Financial Advisors Cost in Montreal (2026)
Quick Answer
Estimated rangeIn Montreal, the cost of a financial adviser varies mainly by how they charge: commission-only, a percentage of assets managed, or a separate planning fee. A realistic market estimate is about CAD 150-400 per hour for advice-only planning, roughly CAD 1,000-3,500 for a standalone financial plan, and around 0.75%-1.50% per year for ongoing portfolio management, with lower percentages often applying on larger portfolios.
Overview
In Montreal, financial advisers and planners are commonly paid in one of three ways: through commissions embedded in products, through an annual percentage fee on assets under management, or through direct planning fees charged hourly or by project. For consumers comparing costs, the biggest difference is between advice-only planning and full-service wealth management. Advice-only planners tend to charge a clear hourly or flat project fee, while portfolio managers and many investment advisers charge an annual percentage based on the amount invested. Quebec consumers should also note that titles and registration matter. In Quebec, the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) is the provincial regulator for many financial market participants, while planners using the title of financial planner (planificateur financier / Pl. Fin.) are linked to the Institut québécois de planification financière (IQPF). National registration information can also be checked through the Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Registration Search. Exact published pricing is often not displayed on provider websites, so many Montreal firms ask prospective clients to contact them for a quote or to discuss account minimums. Because of that limited public pricing, the figures here are best treated as realistic market ranges unless otherwise stated. Taxes may apply to fee-only planning invoices, while product-based and asset-based charges are often deducted from investments rather than paid as a separate bill.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Advice-only financial planning(per hour) Estimated range based on typical Canadian market rates for fee-only or advice-only financial planners serving major urban markets such as Montreal, where exact public pricing is often not posted. Estimated range | ~C$150 – C$400 | Estimated range |
| Standalone comprehensive financial plan(per project) Estimated range based on common Canadian flat-fee planning engagements covering retirement, tax, cash-flow, insurance and estate planning, adjusted for a large-city market. Estimated range | ~C$1,000 – C$3,500 | Estimated range |
| Ongoing portfolio management fee(percent of assets per year) Estimated range based on typical wealth-management and investment-advisory fee schedules in Canada; larger account sizes often receive lower percentage fees. Estimated range | ~C$0.75 – C$1.5 | Estimated range |
| Initial consultation(per consultation) Estimated range based on common practice in the Canadian advisory market, where many firms offer a free introductory meeting but some fee-only planners bill for the first session. Estimated range | ~C$0 – C$300 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Cash-flow and budgeting review
- Retirement planning
- Investment allocation guidance
- Tax-efficiency discussion
- Insurance needs review
- Estate and beneficiary planning overview
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
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Regulator / licensing: Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF); Institut québécois de planification financière (IQPF); Canadian Securities Administrators (National Registration Search)
Variants & Configurations
Duration
An introductory meeting is often 30-60 minutes; a full financial plan may take several meetings over 2-6 weeks depending on complexity.
How Fees Work
Typical structures in Montreal are hourly fees, fixed project fees for a financial plan, annual asset-based fees for investment management, or commissions embedded in financial products.
Factors Affecting Price
- Whether the adviser is commission-based, fee-only, or charges a percentage of assets under management
- Complexity of the client’s needs, such as business ownership, tax planning, estate planning, or retirement income modelling
- Size of the investment portfolio and whether the firm applies breakpoints that reduce percentage fees on larger accounts
- Professional designation and registration status, including whether the adviser is a financial planner, portfolio manager, or insurance-focused representative
- Scope of service, such as one-off planning versus ongoing monitoring, rebalancing and meetings
Local Context
In Montreal, quoted planning fees are generally discussed in Canadian dollars and may be subject to Quebec sales taxes when billed as professional services. Costs also differ by language of service, neighbourhood, and whether the adviser is part of a bank branch, an independent planning practice, or a private wealth firm. Tipping is not expected for financial advice.
These are data-informed estimate ranges, not confirmed prices.
Costs like this vary widely by job, location, timing and provider, so there is no single fixed price. The ranges here are based on typical market rates to give you a realistic ballpark. For an exact figure for your situation, get a quote or check the official source below.
All figures are in CAD; percentage-based fees are annual unless stated otherwise.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- Institut québécois de planification financière (IQPF) · industry
Industry body linked to the financial planner profession in Quebec and relevant to the Pl. Fin. designation.
- Canadian Securities Administrators - National Registration Search · official
Official registration lookup for investment advisers and firms in Canada.
- FP Canada - Find a Planner · industry
Professional body resource for locating credentialled planners in Canada; useful for comparing planner type, though not a pricing source.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do most financial advisers in Montreal charge?+
Most use either an annual percentage of assets under management, a direct planning fee charged hourly or by project, or commissions tied to products such as mutual funds or insurance. The charging model can materially affect total cost, so ask for a written explanation.
Is there usually a free first meeting?+
Often yes. Many advisers offer an introductory discussion at no charge, but some advice-only planners bill for the first consultation, especially if it includes tailored recommendations.
What is a normal annual percentage fee for investment management?+
A common estimated range is about 0.75% to 1.50% of assets per year, with around 1% often used as a rough benchmark for mid-sized portfolios. The percentage may fall as account size rises.
Are financial planners regulated in Quebec?+
Yes, parts of the market are regulated through Quebec’s AMF, and the financial planner title in Quebec is associated with the IQPF framework. Investment registration can also be checked through the national registration search used across Canada.
Do I pay GST or QST on financial planning fees in Montreal?+
Standalone professional planning fees may be taxable, while some investment-related charges are deducted within the account structure instead of being invoiced separately. Ask the adviser whether quoted fees are before or after applicable taxes.
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