How to Choose a Financial Advisor in TAMPA, FL

A data-driven guide based on 396 registered advisors in TAMPA

Local Market Overview

There are 396 registered financial advisors in TAMPA, Florida. Approximately 83% report fee-based compensation, while 5% include commission-based compensation. The average firm serving TAMPA manages $3.1B in assets.

Registered Advisors

396

In TAMPA, FL

Avg Firm AUM

$3.1B

Assets under management

Top Credential

CFP

6 advisors

Community Profile

TAMPA has a population of 388,768 with a median household income of $66,802. The median age is 35.5.

Advisor density: 10.2 per 10K residents

Median income: $66,802

Most Common Credentials in TAMPA

CFP

6 advisors

CFA

1 advisors

ChFC

1 advisors

Compensation Types Reported

Percentage of AUM

83% of advisors · 327 total

Subscription fees

47% of advisors · 188 total

Hourly charges

32% of advisors · 125 total

Performance-based fees

31% of advisors · 123 total

Commissions

5% of advisors · 21 total

Other: NO LONGER PROVIDING INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES

4% of advisors · 15 total

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 Florida 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.

Browse Advisors in TAMPA

396 advisors in TAMPA, FL

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

Browse TAMPA Advisors All Cities in Florida

Frequently Asked Questions

How many financial advisors are in TAMPA, FL?

There are 396 registered financial advisors in TAMPA, Florida, according to SEC and FINRA registration data.

What credentials should a financial advisor in TAMPA 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 TAMPA advisors is CFP.

Are financial advisors in TAMPA 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 TAMPA 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 TAMPA Advisors by Specialty

Investment Management Retirement Planning Wealth Management Financial Planning Fee-Only Advisory Financial Education

More Research

What Do Financial Advisors Cost in Florida? →National Fee Analysis →