Glen Buco
CFP®
West Financial Services
President
Glen Buco
CFP®
West Financial Services
President
As a fee-only financial planner, my focus is to offer unbiased financial advice to help you achieve your life goals. - Glen Buco, CFP®
We Celebrate Our 40th Year of Serving the McLean, Fairfax County and the Washington DC Area and Clients Across the Country

West Financial Services is a fee-only and fiduciary financial planning firm in McLean, VA serving Fairfax County and the entire Northern VA and Washington D.C. area. West Financial Services offers financial planning and investment management services to individuals, families, businesses, foundations and associations. Our retirement plan consulting services for plan sponsors and trustees helps ensure fiduciary obligations are met. As a fee-only, fiduciary, and independent financial advisor, Glen Buco is never paid a commission of any kind, and has a legal obligation to provide unbiased and trustworthy financial advice.
In 2022, we celebrate West Financial Service's 40th Year!
Glen Buco is the firm’s president and specializes in planning for transitioning into retirement and tax efficient investment management. His clients include executives of public and private companies, business owners, and retirees. Glen is the co-founder of West Financial Services and has over 38 years of experience in investment management and personal financial planning. Previous positions at West Financial Services include chief investment officer and director of financial planning. Glen is currently a senior vice president of Sandy Spring Bank, serving on the bank’s Investment Committee and Retirement Plan Investment Committee.
Glen earned his bachelor’s in Political Science at West Virginia University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) and the Washington D.C. Estate Planning Council.
Glen was recognized by Washingtonian magazine as a Top Fee-Only Financial Planner1 (2021) and as one of the Top Financial Professionals2 listed in Northern Virginia Magazine (2020). In April 2018, West Financial Services was honored with the Above and Beyond Award3 presented by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (a Department of Defense program) State Committees to recognize employers at the local level who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. West Financial Services was named a Best Place to Work For Financial Advisers4 by InvestmentNews in April 2020 based on workplace policies and practices, and satisfaction surveys that measure the employee experience.
Glen has served the profession in a number of capacities: a CFP Board of Practice Standards member; vice president and member of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Certified Financial Planners (now called the Financial Planning Association) and chairman of the board and president of the Maryland Suburban Society of the Institute of Certified Financial Planners (now called the Financial Planning Association).
Glen lives in Potomac, Maryland, and enjoys spending time with family, reading, going for a run, practicing yoga and cheering on the Washington Capitals.
Glen Buco is a Member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors - highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.
NAPFA members live by three important values:
- To be the beacon for independent, objective financial advice for individuals and families.
- To be the champion of financial services delivered in the public interest.
- To be the standard bearer for the emerging profession of financial planning.
At West Financial Services, we have spent 40 years building a firm dedicated to taking a conservative and ethical approach to growing and protecting our clients’ wealth and prosperity. Since our inception in 1982, we have provided financial services on a fee-only basis, acting as a fiduciary for our clients. Each member of our team fully embraces the importance of this role and what it means for our clients. We bring planning excellence, investment discipline and personal service to everything we do.
Though every client is different, there is a common theme – they come to us when they are in need of support and coordination of various facets of their financial lives.
- Whether issues relate to retirement, inheritance, divorce or job loss, we strive not only to protect clients’ wealth, but to provide guidance and education, as well as a sense of control and ownership of the decisions they make.
- Though wide ranging in background and ages, our clients are primarily accomplished professionals who have built their wealth through business ownership, strong saving habits and long careers.
- Clients may be risk takers in their businesses, but tend to be moderate to conservative risk investors. They are looking to us as consultants who can bridge the gap between their work lives, existing personal investment and retirement assets, and their future cash flow, retirement and estate needs.
In all cases, we collaborate with clients’ professionals or specialists, or make introductions for clients when necessary. We take a positive, proactive and consultative approach to understanding the needs and desires of each individual client or family. Our goal is to anticipate obstacles and identify opportunities for our clients so that they have time to incorporate changes that create their best possible future.
Fee-Only, Fiduciary, Independent: Three Important Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Financial Advisor.
Specialties
- Comprehensive Financial Planning
- Retirement Income Planning
- Investment Management
- College Education Planning
- Tax Planning
Ideal Clients
- Retirees and Near Retirees
- Growing Families
- Business Owners and Executives
- Sudden Money Situations
- Novice Investors
Working Together
- In-Office Meetings
- Virtual Meetings
- Clearly Defined Fees
- No Product Sales
- Complimentary Initial Consultation
Professional Designations & Affiliations
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Glen Buco is a NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor
The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors—highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.
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Glen Buco is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional - Click for Verification
CFP® professionals are held to strict ethical standards to ensure financial planning recommendations are in your best interest. What’s more, a CFP® professional must acquire several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam before they can use the CFP® designation.
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Glen Buco is a member of The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®)
FPA® is the largest membership organization for CFP® professionals in the U.S. and supports high standards of professional competence, ethical conduct, and clear, complete disclosure when serving clients.
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West Financial Services named Best Places to Work by Investment News
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West Financial Services Named "Expert Financial Advisors" by NorthernVirginia Magazine
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West Financial Services, Inc. is a Member of the McLean VA Chamber of Commerce
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Glen Buco is Featured in the Washingtonian as Top Financial Advisor in Washington, DC
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Glen Buco is a Member of The Washington DC Estate Planning Council
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West Financial Services is a Member of the Montgomery County Medical Society Physician Connect Program
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Glen Buco is on the Board of Directors & Advisors for Contextware
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Glen Buco's Article is Mentioned on Altman & Associates Blog: “Is The Stock Market Near a Crash?”
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Glen Buco is Quoted in The Monroe News: "In a battered economy, 5 smart moves to get by"
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Glen Buco is Quoted on Bloomberg: "Savvy Negotiations for Your Future"
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Glen Buco is Quoted in The Winston-Salem Journal: "Last Resort: Tapping retirement should not be done lightly"
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Glen Buco is quoted in The Seattle Times: "Fear over debt fight taking hold with investors"
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Glen Buco is Quoted in InvestmentNews: "Asset-based fees falling out of favor"
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Glen Buco is Quoted in ThinkAdvisor: "Keeping the Faith"
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Glen Buco is Quoted in the Wall Street Journal: "Hand-Held Devices Can Help Consumers Control Spending"
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West Financial Services Name to Financial Times Top 300 Financial Advisers for 2020
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Glen Buco is Featured on Financial Services Directory's YouTube Channel
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Glen Buco is a Featured Member of Financial Service Directory
Contact Glen Buco
Office Locations:
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2010 Corporate Ridge Road
Suite 530
McLean, VA 22102