- Ask Me
- My Money Plan
- Banking Right
- Buying A Home
- Buying Cars
- Credit Cards
- Financial Advisors?
- Insurance
- Investing Right
- Loans Done Right
- Money Scams
- Paying For College
- Paying Off Debt
- Refinancing
- Retirement
- Salaries
- Social Security
- Taxes Done Right
- Your Money

What Are Typical Financial Advisor Fees?

The amount of financial advisor fees should be assessed early by a client who needs financial advice in order to get the most of it and avoid getting ripped off in the long run. While these fees greatly vary depending on what the client expects and what financial problem or situation he is currently in, there are the usual methods that financial advisors use to charge for their services. They may charge fees based on commissions, or charge fixed rates such as by the hour or costing fixed rates for specific services.

Commission-based financial advisors charge a certain percentage off each investment. A 5.75% commission rate for each investment is common for the first transaction. There could be additional costs after a year that could range from 0.20% to a full 2%. Besides these, there are administrative fees that make part of commission-based financial advisor fees.

Financial advisors from full-scale financial service companies usually employ the commission-based charging scheme. Most of the time, these firms charge financial advisor fees and may provide recommendations on the company's other services. Most of the financial advice gear on availing of more services from the advisor company. While this could be a good solution for serious financial problems, this scheme may be most helpful to large businesses and corporations. Despite the higher costs, financial advice is given on a full circle, and may be integrated with other solutions provided by the company.

There are also fee-only advisors that charge only for specific services delivered. These financial advisor fees entail a quarterly or an annual charge depending on the value of the client's financial portfolio. The client pays only for services that he or she needs, be it advice on investments, portfolio management or tax advice. The total cost of the services will be based on the rates the financial advisor implements and the number of services the client would want to avail of.

The usual charge for these financial advisor fees may be equal to 0.25% of the client's portfolio value per year. Prices may go higher if the client will need additional services form his or her needs.

Most financial advisers charge rates by the hour, and this could be a simpler scheme for investors and potential clients. Financial advisor fees by the hour may range from $100 to $250, depending on the geographical location and what services are to be rendered for the client.

There are also advisers that offer their wares on a fee-for-service scheme. This scheme provides a clear knowledge for the client regarding the financial advisor fees to be paid, the services to be rendered and the scheduled deadline to get what they have paid for. All specifics are clearly indicated on the contract and the client can avoid paying for hidden fees and will get the advice they need exactly on the scheduled deadline agreed upon.

Professional financial advice is sometimes the best way to go when it comes to resolving money and investment issues. The financial advisor fees that come with it could be a necessary expense in order not to compound the problem and help the company get back on its feet financially. However, it is best that a company who would need financial advice thoroughly assess its own needs first and find a financial advising company that would provide their specific needs to maximize its benefits and make the investment spent on financial advisor fees worth it.