and submit FA’s survey by our deadline. 

InvestmentNews 40 Under 40 (2020)

• Disclosure: Awarded on June 29, 2020. Based on nominations made in 2020 from wealth management professionals with additional questions answered by each nominee and vetted by an independent panel. Nominees for the 2020 award must have been under the age of 40 on June 29, 2020.
• Recipients include the follow Mason Advisors: Sarah Baker (2020).
• About: InvestmentNews has been producing the 40 Under 40 list since 2013. Honorees include financial advisors, or industry professionals supporting advisers, who are 39 years and younger. Honorees are judged on their accomplishments, contribution to the industry, leadership and promise.
• View Details » For more information about the list and how candidates are selected, please see the following link.”
• Methodology: “Nominees for our seventh annual 40 Under 40 project should exhibit qualities of leadership within the financial advice field, such as the drive to succeed, along with prospects for a bright future. He or she must be under the age of 40 on June 29, 2020, which is the date our 40 Under 40 honorees will be announced in the print issue of InvestmentNews and online. Nominees will be considered by InvestmentNews editors based on the following key points:
  • Accomplishments: We are looking for professionals who are successful in the advisory business, industry-related projects and the wider world in an advisory capacity, as exhibited by their credentials and achievements.
  • Contribution: We are searching for professionals who promote the financial advice profession, advocate for financial literacy and engage in pro bono financial planning work.
  • Leadership: We are interested in professionals who offer guidance and successful management within a company or the industry as a whole.
  • Promise: We want to celebrate professionals who have passion, enthusiasm, great ideas and show a commitment to the field.

Northern Virginia Magazine – Top Financial Professionals List (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)

• Disclosure: The most recent ranking was based on peer submissions collected in March 2026 and awarded on August 21, 2026. Previously awarded each August based on peer submission data collected in March of each year.
• Recipients include the follow Mason Advisors: Sarah Baker (2023-2026), Barry Beach (2024, 2025), Daniel Corno (2024-2026), Brian Kelley (2023-2025), Lee Kapnisi (2024), Bill Dwenger (2024) and Christopher Schreiner (2023-2026).
• View Details » For more information about the list and how candidates are selected, please see the following link.
• Methodology: To compile the Top Financial Professionals listing, we sent surveys to all Northern Virginia financial professionals, asking them to recommend other financial professionals whom they would refer to friends and family. Our team then vetted those nominated by consulting various publications to determine our list of winners. Although some Top Financial Professionals winners choose to advertise in the magazine, they cannot pay to be included on the list. This listing and the advertising section are separate entities.

Pensions & Investments – Largest Managers of Outsourced Assets (2025)

• Disclosure: Awarded on July 14, 2025 and based on data for the 12-month period ending March 31, 2025.
• About: Ranked by worldwide institutional outsourced AUM, with full/partial discretion as of March 31, 2025.
• View Details » For a complete listing and more information about the methodology used, please visit the website linked.
• Methodology:Pensions & Investments is a publisher that provides news, research, and analysis with respect to institutional investing and money management. With regard to the results of the survey conducted by Pensions and Investments (“P&I”) and referred to by P&I as a “Special Report on Outsourcing Managers”. According to P&I, the rankings in the P&I Report are based on data provided directly by “OCIO” firms that participated in its annual survey, which, as further described by P&I, included questions that asked such firms to report, among other things, the U.S. institutional, tax-exempt client assets that were internally managed by type, which included categories such as endowments and foundations. In that regard, “investment outsourcing” was defined by P&I as instances where “an outside provider manages all or most of a plan’s administrative functions and investment portfolio, such as asset allocation, manager selection and monitoring, and custodian selection,” noting that “the level of discretion and fiduciary responsibility assumed by the provider may vary by client” and further noting that “alternate terms for investment outsourcing are outsourced-CIO services, fiduciary management outsourcing and implemented consulting”; “assets under investment management” were defined by P&I as “assets for which the investment outsourcer has full or partial investment management discretion,” which definition also expressly “excluded non-discretionary assets (e.g., the investment outsourcer provides integrated resources to enhance a client’s in-house structure where the client retains full investment discretion)”; “institutional investors” were defined by P&I as “retirement plans, endowments, foundations, et al.” and as expressly “excluding high-net-worth and family office”; and “internally managed” assets were defined by P&I as “assets for which [the firm’s] portfolio managers make the day-to-day investment decisions” and which would “exclude all assets [the] firm hands to others to be subadvised.” In addition, survey participants were asked to report all data as of March 31, 2025; to report assets in U.S. dollars rounded to the nearest million; and to exclude master trust/custody, global custody and assets under administration only from all answers.

