NextWealth Financial Advice Business Benchmarks Report 2025 - Report - Page 23
NextWealth Financial Advice Business Benchmarks Report / October 2025
Upfront, nearly one in four 昀椀rms charge a 昀椀xed initial fee, while around half still base the initial charge on assets; sole traders are
notably more likely to opt for a 昀椀xed-fee start.
Figure 26: Nearly a quarter of 昀椀nancial advice 昀椀rms charge a 昀椀xed initial fee
Q Do you charge an initial advice fee to new clients?
Price levels are moving as well as structures. 37% of
respondents increased their ongoing advice fees in the past
12 months. In contrast, changes to fund, portfolio management
and platform fees were lower overall. The willingness to lift
ongoing advice fees was more pronounced among larger 昀椀rms,
suggesting scale players are resetting price points and service
promises to re昀氀ect cost-to-serve and value delivered.
Minimums are shifting from assets to fees. Over half of 昀椀rms
report no minimum asset level (broadly consistent with 2024).
But when asked about minimum fees, 53% said yes, compared
with only 36% who operate a minimum AUM. This points to a
pragmatic balance: keep the door open to clients with smaller
portfolios while protecting viability through a clear fee 昀氀oor.
Figure 27: Minimum levels are shifting from assets to fees: the ability to deliver good value for the fee charged is more
important than total assets
Q Do you have a minimum investable asset/fee level that you would require for someone to be a client of yours?
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