Take charge of your future and ease your financial worries with the help of a trusted financial advisor in Cork.
We’ve made your search for the best financial advisor in Cork easier with our following picks. There’s also an FAQ section at the end of this article to help you better understand the services they offer.
If you want to find reliable financial advisors in other cities, we also have a guide to the best financial advisors in Dublin. Keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming guides for other cities.
How much do financial advisors charge in Cork?
Irish Examiner reports financial advisors usually charge €150–€350 per hour.
According to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), charges may differ depending on the type of financial advice you need.
A financial advisor may earn not just through an hourly rate but also by:
- Commission: Your financial advisor gets paid by commission if they are employed by or sell the products of a financial service provider.
- Standard commission: On your first purchase of a financial product, a percentage of the amount you pay goes to your financial advisor.
- Fund-based trail commission: Every year, the total value of your fund is calculated, and your financial advisor takes a percentage of that amount.
- Fees: In this case, no financial service provider is involved. You directly pay your financial advisor.
- Fund management or administration charges: This is the price you pay for having your fund taken care of. It covers services like keeping a financial record of your fund and monitoring your fund daily.
- Performance fees: This is the amount you pay if you’ve invested your money and it pays off. Because it can vary from one financial advisor to another, make sure to ask how they calculate this fee.
- Early encashment fee: You are charged this fee when you decide to withdraw your money from your savings or investment before the agreed-upon term ends.
Now that you have an idea about how much you’re going to pay, let’s proceed to some of the top financial advisors in Cork you can choose from.
The Best Financial Advisors in Cork
We gathered info on trusted financial advisors in Cork and assessed them based on the following criteria:
1. Financial Innovations
| ADVICE COVERAGE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| QUALIFICATIONS | ★★★★★ (4/5) |
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) Founded 2005 |
| FEE TRANSPARENCY | ★★★★★ (5/5) https://www.fini.ie/about-us/#fees |
Although based in Cork, Financial Innovations offers financial advisory services all over Ireland.
Their team consists of experienced financial advisors whose qualifications include QFA, a diploma in Corporate Insolvency, a Professional Certificate in Personal General Insurance, and a Professional Diploma in Financial Services.
Aside from their team’s credentials, a definite plus for us is that the firm offers free mortgage advice. Most mortgage brokers charge a fee on top of your mortgage payment.
The firm, however, is satisfied with just receiving a share of your payment from the lender when your mortgage’s term ends.
The firm states that they aim to keep lasting relationships with their clients, and it really shows in how their clients describe their experience with them.
One client is happy with how Director John Barrett keeps in touch with them regularly for updates and friendly chat.
Another client expresses her gratitude to team member Evan Barrett for easing her worries by dealing with her bank during a difficult time in her pregnancy.
A downside to this friendly, personalised approach may be that they might have limited time for each client. Because they make sure that they connect with each client regularly, their schedules must be packed.
However, it seems to be worth the effort and certainly pays off, as a number of their clients are referred to the firm by friends, family, and even other professional advisors.
Pros
- Free mortgage advice
- Experienced and highly qualified team
- Offers financial advisory services all over Ireland
- Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland
Cons
- May have limited time for each client
Customer Reviews
Helpful, professional, approachable, and reassuring
“We can’t thank Evan and John enough for all their hard work securing us our mortgage for our first home. They were extremely helpful, professional, approachable and and reassuring from start to finish. They patiently guided us through the entire process, helping us overcome any obstacle that came our way. They were very responsive to any queries we had and couldn’t have been nicer to deal with! We highly recommend contacting Financial Innovations for a high quality service and experience. Thanks you so much John and Evan.” —Helen Mulcahy, Google review
Every detail was accomplished with utter professionalism
“I couldn’t recommend this company enough. I’ve been dealing with them for almost a year. Had a tricky situation trying for a mortgage and John’s company came highly recommended. Right from the get go i was made feel like everything would be fine. I was immediately put at ease. John handed me over to Becca once the ball got rolling and every email from then was a pleasure. No question was ever too big or small. Every detail was completed with utter professionalism. It was a long and bumpy ride to the finish but I knew they had my back the entire time. I never felt like I was doing it alone. Thanks to Becca I now own my first home and a new chapter awaits. I’d advise everybody to this company. It helps to have somebody holding your hand while dealing with this massive milestone. Thanks to all at FINI for everything. Kindest regards and best wishes, Jenn.” —Jen White, Google review
