What does a wealth advisor cost?

Our service: free

First, us. Our matching service costs you nothing. If an introduction becomes a relationship, the advisor may pay us a referral fee. You never pay us, and your advisory fees are never higher because of the introduction.

How advisors charge

Advisory fees generally follow one of four models. None is inherently best. What matters is that the model fits your situation and that you understand it before you sign anything.

Percentage of assets (AUM)

The most common model. The advisor charges an annual percentage of the assets they manage for you, typically somewhere around one percent, often with breakpoints that lower the rate as assets grow. A $2 million portfolio might cost roughly $20,000 a year.

The strength of this model is alignment: the advisor does better when your portfolio does. The weakness is that fees grow with your assets even when the work does not. For larger portfolios, ask about flat-fee alternatives.

Flat annual fee

A fixed dollar amount per year, commonly ranging from a few thousand dollars for straightforward situations to well into five figures for complex ones. This model suits people with significant assets who want comprehensive financial planning without watching fees scale with every dollar their portfolio gains.

Hourly or project-based

Some advisors charge by the hour, typically a few hundred dollars, or a fixed price for a defined project such as a one-time financial plan. This works well if you want a professional review of your situation without an ongoing relationship, and it is often the right entry point for younger families.

Commission-based

Some advisors are paid commissions on the products they sell you. This creates an obvious conflict: the recommendation that pays the advisor most is not always the one that serves you best. The fiduciary advisors in our network do not work this way. If you interview anyone outside our network, ask directly how they are compensated.

The question that matters most

Whatever the model, ask one question in your first meeting: what will I pay in total dollars this year, including fund expenses and any other costs? A good advisor answers plainly and in writing. Anything less is a reason to keep looking.

When you are ready to have that conversation with someone worth your time, begin here.