Business Details
35 Years
experience
Personalized Financial Planning Services
At Abel Financial, we have dedicated decades to empowering families with comprehensive financial guidance. Founded in 1991 by Rita Abel, a Certified Public Accountant and Financial Planner, our firm evolved from a public accounting practice established in 1982. Our approach centers on personalized relationships, combining investment management with tailored financial planning to align with clients' life goals. In 2018, Steve Stern, a seasoned Certified Financial Planner, assumed leadership while preserving our commitment to client-first values. We specialize in serving upper-middle-class families, offering unlimited access to advice and guidance through life's evolving challenges. Our boutique model ensures we work with a limited number of families annually, maintaining our focus on exceptional service rather than corporate profit.With expertise spanning retirement planning, tax strategies, and estate management, we stress-test portfolios against historical market events to educate clients about risk. Beyond financial services, we actively support community initiatives through volunteer work and donations to organizations like the Alzheimer's Association and Kennedy Krieger Institute. Our team's combined decades of experience and dedication to ethical practices have made us a trusted partner for over 50 families in Maryland and virtually across the United States.
Services
Investment Management
Financial Planning
Retirement Planning
Tax Planning
Estate Planning
College Planning
Insurance Analysis
Employee Benefits Review
Details
- Year established: 1991
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of combined experience in financial planning and investment management
- Our boutique model ensures personalized relationships with unlimited client access
- We stress-test portfolios against historical market events for risk transparency
- Our team maintains strict independence with no proprietary products or sales quotas
- We actively support community initiatives through volunteer work and charitable donations
Associations and certifications
- CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
- CPA/PFS (Certified Public Accountant/Personal Financial Specialist)
Services
Investment Management
We analyze your current investment portfolio to identify strengths and gaps while assessing risk exposure through historical market scenarios. Our approach creates customized investment plans aligned with personal financial goals rather than arbitrary benchmarks. We emphasize risk minimization and capital preservation while exploring alternative investments like real estate and annuities when appropriate.
Financial Planning
Our comprehensive financial planning combines cash flow analysis, retirement projections, and tax optimization strategies. We develop personalized roadmaps that address college funding, insurance needs, and estate distribution while adapting to life's changing circumstances. The planning process integrates all financial aspects to create cohesive strategies for long-term security.
Retirement Planning
We help clients transition to retirement by analyzing pension options, Social Security timing, and sustainable withdrawal rates. Our planning considers healthcare costs, long-term care needs, and tax-efficient income strategies. We stress-test retirement plans against market downturns to ensure financial security throughout retirement years.
Tax Planning
Our tax planning services focus on minimizing lifetime tax liabilities through strategic investment positioning and timing of income. We coordinate with CPAs to optimize deductions, manage capital gains, and implement tax-efficient investment strategies. The approach considers both current and future tax implications across all financial decisions.
Estate Planning
We collaborate with legal professionals to create comprehensive estate plans that ensure proper asset distribution. Our services address wills, trusts, power of attorney documents, and charitable giving strategies. We focus on minimizing estate taxes while ensuring clients' wishes are clearly documented and legally protected.
People
Rita Abel
Founder
Certified Financial Planner and CPA with over 40 years of experience. Founded Abel Financial in 1991 after working in public accounting. Specializes in integrating tax expertise with comprehensive financial planning. Active community volunteer supporting Alzheimer's research and pediatric care initiatives.
Steve Stern
Owner
Certified Financial Planner with 15+ years of experience serving families. Took ownership of Abel Financial in 2018 while maintaining its client-first philosophy. Focuses on personalized financial strategies and community engagement. Serves on housing assistance committees and Jewish philanthropy boards.
Questions
What services does Abel Financial offer?
We provide investment management, financial planning, retirement planning, tax strategies, estate planning, college funding analysis, insurance reviews, and employee benefits guidance.
Who are your typical clients?
We specialize in serving upper-middle-class families at various life stages, including young professionals, pre-retirees, and retirees.
How is your investment approach different?
We align investments with personal financial plans and stress-test portfolios against historical market events to demonstrate real-world risk scenarios.
Do you work with clients outside Maryland?
Yes, we provide virtual advisory services to clients across the United States while maintaining our physical office in Eldersburg, Maryland.
What qualifications do your advisors hold?
Our team includes Certified Financial Planners (CFP) and Certified Public Accountants with Personal Financial Specialist (CPA/PFS) designations.
How do you charge for your services?
We use a transparent fee structure based on assets under management, with no sales commissions or proprietary product incentives.
Reviews (7)
Carrol Perrino
Dec 23, 2021
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For many years, I resisted employing a financial planner worried I would encounter the horrific eventualities detailed in multiple stories, films and personal accounts. I am an older woman with limited financial acumen, a perfect target for an unscrupulous so-called expert. Then I met Steve Stern of Abel Financial. We talked long before I felt confident to follow anything but the most conservative of investment strategies. As I perceived not only his ability but his genuine willingness to adhere to my investment risk perception, I began a program of investment that allows me peace of mind. If any
Katie Martin
Dec 08, 2021
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Steve is an expert in his field. He is knowledgable and professional. He is patient and answers my many questions. In the past, I have chosen to defer our family's financial decision-making to my husband. Steve ensures that I am included, helping develop my financial literacy, making it a comfortable environment to learn and ask questions without judgement. Steve has become part of our family. We are blessed to be clients. Because of Steve, I am confident of our household's current and future financial position.
Jeff Martin
Nov 20, 2021
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We have been working with Steve for over a year and he has been fantastic. We have worked with other financial advisors before and Steve has been the best I have worked with the past 20 years. He is extremely responsive with any questions you have and extremely organized and knowledgeable during our meetings. Steve is all about quality over quantity, meaning he doesn't take endless clients where you become a informal statistic or $$$ sign. He is all about building a long term, lasting relationship. I would highly recommend Steve.
Karol Taylor
Jul 05, 2021
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I try to ask as many people as possible if they have a financial planner because I want to be able to share about Steve. I find him trustworthy and considerate. Steve takes his money off the increases in my portfolio,, which means it is in his best interests to make money for me, and he does. My portfolio is up 20% in the last year thanks to Steve. I highly recommend working with him and would encourage anyone to check out his services.
Judy Goodyear
Mar 16, 2021
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Abel Financial has been my advisor for over 30 years and I have worked with Steve Stern since he began
with Abel. He has successfully helped me with money and investment management and retirement
issues. You always feel that you are is only client because he is available when you need him and he
takes the time to explain complicated issues in plain English. He is incredibly organized, for example
before your meetings, he discusses with you what your goals for the meetings are and what he thinks
should be included, what information he needs from you, and then provides you with an outline of
with Abel. He has successfully helped me with money and investment management and retirement
issues. You always feel that you are is only client because he is available when you need him and he
takes the time to explain complicated issues in plain English. He is incredibly organized, for example
before your meetings, he discusses with you what your goals for the meetings are and what he thinks
should be included, what information he needs from you, and then provides you with an outline of
Erika Klemperer
Feb 23, 2021
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I can't recommend this partnership of Rita Abel and Steve Stern highly enough. Between the two of them I know that my financial situation, including my tax returns, are in safe and expert hands. Their service is a great combination of being warm and personal but also highly professional. I have been a client with this firm for over 25 years so speak from experience.
Kathy Caceres
Oct 14, 2020
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I cannot express how pleased we are with the excellent financial guidance we have received from Steven Stern. He is very attentive to our needs with excellent timely communication skills. We have regular meetings with him to address any concerns. On a personal note he provided tremendous assistance in helping me organize my mother's situation which gave me confidence for her future. He truly cares about his clients and we highly recommend him
