James A. Barnash

JA Barnash & Associates | Personal CFO - AdvisorAFFILIATED WITH INVST

Vernon Hills, IL

CRD#: 839995

Why Work With James

My practice is a true comprehensive financial planning practice. I start with what you want answered first, but all your areas that require attention for you to be successful will be covered. Making Money Work for You!

Professional summary

James Andrew Barnash, CFP, who also goes by James A Barnash, is a registered financial advisor with INVST, LLC. James is registered as an IAR (Investment Advisor Representative) and started their career in finance in 1992. James has worked at 16 firms and has passed the Series 66, Series 63, SIE, Series 6, Series 7, and Series 24 exams. James graduated with a B.A. in History from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. He obtained his Certified Financial Planner designation in 1992 and has practiced financial planning for over 30 years. He has also taught the CFP courses for 10 years at DePaul and for the College of Financial Planning.

At a Glance

Always Fiduciary

Paid By: Fixed / Negotiated Fee

Paid By: AUM %

Min. Asset: No Minimum

50–100 clients

Serves: Pre-Retirees

Serves: Young Professionals & New Investors

Serves: Retirees

Services Offered

Retirement Planning

Estate & Legacy Planning

Business Services

Education Funding

Investment Management

Financial Planning

Tax Planning

Risk Management & Insurance

Specializations

Tax-Loss Harvesting Portfolio Optimization

Divorce Planning

Published Content (7)

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Quick watch

Good news: you don't need a fortune to build one. Small money can grow fast with the right guidance!

Portfolio Optimization

Quick watch

Here is why your retirement tax planning should begin in your early 50's.

Tax Planning & Strategy

Quick watch

Why is my portfolio trailing the markets?

Portfolio Optimization

Quick read

Tax Planning is for everybody!

Tax planning means arranging your finances so you legally pay no more tax than necessary. Done proactively—not just at filing time—it focuses on how your income, investments, and deductions are structured across the year. Key strategies include using tax‑advantaged accounts (like IRAs, 401(k)s, HSAs), managing when you realize capital gains, and placing less tax‑efficient investments in tax‑sheltered accounts. It also involves maximizing available deductions and credits and understanding how major life events (marriage, home purchase, starting a business, retirement) affect your tax picture. The goal is simple: reduce your tax drag, avoid surprises, and keep more of your money compounding toward long‑term goals.

Tax Planning & Strategy

Quick read

Tax‑Loss Harvesting: What It Is and Why It Matters

Tax‑loss harvesting is a strategy that uses temporary investment losses in taxable accounts to reduce your tax bill and strengthen long‑term results. When an investment falls below what you paid, you can sell it, realize the loss, and reinvest the money in a similar (but not identical) investment to stay on track. Those realized losses can offset capital gains, reduce up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year, and carry forward to future years. The IRS wash‑sale rule prevents claiming a loss if you repurchase the same or substantially identical investment within 30 days, but you can choose a comparable alternative to maintain your market exposure. Investors use this strategy because it lowers taxes, supports long‑term compounding, and turns market volatility into an advantage without changing their overall plan.

Portfolio Optimization

1 / 7

Client Tip

Pay yourself first, last, and always! Becoming a world class saver will enable you to reach financial goals ahead of schedule!

Biography

James is a DePaul University graduate, and his passion is helping his clients have the knowledge, confidence, and understanding to make good choices regarding their financial lives. He knows that everyone has different dreams and loves helping them put the pieces of the puzzle together. For more than 30 years, he has worked with individuals, couples, and closely held business owners to explore the options for having a happy retirement.  

He uses modern financial tools, combined with a straightforward, easy-to-understand educational style, to help you make good financial choices and live happier, healthier, stress-free, and fulfilling lives.

Personal quote

"The strength of the pack is the wolf - the strength of the wolf is the pack."

Aliases

James A Barnash

Other business activities

Outside business activity is any business or activity undertaken by an advisor that is outside the scope of their relationship with their firm (e.g., consulting services, real estate, freelance work, teaching, etc.). Investors should stay informed about these activities to ensure no conflicts of interest.

The advisor shows no other business activity.

Blog Corner

CRS (Client Relationship Summary) - RIA

Click below to view James Andrew Barnash's CRS (Customer Relationship Summary).

CRS (Customer Relationship Summary)

Certified licenses

Advisors may have various certifications and credentials from different organizations. AdvisorCheck highlights these seven certifications - AIF®, CFP®, ChFC®, CFA, CLU®, CIMA®, CPWA®

CFP^®

Certified Financial Planner

Start date: 1992

Experience

Current

January 14, 2025 - Present

INVST, LLC

RIA

CRD#: 282863

Vernon Hills, IL

Past

March 27, 2020 - January 9, 2025

NS CAPITAL, LLC

RIA

CRD#: 149905

Northbrook, IL

Past

July 6, 2018 - February 27, 2020

SSN ADVISORY, INC.

