Founded in 2002 and headquartered in California, the firm has grown into one of the nation’s largest independent RIA firms, helping institutions and high-net-worth clients via offices nationwide.
Beacon Pointe Advisors offers comprehensive, fiduciary-based advice that integrates investment management with long-term planning needs, such as retirement, estate planning, taxes, and philanthropy.
The firm’s allWEALTH services combines personalized portfolio design with broader financial life management, supported by dedicated advisory teams.
For institutional clients, the firm provides fiduciary consulting and investment advice, and education to help sponsors meet oversight obligations.
Rather than selling proprietary products, Beacon Pointe Advisors uses a fee-only model, using various investment managers and strategies to tailor portfolios to each client’s goals and risk appetite.
The firm has roughly $49 billion in assets under advisement (AUA) and is the largest female-led RIA in the US.
What are the pros and cons of Beacon Pointe Advisors?
Beacon Pointe Advisors combines fiduciary financial planning with nationwide advisor access, making it ideal for high-net-worth clients and institutions seeking personalized wealth management.
Its strengths include comprehensive service coverage, a client-first fiduciary standard, and expertise in individual and institutional investment consulting.
However, investors looking for low-cost digital automation or more transparent fees may find its model less convenient.
The pros of Beacon Pointe Advisors
Fiduciary, fee-based structure: As an RIA, Beacon Pointe Advisors has a fiduciary duty and does not sell proprietary investment products. Fees are based on assets under management (AUM) rather than commission, aligning the firm’s incentives with client outcomes.
Holistic financial planning: Through its allWEALTH framework, the firm integrates investment management with retirement, taxes, estate planning, insurance, and philanthropic planning to address a client’s full financial picture.
Institutional and retirement plan expertise: Beacon Pointe Advisors serves institutional clients such as endowments, foundations, and defined contribution plans, offering fiduciary oversight and education.
National reach with local teams: With offices across the country, clients can get personalized, in-person advice supported by the resources and research capabilities of a large RIA firm.
Female-led leadership and industry recognition: Beacon Pointe Advisors is the largest female-led RIA in the US and ranks among the nation’s top advisory firms according to Financial Advisor Magazine.
The cons of Beacon Pointe Advisors
Higher account thresholds: The firm primarily serves high-net-worth and institutional clients, so its comprehensive service model may not be accessible to investors with smaller portfolios or those seeking entry-level investment services.
Limited fee visibility online: While the firm discloses its advisory fees in regulatory filings, pricing and minimum investment requirements are not prominent on its website.
Potential conflicts of interest: Some advisors sell insurance products and may receive commission for doing so. While Beacon Pointe Advisors discloses this and maintains its fiduciary obligations, there may be potential conflicts of interest due to insurance-related compensation.
Beacon Pointe Advisors stands out for its fiduciary model, holistic planning, and institutional expertise, appealing to affluent clients who value human-driven and customized advice.
However, investors seeking lower fees, digital automation, or fee-only financial services should review potential conflicts and fees beforehand.
Beacon Pointe Advisors fees: How much does it cost?
Beacon Pointe Advisors’ fees vary by service type but generally range from 0.5% to 1.5% of assets under management (AUM) for standard advisory accounts. The firm also charges retainer, project-based, and hourly consulting fees for additional services. Overall, its pricing aligns with other full-service fiduciary wealth management firms.
The table below provides a simplified breakdown of Beacon Pointe Advisors’ main fee types.
| Service type | Fee range / structure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Asset management | 0.5%–1.5% of AUM (advisory) • 0.5%–2% (wrap) | Asset-based, billed quarterly; excludes fund and custodian costs. |
| Ongoing consulting (retainer) | 0.08%–0.5% of plan assets or assets under supervision | Tiered, negotiated fees for ongoing consulting or fiduciary oversight. |
| Project-based consulting | Fixed fee, usually $25,000+ | For one-off or specialized consulting projects. |
| Consulting / educational services | $350–$500 per hour | Ad-hoc advisory or educational sessions; may be fixed-fee. |
| Other costs | Variable | Includes fund expense ratios, trading, and custodial fees (paid to third parties). |
Beacon Pointe Advisors follows a traditional fiduciary RIA model with flexible and negotiable pricing tiers. Advisory clients typically pay between 0.5% and 1.5% of AUM. Consulting services include a mix of retainer-based and project fees, as well as hourly billing.
What is Beacon Pointe Advisors’ minimum account size?
Beacon Pointe Advisors primarily serves high-net-worth individuals, families, and institutional investors, so its account minimums are higher than those of many automated and retail investing platforms.
The typical minimum account size for private-client advisory services is $1 million. This may be reduced or waived at the firm’s discretion, depending on the scope of services and assets. The firm also applies a minimum quarterly advisory fee of $1,250, which may be waived in certain situations.
