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Advisor Accounts: What They Are, How They Work, and Examples

Last updated 01/31/2024 by

Alessandra Nicole

Edited by

Fact checked by

Summary:
Explore the intricate world of advisor accounts, vital instruments for investors navigating the financial landscape. This comprehensive guide covers the nuanced fee structures, service variations, and strategic approaches within advisor accounts, catering to both high-net-worth individuals and budget-conscious investors.

What is an advisor cccount?

An advisor account serves as a pivotal investment tool, providing clients with essential advisory services for formulating and executing investment strategies. In the contemporary financial landscape, the advent of robo advisory services has led to the evolution of advisor accounts, offering a spectrum of services ranging from automated to personalized interactions, creating hybrid advisor accounts.

Understanding advisor accounts

Advisor accounts target investors seeking a holistic investment approach, offering services that span from comprehensive portfolio management to personalized financial planning or targeted capital assets. Fiduciary standards govern these accounts, ensuring that investment recommendations align with a comprehensive portfolio fit. Typically, clients pay an annual fee based on the percentage of assets held in the account.

High-net-worth accounts

For high-net-worth investors, advisor accounts open up a plethora of choices and services. They can opt for personal portfolio management overseen by a financial advisor, with fees ranging from 1% to 5% of total assets and minimum investments typically starting at $100,000.

Portfolio management

High-net-worth investors can choose from various personal portfolio management offerings, covering stocks, bonds, and funds. These portfolios, managed to a broad allocation strategy, may also include services for non-security assets like property and artwork.
Prominent platforms for high-net-worth investors include UBS, Morgan Stanley, and JPMorgan, offering special wrap accounts as seen with the UBS Pace platform.

Separately managed accounts

Another option for high-net-worth investors is separately managed accounts, allowing investment in targeted portfolios managed by professional money managers. Fidelity’s separately managed accounts platform is an example, offering various strategies with fees ranging from 0.20% to 1.50%.

Discount advisory accounts

Discount investors can access advisor accounts with smaller fees. Robo advisors like Betterment provide services with no minimum investment, utilizing tiered fee schedules. Charles Schwab and Vanguard also offer discount advisory accounts with low minimum investments.
Charles Schwab’s Intelligent Portfolios robo advisory services have a low minimum investment of $5,000 with no advisor account fees. Vanguard’s Personal Advisor Services platform partners with a financial advisor for a minimum investment of $50,000, featuring a low advisor account fee of 0.30%.
WEIGH THE RISKS AND BENEFITS
Here is a list of the benefits and drawbacks to consider.
Pros
  • Offers a holistic approach to investing
  • Fiduciary standards ensure a comprehensive portfolio fit
  • Provides a spectrum of services for diverse investor needs
Cons
  • Asset-based fees may be relatively high
  • Services can vary broadly across different platforms

Frequently asked questions

How is the fee structure of advisor accounts determined?

The fee structure is typically asset-based, with clients paying an annual fee based on the percentage of assets held in the account.

What services do advisor accounts offer?

Advisor accounts offer a range of services, including holistic portfolio management, personal financial planning, or targeted capital assets.

Are there minimum investment requirements for high-net-worth accounts?

Yes, high-net-worth accounts often have minimum investment requirements, typically starting at $100,000 and can go up to $500,000.

What is the fee range for separately managed accounts?

Fees for separately managed accounts can range from 0.20% to 1.50% depending on the platform and the chosen investment strategy.

Are there discount advisory accounts with no minimum investment?

Yes, robo advisors like Betterment offer discount advisory services with no minimum investment requirements, making them accessible to a broader range of investors.

Key takeaways

  • Advisor accounts offer a holistic approach to investing.
  • High-net-worth investors can choose personalized portfolio management.
  • Separately managed accounts provide targeted investment options.
  • Discount advisory accounts cater to budget-conscious investors.

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