What Is Advice-Only? The Advice-Only™ Methodology

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Advice-Only™ is a fiduciary planning framework that structurally separates advice from all forms of sales compensation and referral incentives, ensuring objective, client-first decisions.

Put simply, what is advice only? It means you pay solely for professional guidance—not for product sales, asset management, or implementation.

This framework was developed by Quincy Hall, CFP®. Introduced in 2019 and later formalized in
Advice Only: A Retirement Planning Methodology & Handbook, the model restores trust and objectivity by removing compensation-driven incentives from planning.

Unlike traditional models that blend advice with asset-management fees, product incentives, and reciprocal referrals, the AO methodology establishes a transparent, client-driven process designed to preserve objectivity from the first conversation through the ongoing process.

What Does “Advice-Only” Mean in Financial Planning?

In practice, clients pay for analysis and recommendations only. Implementation—if any—happens outside the planning engagement, so compensation can’t bias strategy. The methodology formalizes this into a governed, repeatable workflow that standardizes fiduciary quality.

Defined Process

The model follows a standardized, repeatable process that filters advisor bias and promotes measurable, less-conflicted outcomes. Each phase has a specific purpose and defined deliverables:

1. Paid Consultation – Begin with a paid consultation and a formal advisory agreement to establish fiduciary duty and clear expectations.
2. Planning Meeting #1 — Present Position – Build a math-based snapshot of assets, liabilities, cash flow, and risk exposure to identify opportunities.
3. Planning Meeting #2 — Strategy & Deployment – Model scenarios and confirm strategic decisions on allocation, taxation, and income planning.
4. Post-Planning Review — Adaptive Support – After delivery and payment, clients may opt into periodic reviews or annual updates.

How It Differs from Generic “advice-only”

In common use, “advice-only” can simply mean pay-per-plan or hourly pricing. By contrast, this framework is a governed, process-based system that reduces discretion in how compensation can influence advice and enforces a standardized fiduciary workflow.

Every engagement follows the same principles under an Advice Only™ plan, so consumers receive a transparent, verifiable standard of care—free from sales, commissions, and hidden incentives.

Core Principles

• Structural Separation
  All compensation is paid via client invoices. No asset-based pay, commissions, or referral revenue.
• Transparent, Client-Defined Fees
  All costs are established in writing before any advice. Fiduciary duty begins at the paid consultation.
• No Asset Minimums
  Open to everyone, ensuring equal access to high-quality fiduciary planning.
• Accountability & Repeatability
  A documented workflow supports transparency, quality control, and compliance.
• Privacy-First Handling
  Client inputs are confidential. The AdviceOnly.org learning platform prioritizes data protection and transparency.

Origins & Educational Mission

Launched in 2019 after observing persistent conflicts even within fee-only and other models that incorporate sales by design, the AO approach was designed to eliminate compensation pressures from planning decisions and make fiduciary quality accessible to every consumer.

The educational branch, AdviceOnly.org, offers free resources, advisor training, and client assessments—expanding financial literacy and promoting equality and empowerment in personal finance.

Why Clients and Advisors Choose This Model

• ✅ No Sales or Product Pitches — Planning is 100% conflict-free.
• ✅ Transparent, Pay-as-You-Go Fees — Hourly or fixed; no hidden incentives.
• ✅ Client-Centered Process — Personalized, educational, and actionable.
• ✅ Privacy & Accountability — Strict separation between advice, sales, and data.
• ✅ Repeatable Results — A consistent, documented workflow for every client.

Learn More

Whether you’re seeking deconflicted guidance or evaluating adoption as a professional, AdviceOnly.info provides planners, resources, and educational tools grounded in this methodology.
Explore AdviceOnly.org or request a consultation. See About and FAQs for details.

FAQs

Is this the same as fee-only?
No. Fee-only can still include asset-based compensation and reciprocal referrals. This model separates advice from all forms of sales compensation.

Who is it for?
Anyone seeking fiduciary planning without sales embedded in the process, such as products, asset minimums, or other implementation incentives.