Institutional clients, such as endowments, foundations, and corporate retirement plans, generally have substantially larger portfolios. The account minimums in these cases are decided through negotiations based on the plan size and fiduciary requirements.
For consulting services, there is no fixed asset minimum, but project fees typically start at $25,000, reflecting the scope and complexity of each engagement.
| Service type | Minimum investment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private client advisory (wealth management) | $1 million. | Standard threshold for personalized, advisor-led portfolios; subject to a $1,250 quarterly minimum fee. This may be waived. |
| Institutional and retirement plan consulting | Varies by mandate. | Negotiated individually, typically for larger portfolios. |
| Consulting services (project/retainer/hourly) | No minimum (typical project fee is $25,000). | Based on required services and complexity. |
Beacon Pointe’s account minimums reflect its focus on personalized, advisor-driven wealth management. The firm’s structure is ideal for affluent clients and institutions seeking ongoing, fiduciary guidance, while project-based consulting offers flexibility for specialized services outside traditional asset management.
Who should choose Beacon Pointe Advisors?
Beacon Pointe Advisors is best suited for investors who value personalized, advisor-led financial planning and fiduciary oversight rather than automated investing.
Its comprehensive approach, which covers portfolio management, estate coordination, tax planning, and philanthropy, is suitable for clients seeking a long-term advisory relationship.
Beacon Pointe Advisors works well for:
High-net-worth individuals and families: Those with substantial assets who want a dedicated advisor team managing their investments, retirement strategies, and legacy planning.
Institutional investors: Endowments, foundations, and retirement plan sponsors requiring fiduciary support, investment policy design, and participant education.
Professionals seeking holistic wealth management: Clients who prefer a single firm to integrate investment, tax, and estate considerations in one coordinated plan.
Clients who value fiduciary advice: Beacon Pointe’s RIA structure, which is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), ensures advisors act solely in clients’ best interests instead of earning commissions from product sales.
Investors seeking stability and scale: With a nationwide reach and over $49 billion in assets under advisement, Beacon Pointe Advisors has the resources of a large firm with local services.
Beacon Pointe Advisors may not be suitable for:
Investors with smaller portfolios: The $1 million minimum and quarterly minimum fee mean its services are inaccessible to new investors or those with smaller portfolios.
DIY or tech-focused investors: Beacon Pointe doesn’t offer a DIY platform or automated trading tools available with robo-advisor firms.
Clients seeking flat, transparent digital pricing: Fees are negotiated individually, and specific costs are detailed in client agreements instead of on its website.
Beacon Pointe Advisors: Is it secure?
Yes, Beacon Pointe Advisors is a secure and regulated firm. It is registered with the SEC as an investment advisor, so it operates under fiduciary standards and must act in clients’ best interest.
Clients’ assets are not held directly by the firm but through independent, SEC-registered custodians such as Charles Schwab, Fidelity Investments, and Pershing.
These custodians offer institutional-level safekeeping and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) protection of up to $500,000 per account (including $250,000 for cash) against broker insolvency, but not market losses.
Beacon Pointe Advisors uses encrypted systems, secure data transmission, and restricted access to client information. The custodian platforms use multi-factor authentication and secure client portals for documents.
While no system is entirely risk-free, Beacon Pointe’s independent custodianship, regulatory oversight, and standard cybersecurity controls are consistent with leading fiduciary wealth management practices.
Beacon Pointe Advisors: Customer service
Beacon Pointe Advisors provides a personalized, advisor-led service rather than centralized call-center support. Clients work directly with dedicated advisory teams for ongoing communication, portfolio reviews, and financial planning. Meetings are available in person or virtually through the firm’s nationwide offices, with contact by phone or email.
This relationship-based model suits high-net-worth and institutional clients seeking consistent, long-term advisor access. However, there’s no 24/7 live chat or general helpline, and response times vary by advisory team.
Beacon Pointe Advisors: Mobile app
Beacon Pointe Advisors offers a mobile app and online portal for portfolio tracking and financial planning. Available on iOS and Android, it provides performance dashboards, document sharing, and collaboration tools through the firm’s allWEALTH platform.
While it doesn’t support direct trading (as custody is handled by firms like Schwab, Fidelity, and Pershing), the app focuses on secure account access, document management, and visibility — reflecting the firm’s fiduciary, relationship-driven approach.
Is Beacon Pointe Advisors worth it?
Whether Beacon Pointe Advisors is worth it depends on your goals and investing style.
The firm suits clients seeking personalized, fiduciary advice and long-term planning across investments, taxes, and estate strategies. Its advisor-led model offers high-touch service for affluent investors.
However, Beacon Pointe may be less suitable for those wanting low-cost automation, DIY tools, or transparent flat pricing, as fees are negotiated individually and minimums can be high.
Alternatives include Mercer Advisors for integrated tax and estate planning, Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch for broader institutional resources, and Goldman Sachs or UBS Wealth Management for private banking and ultra-high-net-worth expertise.
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