Find SEBI-registered, fee-only financial advisors in Pune

A SEBI Registered Investment Adviser is licensed to give investment advice under SEBI's Investment Advisers Regulations. The important distinction is how the advisor is paid. A fee-only RIA is paid by you, not by a mutual fund, insurer, PMS provider, or bank.

That matters in Pune because many financial decisions are not product-selection problems. ESOP diversification, VRS evaluation, retirement income, NRI return planning, and family business liquidity need judgement before product choice. A commission-free advisor has fewer reasons to rush you into an investment product.

Fees vary by advisor and by the complexity of the work. Common models include:

• A fixed planning fee or retainer for a defined scope of work
• An AUM-based fee (typically 0.5–1% of assets advised per year)
• An hourly or project fee for a specific decision, such as VRS, ESOPs, or NRI return planning

Ask for the fee schedule in writing before you sign an engagement letter. The key point is that the advisor should not be earning hidden commissions from the products they recommend.

Foliyo checks the basics before listing or matching an advisor:

• SEBI RIA registration details
• Fee model and client agreement
• Whether the practice is genuinely fee-only
• Experience with the type of client being matched
• References or prior client feedback where available

You should still do your own checks. Verify the SEBI registration number, read the engagement terms, and ask how the advisor handles conflicts of interest.

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.

A fee-only advisor can help you put the full retirement picture in one place before you invest the lump sums. For defence retirees, that usually means:

• Pension, arrears, gratuity, PF, and any second-career income
• Monthly cash-flow after retirement, including dependants
• Health cover gaps after ECHS or employer coverage
• How much should stay liquid before the rest is invested

For tax treatment of arrears, pension, or gratuity, involve a chartered accountant as well. The advisor's role is to connect those tax facts to a practical investment and withdrawal plan.

Do not start by buying products. Start by getting the structure right:

• Confirm your residential tax status for the year of return
• Review NRE, NRO, resident, and RFC account requirements
• List foreign bank accounts, brokerage accounts, stock grants, and retirement accounts
• Coordinate Schedule FA and DTAA questions with a CA
• Decide what money must stay overseas, what should move to India, and what currency risk you are comfortable with

Once this is clear, investing the money becomes much easier. A fee-only advisor is useful here because the work is planning-heavy and often involves saying "wait" before saying "invest."

Treat a VRS offer as a retirement decision, not just a payout. Before accepting, work through:

• Tax on the VRS amount, gratuity, leave encashment, and PF
• Whether the post-tax corpus can support household expenses
• Health insurance after employer cover ends
• Whether you plan to work again, consult, or fully retire
• How much money should be kept safe for the first 2-3 years

A fee-only RIA can model the trade-offs without needing you to buy a product. Bring in a CA for the tax calculation before making a final decision.

The separation is overdue if:

• You cannot state your personal net worth without counting the business
• Your personal savings account doubles as a business float account
• Your retirement plan depends entirely on selling the company
• You hold business property personally without a clear rental or ownership arrangement
• Family expenses rise and fall with business cash flow

A fee-only advisor can help build a personal balance sheet, set a withdrawal or salary discipline, and invest family wealth outside the operating business. For company structure, GST, succession, or legal documentation, work with a CA, company secretary, or lawyer alongside the advisor.

There is no single standard fee. In practice, you will usually see one of these models:

• Fixed fee for a financial plan or one-time project
• Annual retainer for ongoing advice
• AUM-linked fee for portfolio monitoring and review
• Hourly consultation for a specific decision

A family with ESOPs, overseas assets, a business, or retirement income planning will usually need a broader engagement than someone who only wants a mutual fund portfolio review. Ask for the scope, fee, renewal terms, and exit terms in writing.

Start by checking the advisor's SEBI RIA registration number on SEBI's Intermediary Portal. Then ask for the client agreement, fee schedule, and a clear explanation of whether the advisor or any related entity earns commissions.

For Pune specifically, also ask whether the advisor has worked with situations like yours: ESOPs, VRS, retirement income, returning NRI assets, family business wealth, or straightforward salary-and-SIP planning.

Foliyo's directory is meant to shorten the shortlist. It is still worth doing a 30-minute intro call and checking whether the advisor explains trade-offs clearly before you commit.