Focus Financial Advisors
Focus Financial Advisors is a fee-only, SEC-registered investment adviser founded in 1984 in Rockford, Illinois, delivering integrated financial planning and investment management to high-net-worth individuals and small business owners nationwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersRockford, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Focus Financial Advisors does
Focus Financial Advisors is a fee-only, SEC-registered investment adviser founded in 1984 and headquartered in Rockford, Illinois. The firm provides integrated financial planning and investment management services primarily to high-net-worth individuals with at least $500,000 in investable assets, and secondarily to small business owners whose wealth is concentrated inside their operating companies. Its offering is structured around two core products — Financial Planning (covering retirement, Social Security optimization, estate planning, income tax planning, risk management, college planning, executive compensation, small business planning, and charitable planning) and Investment Management (offering strategic, tactical, and ESG portfolios built from ETFs, mutual funds, individual bonds, and individual stocks under a fiduciary standard). The firm is compensated exclusively through client fees, with no commissions or third-party kickbacks, and operates under SEC registration.
Revenue is generated through three pricing structures: a tiered AUM-based fee schedule (1.00% on the first $500,000, 0.85% on $500,001-$1,000,000, 0.60% on $1,000,001-$5,000,000, and negotiable above $5,000,000), a flat-fee or retainer arrangement with a $1,250 quarterly minimum targeted at small business owners, and standalone financial planning engagements priced from $3,500 to $15,000+ depending on complexity. All client assets are custodied at Charles Schwab and Fidelity, and the firm augments its boutique service model through a strategic partnership with a larger Registered Investment Advisor that provides access to an external investment team and financial planning expertise. The lead advisor holds both CFP® and CPA credentials, and the firm maintains memberships in NAPFA, the Financial Planning Association, and the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.
Distribution is relationship-driven, with client acquisition sourced primarily from referrals by existing clients, CPAs, and estate attorneys, supported by educational blog content, a newsletter, podcast distribution, and multi-platform social media presence. Service delivery is conducted in person at the Rockford office and via virtual meetings for a nationwide client base, with periodic travel to client locations. Technology is limited to a client portal for account access — there is no mobile app, no API, and no proprietary planning or portfolio management software in evidence.
Focus Financial Advisors firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Focus Financial Advisors
- Legal name
- Focus Financial Advisors
- Website
- https://focusfinancialadvisors.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Focus Financial Advisors is a fee-only, SEC-registered investment adviser founded in 1984 in Rockford, Illinois, delivering integrated financial planning and investment management to high-net-worth individuals and small business owners nationwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Focus Financial Advisors industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Financial Planning and Wealth Management
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fee-Only Advisory (FSAEAAAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Comprehensive Financial Planning (FSAEAAAA), Advisory Portfolio Management (Non-Discretionary) (FSAAABAD), Business Owner & Executive Financial Planning (FSAEAAAO)
Keywords
Where Focus Financial Advisors is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rockford
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Focus Financial Advisors business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Assets Under Management (AUM) Fees: Percentage-based fees on assets under management, ranging from 1.00% for accounts up to $500,000 down to negotiable rates for accounts over $5 million. Includes ongoing customized investment management, ongoing financial planning, and regular access to advisors.
- Flat Fee/Retainer: Flat fee arrangements for clients where circumstances dictate that a flat fee or retainer may be a better fit. Minimum quarterly fee of $1,250 ($5,000 annually). Particularly offered to small business owners whose assets may be tied up in their company.
- Financial Planning Only: Standalone financial planning services ranging from $3,500 to $15,000 or more depending on complexity. Minimum first year fee of $3,500. Fee predicated upon facts known at start of engagement.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Up to $500,000 AUM: 1.00% annual fee |
| Subscription | Annual | $500,001 to $1,000,000 AUM: 0.85% annual fee |
| Subscription | Annual | $1,000,001 to $5,000,000 AUM: 0.60% annual fee |
| Subscription | Annual | Over $5,000,000 AUM: Negotiable fee |
| Subscription | Quarterly | Flat Fee/Retainer: Minimum $1,250 quarterly ($5,000 annually) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Standalone Financial Planning: $3,500 to $15,000+ |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Focus Financial Advisors product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Focus Financial Advisors provides fee-only financial planning and investment management services to individuals and small business owners. Its Financial Planning offering covers retirement, Social Security, estate, tax, risk management, college, executive compensation, small business, and charitable planning, while its Investment Management offering builds diversified portfolios (strategic, tactical, and ESG) using ETFs, mutual funds, individual bonds, and stocks under a fiduciary, fee-only structure.
Product overview
Focus Financial Advisors is a fee-only financial planning and wealth management firm offering two core integrated services: Financial Planning and Investment Management. Their Financial Planning service provides comprehensive, personalized plans covering retirement, taxes, estate, risk management, and charitable giving. Their Investment Management service builds and maintains diversified portfolios using a fiduciary approach, offering strategic, tactical, and ESG portfolio options. Both services operate under a fee-only model where clients pay directly without commissions, ensuring unbiased recommendations aligned with client interests.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Financial Planning Comprehensive financial planning service covering retirement planning, Social Security optimization, estate planning, income tax planning, risk management, college planning, executive compensation, small business planning, and charitable planning. Delivered as a personalized, customized plan unique to each client's life goals, available as a standalone engagement or paired with investment management.
