James Warring

James Warring has built a long career in tax, accounting, and financial advisory work, with an emphasis on discipline, technical knowledge, and steady leadership. Raised in Montgomery County, Maryland, he graduated from Gaithersburg High School in 1979 before attending Towson University in Baltimore.

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Laying the Foundation

James completed his undergraduate studies in accounting and finance in 1983. He entered the profession during a period when regulatory expectations and fiduciary responsibilities were evolving, giving him early exposure to the importance of compliance, structure, and careful financial planning.

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During the mid-1980s, James added several major professional credentials to his background. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 1984 and a Certified Financial Planner in 1986. He later earned the Personal Financial Specialist designation in 1990.

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These qualifications helped shape his work across both accounting and financial planning. Over the course of his early career, James worked at seven CPA firms throughout the metropolitan Washington, DC, area. That experience exposed him to a wide variety of client situations, business structures, compliance standards, and operating models.

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From Practitioner to Owner

After spending 12 years as a partner at Rubino and McGeehin in Bethesda, Maryland, James began a new phase of his career in 2007. That year, he founded two separate businesses: Eaglestone Wealth Advisors Inc., a registered investment advisory firm, and Warring & Company CPAs, a public accounting practice.

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James intentionally kept the two organizations separate. In his view, this structure helped maintain clear governance, regulatory alignment, and specialized services while still allowing both businesses to benefit from coordinated leadership and a shared culture.

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Rather than pursuing rapid expansion, James focused on consistent and measured growth. Over the next 15 years, both Eaglestone Wealth Advisors and Warring & Company expanded nearly tenfold. The firms grew from a four-person operation to more than forty employees combined by the time they were sold in September 2025.

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A major part of this growth came through strategic integrations. In the final years of ownership, no less than five practices joined the platform. These included four CPA firms: Grimm and Associates, Biscoe and Futrowsky CPAs, Polan and Hollis PC, and Barry Benz CPAs. James also partnered with Martin Retirement Services, Inc., a third-party administrator.

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Each integration added to the operational capabilities of the businesses while supporting continuity for clients. James viewed these transitions as opportunities to strengthen the organizations while maintaining clear standards and dependable service.

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Leadership Beyond the Firm

James Warring’s professional involvement extended beyond the companies he owned. He served as Past President of the Estate Planning Council of Suburban Maryland and as an Advisory Board Member of the Planned Giving Committee at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda.

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He was also a member of the executive committee of the Personal Financial Planning section of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in New York. Through this work, James contributed insights developed through years of experience in accounting, financial planning, advisory services, and compliance.

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His business leadership also received recognition from outside. In 2020, James received the Smart CEO award for organizational leadership and business performance. The recognition came during a period when the industry was dealing with disruption and changing client expectations.

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A Lifelong Passion for Golf

Golf has remained an important interest throughout James’s life. During high school, he was ranked third in Maryland for golf. He later continued playing competitively at Towson University while completing his business education.

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Years later, golf remained a consistent part of his personal life. James was a member of Manor Country Club for over 28 years and won the Tuffy Leeman Championship in 2022 in the two-person event with partner Tom Ayotte.

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After relocating to Florida, James continued competing at Belleair Country Club. In 2024, he won the Bubba Invitational Match Play title. His approach to golf reflects many of the same qualities that shaped his professional career, including preparation, patience, focus, and the ability to perform under pressure.

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The Next Chapter

James’s personal values have also influenced his community involvement and leadership style. He and his family are active participants in Chapel By The Sea in Clearwater Beach, Florida, where they contribute through regular giving and continued involvement.

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James’s faith-driven approach has shaped his thinking about stewardship, responsibility, and long-term planning. Throughout his career, he emphasized stability, ethical clarity, and continuity for both employees and clients.

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When James ultimately sold his business interests to a New York-based money management firm, his focus remained on alignment rather than profit alone. For him, the transaction represented a transition to a new stage rather than the end of his professional journey.

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Across his four-decade career, James Warring has generally favored steady progress over rapid expansion. His work in accounting, financial planning, business ownership, industry leadership, and community involvement reflects a long-term approach built around preparation, consistency, and service.