Fee only means that all of my pay comes directly from clients. I do not sell any products, do not receive any commissions and do not receive any referral fees or compensation from other sources. Clients and I agree upon fees before any engagement begins. Fees might be a specific dollar amount, hourly, or based on assets under management.

A fee-only payment structure minimizes any potential conflict of interest and helps me put my clients’ interests first all the time. As a Registered Investment Advisor, First Affirmative Financial Network requires me to act as a fiduciary – in the best interests of clients. On the other hand, brokerage firms and their registered representatives are exempt from the fiduciary standard and are held to the less rigorous suitability standard, which requires them to offer investments that are “suitable” for the client. They generally work on commission, meaning they may earn more or less depending on which investments their clients choose to make.