Compare Financial Adviser Fees in Dollars

A quoted adviser percentage becomes decision-useful only after it is converted into dollars and combined with investment expenses and fixed charges. This calculator keeps those cost layers separate.

Enter comparable proposals rather than headline percentages. The calculator separates adviser cost from investment expense and shows the result in dollars. Its projection is an illustration, not a forecast.

Put two adviser proposals on equal terms

Use the same portfolio, contribution, return assumption and timeframe for both proposals. Enter only fees that apply to the assets and service being compared.

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Shared illustration assumptions

Portfolio at the start $Annual contribution $Illustrative gross return %Comparison period years

Proposal AAsset-based adviser fee %Investment expenses %Annual fixed fee $

Proposal BAsset-based adviser fee %Investment expenses %Annual fixed fee $

Dollar comparison

Result	Proposal A	Proposal B
First-year disclosed cost	$6,250	$6,150
Illustrative ending balance	Calculating	Calculating

Calculating the first-year difference.

The illustration holds rates and fees constant and excludes taxes and trading costs.

Read the result as a cost comparison

The projection applies the entered gross return once per year, subtracts the investment expense ratio and percentage adviser fee, then subtracts the annual flat fee. Contributions are assumed to occur at year end. Taxes, trading costs and changing fees are excluded.

Keep the official fee schedule and written proposal as evidence for every number. The ending balances do not show which adviser offers better planning, implementation or service. Compare the written scope alongside the cost. Use the compensation comparison guide to trace every payment stream.

For a different decision, choose another financial comparison tool.

Three checks before comparing

Use the assets covered by the proposal
Enter only the portfolio value subject to the quoted asset-based fee. If different accounts have different schedules, calculate them separately before combining the totals.
Add costs outside the headline fee
Include fund or model expenses and any recurring planning charge shown in the proposal. Ask separately about custody, transaction, tax and product costs that the calculator does not model.
Compare the same service scope
A lower fee is not automatically better when it covers less work. Record planning deliverables, meeting frequency, implementation and the staff member responsible for each proposal.

Financial adviser fee calculator questions

Is the ending balance a forecast?

No. It is an illustration using a constant entered return, fee and contribution. Markets, taxes, cash flows and fee schedules change.

Why show fees in dollars?

Dollar amounts make percentage and flat-fee proposals easier to compare and easier to reconcile with invoices and account statements.