Find the Best Financial Advisors in Denver, CO

Choosing a financial advisor in Denver

When facing difficult financial decisions, a financial advisor helps you avoid making a less-than-strategic choice. Hiring a financial advisor in Denver minimizes investment risk and lets you be confident that you’ve put your hard-earned money to use.

Many financial advisors in Denver only work with accounts of a certain size, usually at least $100,000, as they base their fees on a percentage of clients assets. However, many financial advisors who charge in different ways will work with any client no matter the size of their account.

Types of financial advisors

There are many types of financial advisors in Denver to choose from. Some companies offer robo-advisor services, while others allow you the opportunity to work with a human advisor.

• Robo-advisors are automated asset management software that use algorithms and your information to make recommendations based on your general situation.
• Human financial advisors allow you to get more personalized advice and feedback but are also more expensive and have higher account minimums.

Another major distinction is between fiduciary financial advisors and non-fiduciary advisors in Denver. Fiduciary financial advisors are required by law to act in your best interests.

Non-fiduciary advisors also want you to make money, but they don’t have to recommend the absolute best options available to you, which opens the door for conflicts of interest. Because of this, non-fiduciary advisors tend to focus on general scenarios and don’t tailor their services to your unique situation as much.

What is the cost of a financial advisor in Denver?

Financial advisors in Denver charge for their services in a number of ways:

• Commission is a percentage, usually 3 percent, of any transactions the advisor recommends to you. If you work with an advisor who plans to charge via commission, ensure total transparency and only consider working with them if they are a fiduciary.
• Assets under management fees are a percentage, normally 1 - 2 percent, of your total account balance, charged monthly or yearly. Advisors charging AUM fees have high account minimums. However, robo-advisors usually charge less than 1 percent of AUM and have much lower minimums.
• Flat rates are one-time fees of $1,000 - $5,000 charged to create a financial plan.
• Hourly rates run anywhere from $200 to $400 for short-term services or advice.

Transparency is critical when dealing with a financial advisor in Denver, so make sure you know how your advisor makes money. Fee-based advisors earn a commission from the plans they sell in addition to the fees they charge and are more prone to recommend frequent transactions. Fee-only advisors in Denver don’t earn any commission and provide advice without potential conflicts of interest.

What qualifications should a financial advisor have?

Financial advisors in Denver should have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business or another related field. Many advisors have additional licenses or education in their area of interest (i.e., health insurance, life insurance), such as being a Certified Financial Planner.

Financial advisors must have a General Securities Representative license and a Series 63 license. If an advisor charges fees, they must also have a Uniform Investment Advisor Law license. Check for these licenses before hiring a financial advisor in Denver. Verify your advisor's qualifications using the Financial Industry’s Regulatory Authority’s BrokerCheck.