The Minimum Investment for a Financial Advisor - SmartAsset (2024)

The Minimum Investment for a Financial Advisor - SmartAsset (1)

For some, working with a financial advisor may connote having pockets deep enough to meet with an expert in a mahogany-paneled office. But you don’t always need to be wealthy to benefit from financial advising. There are many types of advisors, and most investors will be able to find one who works for their specific situation.

A financial advisor can help you best determine if you are on track to meet your long-term financial goals. This expert can work to help you save more, reduce your debt and invest more wisely. But how much do you really need in order to invest with an advisor? We’ll unpack that below.

How Much Money Should You Have Before Hiring a Financial Advisor?

Investment managers, financial consultants, financial planners and even digital investment management services called robo-advisors are all considered financial advisors. As a result, minimum thresholds vary widely.

The amount of money that you’ll need to get approved as well as how much you should have before it really pays off might have the same answer. The right amount of money you’ll need will depend on what you’re looking for a financial advisor to do as well as how much you’ll have to pay in fees. Generally, having between $50,000 and $500,000 of liquid assets to invest can be a good point to start looking at hiring a financial advisor.

Some advisors have minimum asset thresholds. This could be a relatively low figure, like $25,000, but it could $500,000, $1 million or even more. In general, if an advisor requires a minimum of $100,000 to open an account, you can assume that the financial advisor also offers wealth management services, tax and estate planning.

However, wealth managers are not the only financial advisors. People with less than $100,000 in assets can also benefit from hiring a certified advisor. If you have no or very little (we’re talking less than $25,000) in cash, you could speak to a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) who could help you formulate a starter plan to build up your assets.

Robo-advisors are also enjoying a surge in popularity, and they too are considered financial advisors. Many large investment firms, such as Fidelity, Vanguard, Merrill and Charles Schwab, offer robo-advisory services. Robo-advisors often charge no advisory fees, no commissions and, best of all, you can open an account with as little as $10. These accounts build diversified portfolios and invest your money in low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

When Should You Speak with a Financial Advisor?

The best time to speak with a financial advisor is simple: as soon as possible.

Financial planners may charge a fee to evaluate your financial position and recommend a plan that helps you towards your goals. Low-minimum robo-investment services make it accessible for lower-asset individuals to start building wealth early on, and if you do have a substantial amount of assets, speaking with a qualified advisor can help you decide where and how to manage your money over time.

How Much Do Financial Advisors Cost?

There are two types of financial advisors: fee-only and commission-based. Fee-only financial advisors are preferable, as you can be assured that they are not recommending investments to you in order to pad their bottom line. Commission-based advisors, on the other hand, are paid based on the product referrals and sales they make.

Fee-only financial advisors may charge an hourly, monthly or flat fee to recommend investments, adjust your asset-allocation and manage your portfolio. In the case of robo-advisors, there is often no advisory fee, but you could pay fees to buy and sell their recommended ETFs–which may be affiliated with the robo-advisor managing your account.

For a human advisor, expect to pay a fee. This may be a straightforward $200-per-hour fee, or it may be 1% of managed assets. Oftentimes, financial advisors require minimum investment thresholds so that 1% fee can cover their costs to manage your money. After all, 1% of a $100,000 minimum means they only earn $1,000 in a year from your account. In most cases though, financial advisors offer a menu of services so that potential clients can select the level of attention and help needed.

The Bottom Line

Financial advisors can help individuals across the board, so don’t wait to speak with one. They can help you reduce debt, save more and invest in ways that might not be possible without their help. You should look for fee-only advisors, as these financial advisors will best represent your interests over the long term.

Tips for Building Wealth

  • Not sure what investments and strategies will help you meet your long-term goals? For a solid financial plan, consider speaking with a qualified financial advisor. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard.SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
  • Use SmartAsset’s free investment calculator to get a good estimate of how to grow your money over time.

Next Steps

Do you want to learn more about financial advisors? Check out these articles:

  • What Is a Financial Advisor Disclosure?
  • Can a Financial Advisor Steal Your Money?
  • How much do Financial Advisors Charge?
  • What Commissions Do Financial Advisors Earn?
  • Are Financial Advisors worth it?

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The Minimum Investment for a Financial Advisor - SmartAsset (2024)

FAQs

How much do you need to invest for a financial advisor? ›

Some traditional financial advisors have minimum investment amounts they require to work with clients. These can range from $20,000 to $500,000 or even more. Why? Because their fees need to cover their time and expertise, and managing smaller portfolios may not be cost-effective for them.

