James Warring is a seasoned financial professional whose four-decade career spans public accounting, wealth management, and entrepreneurial leadership. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and Personal Financial Specialist (PFS), James built his expertise across multiple CPA firms in the Washington, DC metropolitan area before founding two successful enterprises in 2007: Eaglestone Wealth Advisors Inc., a registered investment advisory firm, and Warring & Company CPAs, a public accounting practice.
Rather than pursuing rapid growth, James chose a deliberate, patient path, one that ultimately paid off. Over 15 years, both firms grew nearly tenfold, expanding from a four-person operation to more than 40 employees. His approach to growth included the strategic integration of five practices, among them four CPA firms and a third-party administrator, each chosen to deepen operational capability and strengthen client service.
James’s leadership extended well beyond his own firm. 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. He also contributed to the executive committee of the Personal Financial Planning section of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. His organizational excellence was recognized in 2020 with the Smart CEO award.
Outside the boardroom, James is a lifelong and competitive golfer. He was ranked third in Maryland in high school golf and continued playing at Towson University. He has remained an active competitor throughout his life, most recently capturing the Bubba Invitational Match Play title at Belleair Country Club in 2024.
Faith and community are central to who James is. He and his family are actively involved at Chapel By The Sea in Clearwater Beach, Florida, where they give regularly and engage deeply. These same values, integrity, stewardship, and long-range thinking, have shaped his professional decisions at every turn.
Now entering a new chapter, James brings the same measured purpose that defined his career to fresh endeavors, including an international trade venture he is helping to develop from the ground up. For James Warring, the closing of one chapter has always been the beginning of another.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I usually start my day at sunrise, as I have trouble sleeping when the light peeks through the bedroom window. So I typically try to watch the sunrise in the morning with a hot latte coffee. I typically get 60 minutes of exercise per day … for example, yard work, a walk, or a workout at the gym. Lately, I’ve been focused on an international trade start-up project that a friend of mine asked me to get involved in. So I spend many hours each day helping develop the master business plan & strategy for this project. We are under NDA, so we can’t get into the specifics.
How do you bring ideas to life?
The older that we get … the more we can learn. We never stop learning. And when you think you know everything, that’s when you’re in trouble. I try to listen more than I talk. I am a firm believer in consensus thinking, because multiple brainwaves & thoughts add value, as EVERYONE has great ideas to share.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The trend that excites me most currently is artificial intelligence and machine learning. I have been using AI to help save time and have come to value the input and the research associated with using either Gemini or Copilot.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Making your bed every morning … it’s a good start to your day. I think having systematic discipline and structure in your life leads to greater productivity and happiness.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Follow your passion. Spend your life doing what you love … as our time on this planet is finite.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Charlie Kirk was a prophet. He was a great communicator and was never hesitant to let others know what he believed. Whether you agree with his political views or not, you have to admire his ability to spark passionate discussions on topics important to younger people. He promoted open dialogue and thought, yet he was assassinated … Why?
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Be proactive with your health. One of the things we really can’t take for granted in life is good health. Eat well … sleep well … stay busy … and be grateful for all the blessings that we have in life.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I tend to meditate. I go to a quiet, peaceful place and THINK. I reflect on my past experiences and pray that I learn from both the positives and negatives that Life brings us.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Taking educated risks. When I started my business back in 2007, my twins were only two years old. I left my secure position as a partner at a large CPA firm and took the risk of starting my own business. I woke up every morning thinking this initiative CANNOT fail. And I ended up working 12- to 14-hour days for the first few years with that ambition, which fueled my drive to succeed. Looking back, it was the best thing I’ve ever done. I am human and made mistakes along the way, but at least I wasn’t afraid to take some chances. And follow my passion to be an entrepreneur. In the end, I continued to learn from my experiences, from my mentors, and others who crossed my path during my career.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I became too close to a client. I had a romantic relationship with a client, which in retrospect, was a mistake. It was a breach of my fiduciary duty as an advisor to have a romantic relationship with a client. My faith in Jesus Christ & God helped me overcome my poor judgment in allowing this romantic relationship to occur & the consequences of my decision. Material items are truly immaterial in the grander scheme of our lives.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Stay focused and never take your eye off the ball. Create a goal … develop a passion to achieve that goal … and do whatever you can to accomplish the success you desire.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I love EXCEL. I eat spreadsheets for lunch. I love devouring a complicated mathematical problem … customizing solutions in Excel… where assumptions can be easily changed. I love watching the spreadsheet ripple as it calculates the formulas I’ve created. Fun … Fun.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?/
I gave $100 to our local church earmarked for Rise Against Hunger. We are so blessed in our lives, and so many can’t afford their next meal. Giving back and sharing our blessings are among our greatest purposes in life.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I enjoy Tucker Carlson’s podcast. Whether you believe in his political views or not, he has a very thoughtful and interesting approach to both sides of the aisle. And it’s entertaining.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
We have been enjoying anything Taylor Sheridan has written. That includes Yellowstone, Tulsa King, Landman & the Madison. All great entertaining shows, in my humble opinion.
Key learnings
- Let’s make better mistakes next time. We are human, and we will make mistakes … no matter how perfect we think we might be.
- They say “time heals all wounds”. Well … it doesn’t. The pain dissipates but never completely vanishes.
- The true lesson of “pain” is on the other side of it … is immense joy. Experiencing pain is a precursor to happiness. To find happiness, you have to experience the other side of it.
- We should all do the things in life that are “right”. Even though we might think otherwise, integrity is doing the “right” thing when no one else is looking. Even though those of Faith believe that God is always looking.
- Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Live it as if it were your last day.
Winston Churchill said… lies can travel halfway around the world before truth has a chance to put its pants on. So don’t believe everything that you read or hear.