Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Quick Summary A surgeon earning $665,000 a year didn't realize a 1.24% advisory fee could cost him nearly one million, showing how percentage-based fees can compound into six-figure mistakes as portfolios grow. If you're trying to understand whether fees like this are dragging on your returns, a financial advisor can help put the math in plain terms. You don't need a high six-figure salary or a set plan. ...