2. Moneytree Finance Ltd.
| ADVICE COVERAGE | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| QUALIFICATIONS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) Founded 2006 |
| FEE TRANSPARENCY | ★★★★★ (5/5) https://cork-mortgage-broker.ie/regulation-charges-2/ |
From the start to the end of the homebuying process, Moneytree Finance Ltd. will be there to guide you. The firm specialises in helping Cork City and West Cork residents secure homes without breaking their banks.
Their team’s impressive list of qualifications include QFA, CFP, Masters in Financial Planning, and mortgage and pension diplomas.
Because their focus is solely in providing advice for mortgage, we’ve given them three stars for advice coverage.
Clients are happy to share that their team is informative and very responsive. The team even responds to all of their Google reviews.
One client appreciates that she never had to bother them for updates, and whenever she asked questions, helpful answers were given promptly.
Another positive point for the firm is their online mortgage calculator. For free, you can compare the mortgage rates of the lenders they’re affiliated with.
The tool helps you find the best rates for you by letting you specify your house value and desired loan amount and mortgage term.
One drawback we considered for the firm is having a tied agent in life assurance on their team. As a tied agent, Con Daly is required to limit his offering of financial products to those from Acorn Life.
However, we think this concern is only minor. With his impressive list of certifications, Mr. Daly’s financial advice is still very valuable.
And if you want impartial, expert advice from the firm, you can choose to work with Veronica Daly who doesn’t appear to be tied to any financial service provider.
We recommend the firm for individuals or families looking to purchase homes at an affordable price. Clients were thankful to find the firm after having consulted other brokers and financial service providers.
They found the firm’s guidance and expertise took out the stress of taking out a mortgage.
Pros
- Responsive and reliable
- Highly qualified team
- Offers an online mortgage calculator
- Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland
Cons
- One tied agent
Customer Reviews
Got us the best rates
“Veronica and her team where amazing at getting myself and my partner our mortgage . Nothing was ever to much for her. She was so friendly and informative got us the best rates. Was there every step of the way even through the pandemic with a few bumps in the road nothing was to much trouble for her and her team. I would 110% recommend them to anyone in the future. Thank you so much for everything.” —Michelle O’Callaghan, Google review
Fast and reliable
“Thanks to Veronica & her team we actually have a place to call our home.
We went through years of trying to get a mortgage with different brokers/banks/county council…you name it and we’ve been there…we’ve finally found a PROFESSIONAL team. Veronica answered all of our questions, she was fast and reliable. I never had to chase her for an update or to see if the job was done or not! So if you are reading this review looking for a recommendation – the answer is yes! go and give them a call. Veronica thanks again for all your help, it’s much appreciated!” —Sonia Clarke, Google review
3. Alpha Wealth Ltd.
| ADVICE COVERAGE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| QUALIFICATIONS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| FEE TRANSPARENCY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Alpha Wealth Ltd. is a financial services firm that aims to assist individuals and business owners in reaching their financial objectives.
We were particularly impressed by their financial advisors’ combined experience of more than 60 years. We believe that their combination of skills and experience enables them to provide first-rate financial services.
This company is a member of the Irish Broker’s Association, which is the prestigious committee for brokers in Ireland, ensuring the reliability and security of their services.
Although we’re not fans of their lengthy application process, we believe it benefits customers because it allows them to thoroughly search for the best financial products for their needs.
Alpha Wealth Ltd. provides numerous services such as financial planning, health insurance, retirement planning, and much more financial assistance for savings.
Unfortunately, this establishment charges numerous fees, such as administrative costs and other expenses aside from commission.
Nonetheless, the majority of customers we’ve spoken with have praised their services because they’re very responsive and knowledgeable, allowing them to make well-informed decisions.
We also liked that they have an online budget calculator, which we found handy as consumers can get an overview of their monthly income, expenses, and savings.
