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Novak Financial Partners vs. Edward Jones
Compare Novak's flat-fee planning and investment management with Edward Jones Financial Planning Plus, including eligibility, advisory costs, and how each relationship is delivered.
Novak charges $4,000 annually for households accumulating wealth and $6,000 for households approaching or navigating retirement. Both plans include comprehensive planning and investment management for a flat fee that is not calculated as a percentage of managed assets. Clients work directly with one of the practice's two CFP® professionals, with no asset minimum. Advisory services are offered through Core Planning LLC.
Edward Jones is a national broker-dealer and investment adviser with locally based financial advisors. Its Financial Planning Plus service combines ongoing financial planning with Edward Jones investment advisory accounts. The service is available to clients with at least $250,000 in Investment Advisory accounts and is subject to a separate annual planning charge. Edward Jones also offers brokerage accounts and other advisory programs outside of Financial Planning Plus.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Novak Financial Partners | Edward Jones |
|---|---|---|
| Annual cost structure | $4,000 or $6,000 flat annual advisory fee; includes ongoing planning and investment management. Underlying investment expenses and other third-party costs may apply. | Separate annual Financial Planning Plus charge plus asset-based fees on the required Investment Advisory accounts. Underlying investment expenses and other costs may also apply. |
| Required advisory assets | None | At least $250,000 in Edward Jones Investment Advisory accounts |
| Advisor relationship | Direct relationship with one of the practice's two CFP® professionals | Relationship with a locally based financial advisor; credentials and available services vary by advisor |
| Planning scope | Ongoing comprehensive planning across investments, taxes, retirement, benefits, insurance and estate coordination | Ongoing planning covering goals, cash and income, portfolio allocation, risk and protection, and estate and wealth transfer; includes an annual plan and tailored executive summary |
| Tax and legal services | Tax planning and coordination with the client's CPA and attorney; no tax filing or legal-document drafting | Does not provide tax or legal advice; assistance may involve third-party relationships offered through Edward Jones or the client's own tax and legal professionals |
| Local and digital access | Primarily virtual nationwide; in-person meetings available locally in Southern Illinois | Local branch-office relationship supported by Edward Jones technology and national resources |
For illustration, certain Edward Jones advisory programs publish a 1.35% Program Fee and a 0.05% Platform Fee. If those rates applied to $250,000, the minimum advisory assets required for Financial Planning Plus, the resulting advisory-account fee would be approximately $3,500 annually. The separate Financial Planning Plus charge, underlying investment expenses, and any other applicable costs would be additional. Other advisory programs, discounts, or fee arrangements may produce different costs.
Which one fits you?
Novak may fit you if…
- ✓You want a flat annual fee that is not calculated as a percentage of managed assets
- ✓You do not want an asset minimum for comprehensive planning
- ✓You want your primary advisor to be one of the practice's two CFP® professionals
- ✓You want tax planning included in the ongoing relationship
Edward Jones may fit you if…
- ✓You prefer meeting with a locally based advisor through a branch office
- ✓You want financial planning integrated with your Edward Jones Investment Advisory accounts
- ✓You want access to Edward Jones brokerage and advisory account options beyond Financial Planning Plus
- ✓You already have or plan to maintain at least $250,000 in eligible Edward Jones advisory accounts
Frequently asked questions
How do Novak's and Edward Jones Financial Planning Plus fees compare?
Novak charges $4,000 for households accumulating wealth and $6,000 for households approaching or navigating retirement. The flat annual advisory fee includes ongoing planning and investment management and is not calculated as a percentage of managed assets. Underlying investment expenses and other third-party costs may apply.
Edward Jones Financial Planning Plus requires at least $250,000 in eligible Investment Advisory accounts and carries a separate annual planning charge whose amount is not published on Edward Jones' financial-planning webpage. For illustration, if the 1.35% Program Fee and 0.05% Platform Fee published for certain Edward Jones advisory programs applied to $250,000, the advisory-account fee would be approximately $3,500 annually. The separate Financial Planning Plus charge, underlying investment expenses, and any other applicable costs would be additional. Other programs or discounts may produce different costs.
What is the primary difference between Novak and Edward Jones Financial Planning Plus?
Novak charges one flat annual fee covering both planning and investment management, with no asset minimum, and clients work directly with one of the practice's two CFP® professionals. Edward Jones Financial Planning Plus pairs ongoing planning with required Investment Advisory accounts of at least $250,000, delivered through a locally based financial advisor, with a separate annual planning charge in addition to the accounts' asset-based advisory fees.
Does either firm require an asset minimum?
Novak has no asset minimum. Edward Jones Financial Planning Plus requires at least $250,000 in Edward Jones Investment Advisory accounts to be eligible.
Are both firms fee-only?
Novak is fee-only and charges a flat annual fee with no commissions. Edward Jones is not fee-only; Financial Planning Plus involves a separate annual planning charge plus asset-based advisory fees on the required accounts, and Edward Jones and its advisors may also receive other product-based compensation on accounts outside this program. The compensation structures therefore differ, so prospective clients should review the complete fees and potential compensation associated with the specific Edward Jones accounts and services being considered.
Disclosure: Novak Financial Partners created this comparison and has a financial interest in prospective clients considering our practice. Novak Financial Partners is not affiliated with, and this page is not endorsed by, Edward Jones. Fees for Edward Jones are based on publicly available information reviewed as of September 4, 2026. Actual fees may vary based on account size, services, negotiation, household complexity, and other factors. Because Edward Jones fees may involve multiple entities, programs, or brokerage arrangements, prospective clients should review Edward Jones' applicable Form ADV, program disclosure or brochure, and advisory agreement.
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Schedule a Free Intro CallFlat annual fee. No asset minimum. Serving clients nationwide from Carbondale, IL.