Areas Of Expertise
Team Designations
CFP® or CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
CFP® or CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification is the standard of excellence in financial planning. CFP® professionals meet rigorous education, training and ethical standards.
CPWA® or
CERTIFIED PRIVATE WEALTH ADVISOR®
CPWA® or CERTIFIED PRIVATE WEALTH ADVISOR® is an advanced credential created specifically for wealth managers who work with high-net-worth individuals, focusing on the life cycle of wealth: accumulation, preservation, and distribution. Candidates who earn the certification understand how to develop specific strategies to minimize taxes, monetize and protect assets, maximize growth, and transfer wealth.
Team Accolades
Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams
The third annual Forbes | SHOOK Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams list features more than 5,300 teams with cumulative assets of $7 trillion. Forbes’ rankings were compiled by SHOOK Research, which uses financial data and interviews candidates nominated by their firms.
- The Ladd Bales Group has been recognized as a Best-in-State Wealth Management Team in 2025 & 2026
Published 1/9/25, rankings based on data as of 3/31/24.
Published 1/7/26, rankings based on data as of 3/31/25.
Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor
Advisors selected by SHOOK Research as a Forbes Best in State Wealth Advisor, is chosen based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria learned via phone calls, virtual and in-person interviews and quantitative criteria such as revenue produced and assets under management. It also takes into consideration service models, industry experience and compliance records.
- Jayson Bales has been recognized as a Best in State Wealth advisor in 2021, 2024 and 2025
- Andrew Ladd has been recognized as a Best in State Wealth advisor for 2025
Forbes/SHOOK Research "Best in State Wealth Advisors" 2025 award was published on April 8, 2025. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2024
Forbes/SHOOK Research "Best in State Wealth Advisors" 2024 award was published on April 3, 2024. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2023.
Forbes/SHOOK Research "Best in State Wealth Advisors" 2021 award was published on February 11, 2021. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2020.