How to Choose a Financial Advisor in BOSTON, MA

A data-driven guide based on 1,000 registered advisors in BOSTON

Local Market Overview

There are 1,000 registered financial advisors in BOSTON, Massachusetts. Approximately 93% report fee-based compensation, while 2% include commission-based compensation. The average firm serving BOSTON manages $69.8B in assets.

Registered Advisors

1,000

In BOSTON, MA

Avg Firm AUM

$69.8B

Assets under management

Top Credential

CFA

31 advisors

Community Profile

BOSTON has a population of 665,945 with a median household income of $89,212. The median age is 32.9.

Advisor density: 15.0 per 10K residents

Median income: $89,212

Most Common Credentials in BOSTON

CFA

31 advisors

CFP

16 advisors

ChFC

4 advisors

Compensation Types Reported

Percentage of AUM

93% of advisors · 927 total

Subscription fees

47% of advisors · 469 total

Performance-based fees

30% of advisors · 304 total

Hourly charges

21% of advisors · 214 total

Commissions

2% of advisors · 24 total

Other: A PERCENTAGE OF WRAP SPONSOR FEES.

1% of advisors · 14 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 Massachusetts 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 BOSTON

1,000 advisors in BOSTON, MA

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

Browse BOSTON Advisors All Cities in Massachusetts

Frequently Asked Questions

How many financial advisors are in BOSTON, MA?

There are 1,000 registered financial advisors in BOSTON, Massachusetts, according to SEC and FINRA registration data.

What credentials should a financial advisor in BOSTON 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 BOSTON advisors is CFA.

Are financial advisors in BOSTON 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 BOSTON 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 BOSTON Advisors by Specialty

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

More Research

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