Plain-English guides to financial advisors
What advisors charge, how they work, and what their SEC filings actually say. Written for people choosing an advisor, with a separate shelf for advisors.
Start here
Three short reads, in order. They cover most of what people ask before they hire an advisor.
Understand the advisor before you hire
Every guide explains a term or a choice, then shows where to check it in the firm’s own filings.
Fees and costs
What advisors charge, what a fee covers, and where to read it in the filings.
How advisors work
Account minimums, who makes the trades, who holds your money, and what registration labels mean.
From the SEC data
Original counts from the Form ADV filings of SEC-registered firms, with the method shown in each post.
Guides for advisory firms
Practical, compliance-aware guides for firms listed on Advisable.
Advisor guides
For advisory firms: getting found online, your public profile, and marketing basics.
Ready to look up a firm?
Search the directory of investment advisor firms that file with the SEC.