Washington Business Journal – Largest Wealth Management Firms in Greater Washington (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)

• Disclosure: The most recent ranking was based on data for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2025 and awarded on August 21, 2026. Previously awarded each September based on data from a 12-month period through December 31 each year.
• About: Ranked by number of Metro-area financial planners
• View Details » For a complete listing and more information about the methodology used, please visit the website linked.
• Methodology: The annual list from the WBJ, a prominent source of business news and information in the DC metropolitan area, ranks the wealth management firms with the most financial planners in the region.

WealthMangement.com – RIA Edge 100 List (2023)

• Disclosure: Awarded on March 27, 2023 and based on data obtained from the Firm’s most recent ADV as of June 30, 2022 (data as of 12/31/21). Qualifying firms were limited to those that provide financial planning services, have high-net-worth individuals as more than half of their client base, and manage at least $250 million in assets as of June 30, 2022.
• View Details » For a complete listing and more information about the methodology used, please visit the website linked.
• About: Wealth Management IQ and ISS Market Intelligences’ Discovery Data have compiled a list of RIAs growing fast while keeping sight of their priorities: the client experience and the sustainability of the business.
• Methodology: Developed by Wealth Management IQ (WMIQ) and Discovery Data, the list recognizes RIAs with the most impressive growth rates combined with the best client ratios and most CFP certifications.

Legacy Awards and Rankings

InvestmentNews Hot List  (2024)

• Disclosure: Awarded on December 17, 2024 and based on nominations made by Mason in August 2024.
• Recipients include the follow Mason Advisors: Sarah Baker (2024).
• About: InvestmentNews has been producing the Hot List since 2023. Candidates include financial advisors, wealth-management professionals, and executives that have at least 10 years of experience in the industry.
• Methodology: “In August 2024, InvestmentNews invited wealth professionals from across the country to nominate their most exceptional leaders for the second annual Hot List. After receiving hundreds of nominations, InvestmentNews narrowed the list down to 97 movers and shakers whose contributions have helped shape the wealth industry over the past 12 months. From innovators at the forefront of change to leaders who are transforming the way the industry does business, this year’s Hot List represents the best the industry has to offer.” For more information about the list and how candidates are selected, please see the following link. InvestmentNews Hot List 2024.
• View Details » For a complete listing and more information about the methodology used, please visit the website linked.

Barron’s – Top Independent Wealth Advisors (2016)

• Disclosure: Awarded in September 2016 based on data for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2016.
• Methodology: The ranking reflects the volume of assets overseen by the advisors and their teams, revenues generated for the firms and the quality of the advisors’ practices. The scoring system assigns a top score of 100 and rates the rest by comparing them with the winner. A ranking of “N” denotes an advisor who is new to the list.
• View Details » For a complete listing and more information about the methodology used, please visit the website linked.

