About Financial Research

Financial Research is an independent advisory firm; we work on a fee-only basis and act as fiduciaries, with our clients’ interests always coming first. We work with our clients primarily through a Wealth Management Services program, which is a combination of financial planning and investment management services provided on an ongoing basis.

Jay H. Cowles is the owner of Financial Research and has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is a Certified Financial Planner and a NAPFA-Registered Advisor. 

About Jay Cowles, CFP®

I was born and raised in the small town of Bellevue, Washington (1960 population – 12,809). I attended The Lakeside School and the University of Washington, from which he graduated in 1977. Pre-career highlights include backpacking in Europe, volunteer work in rural Honduras, college in Guadalajara, and earning my private pilot’s license.

After college, I went directly into investment management. From 1977 to 1989, I worked in the commodity futures industry as a research analyst, broker, and investment manager. I learned a lot about investing during my years in the futures markets, a place where you don’t last long if you don’t know how to manage investment risk.

Financial Research, Inc. was started in 1990. I received my Certified Financial Planner designation in 1992 and became a NAPFA-Registered Advisor in 2002.

Outside of work, I spend time with my wife and two daughters. In my spare time, I enjoy landscaping, playing guitar, reading, and traveling to warmer climates.