About us

Family-owned, fee-only firm with over two decades of hands-on experience

Bucky didn't originally set out to start a financial planning firm.

After a first career in healthcare consulting, Bucky retired at 50, five years ahead of the goal he'd spent years tracking toward, but hadn’t decided what was next. Friends and family who watched him retire that early started asking a simple question: could he help them do the same?

The Knowles Company was launched in 2003 to help family, friends and colleagues work towards the same financial independence that Bucky had created for himself. Over the past 23+ years, the firm has grown exclusively through client referrals. Many of our clients have been with us since day one. That is a testament to what makes this partnership different: an advisor who truly gets to know you and your family personally, and is committed to achieving your financial goals.

Recently, Bucky’s son Patrick also stepped away from his first career to join his dad, to continue the tradition of helping families navigate their finances with confidence.

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PRINCIPALS

E.W. “Bucky” Knowles, Jr.

FOUNDER, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ADVISOR, CFP®

Bucky has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional since 2007. His approach has been consistent from the beginning, grounded in helping clients achieve independence through disciplined, comprehensive financial planning. Those who've worked with him for years will tell you the same thing: he is direct and honest about what it’s going to take to achieve your financial goals, even when it’s hard.

Before founding the practice, Bucky was Vice President at Kurt Salmon Associates (healthcare management consulting), Principal at Hamilton Associates, and Director of Planning at a children's hospital. He holds a Master's in Architecture from the University of Florida and a Master's in Healthcare Administration from the University of Minnesota. He lives in Oakton, VA and Bonita Springs, FL with his wife of 55+ years.

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Patrick Knowles

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, ADVISOR

Patrick spent nearly 30 years as a consultant and executive in the technology and financial services industries. Most recently at CGI, he advised large organizations on strategy, marketing and organizational effectiveness. He is now following his lifelong passion for investing and personal financial management, bringing his business expertise alongside the financial management best practices he learned from his father.

He holds an MBA from Georgetown University and a BBA from James Madison University. He lives in Vienna, VA with his wife and daughter.

Memberships and associations

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Logo of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA).

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