The firm operates through Plante Moran Wealth Management, which provides integrated advisory, trust, insurance, and financial planning services.
PMFA takes a goals-based, holistic approach to wealth management.
It offers a wide range of tailored services, including:
Investment advisory
Financial planning
Tax planning
Estate and trust services
Insurance solutions
Business-transition strategies
Family-legacy
Family-office services
As a registered investment advisor (RIA), PMFA operates under a fiduciary standard. This means they must act in the clients’ best interests.
The team currently comprises over 250 professionals.
What are the pros and cons of Plante Moran Financial Advisors?
Plante Moran Financial Advisors combines personalized, advisor-led planning with broad expertise across investments, tax, estate, and retirement.
The firm is built around long-term relationships and fiduciary guidance, aiming to help clients coordinate all aspects of their financial life under one advisory structure.
Below are some of the main pros and cons associated with PMFA.
Pros of Plante Moran Financial Advisors
Comprehensive approach: The firm offers end-to-end advisory services encompassing investment management, financial planning, estate and trust administration, retirement planning, and insurance review. This integrated structure allows clients to align personal and business finances under a unified plan.
Fiduciary: As a registered investment adviser, Plante Moran Financial Advisors operates under a fiduciary obligation to act in the best interests of its clients, providing objective and transparent advice without commissions or product sales incentives.
Multi-disciplinary team: Clients gain access to more than 250 professionals with expertise in tax, investments, trust, and estate planning, offering a coordinated perspective across complex financial areas.
Personalized, advisor-led service: Each client works with a dedicated advisory team that tailors strategies to individual goals and family circumstances rather than relying on automated or pre-set investment models.
Cons of Plante Moran Financial Advisors
Higher cost structure: As the firm’s services are advisor-led and resource-intensive, overall costs may be higher than those of automated or digital investment platforms.
Less emphasis on automation: Portfolio management appears to rely on professional judgment and personalized advice, with limited mention of algorithm-driven or automated investing tools.
Plante Moran Financial Advisors fees: How much does Plante Moran Financial Advisors cost?
Plante Moran Financial Advisors typically charges between 1.00% and 0.30% of assets under management (AUM), depending on portfolio size. Fees decrease as assets increase, reflecting a tiered pricing structure designed to reward larger accounts.
The firm bases its annual advisory fee on the fair market value of client assets, billed quarterly in arrears. Below is a breakdown of the standard annual fee schedule:
1.00% on the first $2 million
0.80% on the next $3 million
0.60% on the next $5 million
0.40% on the next $15 million
0.30% on assets over $25 million.
This structure ensures that clients with larger portfolios benefit from lower marginal rates while receiving the same advisor-led financial planning and investment management services.
What is Plante Moran Financial Advisors’ minimum account size?
Plante Moran Financial Advisors requires a minimum annual advisory fee of $5,000, which generally corresponds to portfolios starting around $500,000 or more. This threshold reflects the firm’s focus on clients seeking comprehensive, full-service wealth management rather than entry-level investment accounts.
The minimum fee and tiered pricing structure indicate that the firm primarily serves clients with complex financial needs who value hands-on, advisor-led guidance. While this approach offers access to integrated financial, tax, and estate planning, it may be less suitable for smaller investors or those seeking low-cost, self-directed solutions.
Who should choose Plante Moran Financial Advisors?
Plante Moran Financial Advisors is best suited for clients who want comprehensive, advisor-led wealth management that connects investments with tax, estate, and financial planning.
It appeals to those seeking long-term partnerships with professionals who can coordinate every aspect of their financial life rather than relying on automated or self-directed tools.
Plante Moran Financial Advisors works well for:
Individuals and families: Clients looking for an integrated approach that combines investment management with retirement, trust, and estate planning.
Business owners: Those who need expert support with business succession, liquidity planning, and aligning company value with personal wealth goals.
Institutions and nonprofits: Organizations requiring fiduciary investment oversight, portfolio strategy, and governance guidance to fulfill long-term objectives.
Retirement plan sponsors: Employers seeking advisory assistance for corporate retirement plans, including plan design, investment selection, and fiduciary compliance.
Clients seeking continuity and trust: Those who value a consistent relationship with advisors who understand their full financial picture and provide personalized guidance over time.
Plante Moran Financial Advisors might not work as well for:
Smaller investors: Accounts under $500,000 are subject to a $5,000 minimum annual fee, which may lead to higher relative costs compared to digital platforms.
Self-directed investors: Those who prefer to make independent investment decisions may find limited flexibility under a full-service advisory model.
Technology-driven users: The firm focuses on personal relationships and professional oversight rather than algorithm-based or app-driven investing platforms.
Plante Moran Financial Advisors: Is it secure?
Plante Moran Financial Advisors is considered a secure and regulated provider of wealth management services.
The firm is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and operates under a fiduciary duty, which legally requires it to act in the best interests of its clients.
Client assets are held with qualified third-party custodians that are subject to federal oversight and industry-standard custody regulations. This arrangement ensures that client funds are kept separate from the firm’s operating accounts and are protected from potential misuse.
While no financial system can guarantee complete protection against all risks, PMFAs’ regulatory registration, fiduciary obligations, and comprehensive privacy and security policies align with industry standards for client and data protection.
Plante Moran Financial Advisors: Customer service
Plante Moran Financial Advisors offers advisor-led client service, built on accessibility, continuity, and personalized communication.
Each client works with a dedicated advisory team that manages both investment and financial planning needs, creating a consistent point of contact rather than a call-center structure.
Clients can reach their advisory teams directly by phone or email, or schedule in-person meetings for more detailed discussions. This local-office model combines personal service with access to the firm’s national network of specialists.
Beyond one-to-one advisor communication, Plante Moran also supports clients through educational events and webinars that cover topics such as wealth management, financial planning, and tax and business issues.
Is Plante Moran Financial Advisors worth it?
Whether Cornerstone Wealth Management is worth it depends on the client’s needs and preferences. For those seeking personalized, advisor-led financial planning and investment management, the firm provides tailored strategies and long-term guidance.
However, investors focused on lower fees or digital convenience may compare Cornerstone with firms such as Vanguard Personal Advisor Services, Fisher Investments, or Facet Wealth, which offer varying degrees of automation, accessibility, and cost efficiency. Cornerstone’s model is best suited for clients who value direct advisor relationships and customized planning over fully automated or self-directed investing.
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