Matthew Cohen
CFP®, CIMA®
West Financial Services, Inc.
Relationship Manager
Matthew Cohen
CFP®, CIMA®
West Financial Services, Inc.
Relationship Manager
As a fee-only financial planner, my focus is to offer unbiased financial advice to help you achieve your life goals. - Matthew Cohen, CFP®, CIMA®
Fee-Only financial planner located in McLean, VA, serving McLean, Fairfax County and the Washington DC area and across the country
Matthew Cohen is a McLean, VA fee-only financial planner. is a McLean, VA fee-only financial advisor serving clients locally and across the country. 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, Matthew Cohen 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!
Matt Cohen joined West Financial Services in October 2015, and has close to 20 years of experience in the wealth management industry. At West Financial, Matt serves as a relationship manager providing financial planning services and investment management to clients. He specializes in turning a lifetime of savings and hard work into a reliable income stream for clients nearing and in retirement. As an “elder millennial,” Matt also has firsthand knowledge of the financial issues facing this large generation and works closely with many younger clients who are accumulating assets. Lastly, he strives to be that “first phone call” to help clients address a variety of financial and estate related questions, including gifting strategies.
Matt is passionate about financial education and works pro bono as a financial coach with Family Reach, a non-profit organization dedicated to removing the financial barriers standing between a cancer patient and their treatment.
Matt earned a BA in Economics with a concentration in Finance from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional and holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® certification. Matt was recognized by Five Star Professional as a Five Star Wealth Manager(2021).
Matt lives in Rockville, Maryland, with his wife and two children. Depending on the season, Matt can be found out on the golf course or thousands of feet above sea level on skis, and enjoying – and agonizing over – D.C.’s four major sports teams.
Professional Affiliations/Memberships
Member of the Investments & Wealth Institute, Financial Planning Association, and Washington Association of Money Managers
Matthew Cohen 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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Matthew Cohen is a NAPFA AssociateThe 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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Matthew Cohen is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional - Click for VerificationCFP® 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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Matthew Cohen is a Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®)The CIMA designation is the premier certification for financial advisors and investment consultants and one of the only professional certifications in financial services to meet international accreditation and quality standards. CIMA advisors have completed a rigorous process and have demonstrated knowledge and competency in a variety of investment management consulting and portfolio construction topics, including advanced investment management theory and application.
Contact Matthew Cohen
Office Locations:
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2010 Corporate Rdg
Suite 530
McLean, VA 22102
