The Kelly Group: A “Best Company to Work For” … And With
By Bryan E. Kelly
In September, The Kelly Group was named one of “Maryland’s 2025 Best Companies to Work for” by The Daily Record in conjunction with Best Companies Group, an independent research firm. For our team, this announcement was cause for both a celebration and a moment of reflection. While we are grateful for this recognition, we do not view the award as a destination. It is one milestone on a path we began 28 years ago, a path we plan to continue to tread for many generations to come.
We at The Kelly Group consider ourselves a “100-year firm”. What is required to make that vision a reality is not awards or plaques on the wall, but a culture that endures. A culture rooted in client service, community involvement, and teamwork creates a workplace where people are empowered, mentored, and given room to grow. That same culture also drives our client experience, enabling effective, high-quality, caring service for individuals, families, and business owners who entrust us with their financial futures. Ultimately, we believe that when you build the right place to work, you also build the right place to be a client.
Build a Firm That Lasts
When we founded The Kelly Group in 1997, we set out to be more than another financial planning practice. Our vision was to embody the Norman Rockwell “town doctor” of finance—a trusted neighbor offering attentive, compassionate, professional service when clients need it most. And we envisioned The Kelly Group as a business meant to endure long after its founders are gone.
Such endurance does not result just from a well-crafted strategy or sound investment philosophy. Rather, it flows from a culture that is deliberately nurtured and deeply rooted. Over the years, we have identified essential elements of such a culture that have come to define our own:
Mission. Our purpose is to help clients find clarity, confidence, and peace of mind in their financial lives. That mission helps keep us and our clients focused and resilient, even when headlines scream and markets misbehave.
A client-first mindset. We strive to provide the best service possible. Every household is paired with a primary advisor and a dedicated support team so that calls are returned promptly and advice stays coordinated.
Teamwork. Collaboration is not optional here; it is the lifeblood of our success. Cross-training and shared planning tools allow multiple team members to step in seamlessly when life gets busy.
A motivational career path. Our people help shape their own professional growth. We provide mentoring, paid education, and paths for professional growth that are challenging and fulfilling. In doing so, we also help advance the financial planning profession.
Great people. Ultimately, the quality of a culture comes down to the quality of the people. We are fortunate to have 23 (and counting) extraordinary professionals dedicated to our clients and our community. “Character” is sometimes defined as doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Our team members embody that spirit.
Community orientation. We live and work in Harford County, and we give back to the place that has given us so much—by serving on nonprofit boards, participating in community events, and living the philosophy of Neighbors Helping Neighbors.
Trust. Everything we do is anchored in trust. This includes trust among colleagues, which allows for genuine collaboration, and client relationships built on mutual trust which helps create enduring relationships. Trust is the thread that connects our culture, our team, and the families who place their confidence in us.
Shared ownership of culture. Culture is not just a management initiative. It is lived by every team member. Each of us asks: What can I do today to help our culture continue to flourish?
A lasting commitment. We are locally owned and committed to keeping the firm independent. Clients and team members alike can be confident in our presence in downtown Bel Air.
Recognition such as being named one of the “Best Companies to Work For in Maryland” is gratifying, but more importantly it affirms that we are on the right track. The true reward is seeing our culture in action, for example, when teammates support each other.
Most rewarding of all is seeing our clients achieve their most cherished financial goals and receiving their gratitude, sometimes expressed in heartfelt words or even in an occasional emotional hug.
We are confident that the same principles that make us a great place to work will also help ensure that our clients’ families will continue receiving the high-quality service they deserve. Our commitment is simple: to provide a workplace worthy of our professionals and a firm worthy of our clients’ and our neighbors’ trust.
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The Best Companies to Work For in Maryland program is an annual workplace recognition initiative based on a rigorous, two-part assessment process conducted by Best Companies Group. Visit Best Companies to Work for in Maryland - Best Companies for more information. The Kelly Group did not pay a fee to be considered or selected for this recognition.
The Kelly Group is a trade name of Kelly Financial Group, LLC, a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration with the SEC does not imply any level of skill or training. For more information about our services, please see our Brochure and Relationship Summary, available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov, and on The Kelly Group’s website at www.kellyria.com.
This piece has been republished from I95 Business.