Barron’s – Top Advisor Rankings by State (2014, 2015, 2020)

• Disclosure: The most recent ranking was based on data for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2019 and awarded in March 2020. Previously awarded each March based on data from a 12-month period through December 31 each year.
• About: Barron’s published its first advisor ranking in 2004 to shine a spotlight on the nation’s best wealth managers and raise standards in the industry.
• Methodology: The rankings are based on data provided by around 6,000 of the nation’s most productive advisors. Factors included in the rankings: assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory record, quality of practice, and philanthropic work. Investment performance isn’t an explicit component because not all advisors have audited results and because performance figures often are influenced more by clients’ risk tolerance than by an advisor’s investment-picking abilities. The rankings are meant as a starting point for clients looking for an advisor—a first-pass vetting that can help investors narrow a search. Every advisor will have his or her own approach to investing, financial planning, and other services. Clients are encouraged to approach a search for an advisor the way they would a search for a doctor—interviewing multiple professionals and getting opinions from multiple third parties. If you’re reading this in a Barron’s app, please head to barrons.com in your browser for a better experience.
• View Details » For a complete listing and more information about the methodology used, please visit the website linked.

Barron’s – Top 50 Registered Investment Advisor Firms (2019)

• Disclosure: Awarded on September 23, 2019 based on data for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2019.
• About: Barron’s published its first advisor ranking in 2004 to shine a spotlight on the nation’s best wealth managers and raise standards in the industry.
• Methodology: Firms that wish to be ranked fill out a 102-question survey about their practice. We verify that data and apply our rankings formula to the data to generate a ranking, based on assets, revenue and quality of practice. The rankings are meant as a starting point for clients looking for an RIA firm — a first-pass vetting that can help investors narrow a search. Every firm will have its own approach to investing, financial planning and other services. Clients are encouraged to approach a search for an RIA firm the way they would a se arch for a doctor—interviewing multiple professionals and getting opinions from multiple third parties.
• View Details » For a complete listing and more information about the methodology used, please visit the website linked.

Forbes – 100 Fastest Growing RIA Firms Over Ten Years (2016)

• Disclosure: Awarded on November 14, 2016 based on AUM data collected for the 10-year period ending December 31, 2015.
• About: RIA Channel has been producing the RIA lists for Forbes since 2006. This year’s unique ranking showcases the wealth management firms by growth in assets over the past ten years with a majority of the firms accruing more than $1 billion in assets.
• Methodology: To be considered for our ranking, each firm must be a registered investment advisor (RIA) with the SEC, provide wealth management services and serve individual clients as a primary focus.   Broker/dealers, hedge funds, those managing large funds and firms with disciplinary disclosures were excluded.  As the RIA market changes and grows, RIA Channel continues to adapt its criteria to the current environment.
• View Details » For a complete listing and more information about the methodology used, please visit the website linked.

Financial Times – FT 300: Top Registered Investment Advisors (2014, 2015, 2017, 2019)

• Disclosure: The most recent ranking was based on data for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2018 and awarded on June 27, 2019. Previously awarded each June based on data from a 12-month period through December 31 each year.
• About: A snapshot of the leading advisers across the US market and the client bases they serve. Plus: we explore why the industry is still struggling to overcome a lack of racial diversity, how advisers are testing new fee models and how the pandemic is reshaping client relationships.
• Methodology: The formula the FT uses to grade advisers is based on six broad factors and calculates a numeric score for each adviser. Areas of consideration include adviser AUM, asset growth, the company’s age, industry certifications of key employees, SEC compliance record and online accessibility. The reasons these were chosen are as follows:
  • AUM signals experience managing money and client trust.
  • AUM growth rate can be a proxy for performance, as well as for asset retention and the ability to generate new business. We assessed companies on one- and two-year growth rates.
  • Companies’ years in existence indicates reliability and experience of managing assets through different market environments.
  • Compliance record provides evidence of past client disputes; a string of complaints can signal potential problems.
  • Industry certifications (CFA, CFP, etc.) shows the company’s staff has technical and industry knowledge, and signals a professional commitment to investment skills.
  • Online accessibility demonstrates a desire to provide easy access and transparent contact information.
• View Details » For a complete listing and more information about the methodology used, please visit the website linked.