AUM / percentage of assets
Annual rate on assets under the agreement; may be flat or graduated.
Advisor feesUnderstand what you pay
Understand what you pay
before you decide.
Fee schedules differ. Gather the documents, separate advisory from product costs, and model the arithmetic with your own numbers.
Fee categories
Common ways advisors charge
Flat annual or project fee
Fixed amount for ongoing advice or a defined planning engagement.
Subscription / monthly
Recurring membership-style fee, sometimes paired with other charges.
Hourly
Time-based billing for meetings, plan builds, or reviews.
Documents to gather
Start with primary sources
- Advisory agreement and fee schedule
- Form ADV Part 2A and Form CRS
- Recent statements and invoices
- Fund expense ratios for products you hold
Next steps
Estimate costs in the calculator, then decide whether to ask your current advisor clarifying questions, seek a second opinion, or leave the arrangement unchanged.
See fee drag in the compounding visualizerFees FAQ
Common questions
What is an AUM fee?
An assets-under-management fee is usually an annual percentage of the account balance subject to the advisory agreement. It may be flat or graduated by tiers, and billing frequency can vary.
Are advisory fees the only costs?
No. Underlying fund expenses, transaction costs, custody, and product fees can add to the total visible cost. Review Form ADV, Form CRS, agreements, and statements together.
Does a lower fee mean a better advisor?
Not by itself. Cost should be weighed with services, communication, planning scope, conflicts, and fit. Use the fee calculator for arithmetic, not for a suitability decision.