Flat-fee planning
Flat-fee planning decouples advisor compensation from client asset levels or product sales. It's typically a comprehensive planning engagement priced as an annual retainer, which means the advice doesn't get more expensive as assets grow, and there's no incentive to recommend investment products that generate fees. The model suits clients who want planning-led advice rather than investment management in isolation.
By the numbers
The Wellspent public graph lists 349 fee-only financial advisors focused on flat-fee planning at 270 firms, most in San Diego, New York and San Antonio. 74% hold the CFP certification. Of the 349 with fees on file, 89% charge flat fee or retainer.
- Advisors listed
- 349
- Firms
- 270
- Cities
- 220
- Hold the CFP
- 74%
- Other credentials: CFA 11% · CPA 3% · EA 7%
- How they charge (of 349 with fees on file): flat fee or retainer 89% · ongoing planning fee 66% · one-time planning fee 47% · hourly 26%
Source: Wellspent public graph, data as of . Shares are of advisors listed here; an advisor can hold several credentials or fee types. Methodology
Advisors with depth in flat-fee planning
| Advisor | Firm | City | Credentials | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avanti Shetye Fee-only, advice-only planning for high-net-worth retirees, pre-retirees and high earners facing retirement income, tax and equity compensation decisions. | Wealthwyzr, LLC | Ellicott City | CFP, CFA, MBA | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Christopher Reddick Flat-fee, advice-only retirement and tax planning for educators, federal employees and public servants balancing pensions with workplace accounts. | Chris Reddick Financial Planning | San Antonio | CFP, EA | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Didi Chen Fiduciary planning for immigrants, Asian Americans and their families working through money, career and life transitions. | Everleap Financial Planning | Newcastle | CFP, CFA | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Igor Aronov Flat-fee and hourly planning that helps professionals, business owners and families sort through overlapping decisions during busy career and family years. | FAR Financial | Brooklyn | CFP | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Jenn Steliga Coaching-centered planning and accountability for people who feel late in pursuing their own version of financial independence. | Find Your FI | Omaha | CFP | Subscription |
| Jorge Soriano Financial and tax planning for young families and professionals focused on early retirement, with no age or asset minimums. | Financial Optimist LLC | Saint Petersburg | CFP, EA | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Joshua Gallogly Advice-only, tax-focused retirement planning for DIY investors and retirees who want to keep managing their own accounts. | Milestones Financial, LLC | Columbus | CFP, EA | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Kevin Feig Rewrite Your Money Story. Build Real Wealth. | Walk You To Wealth | Dover | CFP, CPA, PFS | Subscription |
| Matt Sheers Flat-fee, advice-only planning for mid-career individuals and couples working through career changes, growing families or business ownership. | Sheer Empowerment Financial | Plymouth | CFP, CFA | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Megan Kiesel Flexible, as-needed planning for early- and mid-career people who want a meaningful life and long-term financial stability. | Livelihood LLC | Philadelphia | CFP | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Michael Halper Flat-fee fiduciary planning for individuals and families, covering retirement, taxes, investments, stock options and digital assets. | Strateon Intelligent Wealth | Simi Valley | CFP | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Michael Rodriguez Flat-fee, advice-only planning for first-generation wealth builders and young families buying homes, merging finances and raising kids. | Equanimity Wealth | Glendale | CFP | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Michael Staman Ongoing or project-based planning for mid- to late-career corporate and nonprofit professionals, with flat pricing and simple, low-cost investing. | Delaware Financial Planning | Newark | AWMA, CAP, CFP, MPAS | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Paulo Lopes Hourly or flat-fee, tax-aware planning for DIY investors, high earners and business owners who want a second set of eyes. | Woodmont Financial Partners LLC | Mesa | CFP, JD | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Shannon Fleener Bilingual, values-based planning for first-generation wealth builders and progressive clients who want their money to do good too. | Sage Financial Planning | San Diego | CFP | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Alex Ammar Advice-only planning for people aiming to become financially independent and retire early within 10 years, with education built in. | Paradox Financial LLC | Montverde | CFP | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Alvin Carlos | District Capital Management | Washington | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Angela Furubotten-LaRosee | Avea Financial Planning, LLC | Pasco | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Ashley Rittershaus Flat-fee, six-month planning for people who want to retire early, work less or change course while caring for their future selves. | Curious Crow Financial Planning | Revere | CFP | One-time planning fee |
| Carlie Ransom | Equal Path Investments | Tacoma | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Chris Diodato WELLth is a flat fee, fiduciary financial planner located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and serving clients nationally | WELLth Financial Planning | Palm Beach Gardens | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer |
| Craig Nelson | Red Sky Financial Planning, LLC | Wilsonville | CFP, CPA | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Dave Rowan | Rowan Financial LLC | Bethlehem | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| David Lyon | Lyon Wealth Advisory | San Deigo | CFP, EA, CRPC | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Dominic Corabi | Wedmont Private Capital | West Chester | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Garrett Dresen | Harbor Horizon Financial | Wilsonville | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Gerardo Garcia Jr | Confianza Wealth Management | Vista | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Glenn Brown | PlanDynamic, LLC | Framingham | CFP, CRPC, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jennifer Swindler | Money Illustrated Advisory Services | Bluffdale | AFC, CDFA, CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jim Pan | Panorama Financial Planning | Vancouver | CFP, MFA-P | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Joe Ward | Refined Wealth | Houston | CFP, RICP, TPCP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| John Bell Comprehensive and hourly advice-only planning for DIY investors and families who want help with retirement, taxes, estates and giving. | Free State Financial Planning | Clarksville | CFP | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| John Gugle | Gugle Wealth Advisory LLC | Indian Land | CFP, CDFA, CRPC, TPCP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| John O'Callaghan | Impact Financial Life Planning LLC | Baltimore | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jordan Vlastuin Vlastuin | Make the Memory Financial Planning LLC | Clemmons | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Kathryn Kubiak-Rizzone | About Time Financial Planning | Rochester | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Keith Hensley Clear, actionable plans for pre-retirees and retirees, offered through an ongoing flat-fee relationship or a one-time project. | Florida Financial Planning | Winter Garden | CFP | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Kevin Rademacher | Lifetime Financial Planners LLC | San Antonio | CFP, CRPC, MSFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Lance Elrod | Next Step Financial Transitions | Cypress | CFP, CDFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Lindsey Young | Quiet Wealth LLC | Baltimore | CFP, MBA, TPCP, EA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Matt Cooley | Inspire Wealth Partners | Boise | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Matthew Hale | Make the Memory Financial Planning | Johnson City | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Matthew Pogirski | Unburdened Financial Planning | Wasilla | AAMS, CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Mike Davis | Legs Financial | Greensboro | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Mike Morton | Morton Financial Advice | Harvard | CFP, ChFC, RLP | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Patrick Yaghoobians | Noor Financial Services | Los Angeles | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Peter Ankeny | Wolf Pine Capital | Portsmouth | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Phil Orwig | Fair Asset Management, LLC | Dallas | CFP, CPWA, ChFC, RICP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Philip Murphy Independent, advice-only planning for people saving, investing or facing transitions like retirement, a new career or a health challenge. | IndiePlan LLC | Albany | CFP, CFA | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Praveen Krishnamurthy Advice-only planning for tech professionals on equity compensation, taxes and diversification, from a former Google engineering leader. | Empower Financial | Fremont | CFP | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
Guides
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What flat-fee financial advisors charge
Flat-fee planners charge a median $4,500 a year for ongoing planning (middle half $2,400 to $7,200) or $2,000 for a one-time plan, whatever your balance.
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Advice-only financial planning: cost and who offers it
Advice-only planners charge for advice, not for managing your money. US fee-only firms with no asset-based fee charge a median $1,950 for a plan, $300 an hour or $5,000 a year.
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Advice-only vs full-service financial planner: which fits you?
Advice-only planners advise and you invest; full-service planners do both. Advice-only firms charge a median $5,000 a year for ongoing planning; full-service usually costs 1% of assets, which passes that at $500,000.
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AI chatbot vs financial advisor: what each is good for
An AI chatbot is a free or $20-a-month tutor for money questions: good at explaining, bad at deciding, and accountable to no one. A fee-only advisor charges a median $300 an hour or $2,000 for a one-time plan and answers for the advice. Use the chatbot to learn and prepare, and a person for decisions that are large or hard to undo.
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Are financial advisor fees negotiable?
Often, and the firm has to tell you: Form ADV Part 2A, Item 5 asks every registered firm to disclose whether its fees are negotiable. Here's where the room usually is, and what's realistic to ask for.
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Buying your first home: the money plan to make before you offer
At late October's average rate of 7.24%, a $400,000 home with 10% down costs about $2,453 a month before taxes and insurance. Plan the payment, the down payment and the cash you keep, then decide if advice is worth $300 an hour.