Your Interests, First and Always
Choosing the right financial guidance is critical, especially as you plan for retirement or major life transitions. The way your advisor is compensated can significantly impact the quality and objectivity of the advice you receive. That’s why working with a fee-only fiduciary can make all the difference.
What Is a Fee-Only Fiduciary?
A fee-only fiduciary is a financial advisor who receives compensation exclusively from their clients, with no commissions or incentives from financial product providers. This arrangement means their advice is focused entirely on your best interests, rather than on meeting sales targets or earning commissions.
By law and professional ethics, fee-only fiduciaries are required to:
Always prioritize your interests above their own
Be fully transparent about their fees and compensation
Deliver objective advice without conflicts of interest
Fee-Only Fiduciary vs. Commission-Based Advisors
Knowing how advisors are compensated empowers you to make better-informed choices. Here’s a comparison:
Fee-Only Fiduciary
Compensated solely through fees paid by clients
Legally obligated to act in your best interest under the fiduciary standard
No incentives to promote specific products
Fees are transparent and easy to understand
Commission-Compensated Advisor
Earns commissions from selling financial products
Only required to recommend products that are “suitable,” which may not be the best fit for you
May be influenced by sales targets or incentives from their employer
Compensation structure can be complex or not fully disclosed
Fee-only fiduciaries are independent professionals, not salespeople. Their primary focus is supporting you in reaching your financial goals-whether that means planning for retirement, managing investments, developing tax strategies, or making informed insurance choices.
Why Does the Fiduciary Standard Matter?
The fiduciary standard represents the highest level of legal and ethical responsibility in financial advice. Advisors held to this standard are required to:
Consistently put your best interests first
Avoid conflicts of interest, or fully disclose them when they arise
Clearly and fairly communicate all relevant information
This commitment to care and transparency ensures that the guidance you receive is designed specifically for your needs, rather than being driven by commissions or sales incentives.
Asking the Crucial Question
When evaluating a financial advisor, begin by asking this crucial question:
“Are you a fee-only fiduciary?”
If the answer isn’t an unequivocal “yes,” it may be wise to explore other options. Even when seeking complimentary advice from a bank or credit union, always confirm whether the advisor operates as a fiduciary. Taking this simple step can help you steer clear of guidance that might be shaped by hidden incentives.
Our Promise to You
As a fee-only fiduciary firm, we follow the best practices established by respected industry organizations. Our only source of compensation is the fees paid by our clients-we do not receive commissions or payments from product sales. All fees are disclosed upfront before we begin working together, ensuring you have a clear understanding of the value we provide.
Our Fiduciary Values
We are committed to:
Always putting your interests first
Acting with expertise, diligence, and professionalism
Providing full and open disclosure of all relevant information
Avoiding conflicts of interest whenever possible
Proactively addressing and disclosing any unavoidable conflicts
This is more than a promise-it’s the core of how we serve you.