How much does a financial advisor cost?

Whether you would like an expert opinion on investment, pension, or taxes, financial advice isn’t cheap. But the costs outweigh the benefits it brings, such as saving you more in the long run. Financial advisors are experts in money management. They can help you get a few steps closer to your financial goals and avoid expensive mistakes. But how much does a financial advisor cost?

On average, a financial advisor costs around $100 per hour. However, price varies according to the type of financial advice that you need, where you are located in Australia, and service delivery, to mention a few. Fees will also differ if you choose the consult by the hour, by project, or based on a percentage of assets. If you want to find out how much a financial advisor costs, we are here to help.

What factors affect overall financial advisor costs?

Want to make wiser financial decisions? Or just want to prepare for your family’s future? There are different factors to consider when it comes to costs, such as the type of financial advice needed, the location, the delivery of the service, and the state of your finances. 

Type of financial advice

How much financial advisors charge would depend on the type of financial advice that you need. General investment advice would cost around $100 to $300 while a full financial plan would cost around $1,500 on average.

To help give you an idea of costs per service, we’ve prepared a list of financial advice and estimated costs. Of course, costs would still vary depending on your payment scheme. One-off fees would differ on recurring fees.

Location

Financial advisor costs in Australia would also depend on location. If your financial advisor is currently located in Victoria, fees might go higher since office rental costs are more expensive compared to other parts of Australia.

Delivery of service

As financial firms and advisors adjust to changing circumstances, so does their work setup and mode of communication. More advisors now offer virtual or by phone consultations aside from in-person meetings. With the lower overhead costs, financial advisor fees are also cheaper. However, make sure to clarify how much a financial advisor costs upfront to avoid any surprises after the consultation.

State of finances

Your current financial situation will also affect how much financial advisors charge in Australia. If your paperwork is organised and every record is clear, fees can be kept to a minimum. However, if you need help in managing taxes or debt, expect costs to increase.

Different types of financial advisor fees

There are different types of ways to pay a financial advisor. It can either be through flat fees or fixed fees, hourly fees, or through a percentage of your assets or investments.

Flat or fixed fees vary per advisor and financial need. It usually starts at $1,000 to $3,000 for a full financial plan but could go higher for estate plans. Hourly fees range from $100 to $400 per hour. If you opt for this route, make sure to ask for the estimated time needed for your advisor to accomplish the task to help you get a sense of the final costs.

One of the more popular and straightforward ways to charge financial advisor clients is through a percentage of assets. Advisor charges 1% to 2% of assets per year on average. If you wish to seek ongoing advice moving forward, 0.5% to 0.8% of assets is usually charged. These may seem a lot but the costs outweigh the peace of mind knowing your money is growing and working harder for you.

Aside from these fees, you can also arrange an ongoing review done monthly or annually with your financial advisor. How much a financial advisor costs per year would depend on the help needed and the depth of advice. It’s best to have payment schemes sorted out in the first meeting in a way that will suit you and your financial needs.

To summarise, these are the types of fees and estimated costs for financial advice:

In what other areas can a financial advisor help me?

Money is a complex subject, but a financial advisor can help in any financial obligation or project. Aside from investment advice, retirement planning, and at-retirement advice, financial advisors can also help in managing debt, savings, mortgages, and insurances.

They can help you create a savings plan to achieve your future financial goals faster. Advisors specialising in mortgages can also negotiate a better deal to help you achieve your future home. They can also help you set up insurance and income protection products with lower fees. Aside from these, they can help you manage your debt and avoid accumulating in the future. 

Financial advisors can also refer you to other professionals if you need help with bookkeeping, taxes, and other financial matters.

What are the benefits of hiring a financial advisor?

There are many benefits in hiring a financial advisor:

• Hiring a financial advisor ensures you are financially secured during your golden years.

• Hiring a financial advisor gives you the peace of mind that your income is protected especially during life challenges such as illnesses or accidents.

• Hiring a financial advisor helps you arrive at informed financial decisions to avoid fraud and investment losses.

Overall, hiring a financial advisor helps you manage your finances holistically. From planning your finances to executing strategies, a financial advisor is ready to help.

If you are ready to take the next step to financial security, skip the financial advisor cost calculators and get a personalised quote when you put up a task on Airtasker!