Why I Publish my Fee Schedule
James Keller, CFP®, CDFA® — August 2026
Financial advisory fees are often surprisingly difficult to find online. A prospective client can usually learn about a firm’s philosophy, services, credentials, and investment approach before making contact. But the actual cost of the relationship may not become clear until well into the introductory process.
There are understandable reasons for that. Client circumstances differ. Some firms offer several service models. Fees may vary by account size, complexity, investment program, or the type of advice being provided.
Still, I believe people should be able to understand the basic economics of an advisory relationship before deciding whether to schedule a meeting. That is why I published the Keller Investment Advisors fee schedule on this website, alongside our example client agreement, our Form ADVs and our privacy policy:
0.60% annually on discretionary assets. 0.48% on non-discretionary assets. Financial planning included. Billed monthly, in arrears. No account minimum.
The details matter, but the basic structure should not be difficult to find.
Transparency Before the First Conversation
Publishing a fee schedule does not answer every question a prospective client should ask. It does, however, establish a clear starting point.
Before contacting the firm, someone can understand the stated advisory rate, what is included, how often the fee is calculated, and when it is charged. That allows the first conversation to focus on the client’s needs rather than withholding basic information until a proposal is presented.
It also makes comparison easier. Advisory fees are only one component of cost, but they are an important one. Investors should be able to compare the advisory fee with underlying fund expenses, manager fees, platform charges, transaction costs, and other expenses that may apply.
Transparency does not mean every advisory relationship is identical. It means the differences can be discussed openly.
Why Advisory Fees Can Be Difficult to Compare
The financial-services industry includes many different business models. A firm may offer investment management, financial planning, brokerage services, insurance products, private investments, or consulting arrangements. Compensation can also take different forms, including advisory fees, commissions, product-related compensation, or separate consulting fees.
That complexity can make a single headline number incomplete or potentially misleading.
Keller Investment Advisors was intentionally designed with a straightforward advisory fee structure. The firm does not receive commissions, product revenue, or compensation for directing clients to particular investment products. The advisory relationship is paid for by the client, and the fee schedule reflects that structure.
Certain business consulting and financial-modeling services may be offered separately through Keller Strategies LLC under a separate agreement and compensation arrangement. Those services are distinct from the investment-advisory services provided by Keller Investment Advisors.
Because the advisory model is relatively simple, I believe the fee schedule should be simple to locate and understand.
Why the Fee Is Set Where It Is
The cost of implementing and maintaining a diversified investment portfolio has declined significantly. Low-cost exchange-traded funds, modern custodial platforms, financial-planning software, portfolio-management systems, and tax-aware analytical tools have made sophisticated planning and portfolio implementation more accessible to independent advisory firms.
Technology does not replace judgment, coordination, or personal attention. It can, however, reduce administrative friction and improve efficiency.
I built Keller Investment Advisors around the belief that clients should benefit from those efficiencies. The goal is to maintain a focused practice, use technology thoughtfully, and keep both advisory fees and underlying investment costs transparent.
Why I Bill Monthly, in Arrears
Keller Investment Advisors calculates advisory fees monthly and bills them after the applicable service period.
Many advisory firms bill quarterly, and some collect fees in advance. Those arrangements can be appropriate when they are clearly disclosed and administered consistently. I chose a monthly, in-arrears structure because I believe it provides a straightforward connection between the period in which services are provided and the fee that is subsequently charged.
Monthly billing also reduces the size of each individual fee deduction and avoids collecting several months of advisory fees before those months have occurred. It is a relatively small operational decision, but it reflects a broader principle: clients should be able to understand when they are charged, how the fee is calculated, and what period the payment covers.
What Publishing the Schedule Changes
Publishing fees means prospective clients can evaluate the cost before speaking with me. They can compare the schedule with another firm, discuss it with their accountant or attorney, or decide that a different arrangement is more appropriate. I am comfortable with that.
A successful advisory relationship should begin with informed consent rather than uncertainty about the price. Publishing the fee schedule, client agreement, regulatory disclosures, and relevant conflicts gives prospective clients more information before the first meeting—not after it.
That does not mean Keller Investment Advisors will be the right fit for everyone. It means people can make that decision with fewer unanswered questions.
Understand What You Are Paying Now
Comparing advisory relationships requires looking beyond the stated advisory rate.
Your total investment cost may include:
The advisory fee
Mutual-fund or ETF expenses
Separate-manager fees
Platform or program charges
Custodial or transaction costs
Other product-level expenses
I created an advisory-fee calculator to help investors estimate those costs and see how recurring fees may affect long-term wealth.
The calculator is free, does not require an email address, and allows users to edit the assumptions. Run your own numbers. If your current arrangement provides good value for the cost, staying with your advisor would be entirely reasonable. If the results raise questions, you will have a clearer starting point for your next conversation.
Keller Investment Advisors LLC is a registered investment adviser in the State of Wyoming. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Advisory fees, services, and potential conflicts are described in the firm’s Form ADV Part 2A and applicable client agreement, available on the Transparency page. This material is provided for general informational and educational purposes and is not personalized investment, tax, accounting, or legal advice.
