Fee Transparency
We are fee-only advisors. Our only revenue is the fee we agree on with you. No commissions. No referral fees. No compensation from any product provider. This page explains exactly how we are paid — and why it matters.
Three fee structures
Assets Under Management
HOW IT WORKS
An annual percentage of the assets we actively manage, billed quarterly in arrears.
BEST FOR
Clients primarily seeking investment management alongside ongoing financial planning.
Typically 0.50–0.75% annually for relationships above $5M. Tiered discounts apply at $10M, $25M, and $50M thresholds.
Retainer
Flat Annual Retainer
HOW IT WORKS
A fixed annual fee agreed at engagement, covering all advisory services regardless of portfolio size or activity.
BEST FOR
Clients where planning complexity is significant relative to investable assets — e.g., pre-liquidity event, business owner, or complex estate.
Retainer is negotiated based on scope. Converts to AUM model once the portfolio is transferred to management.
Project
Project / One-Time
HOW IT WORKS
A fixed fee for a defined deliverable: comprehensive financial plan, liquidity event analysis, or estate plan review.
BEST FOR
Prospective clients who want to experience our work before committing to an ongoing advisory relationship.
Project fee is credited toward the first year of an ongoing engagement if you proceed within 90 days of delivery.
We do not sell mutual funds, annuities, insurance products, or any investment vehicle that generates a commission. If we ever recommend a product that generates any third-party compensation — including trailing commissions — we will disclose it in writing before you make any decision. In practice, this does not happen at Kubhera.
Kubhera vs the industry
Factor
Kubhera
Typical Advisor
Annual management fee
- 0.50–0.75% (AUM) or flat retainer
- 1.0–1.5% (AUM)
Commissions on products sold
- Never
- Common — often embedded in product costs
Referral fees from third parties
- Never accepted
- Common — often undisclosed
12b-1 / trail commissions
- Never
- Common in fund-based models
Financial plan fee
- Included in ongoing retainer / AUM fee
- Often $2,000–$5,000 extra
Fiduciary obligation
- Always — legally required
- Suitability standard (lower bar)
Transparency of total cost
- Full disclosure, written before engagement
- Varies — often opaque
Common questions about fees
Is there a minimum account size?
For AUM relationships, we generally work with clients who have at least $3M in investable assets. For project or retainer engagements, there is no minimum — the fee reflects scope, not asset size.
Are fees tax-deductible?
Investment advisory fees are generally no longer deductible for federal purposes after the 2017 tax reform. Fees related to business entities may still be deductible. We recommend confirming with your CPA.
Can I see the fee in writing before signing?
Yes — always. Our Investment Advisory Agreement (IAA) specifies every fee clearly. You will never pay anything not disclosed and agreed upon in writing before engagement.
What does 'fee-only' actually mean?
It means our only revenue comes from you — the client. We receive no payments from fund companies, insurance providers, or anyone else. This eliminates the most common conflicts of interest in financial advice.
Have a specific fee question?
We will explain exactly what your engagement would cost before any commitment.