James J. Williams
CFP®, MBA
Williams Financial, LLC
CEO & Founder / Wealth Advisor
James J. Williams
CFP®, MBA
Williams Financial, LLC
CEO & Founder / Wealth Advisor
As a fee-only financial planner, my focus is to offer unbiased financial advice to help you achieve your life goals. - James J. Williams, CFP®, MBA
Fee-Only financial planner with offices in Saratoga Springs, NY and Bennington, VT, serving clients locally and across the country virtually.

James J. Williams is a Saratoga Springs, NY and Bennington, VT fee-only financial planner. Williams Financial, LLC provides integrated wealth management services to help pre-retired and retired clients organize, grow and protect their assets through life’s transitions. As a fee-only, fiduciary, and independent financial advisor, James J. Williams is never paid a commission of any kind, and has a legal obligation to provide unbiased and trustworthy financial advice.
James (JJ) Williams is CEO & Founder of Williams Financial, LLC. He leads the firm’s team of financial planners, investment advisors, tax professionals and small business consultants. He has more than 15 years of experience in creating personalized financial plans for pre-retirees and retirees.
JJ earned his bachelor of business administration from Southern Vermont College and his MBA with a concentration in finance from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Through post graduate classes at Boston University, he earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional designation. He has earned multiple licenses in financial services including the Series 7, 63 and 66 FINRA licenses and is registered with the states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont.
JJ has been a financial services professional for more than 20 years. He started his career as a bank manager at a regional community bank with deposits of more than $100 million. He was promoted to marketing director with responsibilities such as overseeing the sales and marketing efforts for the deposits, lending and investment divisions. In 2003, he left banking to manage an independent broker/dealer, overseeing operations, finance and compliance as well as counseling his clients. In 2005 he opened Williams Financial, LLC – an independent, fee-only, registered investment advisory firm that provides comprehensive financial planning and investment management services to families, small business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the country.
JJ lives in Saratoga Springs, NY with his wife, Kathy. They have two adult sons, Noah and Luke. He is an avid traveler, loves history, and reads, hikes, and golfs in his free time.
JJ currently serves as a trustee at the Bennington Museum. Previously, he served on several other boards:
- North Bennington Graded School (NBGS) – Vice-Chair (publicly elected position)
- NBGS Governance and Sustainability Subcommittee – Chair
- Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union – Board Member
- Southern Vermont College – Trustee
- Bennington Area Dollars for Scholars – President
- Better Bennington Corporation – Secretary and Director
James J. Williams 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.
About Williams Financial, LLC
With decades of experience in the industry, our team strives to listen and learn about who you are and what you want out of life. We can then begin to carve out personalized solutions aimed at supporting your overall financial well-being. By staying true to our core values, we seek to guide you through our step-by-step process and aspire to help you grow and progress towards your goals.
Williams Financial, LLC is an independent, fee-only registered investment advisory firm with offices in Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont. Since 2005, Williams Financial, LLC has provided services and resources to individuals, families, and small business owners.
Fee-Only, Fiduciary, Independent: Three Important Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Financial Advisor.
Specialties
- Integrated Wealth Management
- Comprehensive Financial Planning
- Retirement Income Planning
- Investment Management
- Tax Planning
Ideal Clients
- Retirees and Near Retirees
- Business Owners and Executives
- Sudden Money Situations
Working Together
- In-Office Meetings
- Virtual Meetings
- Clearly Defined Fees
- No Product Sales
- Complimentary Initial Consultation
Professional Designations & Affiliations
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James Williams 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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James J. Williams 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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James J. Williams 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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James J. Williams is Quoted on Community College of Vermont's Blog: "CCV Launches New Entrepreneurship Digital Credential"
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James J. Williams is Quoted on the Southwest Vermont Chamber of Commerce News: "NEW PROGRAM OFFERS KICK-START TO ENTREPRENEURIAL VENTURES"
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James J. Williams is Mentioned in the Bennington Banner: "Students talk career goals with local professionals"
Contact James J. Williams
Office Locations:
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204 Union Street
Bennington, VT 05201 -
28 Clinton Street
Suite 2
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866