A key level of value that an adviser delivers is undertaking some of the menial, yet highly valuable, administrative functions. One such example being tax planning in a controlled manner, avoiding as little time out of the market as possible. We all hate paperwork, so let someone else take care of it!
Whilst the adoption of a sensible, evidence-based philosophy and the structuring of a robust ‘portfolio for all seasons’ are the primary steps in the investment process, the true value of the adviser, goes way beyond this.
Vanguard is one of the world’s largest asset managers, managing more than $10 trillion of investor assets around the globe. Vanguard is an index investing pioneer and was founded by author and investing legend John Bogle. Vanguard has conducted research into the value working with a good financial adviser can bring, concluding that this amounts to – on average – around +3% per year1. This is significant.
This value comes across a range of areas, including behavioural coaching, cost-consciousness, and tax management, to name a few. The figure below gives an insight into how this value is attributed. Even some of the ‘boring stuff’ can add material value to the outcomes achieved.
Figure 1: Estimating the value of partnering with a great financial adviser
Source: Adapted from Vanguard Advisory Research Centre. (June 2025), ‘Putting a value on your value: Quantifying Vanguard Adviser’s Alpha in the UK’. All quantified values in this figure represent the midpoint of the figure ranges that are detailed in Vanguard’s paper, except for ‘Rebalancing’, which is stated specifically as 0.12%. The figure for ‘Investment portfolio’ assumes that a 60% stock portfolio exceeds broad market returns by 0.6%p.a. over the long run, which may not be an unreasonable assumption for long term expected outcomes of a systematic, risk factor tilted portfolio. Investment performance is not guaranteed. For illustrative purposes only.
It is highly likely – based on what the evidence tells us – that if an investor decided to go it alone and manage the portfolio themselves, they would end up with a less favourable outcome in the long run. New, better funds might be available that would be missed, the portfolio might need to be refined over time, all sorts of new investment fads and ideas might tempt them without the proper due diligence to understand what the risks and rewards are likely to be, and when markets crash, it is unlikely that they will have the fortitude to rebalance and may bail out altogether.
Making use of tax efficiencies is also an important administrative function that matters, which take knowledge and discipline to execute. Failing to do so would be costly.
Investing is never easy, but a good adviser will make it easier, and the chances of success are higher than going it alone.
Important notes
This is a purely educational document to discuss some general investment related issues. It does not in any way constitute investment advice or arranging investments. It is for information purposes only; any information contained within them is the opinion of the authors, which can change without notice. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.
Products referred to in this document
Where specific products are referred to in this document, it is solely to provide educational insight into the topic being discussed. Any analysis undertaken does not represent due diligence on or recommendation of any product under any circumstances and should not be construed as such.
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