Essential Financial Strategies fees and pricing

Published fees

Quoted from the firm's Form ADV Part 2A brochure, filed January 21, 2026. Fees can change, so confirm with the firm before you hire them.

Hourly rate

$350/hr

“Wealth Project Fee Services under the Wealth Project are provided for a standard rate of $350 per hour, billed in fifteen-minute increments.”

Flat or project fee

$1,400

“The minimum Wealth Project fee is four (4) hours ($1,400) which covers preparation, meeting time, and follow-up.”

Annual fee

$6,000⁠-⁠$20,000/yr

“The Wealth Retainer fee ranges from $6,000 to $20,000 or more.”

Read the full brochure (PDF) (opens in new tab)SEC adviser record (opens in new tab)

How Essential Financial Strategies bills

Payment and refund terms, quoted from the fee section of the brochure.

• “Clients are billed quarterly with the first payment due and payable upon signing an engagement contract.”
• “In no event will EFS collect more than $500 more than six months in advance from any Client.”
• “Any additional estimated out of pocket expenses willbe added to the fee prior to initial invoice.”

How Essential Financial Strategies’ fees compare

• Its hourly rate of $350 is above the Illinois median of $273. 68% of the 215 other Illinois planners that publish an hourly rate charge less.
• 2 of the 2 other planners in Orland Park that publish an hourly rate charge less.
• Its flat or project fee of $1,400 is below the Illinois median of $4,500. 12% of the 175 other Illinois planners that publish a flat or project fee charge less.
• Its annual fee of $6,000-$20,000 spans the Illinois median of $7,500. 78% of the 77 other Illinois planners that publish an annual fee charge less.
• It doesn't charge a percentage of the assets it manages, so its fee won't grow with your portfolio.

About Essential Financial Strategies

• Solo practice: one person runs the firm, so you work directly with the planner.
• Credentials named in the brochure: CFP® and EA.
• Founded: 2010 (16 years).

Planning areas mentioned in the brochure

• Retirement planning
• Tax planning

Firm details from Form ADV

How the firm is paid

Hourly fees, fixed or flat fees

Charges a % of assets

No

Minimum

$1,500 minimum fee (stated in brochure)

Employees

1

Services reported to regulators

Financial planning and portfolio management for individuals and small businesses

Registered with

State securities regulators

Disciplinary disclosures

None reported

SEC CRD number

153415

Website

essentialfinancialstrategies.com (opens in new tab)

Phone

(708) 949-6194

Other planners in Orland Park that publish fees

• Casey Wealth Management, Inc.Orland Park$150⁠-⁠$300/hr
• Chancellor Financial Services, Inc.Orland Park$150/hr, $150/mo
• 15 Wealth Advisors LLCMundelein$250⁠-⁠$10,000/yr
• 1ST Advantage Financial Advisers, LLCLombard$200/hr
• Alo Financial PlanningMount Prospect$3,000
• Altair Advisers, LLCChicago$200⁠-⁠$500/hr

Compare all 5 planners in Orland Park