We charge flat, fixed fees for our advice, not a percentage of your assets.
Many financial advice practices in Perth and across Australia charge a percentage of what you invest, meaning your fee grows every time your portfolio does, even if the advice itself hasn't changed. We do it differently. We believe you should pay for the value of the advice, not the size of your bank balance.
Submit an enquiryWhy we charge flat dollar fees
Most financial planning practices charge fees one of two ways.
Industry standard
The fee scales with your wealth, whether or not the complexity of your situation has changed at all.
Flat dollar fee
You know the number upfront, and it stays the number, regardless of what markets do.
The problem with percentage fees
Percentage fees are so common that people assume they're standard, even fair. A few structural problems say otherwise.
Alignment
When an adviser earns more as your balance grows, growth becomes their priority too. That can mean higher-risk strategies, or a reluctance to suggest sensible moves like paying down debt.
Value
A $1,000,000 portfolio doesn't necessarily need twice the advice of a $500,000 one. Under a percentage model, you'd pay twice as much for it anyway. The fee grows with your wealth even when the work doesn't.
Transparency
Percentage fees are taken straight from your account rather than billed to you directly, so it's easy to lose track of what you're really paying. Flat fees put the number in front of you.
Why flat fees work better
Flat dollar fees break the link between your balance and our income.
- ✓Our only incentive is to do good work. We're not nudged towards growth-heavy strategies to protect our fee income.
- ✓Advising you to hold cash, pay off your mortgage, or simplify your investment mix never costs us anything.
- ✓A client with $2,000,000 invested isn't twice as hard to look after as a client with $1,000,000, so they shouldn't pay twice as much.
- ✓You always know exactly what you're paying, and exactly what it's for.
| Comparison | Flat dollar fee | Percentage-based fee |
|---|---|---|
| Cost certainty | Yes, fixed upfront | No, rises with portfolio |
| Adviser incentive | Quality of advice | Portfolio growth |
| Fairness as wealth grows | Yes | Often not |
| Transparency | High | Lower, deducted from account |
What a financial plan actually costs you
An adviser working at the surface level can make you feel good about your money. They'll answer your questions, produce a Statement of Advice, and tick the right boxes. Feeling good and being materially better off are two different things.
We build backwards from the outcome you want: the strategy, the structure, the specific actions, the timeline. Every recommendation is there because it moves you closer to your goal. That's what we mean by results-focused financial advice.
If the advice improves your position by more than you paid for it, the net cost is negative. The fee is paid once, and the benefit keeps coming. We're currently working through our own client data to quantify this properly, comparing where a client's finances were heading when they first came to us against the trajectory they're on now. We're not publishing a figure until we're confident it's accurate and stands up to scrutiny. When it's ready, you'll find it here.
Frequently asked questions
Do fees increase as my portfolio grows?
No. Our fees are fixed and based on the scope and complexity of your advice, not the value of your investments.
Are there any commissions or product-linked incentives?
We're privately owned with no ownership or licensing ties to product providers, and we operate on a fee-for-service basis for our advice. The one exception is personal risk insurance. If you implement our advice through an insurance policy, we may receive a commission from the insurer, and this is always disclosed to you in writing before you proceed. We don't receive any payment for referrals we make to other professionals.
How is my fee determined?
Your fee is a set dollar amount based on the scope and complexity of the advice you need. After your initial meeting, we'll follow up with a written proposal setting out the exact fee for your situation.
Will I know the cost before I commit?
Yes. Your fee is discussed and agreed during your initial meeting, before any advice work begins.
Is there a cost for the first meeting?
No. Your first meeting with us is complimentary and obligation-free. It's a chance for us to understand your situation, and for you to see if we're the right fit, before any fees are discussed.
What's the difference between an initial fee and an ongoing fee?
Your initial fee covers building your strategy and preparing your Statement of Advice, typically paid as a deposit followed by a balance once your advice is presented. Ongoing fees are a separate, annual arrangement. Each year we set out that year's services and fees, and your continued engagement is always your choice.
Is financial advice tax deductible?
It depends on the type of advice. As a general guide from the ATO, ongoing advice fees relating to your existing income-producing investments are generally deductible, while fees for initial advice, new investments, or life/TPD/trauma insurance advice generally aren't. The portion of a fee relating to managing your tax affairs can also be deductible. As this depends on your individual circumstances, we'd always recommend confirming the specifics with your accountant.
Let's talk about what this means for you
If you'd like to understand exactly what working with us costs and what it covers, submit an enquiry and we'll be in touch.
Submit an enquiry