First Financial Consulting was recently featured in MarketWatch in an article examining how financial advisers structure their fees and what investors should understand before hiring an advisor.
In the piece, Greg Welborn, President of First Financial Consulting, discusses the importance of alignment in advisory relationships and the distinction between assets-under-management (AUM) fees and commission-based compensation models.
Greg Welborn on Fee Alignment
The article explores how different compensation structures can influence long-term advisory relationships. Greg explains that fee-only, AUM-based compensation removes product-driven incentives and keeps the adviser focused on client outcomes rather than transactions.
By structuring services around comprehensive wealth management — including investment management, retirement planning, tax strategy, risk management, and estate coordination — First Financial Consulting emphasizes transparency and fiduciary alignment.
Why Fee Structure Matters
The MarketWatch article highlights that investors should understand:
- How their adviser is compensated
- Whether commissions are involved
- What services are included
- How incentives may affect recommendations
Compensation structure plays a critical role in ensuring advice is objective and aligned with long-term financial goals.