What is the minimum account size for wealth management? ›

Any minimums in terms of investable assets, net worth or other metrics will be set by individual wealth managers and their firms. That said, a minimum of $2 million to $5 million in assets is the range where it makes sense to consider the services of a wealth management firm.

Is a 1% financial advisor worth it? ›

But, if you're already working with an advisor, the simplest way to determine whether a 1% fee is reasonable may be to look at what they've helped you accomplish. For example, if they've consistently helped you to earn a 12% return in your portfolio for five years running, then 1% may be a bargain.

What is a good ROI for a financial advisor? ›

Financial advisors can help clarify this by considering individuals' risk tolerance, age, income and other factors. However, here are some general guidelines: General ROI: A positive ROI is generally considered good, with a normal ROI of 5-7% often seen as a reasonable expectation.

At what net worth do I need a financial advisor? ›

Generally, having between $50,000 and $500,000 of liquid assets to invest can be a good point to start looking at hiring a financial advisor. Some advisors have minimum asset thresholds. This could be a relatively low figure, like $25,000, but it could $500,000, $1 million or even more.

Is it worth it to pay for a financial advisor? ›

A financial advisor is worth paying for if they provide help you need, whether because you don't have the time or financial acumen or you simply don't want to deal with your finances. An advisor may be especially valuable if you have complicated finances that would benefit from professional help.

What is the lowest minimum for wealth management? ›

It depends on the firm you choose. Many firms offer a wide range of services and may require a minimum investment of $25,000 to $250,000 or more. Some firms only cater to ultra-high-net-worth individuals, while others cater to smaller investors with investment minimums as low as $5,000.

What is the minimum investment for a managed account? ›

Many investors usually kick-start their investments with a minimum of $250,000, though some money managers may also accept managed accounts with minimums such as $100,000 and $50,000.

Why do financial advisors have minimums? ›

Why Do These Requirements Exist? Economies of Scale: Higher minimum investments allow advisors to work with fewer clients, providing more focused attention and potentially better service. Target Clientele: Advisors often target specific demographics.

How many millionaires use a financial advisor? ›

The study reveals that 70% of millionaires work with a financial advisor, compared to just 37% of the general population. Moreover, over half (53%) of wealthy individuals consider their financial advisors their most trusted source of financial advice.

What does Charles Schwab charge for a financial advisor? ›

Schwab and CSIM are subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation. There is no advisory fee or commissions charged for Schwab Intelligent Portfolios.

Is 2% fee high for a financial advisor? ›

Answer: From a regulatory perspective, it's usually prohibited to ever charge more than 2%, so it's common to see fees range from as low as 0.25% all the way up to 2%, says certified financial planner Taylor Jessee at Impact Financial.

What is the 80 20 rule for financial advisors? ›

The rule is often used to point out that 80% of a company's revenue is generated by 20% of its customers. Viewed in this way, it might be advantageous for a company to focus on the 20% of clients that are responsible for 80% of revenues and market specifically to them.

How much money should I have to meet with a financial advisor? ›

Depending on the net worth advisor you choose, you generally should consider hiring an advisor when you have between $50,000 - $1,000,000, but most prefer to start working with clients when they have between $100,000 - $500,000 in liquid assets.

How much do financial advisors charge to invest your money? ›

Cost: The median AUM fee among human advisors is about 1% of assets managed per year, often starting higher for small accounts and dropping as your balance goes up. What you get for that fee: Investment management, and in some cases, a comprehensive financial plan and guidance for how to achieve that plan.

How much do I need to use a financial advisor? ›

Your adviser's fees will be based on many things: what advice you need, how much time it will take, and the size of the assets involved. Advisers often charge between 1% and 2% of the asset in question (e.g. a pension pot), with lower percentages being charged for larger assets.

Do you need to be wealthy to have a financial advisor? ›

You don't have to be wealthy to work with a financial advisor, but there are alternatives that may make more sense if the cost of a financial advisor seems out of reach. Do your research, talk to your friends and get the recommendations of others you trust to help guide you along the path to success.

Is 2% high for a financial advisor? ›

Answer: From a regulatory perspective, it's usually prohibited to ever charge more than 2%, so it's common to see fees range from as low as 0.25% all the way up to 2%, says certified financial planner Taylor Jessee at Impact Financial.

Do financial advisors invest your money for you? ›

Together you and a financial advisor refine your short- and long-term goals, and then your advisor helps you stay on track to achieve those goals. With some advisors, you can do your own investing. Others offer full-service investment management services, handling tasks like trades and portfolio rebalancing for you.

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