How to Choose a Financial Advisor in BELLEVUE, WA

A data-driven guide based on 192 registered advisors in BELLEVUE

Local Market Overview

There are 192 registered financial advisors in BELLEVUE, Washington. Approximately 95% report fee-based compensation, while 2% include commission-based compensation. The average firm serving BELLEVUE manages $1.7B in assets.

Registered Advisors

192

In BELLEVUE, WA

Avg Firm AUM

$1.7B

Assets under management

Top Credential

CFP

22 advisors

Community Profile

BELLEVUE has a population of 150,606 with a median household income of $149,551. The median age is 38.3.

Advisor density: 12.7 per 10K residents

Median income: $149,551

Most Common Credentials in BELLEVUE

CFP

22 advisors

CFA

7 advisors

ChFC

4 advisors

Compensation Types Reported

Percentage of AUM

95% of advisors · 182 total

Subscription fees

71% of advisors · 137 total

Hourly charges

42% of advisors · 80 total

Performance-based fees

20% of advisors · 39 total

Other: PROJECT BY PROJECT BASIS

6% of advisors · 12 total

Other: NEGOTIATED FEES FOR AD HOC UNSOLICITED INVESTMENT ADVICE

5% of advisors · 9 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 Washington 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 BELLEVUE

192 advisors in BELLEVUE, WA

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

Browse BELLEVUE Advisors All Cities in Washington

Frequently Asked Questions

How many financial advisors are in BELLEVUE, WA?

There are 192 registered financial advisors in BELLEVUE, Washington, according to SEC and FINRA registration data.

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

Are financial advisors in BELLEVUE 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 BELLEVUE 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.

Guides for Nearby Cities

SEATTLE Guide (382)SPOKANE Guide (71)VANCOUVER Guide (58)BELLINGHAM Guide (41)TACOMA Guide (34)KIRKLAND Guide (30)GIG HARBOR Guide (28)EDMONDS Guide (22)MERCER ISLAND Guide (19)OLYMPIA Guide (17)

Browse BELLEVUE Advisors by Specialty

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

More Research

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