City Guide

How to Choose a Financial Advisor in APPLETON, WI

A data-driven guide based on 83 registered advisors in APPLETON
01

Local Market Overview

There are 83 registered financial advisors in APPLETON, Wisconsin. Approximately 86% report fee-based compensation, while 0% include commission-based compensation. The average firm serving APPLETON manages $498M in assets.

Registered Advisors
83
In APPLETON, WI
Avg Firm AUM
$498M
Assets under management
Top Credential
—
Community Profile

APPLETON has a population of 75,133 with a median household income of $75,469. The median age is 36.5.

Advisor density: 11.0 per 10K residents
Median income: $75,469
Compensation Types Reported
Percentage of AUM
86% of advisors · 71 total
Hourly charges
70% of advisors · 58 total
Subscription fees
65% of advisors · 54 total
Performance-based fees
12% of advisors · 10 total
Other: NO LONGER PROVDING INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
11% of advisors · 9 total
Other: LICENSE FEES BASED ON PERCENTAGE OF ASSETS IN INVESTMENT MODELS
4% of advisors · 3 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 Wisconsin 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 APPLETON

83 advisors in APPLETON, WI

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

Browse APPLETON AdvisorsAll Cities in Wisconsin
04

Frequently Asked Questions

How many financial advisors are in APPLETON, WI?
There are 83 registered financial advisors in APPLETON, Wisconsin, according to SEC and FINRA registration data.
What credentials should a financial advisor in APPLETON 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 APPLETON 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 APPLETON 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
MILWAUKEE Guide (515)MADISON Guide (242)GREEN BAY Guide (92)WAUKESHA Guide (77)BROOKFIELD Guide (68)MEQUON Guide (42)WAUSAU Guide (30)MIDDLETON Guide (29)NEENAH Guide (25)STEVENS POINT Guide (17)
Browse APPLETON Advisors by Specialty
Investment ManagementRetirement PlanningWealth ManagementFinancial PlanningFee-Only AdvisoryFinancial Education
More Research
What Do Financial Advisors Cost in Wisconsin? →National Fee Analysis →