How to Invoice as a Financial Advisor: Step-by-Step Guide

Step-by-step guide to invoicing as a financial advisor: what to include, the 4 line items most financial advisors use, Net 30 payment terms, 0% deposit norms, and licensing rules.

Avg invoice
$3,500
Net terms
30 days
Deposit
0%
Line items
4
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1. What every financial advisor invoice must include

A compliant financial advisor invoice has eight parts: your business name and contact info, a unique invoice number, issue date, payment due date, the customer's name and address, an itemized list of work, the total amount due, and accepted payment methods. If you're collecting sales tax, that line is required too.

2. Set your line items

Most financial advisors structure invoices around these 4 categories:

  • Plan preparation flat fee — billed by flat.
  • Hourly advisory — billed by hour at a ~$295 default.
  • AUM fee — annual % — billed by pct at a ~$1 default.
  • Tax-prep coordination — billed by flat.

3. Set payment terms

The standard for financial advisors is Net 30 — payment due within 30 days of the invoice date.0 Spell out late-fee terms (most states cap monthly late fees around 1.5%) and accepted payment methods on the invoice itself.

4. Licensing & legal disclosures

Series 65 / 66 + state RIA registration required for fee-only advisors. CFP / CFA designations are industry-standard.

5. Send and follow up

Send the invoice the same day work is completed (or upon milestone for larger projects). Use software that tracks opens and lets the customer pay by card or bank transfer in one click — the average financial advisor-class invoice gets paid 2× faster when the customer can pay online without leaving their inbox.

Average invoice
$3,500
Standard terms
Net 30
Typical deposit
0%
BLS code
13-2052

State-by-state financial advisor invoicing guides

State rules differ on sales tax, statutory late fees, and contractor disclosure requirements. Pick your state for a guide tuned to local law.

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