Cerity Partners financial advisors: what are the pros and cons? 

1 min read by Unbiased team Last updated November 27, 2024

Get a comprehensive overview of Cerity Partners and their financial services, fees, tech, and customer service while weighing its pros and cons.

Summary 

  • Cerity Partners LLC is a fiduciary, meaning the firm offers objective advice free of conflict of interest. 

  • They manage over $75 billion in client assets and offer products for individuals, married partners, businesses, and non-profit organizations. 

  • Barron's recognizes Cerity Partners as one of the top RIAs in the US for four consecutive years. 

  • Unbiased can match you with an SEC-registered financial advisor for expert financial advice. 

Cerity Partners financial advisors: who are they? 

Cerity Partners LLC is a wealth management firm with locations in 16 states of the US.  

The firm offers various financial wealth management services and prides itself on objectivity.  

Cerity Partners provides access to advisors who adhere to global fiduciary standards, meaning they give objective and conflict-free advice. 

What does Cerity Partners do? 

Cerity's wide range of financial services is designed to help you achieve your financial goals. They cater to a broad market, and their services include: 

  • Wealth management 

  • Financial planning 

  • Retirement planning 

  • Tax strategies 

  • Estate and gift planning 

If you're a business owner, Cerity Partners offers assistance with corporate retirement plans and employee benefits consulting.  

The firm adopts a holistic approach when assessing your financial needs, so it can offer tailored advice that helps you ensure all your bases are covered. 

What are the pros and cons of Cerity Partners? 

Carefully considering and selecting a financial advisor is essential; weighing the pros and cons can aid your decision-making process.  

Here's a quick overview to help you decide if Cerity Partners is the right fit for you.  

Pros of Cerity: 

  • Cerity advisors create custom financial plans for their clients. 

  • The firm offers a generous range of services, from wealth management and tax planning. 

  • Cerity Partners advisors adhere to international fiduciary standards, meaning they don't recommend products to earn a commission. 

Cons of Cerity: 

  • Cerity Partners fees may incur higher costs compared to competitors because of the holistic and personalized service. 

  • The firm's approach may not be ideal for those with simpler financial needs. 

  • Cerity Partner's technology offerings are less robust and cutting-edge than those of its competitors. 

What financial services do Cerity Partners offer? 

Cerity Partners LLC's broad range of financial services helps you manage and grow wealth.  

These services include wealth management, where they tailor portfolios to your goals and risk tolerance. 

If you're planning for retirement, Cerity offers comprehensive retirement planning to ensure you have a solid strategy in place. They also provide tax planning services, guiding you through the intricacies of complex tax situations and minimizing your liabilities. 

For those concerned with estate matters and gift-giving, Cerity Partner's estate planning services help protect your assets and ensure they're distributed according to your wishes.  

What fees do Cerity Partners charge? 

Cerity Partners' fees vary according to the service.  

For instance, they charge fixed, asset-based, and hourly fees. The investment advisory and wealth management fees start at 1.50% of assets under management (AUM), meaning the more significant the asset, the higher the fee.  

While this is common in the wealth management industry, it is still something to be aware of. 

Some of these fees may be negotiable under certain conditions. It’s wise to discuss them upfront during a consultation to have a clear understanding of the costs, services, and packages. 

What technology do Cerity Partners use? 

Cerity Partners LLC leverages technology to streamline its financial services but primarily focuses on a personalized approach.  

While its tech is less cutting-edge than a robo-advisor, it offers Cerity Partners careers and client portals.  

Client portals allow you to view your portfolio and track its performance, allowing you to stay informed.  

The firm uses financial planning software to model scenarios and help you visualize your financial prospects.  

Cerity Partners ensures the tech they use supports their mission of providing tailored, client-focused advice. Combining human expertise and technology can be a strong asset for managing your finances. 

Cerity Partners security: is it secure? 

Security is a top priority at Cerity Partners, and they take several measures to protect your financial information.  

The firm uses industry-standard encryption to ensure your data is safe when you access your accounts online. Additionally, they implement multi-factor authentication to add an extra security layer when you log in. 

Cerity Partners also focuses on compliance with financial regulations to protect your assets. They conform to strict guidelines set by monetary authorities, ensuring your investments and transactions are handled carefully and transparently. 

Do Cerity Partners have good customer service? 

When choosing a financial advisor, reviews can be a helpful way to gauge a company's reputation.  

Cerity Partners reviews often highlight their helpful customer service, client-centered approach, and team expertise.  

Clients also appreciate the personalized attention they get from their advisors, who are usually praised for being attentive and responsive. 

While most clients report good service, some reviews mention delays in communication. 

Get expert financial advice  

Cerity Partners LLC offers a mix of personalized service, comprehensive offerings, and experienced advisors.  

They provide a variety of financial services to meet your needs.  

For expert financial advice, let Unbiased match you with a financial advisor or fiduciary who can guide you through your financial journey.  

Writers

Unbiased team

Our team of writers, who have decades of experience writing about personal finance, including investing and retirement, are here to help you find out what you must know about life’s biggest financial decisions.