Tommy Blackburn, CFP®, CPA, PFS

Fee-Only Financial Planning and Tax Planning for Federal Employees

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Mason & Associates Tommy Blackburn, CFP®, CPA, PFS
Newport News, VA

Serving Clients Nationwide

Fee-Only Financial Planning and Tax Planning for Federal Employees

Areas of Focus

  • Estate Planning
  • Financial Life Planning
  • Investment Management
  • Retirement Planning
  • Taxes

About Tommy Blackburn, CFP®, CPA, PFS

Tommy Blackburn serves as Vice President, Senior Financial Planner, and Chief Compliance Officer at Mason & Associates, where he is a managing partner with John Mason in leading firm operations, technology initiatives, and strategic growth. His unique combination of financial planning expertise and deep tax knowledge makes him a trusted advisor for clients navigating complex retirement and estate planning decisions.

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Certified Public Accountant, Tommy also holds the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). He graduated magna cum laude from Virginia Tech’s Pamplin School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Finance, then earned his Master’s Degree in Accounting with a concentration in taxation, also from Virginia Tech. He is an Investment Advisor Representative and maintains a Virginia Life and Health Consultant License.

Tommy’s industry contributions include serving as a current Virginia Tech Financial Planning and Wealth Management Advisory Board Member, past Chairman and President of the Central Virginia Financial Planning Association chapter, and regular guest lecturer at Virginia Tech’s financial planning program. His accomplishments have been recognized by Investment News (40 under 40 – 2018), the Virginia Society of CPAs (Top 5 under 35 – 2018), and the AICPA (Standing Ovation Award in Personal Financial Planning – 2017).

Tommy and his wife, Jess, love to travel, hike, bike, and get outside with their dog, Harper, and two amazing kids.

Tommy is a member of the following professional organizations:

✔️ National Association of Personal Financial Advisors

✔️ XY Planning Network

✔️ Financial Planning Association

✔️ Fee Only Network

✔️ AICPA

As co-host of the Federal Employee Financial Planning Podcast, he has become a recognized voice in federal employee financial planning, including:

Featured in:

CNBC | NerdWallet | Financial Advisor Magazine | XYPN Radio

Professional Designations

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ®
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • Personal Financial Specialist (PFS)

Affiliations

  • American Institute of CPAs
  • Fee Only Network
  • Financial Planning Association
  • National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
  • XY Planning Network

Primary Location

2 Bayport Way, Suite 110, Newport News, VA 23606

Video

Meeting Options

  • Video Conference
  • In-Person
  • Phone

Compensation Methods

  • Fee Only
  • One-time Financial Plan
  • Percentage of Assets Managed

What to expect in the first meeting

Click the 'Book Intro Call' button above to get started with a free, 30-minute introductory conversation. We'll talk about your goals, review our services, costs and the value you can expect to receive as a client of our firm. We want to make sure you feel comfortable and excited at every step of the process. If you’re interested in learning more, we will proceed to the complimentary introductory meeting. We look forward to speaking with you.

Offers Investment Management

Yes

About Mason & Associates

Mason & Associates is an independent, fee-only financial planning firm located in Newport News, Virginia. We provide ongoing comprehensive financial planning and tax planning advice to clients locally and throughout the United States.

Who We Help

We place clients’ interests first and empower them to live their best life.

Our financial advisors specialize in providing financial planning advice to federal employees who are covered by the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) and Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). The financial planning team helps federal employees maximize federal benefits and provides guidance in all areas of financial planning such as retirement planning, tax planning, and estate planning.

Not a federal employee? No problem! We serve a variety of clients who have no ties to the federal government other than the taxes they pay. Our financial planning process and client experience allows us to serve families who are already retired or actively working.

John Mason, CFP®, Michael Mason, CFP®, and Tommy Blackburn, CFP®, CPA host the Federal Employee Financial Planning Podcast. The episodes discuss a wide range of federal benefits, tax and financial planning strategies, and at times features guests from other areas of the financial industry.

Mason & Associates Recognized by Inc. 5000

Our firm is proud to be one of America’s fastest-growing private companies, recognized with the Inc. 5000 award. We’re incredibly proud of our team, and grateful for our wonderful clients who helped us make this happen.

Disclosures: Rating given in August 2025 by Inc in consideration for the 2024 calendar year. Per Inc.’s methodology, an application fee was due to assist with processing applicants. Mason & Associates does not receive compensation by or for this rating.

Investment advisory services offered through Mason & Associates.

Education

Virginia Tech, Masters, Tax; B.S. Finance, Magna Cum Laude, Finance, CFP Education Track

Hobbies and Interests

  • Family
  • Hiking
  • Traveling

Who We Serve

  • Baby Boomers
  • Corporate Executives
  • Dual Income Family
  • Families
  • Gen X
  • Government Employees
  • Healthcare Professionals
  • Intergenerational Families
  • Living in Retirement
  • Parents
  • Veterans

Wealthtender® is a trusted, independent financial directory and educational resource governed by our strict Editorial Policy, Integrity Standards, and Terms of Use. While we receive compensation from featured professionals (a natural conflict of interest), we always operate with integrity and transparency to earn your trust. Wealthtender is not a client of these providers. Testimonials may not be representative of other clients’ experiences and do not guarantee future performance or success.

Get answers to frequently asked questions regarding the services offered by Tommy Blackburn, CFP®, CPA, PFS View Disclosures

FAQs

What sets you apart from other financial advisors who work with government employees?
At Mason & Associates, we are a fee-only fiduciary firm specializing in federal retirement planning for FERS and CSRS employees. Our team integrates federal benefits, tax planning, investment management, Social Security timing, and retirement income strategy into one coordinated plan. We focus on education and transparency — not product sales — and host the Federal Employee Financial Planning Podcast to help clients make informed decisions. Check out the Federal Employee Financial Planning Podcast
Do you only work with federal employees?
Beyond federal employees, we also work with private sector employees at firms like Huntington Ingalls Industries, Sentara Health, Riverside Medical, Dominion Energy, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and many others. We also work with professionals with guaranteed pensions, including Virginia Retirement System (VRS), military veterans, and state & municipal employees. Get started with an introductory call

FAQ Disclosures

Investment advisory services offered through Mason & Associates.