How Much Does It Cost to Start a Financial Planning Practice?
National Average
Low
$20,000
Medium
$55,000
High
$130,000
Start a fee-only or commission-based financial planning practice providing investment advice, retirement planning, and wealth management.
Time to Launch
3-6 months
Profit Margins
30-55%
Break-Even Timeline
12-36 months
Interactive Cost Calculator
Select a state below to see state-adjusted costs.
Startup Cost Calculator
Financial Planning Practice in Nationally
Budget:
$3,000
$5,000
$4,000
$3,000
$3,000
$1,000
$5,000
$6,000
$25,000
Options
Employees:
Startup Costs
$55,000
Monthly Costs
$8,000
First Year Total
$151,000
Form Your Business
A formation service files your paperwork and acts as your registered agent so you do not have to track deadlines yourself. The state filing fee still goes straight to the state either way, on top of any service fee.
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Startup Costs by State
| State | Low | Medium | High | LLC Fee | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $15,400 | $42,350 | $100,100 | $50 | 7.0% |
| West Virginia | $15,400 | $42,350 | $100,100 | $100 | 6.0% |
| Oklahoma | $16,000 | $44,000 | $104,000 | $100 | 4.5% |
| Alabama | $16,200 | $44,550 | $105,300 | $200 | 4.0% |
| Arkansas | $16,200 | $44,550 | $105,300 | $45 | 6.5% |
| North Dakota | $16,400 | $45,100 | $106,600 | $135 | 5.0% |
| Iowa | $16,600 | $45,650 | $107,900 | $50 | 6.0% |
| Kansas | $16,600 | $45,650 | $107,900 | $160 | 6.5% |
| Missouri | $16,600 | $45,650 | $107,900 | $50 | 4.2% |
| South Dakota | $16,600 | $45,650 | $107,900 | $150 | 4.2% |
| Kentucky | $16,800 | $46,200 | $109,200 | $40 | 6.0% |
| Louisiana | $16,800 | $46,200 | $109,200 | $100 | 5.0% |
| Wyoming | $16,800 | $46,200 | $109,200 | $100 | 4.0% |
| Nebraska | $17,000 | $46,750 | $110,500 | $105 | 5.5% |
| Indiana | $17,200 | $47,300 | $111,800 | $95 | 7.0% |
| Michigan | $17,600 | $48,400 | $114,400 | $50 | 6.0% |
| Ohio | $17,600 | $48,400 | $114,400 | $99 | 5.8% |
| New Mexico | $18,000 | $49,500 | $117,000 | $50 | 4.9% |
| South Carolina | $18,000 | $49,500 | $117,000 | $110 | 6.0% |
| Wisconsin | $18,200 | $50,050 | $118,300 | $130 | 5.0% |
| Tennessee | $18,400 | $50,600 | $119,600 | $300 | 7.0% |
| Texas | $18,400 | $50,600 | $119,600 | $300 | 6.3% |
| Georgia | $18,800 | $51,700 | $122,200 | $100 | 4.0% |
| Minnesota | $18,800 | $51,700 | $122,200 | $155 | 6.9% |
| Illinois | $19,000 | $52,250 | $123,500 | $150 | 6.3% |
| Idaho | $19,200 | $52,800 | $124,800 | $100 | 6.0% |
| North Carolina | $19,200 | $52,800 | $124,800 | $125 | 4.8% |
| Pennsylvania | $19,200 | $52,800 | $124,800 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Montana | $19,400 | $53,350 | $126,100 | $35 | 0.0% |
| Utah | $20,000 | $55,000 | $130,000 | $54 | 6.1% |
| Delaware | $20,800 | $57,200 | $135,200 | $110 | 0.0% |
| Nevada | $21,000 | $57,750 | $136,500 | $425 | 6.8% |
| Virginia | $21,400 | $58,850 | $139,100 | $100 | 5.3% |
| Vermont | $21,800 | $59,950 | $141,700 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Arizona | $22,000 | $60,500 | $143,000 | $50 | 5.6% |
| Colorado | $22,000 | $60,500 | $143,000 | $50 | 2.9% |
| Florida | $22,400 | $61,600 | $145,600 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Oregon | $22,400 | $61,600 | $145,600 | $100 | 0.0% |
| Rhode Island | $22,400 | $61,600 | $145,600 | $150 | 7.0% |
| Maine | $22,800 | $62,700 | $148,200 | $175 | 5.5% |
| New Hampshire | $23,400 | $64,350 | $152,100 | $102 | 0.0% |
| Washington | $23,600 | $64,900 | $153,400 | $200 | 6.5% |
| Connecticut | $23,800 | $65,450 | $154,700 | $120 | 6.3% |
| Maryland | $24,200 | $66,550 | $157,300 | $100 | 6.0% |
| New Jersey | $25,000 | $68,750 | $162,500 | $125 | 6.6% |
| Alaska | $25,400 | $69,850 | $165,100 | $250 | 0.0% |
| New York | $27,800 | $76,450 | $180,700 | $200 | 4.0% |
| California | $30,400 | $83,600 | $197,600 | $70 | 7.3% |
| Massachusetts | $30,800 | $84,700 | $200,200 | $500 | 6.3% |
| Hawaii | $38,600 | $106,150 | $250,900 | $50 | 4.0% |
Cheapest & Most Expensive States
5 Cheapest States
- Mississippi$42,350
- West Virginia$42,350
- Oklahoma$44,000
- Alabama$44,550
- Arkansas$44,550
5 Most Expensive States
- Hawaii$106,150
- Massachusetts$84,700
- California$83,600
- New York$76,450
- Alaska$69,850
Frequently Asked Questions
A financial planning RIA typically requires a low-to-mid five-figure investment to launch, including RIA registration, CFP certification (optional but valuable), E&O insurance, planning software, and working capital. Plan for 12–24 months before reaching profitability.
Fee-only planners must register as Investment Advisor Representatives (IARs) by passing the Series 65 exam and registering with their state as an RIA. Commission-based planners need FINRA Series 7 and Series 66. The CFP certification, while not legally required, is the industry standard credential.
Fee-only planners charge AUM fees (typically a low single-digit percentage of assets annually), flat retainer fees in the meaningful four-figure annual range, or healthy three-figure hourly rates. Fee-based planners combine these with commissions. AUM fees build recurring revenue but require significant per-client assets to generate meaningful annual revenue per client.
A Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) is an SEC- or state-registered entity that provides investment advice for compensation. If you manage client assets, provide portfolio recommendations, or charge ongoing investment advisory fees, RIA registration is typically required regardless of your other licenses.