City Guide

How to Choose a Financial Advisor in SCOTTSDALE, AZ

A data-driven guide based on 281 registered advisors in SCOTTSDALE
01

Local Market Overview

There are 281 registered financial advisors in SCOTTSDALE, Arizona. Approximately 97% report fee-based compensation, while 13% include commission-based compensation. The average firm serving SCOTTSDALE manages $2.2B in assets.

Registered Advisors
281
In SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Avg Firm AUM
$2.2B
Assets under management
Top Credential
CFP
30 advisors
Community Profile

SCOTTSDALE has a population of 240,537 with a median household income of $104,197. The median age is 48.4.

Advisor density: 11.7 per 10K residents
Median income: $104,197
Most Common Credentials in SCOTTSDALE
CFP
30 advisors
ChFC
9 advisors
CFA
5 advisors
Compensation Types Reported
Percentage of AUM
97% of advisors · 273 total
Subscription fees
56% of advisors · 158 total
Hourly charges
54% of advisors · 153 total
Commissions
13% of advisors · 37 total
Performance-based fees
11% of advisors · 31 total
Fixed fees
2% of advisors · 5 total
02

What to Look For

Check their credentials
The CFP (Certified Financial Planner) is the gold standard for comprehensive financial planning. A CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) signals deep investment expertise, while a ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) covers insurance and estate planning.
Understand fee structures
Fee-only advisors charge only for their advice (hourly, flat fee, or % of AUM). Fee-based advisors may also earn commissions on products they sell. Commission-only advisors earn money from product sales. Fee-only is generally considered the least conflicted model. See Arizona fee analysis →
Verify their registration
Every legitimate advisor should be registered with the SEC or their state. Check FINRA BrokerCheck for disciplinary history, disclosures, and registration status. All advisors on AdvisorOS are sourced from official SEC/FINRA registration data.
Ask about account minimums
Some advisors require $250,000 or more to open an account. Others work with any portfolio size. Ask upfront to avoid wasting time on advisors who aren't a fit.
Review their Form CRS
The Form CRS (Client Relationship Summary) is a 2-page document every advisor must provide. It explains services, fees, conflicts of interest, and disciplinary history in plain language. Ask for it before your first meeting.
03

Browse Advisors in SCOTTSDALE

281 advisors in SCOTTSDALE, AZ

Search the full directory of registered financial advisors in SCOTTSDALE. Compare credentials, specialties, and firm details — all based on SEC and FINRA public data.

Browse SCOTTSDALE AdvisorsAll Cities in Arizona
04

Frequently Asked Questions

How many financial advisors are in SCOTTSDALE, AZ?
There are 281 registered financial advisors in SCOTTSDALE, Arizona, according to SEC and FINRA registration data.
What credentials should a financial advisor in SCOTTSDALE have?
Look for CFP (Certified Financial Planner) for comprehensive planning, CFA for investment management, or ChFC for insurance and estate planning. The most common credential among SCOTTSDALE advisors is CFP.
Are financial advisors in SCOTTSDALE required to be fiduciaries?
Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) have a fiduciary duty to act in your best interest. Broker-dealers follow a suitability standard. Always ask your advisor about their fiduciary status and get it in writing.
What do financial advisors in SCOTTSDALE charge?
Fees vary widely. Fee-only advisors typically charge 0.5%–1.5% of assets under management, $150–$400/hour, or flat fees of $1,000–$7,500+ per plan. Commission-based advisors may not charge fees directly but earn commissions on products.
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Browse SCOTTSDALE Advisors by Specialty
Investment ManagementRetirement PlanningWealth ManagementFinancial PlanningFee-Only AdvisoryFinancial Education
More Research
What Do Financial Advisors Cost in Arizona? →National Fee Analysis →