RIA

CRD#: 126090

Brookfield, WI

Past

June 12, 2018 - February 27, 2020

SECURITIES SERVICE NETWORK, LLC

CRD#: 13318

BROOKFIELD, WI

Past

March 1, 2016 - July 5, 2018

SGL FINANCIAL, LLC

RIA

CRD#: 158023

Buffalo Grove, IL

Past

June 5, 2013 - December 17, 2015

EDELMAN FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC

RIA

CRD#: 113299

OAK BROOK, IL

Past

May 10, 2013 - December 17, 2015

CRD#: 17998

BARRINGTON, IL

Primary Firm SEC Registration

This SEC-registered firm can serve clients nationwide. Some states may require the firm to submit a notice filing if the firm has more than 5 clients or a physical office there. You can view these state-level filings under the section titled "State Registrations and Notice Filings".

INVST, LLC

CRD#: 282863 / SEC#: 801-107265

RIA

Registered Investment Advisory firm - (2/16/2016 Approved)

State Registrations and Notice Filings

Listed states reflect where the advisor is authorized to serve clients under state regulations.

IAR

means the advisor is registered as an Investment Advisor Representative in this state and is authorized to provide investment advice to clients there.

Highlighted states indicate IAR registrations

IAR

Illinois
(1/14/2025)

Don't see your state listed? The advisor may still be able to work with you under the federal De Minimis Rule, which allows up to five investment advisory clients in a state without registration. Some states, like TX, LA, NE, and NH, may still require registration or notice filing. Contact the advisor or their firm to confirm their investment advisory availability in your state.

Exams

State Security Law Exam

Series 63

Date: 7/3/2018

Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination

State Security Law Exam

IAR

Series 66

Date: 7/2/2013

Uniform Combined State Law Examination

General Industry/Product Exam

SIE

Date: 10/1/2018

Securities Industry Essentials Examination

General Industry/Product Exam

Series 7

Date: 6/12/2018

General Securities Representative Examination

General Industry/Product Exam

Series 6

Date: 4/16/1992

Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Representative Examination

Principal/Supervisory Exam

Series 24

Date: 3/11/1998

General Securities Principal Examination

Current Firm

INVST, LLC

CRD#: 282863 / SEC#: 801-107265

RIA

Registered Investment Advisory firm - (2/16/2016 Approved)

PREMIUM

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Contact information

Main Address

3625 E 96th St, Indianapolis, IN 46240

Mailing Address

Phone number

(317) 202-1891

Established

Firm type

Fiscal year end

# of Employees

SEC notice filing (41 States and Territories)

Documents

Customer Relationship Summary (CRS / SEC)

Latest Form ADV

Part 2 Brochures

ADV PART 2A BROCHURE INVST LLC (12/26/2025)

ADV PART 2A BROCHURE INVST LLC (6/11/2025)

ADV PART 2A FOR LEVINE FINANCIAL GROUP (6/11/2025)

ADV PART 2A FOR TOMORO (6/11/2025)

Regulatory assets under management

Total Number of Accounts	6,777
AUM (Assets Under Management)	$ 1,786,624,623

Red Flags

Disclosures can be potential red flags, including customer disputes, regulatory fines, employer terminations, bankruptcies, judgments, liens, or certain criminal activities.

Check for any disclosures as part of your thorough research when choosing an advisor.

Contact information

(xxx) xxx-xxxx

xxxxx@xxxx.xxx

xxxxxxx

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We're Here To Help

Advisor Monitoring

Firm Stability Insights

James A. Barnash

Why Work With James

Professional summary

At a Glance

Services Offered

Specializations

Published Content (7)

Tax Planning is for everybody!

Tax‑Loss Harvesting: What It Is and Why It Matters

Client Tip

Biography

Personal quote

Aliases

Other business activities

Blog Corner

CRS (Client Relationship Summary) - RIA

Click below to view James Andrew Barnash's CRS (Customer Relationship Summary).

Certified licenses

Experience

INVST, LLC

NS CAPITAL, LLC

SSN ADVISORY, INC.

SECURITIES SERVICE NETWORK, LLC

SGL FINANCIAL, LLC

EDELMAN FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC

SANDERS MORRIS LLC

EHLERT FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

M HOLDINGS SECURITIES, INC.

NFSG CORPORATION

NEWBRIDGE SECURITIES CORPORATION

CINCINNATI ANALYSTS, INC.

CINCINNATI ANALYSTS, INC.

AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC

AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC

OSAIC FA, INC.

THE LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

OSAIC FA, INC.

AHT FINANCIAL GROUP, LTD.

Primary Firm SEC Registration

INVST, LLC

State Registrations and Notice Filings

Exams

Series 63

Date: 7/3/2018

Series 66

Date: 7/2/2013

SIE

Date: 10/1/2018

Series 7

Date: 6/12/2018

Series 6

Date: 4/16/1992

Series 24

Date: 3/11/1998

Current Firm

INVST, LLC

Contact information

SEC notice filing (41 States and Territories)

Documents

Part 2 Brochures

Regulatory assets under management

Red Flags

Company Information

INVST, LLC

DBA Information

TRUST BUT VERIFY

Contact information

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