If you’re looking for some of the best financial advisors in Cork, we highly recommend Alpha Wealth Ltd.
Pros
- Experienced financial advisors
- Member of the Irish Broker’s Association
- Numerous financial services
- Has online budget calculator
Cons
- Relatively longer process
- Charges additional fees
Customer Reviews
Great advice on numerous products
“We’ve dealt with Alpha Wealth for the last year or so and have found them to be very good. David is our financial advisor there and has given us great tips and advice on numerous products. Keep up the great work guys!.” -Jayne R.
Efficient and professional
“I’ve been with alpha for nearly 5 years now and I’m very happy with them. Their staff are extremely knowledgeable, efficient and very professional. Their also very easy and super friendly to deal with. No question is too small for them. I would highly recommend them.” -Johanne K.
4. Elevate Financial Planning
| ADVICE COVERAGE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| QUALIFICATIONS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| FEE TRANSPARENCY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Elevate Financial Planning stands out as a prominent player in Ireland’s financial advisory landscape, recognized for its rapid growth and comprehensive client services since its inception in 2018. With a client base of over 800 and assets under management exceeding €80 million, the firm’s reputation is built on delivering tailored financial solutions that align with each client’s unique needs and aspirations.
The firm’s personalized approach to financial planning is a key advantage, as it allows advisors to develop solutions that are precisely tailored to each client’s circumstances. Their transparent and structured process, which includes a thorough initial consultation and annual reviews, ensures clients remain informed and confident about their financial decisions.
Another significant benefit of working with Elevate Financial Planning is their commitment to building long-lasting client relationships. Their approach to financial planning is designed to be simple and straightforward, making it easier for clients to understand and engage with their financial plans. This focus on client education and empowerment sets them apart, providing clients with a clear roadmap for achieving their financial goals.
In summary, Elevate Financial Planning excels in offering a personalized and comprehensive financial advisory service, supported by a team of dedicated experts. Their transparent approach and commitment to client relationships make them a top choice for individuals seeking tailored financial solutions.
Pros
- Personalized financial advice tailored to individual needs
- Comprehensive service offerings across multiple financial areas
- Accessible nationwide through in-person and virtual meetings
Cons
- Unavailable on weekends
Customer Reviews
Here are some reviews from their clients:
“Joe Murphy of Elevate Financial Planning worked through my retirement options with me. My situation is complex with a mix of employer schemes (some I’m happy with and some less so) and state pension – Joe provided an excellent service, identified pros and cons of each option and explained them clearly to me. I left with a clear understanding and a set of agreed actions. He was very proactive in sourcing relevant information and an absolute pleasure to deal with. Thank you Elevate!”
“Due to my work history, my pension savings were spread over five different policies including one in the UK. Conor explained the pension process very well and advised how I could consolidate them all. Martin handled all the paperwork and was tireless in dealing with my many questions. Consolidation took several months due to backlogs in the various pension providers, but Conor & Martin were always available when called, and dealt patiently with my queries. Very happy to recommend Elevate if you’re planning for retirement.
5. Douglas Mortgage Centre
| ADVICE COVERAGE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| QUALIFICATIONS | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★★★ (5/5) Founded 1999 |
| FEE TRANSPARENCY | ☆☆☆☆☆ (0/5) There’s a “Terms of Business” tab on their website, but it’s currently empty. |
The oldest established firm on this list, Douglas Mortgage Centre consists of an experienced team of QFAs and an Accredited Mortgage Advisor.
Although their expertise is in mortgage, they also offer advice on financial planning, auctioneering, investment, pension and Personal Retirement Savings Account (PRSA) planning, and life and serious illness cover.
With 111 Google reviews, they got the most positive feedback on this list. Most of which praise Niall Murphy who has been in the business for about 25 years.
They appreciate his patience and calmness throughout the mortgage application process. He’s quick to respond to queries and is open to questions big and small.
Like other trusted firms on this list, most clients know about them through word of mouth. Highly satisfied clients recommend the firm to their friends and family.
Moving on to cons, unfortunately, they have the lowest score in fee transparency. They’re the only firm on this list who doesn’t provide info on their website about how their charges are calculated.
However, you may reach out to them for a quote.
