How much should I expect to pay in Toronto?

Costs vary widely based on your needs and the advisor's model: For a $500,000 portfolio: Expect $2,500-$10,000 annually with AUM-based pricing Initial financial plan: $2,000-$5,000 for comprehensive planning Hourly consultation: $200-$400 per hour on average in Toronto Remember that with fee-based advisors, you may also pay embedded commissions in investment products (MERs of 0.10%-1.1% are common).

What's a fiduciary and why does it matter?

A fiduciary is legally and ethically obligated to act in your best interest at all times. Fee-only advisors typically operate as fiduciaries. Fee-based advisors may operate under a "suitability standard" when selling commission-based products, meaning they only need to recommend products that are suitable for you, not necessarily the best option. Always confirm whether your advisor acts as a fiduciary for all services they provide.

What questions should I ask potential advisors?

Essential questions to ask during your consultation: Are you fee-only or fee-based? How exactly are you compensated? Are you a fiduciary 100% of the time? What are your credentials and how long have you been practicing? What services do you provide and what's your typical client profile? Can you provide references from current clients? How often will we meet and how do you communicate? What's your investment philosophy? Do you have any conflicts of interest I should know about?

What credentials should I look for in Toronto?

Look for advisors with recognized Canadian designations: CFP (Certified Financial Planner): [https://www.fpcanada.ca/] Comprehensive financial planning expertise CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst): [https://www.cfainstitute.org/] Investment management focus CIM (Chartered Investment Manager): [https://www.csi.ca/en/learning/designation-pathways/cim] Portfolio management specialization RFP (Registered Financial Planner): [https://www.iafp.ca/planners/join/how-to-become-an-rfp/] Holistic financial planning Verify their registration with the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) or CIRO [https://www.ciro.ca/], depending on their licensing.

Which type of advisor is better for me?

Consider a fee-only advisor if: You want complete transparency and no conflicts of interest. You have complex financial needs requiring unbiased advice. You prefer to pay directly for advice rather than through embedded product costs. You value fiduciary duty (they must act in your best interest). A fee-based advisor might work if: You're comfortable with the commission structure and understand potential conflicts. You need specific insurance products or investments they offer. You have a smaller portfolio and hourly fees seem too high.

Fee-Based vs Fee-Only Financial Advisors Toronto

If you’re searching for a fee-based or fee-only financial advisor in Toronto, it likely means you want expert financial advice — without hidden commissions or product sales pressure.
In this guide, we’ll break down the difference between fee-based and fee-only models, what to look for in an advisor, and how to find one that aligns with your goals.

What Does “Fee-Based” Mean?

A fee-based financial advisor earns a combination of:

Direct client fees (for advice or portfolio management), and
Potential commissions from investment or insurance products.

While this can provide flexibility, it’s important to ask how your advisor is compensated and whether they are fiduciaries who act in your best interest.

What Does “Fee-Only” Mean?

A fee-only financial advisor is compensated solely by you, the client.
They do not receive commissions or kickbacks from products. This structure is ideal for individuals seeking conflict-free, unbiased financial advice on:

Retirement planning
Tax planning
Investment management
Estate planning

Fee-Based vs Fee-Only — Which Is Better for You?

Feature	Fee-Based	Fee-Only
How they earn	Mix of fees & commissions	Client fees only
Product sales	May sell products	No product sales
Conflicts of interest	Possible	Minimal
Best for	Investors wanting all-in-one service	Clients wanting pure advice

Why Many Toronto Professionals Choose Fee-Only Advisors

Toronto professionals — especially business owners, retirees, and families — value transparent, advice-only planning because:

It provides clarity on what you pay and why.
It eliminates product bias.
It integrates tax, investment, and retirement advice under one plan.

How to Verify an Advisor’s Compensation Model

Before you commit:

Check if the advisor is registered with FP Canada or CIRO.
Review their fee schedule (hourly, retainer, or percentage).
Ask directly, “Do you receive any commission or referral fees?”

Our Approach — Transparent, Fee-Based Planning for Toronto Families

At Ontario Wealth Strategy Experts, we provide comprehensive financial, tax, and retirement planning — all under one transparent fee.
We believe great advice should be:
✅ Transparent
✅ Unbiased
✅ Personalized to your goals

We serve clients across Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, and the GTA.

See if we are a fit

How much should I expect to pay in Toronto?
Costs vary widely based on your needs and the advisor's model:

For a $500,000 portfolio: Expect $2,500-$10,000 annually with AUM-based pricing

Initial financial plan: $2,000-$5,000 for comprehensive planning

Hourly consultation: $200-$400 per hour on average in Toronto

Remember that with fee-based advisors, you may also pay embedded commissions in investment products (MERs of 0.10%-1.1% are common).
What's a fiduciary and why does it matter?
A fiduciary is legally and ethically obligated to act in your best interest at all times. Fee-only advisors typically operate as fiduciaries.
Fee-based advisors may operate under a "suitability standard" when selling commission-based products, meaning they only need to recommend products that are suitable for you, not necessarily the best option.
Always confirm whether your advisor acts as a fiduciary for all services they provide.
What questions should I ask potential advisors?
Essential questions to ask during your consultation:

Are you fee-only or fee-based? How exactly are you compensated?

Are you a fiduciary 100% of the time?

What are your credentials and how long have you been practicing?

What services do you provide and what's your typical client profile?

Can you provide references from current clients?

How often will we meet and how do you communicate?

What's your investment philosophy?

Do you have any conflicts of interest I should know about?
What credentials should I look for in Toronto?
Look for advisors with recognized Canadian designations:

CFP (Certified Financial Planner): Comprehensive financial planning expertise

CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst): Investment management focus

CIM (Chartered Investment Manager): Portfolio management specialization

RFP (Registered Financial Planner): Holistic financial planning

Verify their registration with the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) or CIRO, depending on their licensing.
Which type of advisor is better for me?
Consider a fee-only advisor if:
You want complete transparency and no conflicts of interest.
You have complex financial needs requiring unbiased advice.
You prefer to pay directly for advice rather than through embedded product costs.
You value fiduciary duty (they must act in your best interest).

A fee-based advisor might work if:
You're comfortable with the commission structure and understand potential conflicts.
You need specific insurance products or investments they offer.
You have a smaller portfolio and hourly fees seem too high.