Financial adviser fees should not feel like decoding a phone bill from 2007. Understanding financial advisor fees is the first step to choosing the right professional, and working with a certified financial advisor means you can expect clear, upfront answers about what you’ll pay.
Fixed advice fees
A fixed fee is agreed upfront for a defined piece of advice. It is common for one-off or project-based work and gives you clarity before you proceed.
The key is making sure the scope is clear. Fixed does not help if nobody agrees on what is included.
Ongoing service fees
Ongoing fees usually cover review meetings, portfolio monitoring, strategy updates, help with implementation, and support when your circumstances change.
Ask what happens during the year, not just at the annual review.
Percentage-based fees
Some advisers charge a percentage of funds under advice, not us. This can align fees with portfolio size, but you should always ask for the dollar amount and how it changes over time.
Percentages can look tiny until you put them next to a real balance.
Commissions and conflicts
Some insurance advice may involve commissions. Investment commissions are much more restricted than in the past, but you should still ask what payments or benefits the adviser receives.
A good adviser will explain this clearly rather than hiding behind fine print. We don’t charge commission on insurance.
Before agreeing to advice, ask for a written fee explanation. Clear fees are not a luxury. They are part of good advice, and any certified financial advisor should be happy to put their financial advisor fees in writing.
Why not have a chat to our friendly team? Book a time: https://partnersinplanningaus.setmore.com/book or give us a call on 1300 880 100.