About Fee-Only Advisors
Why should Noida investors check SEBI RIA registration?
SEBI RIA registration is the first filter for paid investment advice. In Noida, that advice may involve RSUs, multiple home loans, private-sector benefits, or business cash flow, so it is important to know whether the advisor is being paid by you or by product distribution.
How much does a fee-only advisor charge?
Fee structures vary by advisor and complexity of your financial situation. Common models include:
- A flat annual retainer (typically ₹60,000 – ₹5,00,000+ depending on scope)
- An AUM-based fee (typically 0.5–1% of assets advised per year)
- A fixed project fee for one-time plans or specific decision support
In all cases, the fee is transparent, agreed upon before engagement, and paid directly by you. Matched advisors will clearly explain their fee structure in the introductory call.
How are advisors vetted before being listed?
Every advisor in the Foliyo directory goes through a multi-step verification process:
- SEBI RIA registration is verified directly on the SEBI website
- The client engagement agreement and fee schedule are reviewed
- A reference call is conducted with one or two existing clients
- A structured interview covers process, philosophy, and handling of conflicts
- The advisor's specialisation is assessed against the needs of users on the platform
Roughly 60% of advisors who apply are declined. Listing on Foliyo is a due-diligence shortlist — not an endorsement or a performance guarantee.
I already have a distributor managing my investments. Can I still use Foliyo?
Absolutely. Many users come to Foliyo while still working with a distributor. A fee-only RIA can work alongside your existing setup, provide a second opinion, help you transition gradually, or take over comprehensive planning. The introductory call is a good place to discuss your current situation and what a transition might look like — there is no obligation to make immediate changes.
Noida-Specific Questions
I work at a Noida MNC and receive foreign RSUs. What should my plan cover?
Your advisor should help decide how much employer stock risk is sensible, when to sell, and how proceeds fit into goals such as a home loan, retirement, or children's education.
RSUs also need tax coordination: perquisite tax at vesting, capital gains at sale, foreign-asset disclosure, and repatriation paperwork where relevant. Keep a CA involved for filing and reporting.
My spouse and I both earn well but have three active home loans across NCR — can a fee-only RIA review our leverage?
Yes. The review should start with total EMI, remaining tenure, interest rates, rental income if any, and what happens if one income or bonus falls. That gives a better answer than looking at each loan separately.
A fee-only advisor can then compare prepayment, refinancing, keeping more liquidity, or investing outside property. The point is to avoid letting NCR real estate decide every other family goal.
I recently moved from a government job to a private company in Noida — what changes to my financial plan?
Recheck pension assumptions, EPF/NPS contributions, employer medical cover, tax deductions, and insurance. A private-sector CTC may look higher but shift more responsibility to you.
A fee-only advisor can rebuild the plan around the new salary, benefits, and risk profile: emergency fund, health cover, retirement savings, and investments outside employer-linked benefits.
Most of my Noida colleagues invest through their bank relationship manager — what am I missing?
You may be missing an independent review. A bank RM can help execute bank products, but their menu is usually shaped by the bank's products and targets.
A fee-only advisor can check whether your insurance, mutual funds, deposits, and loans still fit your goals. The first useful output is often a keep/change/exit list, not a new investment.
How do I find a fee-only advisor who understands both Delhi NCR real estate and equity markets?
Look for someone who can model the full balance sheet: home value, loans, rental income, equity, debt, insurance, and cash flow. They do not need to be a real estate broker.
Ask how they handle property-heavy NCR portfolios and whether they can compare loan prepayment, fresh investing, and liquidity needs in one plan. Verify SEBI RIA registration before engaging.
I run a small export unit in Noida's industrial sector — should my personal RIA and my CA be the same person?
Usually, no. Your CA should handle accounting, tax, FEMA, GST, and export incentives. Your RIA should handle personal financial planning and investments.
The two should coordinate where business distributions, personal guarantees, or pledged assets affect the family plan. Keeping roles separate usually makes the advice cleaner.