THOMAS WARD

FINANCIAL ADVISER

“It’s a great feeling when clients realize they’re better off than they think.”

Who He Helps

Thomas works as a Financial Adviser at CJM. Most of his experience centers on current and former federal employees and contractors, along with high-earning young professionals and couples. He’s spent much of his career on retirement planning, especially for clients approaching retirement or hoping to retire early, along with tax-efficient distribution strategies and estate transfer planning. 

Thomas’ Story

Thomas got into the field after a personal financial planning class in college led him to Virginia Tech’s financial planning program. What made it personal was losing his mom to cancer in 2009, when she was still young. That loss showed him firsthand how much a good plan matters when the unexpected happens, and how much harder things get without one.

Thomas started his career at Ameriprise Financial, then spent over six years with a credit union investment services group, earning his Series 7, Series 63, and Virginia Life, Health & Annuities licenses along with his CFP® certification. He later moved to a fee-only RIA because he believes the best way to serve clients is to act as a fiduciary, and strive to always put clients first.

His Approach

His first goal with any client is to fully understand their whole financial picture, then build a personalized strategy from there.

Outside of Work

Thomas lives in Herndon with his girlfriend, Brooke, and their two rescue dogs, Rooney and Sully. Between woodworking projects, DIY jobs around the house, and 3D printing, he’s usually got something going, plus any excuse to get outside with the dogs.

Credentials

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification, earned April 2022.  

B.S. in Applied Economic Management, concentration in Financial Planning, Virginia Tech. 

wardt@cjmltd.com  |  703-425-0700