City Guide

How to Choose a Financial Advisor in DES MOINES, IA

A data-driven guide based on 164 registered advisors in DES MOINES
01

Local Market Overview

There are 164 registered financial advisors in DES MOINES, Iowa. Approximately 93% report fee-based compensation, while 7% include commission-based compensation. The average firm serving DES MOINES manages $56.6B in assets.

Registered Advisors
164
In DES MOINES, IA
Avg Firm AUM
$56.6B
Assets under management
Top Credential
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Community Profile

DES MOINES has a population of 213,164 with a median household income of $62,378. The median age is 34.4.

Advisor density: 7.7 per 10K residents
Median income: $62,378
Compensation Types Reported
Percentage of AUM
93% of advisors · 153 total
Subscription fees
59% of advisors · 96 total
Hourly charges
42% of advisors · 69 total
Other: SEMINAR FEES, SOLICITORS FEES, SUBSCRIPTION CONSULTING FEES
20% of advisors · 33 total
Performance-based fees
16% of advisors · 26 total
Other: CHARGE ON A COST ALLOCATION BASIS TO PRINCIPAL LIFE
11% of advisors · 18 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 Iowa 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 DES MOINES

164 advisors in DES MOINES, IA

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

Browse DES MOINES AdvisorsAll Cities in Iowa
04

Frequently Asked Questions

How many financial advisors are in DES MOINES, IA?
There are 164 registered financial advisors in DES MOINES, Iowa, according to SEC and FINRA registration data.
What credentials should a financial advisor in DES MOINES have?
Look for CFP (Certified Financial Planner) for comprehensive planning, CFA for investment management, or ChFC for insurance and estate planning.
Are financial advisors in DES MOINES 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 DES MOINES 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 DES MOINES Advisors by Specialty
Investment ManagementRetirement PlanningWealth ManagementFinancial PlanningFee-Only AdvisoryFinancial Education
More Research
What Do Financial Advisors Cost in Iowa? →National Fee Analysis →