- Investment Management Portfolio building and management service offering strategic portfolios, tactical portfolios, and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) portfolios. Features a fee-only fiduciary approach with tax-efficient, diversified portfolios using ETFs, mutual funds, individual bonds, and stocks, with accounts held at custodians Schwab and Fidelity.
- Fee-Only Advisory Services Fee-only advisory engagement structure where the firm is paid directly by clients without commissions or third-party kickbacks. Includes AUM-based fees (1.00% up to $500K, 0.85% for $500K–$1M, 0.60% for $1M–$5M, negotiable above $5M), flat fee / retainer arrangements (minimum $1,250 quarterly), and standalone financial planning engagements from $3,500 to $15,000+.
Quantifiable outcome
- Accounts held with Schwab and Fidelity for security and oversight
Companies that use Focus Financial Advisors
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Focus Financial Advisors technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature1 record
Focus Financial Advisors partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Large Registered Investment AdvisorcorePartnership with another large Registered Investment Advisor provides Focus Financial with access to their investment team as well as financial planning expertise. This gives them resources of a larger firm while maintaining their boutique, personalized approach.
- Charles SchwabcoreAll client accounts are held with Schwab, a renowned custodian that holds investments and provides account statements and tax forms. Schwab provides advanced technology, security measures, oversight, and compliance.
- Fidelity InvestmentscoreAll client accounts are held with Fidelity, a renowned custodian that holds investments and provides account statements and tax forms. Fidelity provides advanced technology, security measures, oversight, and compliance.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights5 records
Focus Financial Advisors competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Buckingham Strategic Wealth: Fee-only RIA delivering financial planning and evidence-based investment management. Direct comparability on fee-only fiduciary model, HNW client focus, and integrated financial planning plus investment management offering.
- True Wealth Design: Boutique fee-only RIA offering financial planning and investment management with a recurring AUM model. Comparable boutique positioning, fee-only fiduciary commitment, and similar HNW client segment focus.
- Carson Wealth: Fee-only RIA offering holistic financial planning and wealth management to HNW households. Comparable business model (fee-only fiduciary, recurring AUM fees), similar service breadth (financial planning + investment management), and similar partnership-enabled scale model.
- Creative Planning: One of the largest fee-only RIAs in the U.S., offering comprehensive financial planning, investment management, and tax services to HNW clients. Directly comparable to Focus on fee-only fiduciary model, integrated CFP/CPA capabilities, and recurring AUM-based revenue model.
- Waldron Private Wealth: Boutique fee-only wealth management firm focused on HNW families and small business owners. Directly comparable on boutique service model, recurring AUM fees, comprehensive financial planning, and fiduciary positioning.
- Ballentine Partners: Boutique fee-only wealth management firm serving HNW individuals, families, and small business owners. Comparable on boutique positioning, fee-only fiduciary model, comprehensive financial planning, and integrated CPA-adjacent services.
- Mercer Advisors: Fee-only RIA providing comprehensive financial planning and investment management with a fiduciary model and recurring AUM-based fees. Highly comparable service offering, target HNW segment, and centralized partnership-driven model.
- Blankenship Financial Group: Boutique fee-only RIA offering financial planning and investment management. Comparable scale, fee-only fiduciary model, and HNW client focus; similar business model emphasizing personalized, recurring-fee advisory relationships.
Broad incumbents
- Raymond James Financial Services: Large diversified financial services firm offering wealth management, investment advisory, and financial planning through a broad advisor network. Comparable on HNW financial planning and investment management services but at vastly greater scale and via a commission-allowed (not fee-only) delivery model.
- Edward Jones: Nationwide wealth management franchise offering investment advisory and financial planning to mass-affluent and HNW clients. Comparable financial planning and investment management service set, but operates at scale with a hybrid commission/fee model rather than the boutique fee-only approach Focus specializes in.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Focus Financial Advisors social profiles
Digital presenceFocus Financial Advisors financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Focus Financial Advisors leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Focus Financial Advisors funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Focus Financial Advisors M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Focus Financial Advisors
What does Focus Financial Advisors do?
Focus Financial Advisors provides fee-only financial planning and investment management services to individuals and small business owners. Its Financial Planning offering covers retirement, Social Security, estate, tax, risk management, college, executive compensation, small business, and charitable planning, while its Investment Management offering builds diversified portfolios (strategic, tactical, and ESG) using ETFs, mutual funds, individual bonds, and stocks under a fiduciary, fee-only structure.
Is Focus Financial Advisors a public or private company?
Focus Financial Advisors is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Focus Financial Advisors founded?
Focus Financial Advisors was founded in 1984. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Focus Financial Advisors based?
Focus Financial Advisors is headquartered in Rockford, United States, in the North America region.
How does Focus Financial Advisors make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Assets Under Management (AUM) Fees are the primary driver. The others are flat Fee/Retainer and financial Planning Only.
Who are Focus Financial Advisors's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Buckingham Strategic Wealth, True Wealth Design, Carson Wealth, Creative Planning, Waldron Private Wealth, Ballentine Partners, Mercer Advisors and Blankenship Financial Group. Broad incumbents are Raymond James Financial Services and Edward Jones.
Does Focus Financial Advisors have an API?
No public API is recorded for Focus Financial Advisors.
What industry is Focus Financial Advisors in?
Focus Financial Advisors's product category is Financial Planning and Wealth Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAEAAAL, Fee-Only Advisory, with a secondary code of FSAEAAAA, Comprehensive Financial Planning.