Founder & Principal | CFP®, CPA/PFS
David didn’t begin his career behind a desk — he started with his hands. A bricklayer, welder, and cabinet maker by trade, he quickly learned the value of building things that last. But as much as he loved the work, he found himself looking for a new kind of challenge — one that tested his mind as much as his craftsmanship. A conversation with a family member studying accounting changed everything. What began as curiosity turned into a lifelong passion for helping people understand and improve their financial lives.
In 2007, David founded The Flanders Group with a simple goal: to give individuals and families access to honest, knowledgeable advice that blends financial discipline with genuine care. Today, as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, CPA, and Personal Financial Specialist, he helps clients make tax-smart decisions that align with both their goals and values. Over his career, he’s also held executive financial management positions in retail, financial services, distribution, and real estate development — experience that brings a practical, real-world perspective to every client conversation.
What drives David most is helping people find confidence in an area that often causes stress. “Taxes and finances can feel overwhelming,” he says, “but once clients understand the process, they start focusing on what really matters — their goals.”
A lifelong learner, David earned his BS in Education from Millersville University, his Certificate in Accounting from the University of Baltimore, and his Certificate in Personal Financial Planning from the University of Delaware. He remains an active member of both the American Institute of CPAs and the Maryland Association of CPAs — and still spends time each year in the classroom, continuing his education.
Raised in Joppa, Maryland, in a blue-collar neighborhood, David learned early that hard work and preparation open doors. That belief continues to guide his philosophy today — investing in yourself is the first step toward investing wisely in anything else.
When he’s not advising clients, David can usually be found restoring his 200-year-old farmhouse in Churchville, working in his woodshop, or tending to the small herd of alpacas he and his wife, Diane, care for alongside their three Jack Russell terriers. They have four grown children, four grandchildren, and an ever-growing collection of stories that come with farm life.
If there’s one lesson he’s carried through every chapter, it’s this:
Don’t beat yourself up for mistakes — they’re often your best teachers. And never stop learning, because the day you stop growing is the day you stop moving forward.
Quickfire Q&A
Favorite Movie: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Coffee Order: Black, one stevia
Dream Destination: A long drive through the Iberian Peninsula
Favorite Holiday: Christmas with the grandchildren
Hidden Talent: Mouth trumpeting (only for Diane — don’t ask)
Dinner With Anyone (Alive or Dead): His grandfather — his hero and surrogate father