Less than 3% of IFAs advertise as 'fee-based' online

Laura Miller
clock •

Consumers searching online for a fee-charging adviser may miss out as just 2.3% of IFAs advertise themselves as fee-based on their own websites, according to research.

Only 230 independent financial adviser (IFA) firms are actively describing their service as fee-based, out of a total of about 10,000 firms in UK, according to VouchedFor.co.uk. VouchedFor.co.uk built an algorithm to search the web to identify IFA websites and work out whether they were describing themselves as either fee-based or fee-only, before manually reviewing their results. Adam Price, founder of VouchedFor.co.uk, said the lack of explicit labels and key words to show how an IFA gets paid makes it hard for consumers to choose a fee-based adviser. "In the run-up to RDR, more ...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Technology

Adviser work-life balance worsens as hours increase

Adviser work-life balance worsens as hours increase

Almost a third work more than 40 hours a week

Isabel Baxter
clock 02 October 2026 • 2 min read
When compliance becomes abundant

When compliance becomes abundant

If you create the record, bank the benefit

Matt Lynch
clock 30 September 2026 • 6 min read
Compliant by design: Why assurance transcends compliance...

Compliant by design: Why assurance transcends compliance...

... and belongs embedded within the advice process

Brian Wagner
clock 29 September 2026 • 4 min read