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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrienne Stark | Boldin | Mill Valley | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Alex Offerman | Model Wealth | Wheaton | CFP | Hourly, Flat fee or retainer |
| Alondra Garcia | Ellevest | New York | CFA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Andrew Barton | Boldin | Mill Valley | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Ankur Patel | Ellevest | New York | CFA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Brianna Black | Boldin | Mill Valley | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Christopher Swan | Retire With Swan | Northlake | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| David Hammer | Hammer Advisory Services | Woodbury | CFP, ChFC | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Dennis Brawley | Boldin | Johnstown | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Donovan Sanchez | Model Wealth | Wheaton | CFP | Hourly, Flat fee or retainer |
| Edward Williams | Boldin | Mill Valley | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Esmond Pabilona | Wela Financial Advisory | San Antonio; | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Heath Hampton | Boldin | Kathleen | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| J.R. Robinson We do comprehensive financial planning for individuals and families in the mid-market affluent space. | Financial Planning Hawaii | Honolulu | Not listed | One-time planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Kevin Dunford | Boldin | Snowflake | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Kristen Goodman | Ellevest | New York | CFA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Lyndon Lorenz | Boldin | Mill Valley | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Patrick Cicchetti I help 7-figure service-based business owners simplify their finances, minimize taxes, and buy back time—so they can focus on life beyond the business. | Ryse Capital Management | Rochester | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Randall Bruns | Model Wealth | Wheaton | CFP | Hourly, Flat fee or retainer |
| Robert Shopes | Favrile Financial | Del Mar | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Sarah Busch | Boldin | Colton | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Sylvia Kwan | Ellevest | San Francisco | CFA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Adam Grossman | Mayport | Newton | CFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Amanda Harrell | FPL Capital Management | Metairie | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Benjamin Rinkey | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Cheri Franklin | Clarity Capital Advisors | Lakewood Ranch | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| David Ybarra | Aspired Wealth | Loveland | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee |
| Diego Luna Y Parra Diaz | Berlin Wealth Group Advisors | Tomball | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| James Grace | Modern Financial Wellness | Portsmouth | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jay Franklin | Clarity Capital Advisors | Lakewood Ranch | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Joseph Abboud | Rinzler Capital | Atlanta | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Matthew Rinkey | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Michael George | FPL Capital Management | Metairie | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Michael Pablo | Agile Financial Planning | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Ryan Kelly | RFK Capital Management | Sandy | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee |
| Ryan Melnyk | Manzanita Wealth Management | West Sacramento | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Sean Sevey | Sevey Wealth Advisors | Austin | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Tarif Homsi | NoorVest | Leesburg | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Virajith Wijeweera | FPL Capital Management | Metairie | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Anthony Erzen | Legacy Wealth Planning | Bethalto | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer |
| Emily Green | Ellevest | New York | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| James Sexton | Piedmont Wealth Advisory | Reston | CFP | Flat fee or retainer |
| Kristian Blom | Blom Levy & Co | Santa Barbara | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Kyle Ray | Ridgeback Wealth Management | Peachtree City | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Loren Sherman | Integrity Wealth Management | Waukee | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Sara Faurer | Ellevest | New York | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Steven Underriter | Freedom Financial Planning Solutions | Grand Rapids | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer |
| Alexander Koynoff | ATK Financial Prosperity | Oswego | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Anthony McLean | Tidemark Financial Partners | San Diego | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Brad Duerks | Tidemark Financial Partners | San Diego | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
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.