What does Aspiriant do?
Aspiriant is a wealth management firm that provides personalized, hands-on financial guidance.
Founded in 2008, the firm serves as a financial partner to high-net-worth individuals and families, helping them manage their investments and plan for the future.
With a team of highly credentialed professionals, including CFAs, CFPs, and CPAs, spread across 10 U.S. locations, Aspiriant manages over $15 billion in client assets.
Their entire model is built around working directly with you to create a customized strategy that fits your unique financial situation and goals.
What services does Aspiriant offer?
Aspiriant combines investment management with comprehensive financial planning, and for its wealthiest clients, it offers a dedicated "family office" service.
Investment management
This is the core of their service.
An advisory team works with you to create a personalized investment plan.
You can choose to give them the authority to make trades on your behalf (discretionary) or require your approval for every decision (non-discretionary). They build portfolios using a wide range of investments, including:
- Mutual funds and ETFs
- Individual stocks and bonds
- Private investments that aren't available on the public market
Wealth planning and family office services
This is where the firm goes beyond just managing investments. T
heir planning services can cover every aspect of your financial life, including:
- Retirement, tax, and estate planning
- Charitable giving strategies
- Cash flow and net worth analysis
For ultra-high-net-worth families, they can act as a personal financial headquarters, coordinating everything from accounting and tax filing to family governance and educating the next generation about wealth.
What is their investment philosophy?
Aspiriant's investment approach starts with you.
They don't use a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, they begin by understanding your personal financial goals, your timeline, and your comfort level with risk.
From there, they build a portfolio designed to meet those objectives. They use their own long-term market forecasts to decide how to allocate your assets across different classes, like stocks, bonds, and real estate.
Most of the actual investments are implemented through third-party managers and funds that have been carefully vetted by the Aspiriant team.
What are the pros and cons of Aspiriant?
Aspiriant offers a deep, integrated service, but it's designed for a specific type of client. Here are the key trade-offs.
Pros of Aspiriant
- A personalized, advisor-led relationship: You work directly with a team of financial professionals who have a fiduciary duty to act in your best interest.
- An all-in-one financial solution: The firm can manage your investments, coordinate your taxes, and help with your estate plan, all under one roof.
- True family office capabilities: For those with substantial wealth, the firm can manage the entire administrative and strategic burden of their financial lives.
- Access to private investments: Aspiriant provides opportunities to invest in private companies and funds that aren't available to the general public.
Cons of Aspiriant
- A very high minimum fee: The firm charges a minimum annual advisory fee of $14,000, making it inaccessible for smaller investors.
- Fees on top of fees: If you invest in their recommended private offerings, you'll pay an additional 0.30% annual fee on top of your main advisory fee.
- Not for DIY investors: This is a full-service firm. It does not offer a robo-advisor or any self-directed investment platform.
- May be more than you need: The firm’s comprehensive services are designed for complexity. If you're looking for a simple, low-cost portfolio, this model is likely overkill.
Aspiriant fees: How much does Aspiriant cost?
Aspiriant’s fees are primarily based on the amount of assets they manage for you, and they are geared toward high-net-worth clients.
- Investment management fees: The annual fee is tiered, typically ranging from 0.85% to 0.20% as your assets increase. Crucially, there is a minimum annual fee of $14,000.
- Wealth planning and family office retainers: If you engage the firm for these services, they are typically billed as a separate retainer, which can range from $5,000 to $50,000 per year, or even more for highly complex situations.
- Additional fees: As mentioned, investing in their recommended private investment offerings incurs an additional 0.30% annual fee.
You will also be responsible for any other costs, such as brokerage commissions, custodian fees, and the internal expenses of any mutual funds or ETFs in your portfolio.
What is Aspiriant’s minimum account size?
While Aspiriant doesn't have a strict "account minimum," it does have a minimum annual advisory fee of $14,000.
This fee creates a practical minimum.
For example, at a 0.85% fee rate, you would need a portfolio of approximately $1.65 million just to meet the minimum fee. The firm itself states that it typically serves clients with portfolios of $1.5 million or more, clearly positioning it for high-net-worth households.
Who should choose Aspiriant?
Aspiriant is designed for wealthy individuals and families who want a deep, long-term partnership with an advisory firm to manage their entire financial world.
It could be a good fit if you:
- Are a high-net-worth individual or family: The service is built to handle the complexities that come with significant wealth.
- Want a "financial quarterback": If you want a single team to coordinate your investments, taxes, estate planning, and philanthropic goals, this firm is a strong choice.
- Have multi-generational wealth: The family office services are ideal for managing trusts, foundations, and preparing the next generation.
- Are interested in private investments: Access to private market opportunities is a key part of their offering.
It might not be the best choice if you:
- Are just starting to invest: The $14,000 minimum annual fee makes the service inaccessible for those with smaller portfolios.
- Want a simple, low-cost digital solution: Aspiriant is a traditional, high-touch firm, not a robo-advisor.
- Are a hands-on, DIY investor: The model is designed for delegation, not for those who want to manage their own trades.
Aspiriant: Is it secure?
Aspiriant is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and operates as a fiduciary, which legally obligates it to act in your best interest.
Your assets are not held by Aspiriant itself. They are held at a separate, qualified custodian (like a major brokerage firm), a key safety measure in the industry.
The firm also complies with federal privacy laws to safeguard your personal information.
Aspiriant: Customer service
Customer service is at the core of Aspiriant’s model.
You don't deal with a call center; you work directly with a dedicated team of financial professionals.
The service is built on personal relationships and direct communication.
With offices across the country, the firm is structured to provide ongoing, in-depth support for all of your financial needs.
Aspiriant: Mobile app
Yes, Aspiriant offers a secure client portal and mobile app called Aspiriant Connect.
The app allows you to view your portfolio information and access reports.
In line with their advisor-led model, it functions as a monitoring tool rather than a self-directed trading platform.
Is Aspiriant worth it?
For the right client, Aspiriant can be incredibly valuable.
If you have a complex financial life and want a dedicated team of experts to serve as your personal CFO, the firm's comprehensive, all-in-one service is hard to beat. The integration of investments, tax planning, and estate coordination is a powerful advantage.
However, this high-touch service comes with a premium price tag. The $14,000 minimum annual fee and layered costs make it suitable only for those with significant wealth. If you are looking for a trusted partner to manage every aspect of your financial world, and are comfortable with the cost, Aspiriant is definitely worth considering.
Get expert financial advice
If you're seeking professional financial advice, Unbiased can match you with a financial advisor who will help you manage your money and maximize your investments.