An assets-under-management fee is a percentage of the portfolio the advisor manages. At a constant $1 million balance, 1% is $10,000 annually before other expenses. Actual billing can use periodic balances and tiered rates.

Can a flat fee change?

Yes. It is a stated dollar amount rather than a percentage of assets, but renewal prices or service scope can change. This model holds both fee schedules constant.

How is the first-year break-even calculated?

The model charges fees after annual growth. Starting break-even balance equals the flat fee divided by the AUM rate and by one plus the assumed return. It is the starting balance at which modeled first-year fees match.

What does this calculator assume?

A 6% annual return before fees under both models, over 20 years, compared against Nino’s Essential plan at $3,600 a year. Each year the model applies the return, then deducts the AUM percentage or the flat fee from that post-return balance. It does not model taxes, new contributions, withdrawals, tiered AUM rates or fund expenses, so your actual cost depends on the advisor’s fee schedule and what the fee includes.

Does the cheaper fee buy equivalent service?

Not necessarily. Check investment management, tax preparation, planning, access and outside expenses. This calculator compares costs at equal assumed returns; it does not value services or predict investment performance.

AUM vs Flat-Fee Calculator

Compare a percentage-based advisor fee with a flat annual fee, and see total fees and projected balances over time.

Your portfolio and fee

Portfolio balance

$

AUM fee

%

Extra paid with the AUM fee

$276,285

AUM fees

$348,285

Flat fees

$72,000

Flat fee ends ahead by

$451,569

Total fees paid to advisor

Before choosing a fee model

Compare the quoted price, the services included, and the years you expect to use them.

Use the actual fee schedule

Enter your quote. Tiered rates, quarterly billing, fund expenses and custody charges can differ from this annual model.
Compare the same work

Software access, a financial plan, tax filing and ongoing portfolio management are separate services. List what each fee includes.
Look past the first year

Review both total fees and ending balances over 20 years. Money paid in fees also stops compounding; neither outcome is a return forecast.

What the comparison tells you

Each year, both portfolios earn the same assumed return before one pays an asset-based fee and the other a flat amount. On a smaller balance, a percentage fee can cost less; on a larger balance, a flat fee can cost less. Actual scope and pricing still matter.

Nino offers AI software on its own or software with financial and tax services. The calculator compares against the Essential plan, Nino's entry advisor plan; see current plans and pricing for the others.

Frequently asked questions

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AUM vs Flat-Fee Calculator

Total fees paid to advisor

Before choosing a fee model

Use the actual fee schedule

Compare the same work

Look past the first year

What the comparison tells you

Frequently asked questions

What is an AUM fee?+

Can a flat fee change?+

How is the first-year break-even calculated?+

What does this calculator assume?+

Does the cheaper fee buy equivalent service?+

Tax and financial planning in one place