Compliance, handled
Join as an IAR under AdviceOnly's SEC registration instead of registering your own firm state by state. We run the compliance program and the filings.
Build an Advice-Only Practice Without Building a Firm
Give advice, not sales pitches.
Focus on giving advice, not on running a firm
AdviceOnly is the operating system for an advice-only practice. We handle compliance, registration, and the back office so you can focus on giving advice, and we connect you with clients who are looking for exactly what you do.
When you take asset management and product sales out of your practice, something great happens. Your advice gets clearer, your conversations get deeper, and your client relationships get stronger.
The catch is that going independent usually means becoming your own compliance officer, IT department, and back office on top of being a planner. That's the part we take off your plate. You stay independent and keep what you earn, while we run the parts of the firm you didn't get into this work to do.
New to the model? Start with what advice-only means, then get to know who we are and why we're built as a Public Benefit Corporation.
What you get
A practice you own
Keep 100% of your client fees with no revenue sharing. Your clients are yours and fully portable, and you choose your own service model, pricing, and brand.
Your time back
Members reclaim an estimated 250 to 500 hours a year that would otherwise go to compliance, vendor management, and back-office work. That's time you can put toward clients or your life.
Clients, not just tools
People come to AdviceOnly looking for advice-only planners. Our advisor directory and our consumer guide are built to send right-fit clients your way.
A tech stack, run for you
A vetted, integrated technology stack, including XYPN Emerald membership, plus admin support to set up billing, tech, and the rest of your practice.
A community of peers
A network of like-minded advisors building advice-only practices, plus a knowledge base and templates, so you're solving problems together instead of in isolation.
Member Benefits
| Compliance & registration | Availability |
|---|---|
| Full compliance support as an IAR of the AdviceOnly RIA | ✓ |
| E&O insurance coverage | ✓ |
| Run your practice | Availability |
|---|---|
| Admin support setting up billing, tech, and other parts of your practice | ✓ |
| XYPN Emerald membership, including all tech and member benefits | ✓ |
| Additional tools to run your practice (Calendly, 1Password, etc.) | ✓ |
| Hourly paraplanner support as needed | Coming Soon |
| Your brand & your clients | Availability |
|---|---|
| Operate under your own brand or the AdviceOnly name, your choice | ✓ |
| "Find an Advisor" listing on AdviceOnly.com | ✓ |
| Listing on FeeOnlyNetwork.com | ✓ |
| Community & resources | Availability |
|---|---|
| Access to the AdviceOnly community forum | ✓ |
| Access to the AdviceOnly knowledge base and templates | ✓ |
| Exclusive discounts and added features from a wide range of 3rd-party tech and service partners | ✓ |
| Business continuity | Availability |
|---|---|
| Continuity planning agreements | Coming Soon |
| Guaranteed business succession plan agreements | Coming Soon |
Simple, transparent pricing
Our pricing structure mirrors yours, and it reflects our values. We keep it simple and transparent on purpose:
- A flat annual rate of $18,000, billed monthly
- No revenue sharing and no hidden fees
- You keep 100% of the planning fees your clients pay you
- Cancel anytime, with just 30 days' notice
Compared to starting your own firm
- SEC registration through the platform, instead of registering and renewing your own firm state by state
- A compliance program and filings handled for you, instead of a consultant retainer or your own time
- E&O insurance, instead of sourcing your own policy
- A vetted, integrated tech stack, including XYPN Emerald, instead of buying and wiring up tools one by one
- The 250 to 500 hours a year you'd otherwise spend standing up and running all of it
- One predictable fee in place of the whole bundle, and the busywork that comes with it
Compared to working as a firm's employee
- You keep 100% of your client fees, less the flat membership fee, instead of a salary or a payout split on the revenue you generate
- You own your clients and your book, and they're fully portable, rather than leaving the relationships with the firm
- You set your own pricing and service model, under your own brand
- You get the autonomy of ownership without carrying the full weight of the firm
AdviceOnly's regulatory disclosures, including Form ADV Part 2 and Form CRS, are available on our disclosures page.
Is AdviceOnly right for you?
We're a little picky, and we think that's a good thing. Here's an honest look at who tends to thrive here, and who probably won't.
