How to Choose a Financial Advisor in WALTHAM, MA

A data-driven guide based on 91 registered advisors in WALTHAM

Local Market Overview

There are 91 registered financial advisors in WALTHAM, Massachusetts. Approximately 97% report fee-based compensation, while 20% include commission-based compensation. The average firm serving WALTHAM manages $41.2B in assets.

Registered Advisors

In WALTHAM, MA

Avg Firm AUM

$41.2B

Assets under management

Top Credential

CFP

5 advisors

Community Profile

WALTHAM has a population of 64,711 with a median household income of $113,443. The median age is 34.7.

Advisor density: 14.1 per 10K residents

Median income: $113,443

Most Common Credentials in WALTHAM

CFP

5 advisors

CFA

1 advisors

ChFC

1 advisors

Compensation Types Reported

Percentage of AUM

97% of advisors · 88 total

Subscription fees

76% of advisors · 69 total

Hourly charges

73% of advisors · 66 total

Other: PROJECT FEES

21% of advisors · 19 total

Commissions

20% of advisors · 18 total

Performance-based fees

8% of advisors · 7 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 WALTHAM

91 advisors in WALTHAM, MA

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

Browse WALTHAM Advisors All Cities in Massachusetts

Frequently Asked Questions

How many financial advisors are in WALTHAM, MA?

There are 91 registered financial advisors in WALTHAM, Massachusetts, according to SEC and FINRA registration data.

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

Are financial advisors in WALTHAM 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 WALTHAM 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 WALTHAM 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 →