Another thing we considered is their availability. Because they’re beloved in their community, they must be much sought after and have limited time for each client.
Still, we think it’s very much worth your time to try to get an appointment with them. We recommend them especially for first-time homebuyers.
It would be reassuring to have someone with this much experience and expertise to guide you through your home purchasing journey.
Pros
- Responsive and reliable
- Highly experienced team
- Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland
Cons
- May have limited time for each client
Customer Reviews
Prompt and sympathetic
“We could not have gotten through the mortgage process without the help and expertise of Niall Murphy. He came highly recommended from a friend and helped us every step of the way. We are very happy in our new home.
From our first meeting, right through to when we signed our contracts, Niall was there to give us advice. He always came back to us promptly, guided us in the right direction and was kind and sympathetic whenever we had a setback from the vendors.” —Shane Russell, Google review
Ultraefficient and responsive
“The service we received from Niall Murphy at DMC was nothing short of top class ! He really took the stress out of getting a mortgage from us. Niall’s fantastic knowledge of the market matched to our needs was able to get us the best deal possible with very little effort form us! Niall was ultra efficient and unbelievably responsive and constructive with any questions or concerns which we had. We couldn’t recommend Niall and DMC more. 5 Star Service! —fordyc1984, Google review
6. Inspire Financial
| ADVICE COVERAGE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| QUALIFICATIONS | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) Founded 2007 |
| FEE TRANSPARENCY | ★★★★★ (5/5) https://services.moneyadvice.ie/Commission/brokerdetails/Index/MzAz |
For about seventeen years, Inspire Financial has been offering financial advice to both individuals and organisations in Cork. They have one of the broadest advice coverage in this list.
What we’ve found unique among the services they offer is executive income protection. We therefore recommend them for corporate clients.
This type of plan enables directors and high-ranking employees to keep earning during long absences resulting from injury or illness. The company draws from this fund for the director’s or employee’s salary in these instances.
Their insurance offerings are also more diverse compared to the other entries on this list. Besides the typical home and life insurance, they also advise you on insurance for pets, weddings, gadgets, and more.
For these reasons, we gave them the top score for advice coverage.
As for qualifications, the firm doesn’t keep a list of their team members’ credentials on their website. However, Managing Director Sandra Maher has a Professional Diploma in Financial Advice and isn’t only a QFA but also an Accredited Product Advisor (APA).
We also appreciate that on their website, they offer a book on financial planning that you can download for free. It’s a helpful resource for those who are interested in setting and achieving their financial goals.
Aside from this book, there are educational videos on their website that provide an overview of the financial products they cover.
A drawback for this firm may be their team size. They’re listed on SoloCheck.ie as a micro company; they may not be able to accommodate a large number of clients at the same time.
So that you’re given the sufficient attention you need as a client,we suggest you reach out to the firm to ask about their availability at the time you need their service.
To sum up our review, we think Inspire Financial is suitable for you if you’re seeking nothing more than straightforward financial advice. They’re tagline, after all, is “Your straight-talking financial advisor.”
A client was happy to share that Maher helped her navigate complicated health insurance schemes and saved her money.
Pros
- Ideal for corporate clients
- Highly experienced and qualified head
- Offers a free financial planning book on their website
- Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland
Cons
- Small team
Customer Reviews
Professional
“Sandra was very professional in all our dealings. She put together a scope of options for us, advised on legal representation and saw the application through to its conclusion. I subsequently recommended the services of Inspire Financial to other friends, which is the best endorsement I can give.” —Colum Brady, Google review
Brilliant, down-to-earth, and saved me a ton of money
“I have used Sandra’s services as a Financial Advisor and her assistance guiding me through the mindfeld of Health Insurance Schemes and which best suited me was brilliant, down to earth and most importantly saved me and my family a ton of money!!!” —Deirdre Waldron, LinkedIn
FAQs about Financial Advisors in Cork
We hope our answers and picks have pointed you in the right direction. If this guide has been helpful, we’d be happy if you share it with those you think might need it.
If you have suggestions to add to this list, feel free to reach out to us with your recommendations.
To find more professional financial service providers in the city, you can also refer to our list of the best accounting firms in Cork.