You'll probably love it here if you:
- Already believe in advice-only, real financial planning and want to practice it without products or AUM fees getting in the way
- Bring real experience and quality credentials (CFP®, CFA, CPA, EA, ChFC, or similar), or you're a sharp career changer from tax, law, corporate finance, accounting, or investing who has done the work to plan well
- Want to run your own practice but would rather not also run a compliance department, an IT team, and a back office
- Are ready to go find your own clients and build something, with our directory and content giving you a tailwind
- Play well with others and would rather collaborate with a community of advisors than compete with them
- Actually care about moving the advice-only movement forward, not just renting a logo
We're probably not your match if you:
- Are brand new with no real planning experience yet (we're not a training program)
- Don't have the credentials or demonstrated depth to back up the advice you'd give
- Still need convincing that advice-only is the right way to serve clients
- See the job as selling products rather than giving professional advice
- Are hoping clients will be handed to you without putting in your own effort to grow
Our Membership Standards
We carefully select advisors who demonstrate exceptional expertise and an unwavering commitment to putting clients first.
Core Requirements
Advice-Only Commitment
Every AdviceOnly advisor works purely on an advice-only basis. That means compensation comes directly from clients, through hourly, project, or ongoing flat fees, with no commissions from product sales and no asset-under-management fees on managed investments.
Professional Credentials
Advisors demonstrate credible professional competence through a combination of credentials (CFP®, CFA, EA, RICP) and substantive advisory experience. We verify every credential at the application stage.
Experience
We look for advisors with a track record of sound financial planning work: meaningful client engagements, a clean regulatory record, and a demonstrated ability to communicate clearly with a diverse client base.
Fiduciary Oath
Every advisor operates as a fiduciary for every client, on every engagement. This standard applies not just on paper but as a matter of practice, reflected in how advisors structure fees, disclose conflicts, and make recommendations.
Our Vetting Process
When we're considering a new member advisor, we're really asking ourselves three questions:
- Are they truly qualified? We want to know this person is competent to be giving clients advice, and we take a close look at what their service model looks like.
- Can they make it work? We look for a credible plan to find clients and the makings of someone who can succeed on a fairly independent model.
- Will they make the community better? We want members who collaborate instead of compete, and who genuinely care about advancing the advice-only movement.
Initial Application Review
We take a careful look at your professional background, business model, and service approach. We verify your credentials, registration status, and disciplinary history to confirm a clean record.
In-Depth Interview
We have a real conversation about your planning philosophy, client service model, and commitment to the advice-only approach. We want to understand how you work with clients and make sure we're aligned on values.
Sample Plan Review
We review samples of your work to confirm comprehensive, high-quality planning. We're looking for clear communication, thorough analysis, and practical recommendations that clients can actually act on.
Frequently asked questions
- How does registration work as an AdviceOnly advisor?
- You join as an Investment Adviser Representative (IAR) under AdviceOnly's SEC registration. Instead of registering your own firm state by state, you operate under one federal registration and we handle the ongoing compliance program and filings.
- What does it cost?
- Advisor members pay a flat annual rate of $18,000, billed monthly. There is no revenue sharing and no hidden fees, so you keep 100% of the planning fees your clients pay you. You can cancel anytime, with just 30 days' notice.
- Do I keep my clients if I leave?
- Yes. Your client relationships are yours and are 100% portable. You own your book, so if you ever leave the platform, your clients come with you.
- Can I use my own brand?
- Absolutely. You can operate under your own brand or under the AdviceOnly name, whichever you prefer.
- Who is a good fit for AdviceOnly?
- Experienced advisors who already believe in advice-only, real-planning work and want the infrastructure to do it independently, including career changers from fields like tax, law, or corporate finance who bring credentials and applied training. It is not a fit for brand-new advisors with no experience, anyone without quality credentials, or anyone who still needs convincing that advice-only is the right model.
- How do I get started?
- Schedule an intro call with Steven Fox (our founder) to talk through whether the advice-only model and the AdviceOnly platform are a good fit for your practice.
Ready to learn more?
Let's talk about how the advice-only model could work for your practice.