Jake Bryant

Jake has always had a strong commitment to helping people. From serving in the Army to helping clients build a stronger financial future, he takes great pride in making a difference in the lives of others. After watching his grandmother lose her financial security to a bank she’d trusted, he felt called to help families just like his build wealth strategically and protect their legacies.

As our president and CEO, Jake is passionate about guiding clients by developing creative solutions that support their vision for the future. By defining challenges and opportunities first and focusing on money management second, he helps clients align their values with their wealth. He provides tailored strategies and thoughtfully educates clients so they can make informed, confident decisions that guide them toward a stronger future.

Jake does much more than traditional asset allocation or money management. He actively prepares for ever-changing tax laws, investment themes, and economic conditions, often meeting with other professionals and subject-matter experts to take a proactive approach to planning.

Working with dynamic, successful individuals and business owners, Jake has an intentional focus on tax mitigation. He strives to ensure his clients’ financial futures are secure by helping them plan their wealth transfers, keep their strategies current, and make adjustments as life changes—all while considering tax implications. He is an entrepreneur at heart and owns several businesses and real estate ventures, giving him unique insight to the opportunities and challenges business owners face.

Jake earned his bachelor of business administration in finance from the University of Georgia before becoming the second youngest vice president in American Express Financial Services history, serving as a managing principal and field compliance supervisor. In 2005, he launched his own financial planning practice. He’s represented both clients and other advisors while interacting with FINRA and the SEC, giving him extensive and unique compliance experience.

Jake has enhanced his knowledge by obtaining recognition as a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor (APMA), Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 7, 9, 10, 24, and 65. He earned the University of Georgia Fastest Growing Business award from 2010-2014 and has been named to both the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor and Barron’s Top 1200 Financial Advisor lists multiple times.

Jake earned his bachelor of business administration in finance from the University of Georgia before becoming the second youngest vice president in American Express Financial Services history, serving as a managing principal and field compliance supervisor. In 2005, he launched his own financial planning practice. He’s represented both clients and other advisors while interacting with FINRA and the SEC, giving him extensive and unique compliance experience.

Jake has enhanced his knowledge by obtaining recognition as a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor (APMA), Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 7, 9, 10, 24, and 65. He earned the University of Georgia Fastest Growing Business award from 2010-2014 and has been named to both the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor for 2020-2022 and Barron’s Top 1200 Financial Advisor for 2019 and 2020. No compensation was paid to participate in these awards.

To be considered for The Bulldog 100 fastest-growing businesses program, an organization must have been in business for at least five years, had revenues of $100,000 or more for the last calendar year, and must have been owned or operated by a former UGA student. The program recognizes the fastest-growing businesses regardless of size by focusing on a three-year growth rate average. No compensation was paid to the University or the Alumni Association in exchange for the ranking. Jake Bryant was recognized by the Bulldog 100 program in:

2014 (Published 01/27/14; Revenue Data for 2010-2012)
2013 (Published 01/03/13; Revenue Data for 2009-2011)
2012 (Published 01/24/12; Revenue Data for 2008-2010)
2011 (Published 01/23/11; Revenue Data for 2007-2009)
2010 (Published 01/30/10; Revenue Data for 2006-2008)

The Forbes ranking of “Best-In-State Wealth Advisors,” developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, gained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years’ experience, and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Rankings and recognition from Forbes’s are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results, and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor. No compensation was paid to Forbes in exchange for the rating. Jake Bryant was recognized by Forbes as a Best-in-State Wealth Advisor in:

2022 (Published 04/07/22; Data as of 6/30/2021)
2021 (Published April 2021; Data as of 6/30/2020)
2020 (Published April 2020; Data as of 6/30/2019)

Barron’s magazine “America’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors” rankings are based on quantitative and qualitative criteria data provided by over 4,000 advisors. The ranking considered advisors with a minimum of seven years’ financial services experience and have been employed at their current firm for at least one year. This report lists the top advisors in each state, with the number of ranking spots determined by each state’s population and wealth. Other quantitative and qualitative measures include assets under management, revenues generated by advisors for their firms, and the quality of the advisors’ practices, regulatory records, internal company documents, and 100-plus points of data provided by the advisors themselves. Investment performance is not 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. No compensation was paid to Barron’s in exchange for the rating. Jake Bryant was ranked among the Top 1200 Financial Advisors by Barron’s magazine as follows:

2020 (Published March 2020; Data as of 9/30/2019)
2019 (Published March 2019; Data as of 9/30/2018)

Born and raised in Vidalia, Georgia (clients should not be surprised if they receive the eponymous onions), Jake now lives in Atlanta with his wife Andrea, raising their six children.

When not at work, Jake loves traveling with his family, whether skiing, deep sea fishing, or visiting a beach. An avid outdoorsman, you can also find him shooting clay pigeons or enjoying the links at his favorite golf course. He’s also a huge fan and proud supporter of the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team.

What’s something you have read or listened to that really left an impression?

I was invited to one of the top Schwab conferences in the country, where the guest speaker was Michael Phelps. You hear about his successes—winning the most Olympic gold medals in history—but it was cool to hear him talk about how he faced the demons in his life too. A lot of people don’t know the problems he dealt with, how he pushed himself through each of the Olympics, or how it’s guided his charity work and outreach.

What’s your favorite quote or saying?

“Make decisions and never regret them. Never second-guess yourself.” – a mantra passed down from my grandfather, a POW in WWII, that I’ve lived by.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

In the Secret Service. My great aunt’s son worked for Ronald Regan’s security detail. He got to wear all the cool stuff, and we got to see him in the White House. It was very cool.

If you could watch only one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Band of Brothers

What’s something you can’t live without?

Exercise. I work out religiously. If I don’t work out, I go crazy.