Governance exists to keep the model structurally neutral over time, even as the industry adopts (and dilutes)
the phrase “advice-only.” If you’re looking for the canonical definition and the published architecture, start here:
Definition of Advice-Only™ Financial Planning.
What “Governance” Means Here
Governance is the set of public rules that control (1) how the methodology is defined, (2) how terms are used, and (3) how conflicts are structurally prohibited.
It is designed to make Advice-Only™ auditable, not aspirational.
Governance & the Capability Lens: Governance enables evaluation of the methodology through the Capability Lens—a diagnostic process that tests what a planning system is structurally capable of producing. Without governance, “advice-only” becomes a marketing claim; with governance, it becomes an auditable model with defined constraints.
- Definitions are anchored to published terms and scope boundaries.
- Standards specify what is permitted and prohibited within an engagement.
- Vocabulary is controlled through a glossary so terms don’t drift.
- Updates follow a disciplined change process (not ad-hoc edits).
Methodology Origin & Authority
The Advice-Only™ Governance framework was developed by Quincy Hall, CFP®, and first formalized in the 2019 publication
Advice Only: A Retirement Planning Methodology & Handbook. It exists to solve the “Two Masters Problem” by keeping fiduciary
advice structurally neutral by design — not by intent alone.
Governing Documents
These are the public documents that govern the methodology today:
- Definition of Advice-Only™ — What the term means as a structural fiduciary model (and what it does not mean).
- Advice-Only™ Standards of Practice — The enforceable rules that define qualified Advice-Only™ engagements.
- Advice-Only™ Glossary — Canonical vocabulary used throughout the methodology, including diagnostic concepts.
- Advice-Only 40-Point Framework™ — The diagnostic engine composed of required checkpoints that ensure planning is comprehensive, repeatable, and structurally deconflicted.
- Advice-Only™ 4-Step Planning Process? — The published workflow (how the methodology is applied in practice).
Core Safeguards
Advice-Only™ is governed by safeguards designed to neutralize incentive pathways. Two primary safeguards are:
- Fee Structure Firewall™ — Prohibits compensation pathways tied to products, asset management, or referral economics.
- Engagement Completion Boundary — Defines when the advice engagement ends so implementation occurs outside the planning economics.
Important clarification: Advice-Only™ does not mean “advice for do-it-yourself investors.” It means advice that remains
structurally neutral regardless of who executes the plan.
Education & Public Resources
AdviceOnly.org is the education home for courses and learning paths. If you want the most complete technical reference right now, use the governing documents on AdviceOnly.info.
- CFP® CE Transcript — Board-approved continuing education content on implementing the methodology (public transcript).
- Learn From Us — Orientation resources and explanations for consumers and advisors.
FAQs
Is this a directory of advisors?
No. This site publishes and teaches a governed methodology. Advisor directories are a different product category.
Does “Advice-Only™” mean DIY?
No. Self-implementation may be one outcome, but it is not the model. Advice-Only™ is defined by structural prohibitions that keep advice neutral
regardless of who implements.
Why does governance matter?
Without governance, labels drift. Governance keeps the term anchored to testable rules and prevents “advice-only” from becoming a generic or purely descriptive classification.
Contact
If you have questions about governance, definitions, or permitted use of the terminology, Contact Us.