Types of Advice

Who Sits on Your Side of the Table?  It’s all about who works for whom.

Fee-Only Compensation
This model minimizes conflicts of interest. A Fee-Only financial advisor charges clients directly for his or her advice and/or ongoing management. No other financial reward is provided, directly or indirectly, by any other institution. Fee-Only financial advisors are selling only one thing: their knowledge.  Some fee-only advisors charge an hourly rate, and others charge a flat fee or an annual retainer. Some charge an annual percentage, based on the assets they manage for you. The form of compensation you are being charged will be disclosed upfront and clearly.

Fee-Based Compensation
This popular form of compensation is often confused with Fee-Only, but it is very different. Fee-Based advisors earn some of their compensation from fees paid by their client. But they may also receive compensation in the form of commissions or discounts from financial products they are licensed to sell. Furthermore, they are not required to inform their clients in detail how their compensation is accrued. The Fee-Based model creates many potential conflicts of interest, because the advisor’s income is affected by the financial products that the client selects.

Commissions
Advisors who are compensated solely through commissions faces immense conflicts of interest. This type of advisor is not paid unless a client buys (or sells) a financial product. A commission-based advisor earns money on each transaction—and thus has a great incentive to encourage transactions that might not be in the interest of the client. Indeed, many commission-based advisors are well-trained and well-intentioned. But the inherent potential conflict is great.

 You can always look at the fine print too:

“Your account is a brokerage account and not an advisory account.” And “Our interests may not always be the same as yours.” If this disclaimer appears in agreements you are signing, ask your advisor how he or she is compensated and where their loyalties lie.  Then decide if the relationship is in your best interest.  Don’t be afraid to use the “F” word. 

fiduciary slider