Guides › Financial Advisor Fees
Updated October 3, 2026. Quick answer: Cambridge Investment Research has the lower published fee at $500,000: up to $11,250 a year (the published maximum, which the firm says is negotiable), versus up to $15,000 a year (the published maximum) for Lincoln Financial Advisors, computed from each firm’s own SEC-filed fee disclosure. Where a firm publishes only a maximum rate, the figure shown is that maximum, and what you pay may be lower. See the full side-by-side table below for $250,000, $1 million and $2 million.
What each firm charges, side by side
| Account balance | Cambridge Investment Research (annual fee) | Lincoln Financial Advisors (annual fee) |
|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | Up to $5,625 | Up to $7,500 |
| $500,000 | Up to $11,250 | Up to $15,000 |
| $1,000,000 | Up to $22,500 | Up to $30,000 |
| $2,000,000 | Up to $45,000 | Up to $60,000 |
Cambridge Investment Research discloses a published maximum rate of 2.25%, which the firm says is negotiable (Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. Form ADV Part 2A Disclosure Brochure, July 2026); Lincoln Financial Advisors discloses a published maximum rate of 3.0% (Osaic FA, Inc. Premier Series Wealth Management Program, Form ADV Part 2A, Appendix 1 (Wrap Fee Program Brochure), October 1, 2024).
What the fee includes, in each firm’s own words
Cambridge Investment Research (Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. Form ADV Part 2A Disclosure Brochure, July 2026): “The investment advisory fee for accounts managed through the Cambridge Managed Account Platform (“CMAP”) is based on the amount of assets under management, including cash balances deposited in a Federal Deposit Insured Corporation (“FDIC”) insured multi bank program (“Program”). … The investment advisory fee is negotiable and is subject to discounts on a Financial Professional-by-Financial Professional, client-by-client, or account-by-account basis. … The maximum allowable advisory fee that can be charged will not exceed 2.25% of assets under management on an annual basis.” Maximum annual advisory fee (Cambridge Managed Account Platform, Flexible Managed Account Platform, WealthPort Advisor-directed / Team-directed): 2.25%; Maximum annual advisory fee (WealthPort CAAP / UMA programs): 2.15%.
CIRA’s Form ADV does not publish one fixed rate schedule. Advisory fees on its primary managed-account platforms (CMAP, FlexMAP, WealthPort Advisor-directed/Team-directed) are individually negotiated between the client and Financial Professional, subject to a disclosed maximum of 2.25% of AUM annually (WealthPort CAAP/UMA caps at 2.15%). The dollar figures on this page apply that 2.25% maximum to each balance, as the most a client could be charged. Actual fees are typically lower and individually negotiated per client/advisor.
Lincoln Financial Advisors (Osaic FA, Inc. Premier Series Wealth Management Program, Form ADV Part 2A, Appendix 1 (Wrap Fee Program Brochure), October 1, 2024): “OFA updated this Brochure and Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 to reflect the fact that Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation has rebranded and changed its name to Osaic FA, Inc. effective June 6, 2024. … Prior to the rebrand and name change effective June 6, 2024 as detailed above, Items 4, 6, and 9 of this Brochure were updated on May 28, 2024 as part of an interim updating amendment to reflect the fact that Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation was acquired by Osaic Holdings, Inc. effective May 6, 2024. … The maximum annual program fee in Premier is 3.00% of the client’s assets under management.”
The October 2024 brochure above is the last Premier Series brochure filed under CRD 3978 and is the source for the figures on this page. The dollar figures on this page apply that 3.0% maximum to each balance, as the most a client could be charged. Actual fees are typically lower and individually negotiated.
How this compares
Our benchmark of published adviser fee schedules puts the weighted median annual cost near $2,000 to $2,500 on $250,000 (the benchmark). At $500,000, Cambridge Investment Research runs up to $11,250 a year (the published maximum) and Lincoln Financial Advisors runs up to $15,000 a year (the published maximum): a difference of $3,750 a year between those figures at that balance.
Want the full breakdown for either firm on its own? Read the Cambridge Investment Research fee page or the Lincoln Financial Advisors fee page for the complete tier table and source citations.
Comparing these two against a full move? Read the general mechanics of switching financial advisors, or use a dated termination letter once you decide.
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Cambridge Investment Research runs up to $11,250 a year (the published maximum) at $500,000. See what else is available.
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Answer againSources
- Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. Form ADV Part 2A Disclosure Brochure (July 2026): https://files.adviserinfo.sec.gov/IAPD/Content/Common/crd_iapd_Brochure.aspx?BRCHR_VRSN_ID=1055573
- SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. (CRD #134139): https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/134139
- Osaic FA, Inc. Premier Series Wealth Management Program, Form ADV Part 2A, Appendix 1 (Wrap Fee Program Brochure) (October 1, 2024): https://files.adviserinfo.sec.gov/IAPD/Content/Common/crd_iapd_Brochure.aspx?BRCHR_VRSN_ID=926535
- SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure, Osaic Advisory Services, LLC (CRD #171070): https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/171070
- Registration note: the firm’s earlier Premier Series brochures were filed under CRD 3978 (Osaic FA, Inc.), whose SEC investment-adviser registration was terminated January 28, 2025. The SEC adviser record cited here is Osaic Advisory Services, LLC (CRD 171070), which the SEC database shows as active.
Methodology. This page was built October 3, 2026, re-pairing figures already archived and independently verified for Cambridge Investment Research and Lincoln Financial Advisors from each firm’s own SEC-filed disclosure; sources linked above. Nothing here is personalized financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. See our Editorial Policy, Corrections, Affiliate Disclosure, and Disclaimer.