Bell Investment Advisors provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, portfolio management for institutions, selecting other managers, education planning, estate planning, insurance, and philanthropic planning. Financial planning was provided to 51–100 clients last fiscal year.
Bell Investment Advisors reports 443 clients. They include 252 high-net-worth individuals, 177 individual clients and 8 charitable organizations. Of its assets, 91.1% ($718M across 1,116 accounts) are managed with discretion; $69.9M across 73 accounts are not. It advised 2 clients without assets under management last fiscal year.
| Client type | Clients | Assets |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 40% | 9% |
| High-net-worth individuals | 57% | 83% |
| Pension and profit-sharing plans | 1% | 4% |
| Charitable organizations | 2% | 4% |
| Corporations and other businesses | 0% | <1% |
Client breakdown and activity details
| Client type | Clients | Regulatory AUM | AUM share | Avg. per client |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 177 | $68M | 8.6% | $384K |
| High-net-worth individuals | 252 | $655M | 83.1% | $2.6M |
| Pension and profit-sharing plans | 6 | $30.9M | 3.9% | $5.16M |
| Charitable organizations | 8 | $31M | 3.9% | $3.88M |
| Corporations and other businesses | Fewer than 5 | $2.9M | 0.4% | — |
| Total | 443 | $788M | 100% | — |
- Clients
- 177
- Regulatory AUM
- $68M
- AUM share
- 8.6%
- Avg. per client
- $384K
- Clients
- 252
- Regulatory AUM
- $655M
- AUM share
- 83.1%
- Avg. per client
- $2.6M
- Clients
- 6
- Regulatory AUM
- $30.9M
- AUM share
- 3.9%
- Avg. per client
- $5.16M
- Clients
- 8
- Regulatory AUM
- $31M
- AUM share
- 3.9%
- Avg. per client
- $3.88M
- Clients
- Fewer than 5
- Regulatory AUM
- $2.9M
- AUM share
- 0.4%
- Avg. per client
- —
Total
- Clients
- 443
- Regulatory AUM
- $788M
- AUM share
- 100%
- Avg. per client
- —
- Clients outside the U.S.
- 0%
- Clients advised without assets under management last fiscal year
- 2
- Private funds advised
- 0
- Financial planning clients last fiscal year
- 51–100
Bell Investment Advisors charges up to 1.00% a year for its Managed accounts. The fee is billed in advance, is negotiable, has a $10,000 annual minimum and requires an account of at least $1,000,000. The brochure also prices 3 other services, listed under fee details.
Fee details and sources
Other fees
- 529 plan management
- 529 plans are charged a $150 set-up fee per account and $150 for each annual allocation change, regardless of the number of accounts.
- Financial planning
- Fee-only financial planning is customized and starts at $10,000; plan updates and other planning services are an additional $1,000.
- Hourly financial consultation
- Financial consultation requested in addition to portfolio management is billed at an hourly rate of $150, payable on completion.
Forrest Bell owns 50% to 75% of Bell Investment Advisors. The leadership team of Bell Investment Advisors includes President Forrest Bell and Chief Compliance Officer Brian Baylis. It has 14 employees, 6 of them in advisory roles.
Leadership
Forrest BellOwner, President, Financial Advisor, and Financial Planner- Brian BaylisChief Compliance Officer
- James BellFounder and Chairman, Board of Directors
- James BellTrustee of Bell Family 2001 Trust
- Emily BellOwner
Investment adviser representatives
9 representatives listed in the SEC register as of 9 October 2026.
Staff
- 14 employees
- 6 in advisory functions
- 8 state-registered reps
- Owns 50% to 75% of Bell Investment Advisors Inc
Forrest Bell
Control person · since January 2019
- Owns 25% to 50% of Bell Investment Advisors Inc
Bell Family 2001 Trust
since August 2001
- Owns 5% to 10% of Bell Investment Advisors Inc
Emily Bell
since July 2006
Bell Investment Advisors’ regulatory assets grew from $556M (July 2021) to $788M (June 2026); clients were 443 in both filings and employees rose from 11 to 14.
Figures from each annual filing
| Filed | Regulatory AUM | Clients | Employees | Offices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | $788M | 443 | 14 | 1 |
| June 2025 | $686M | 440 | 15 | 1 |
| March 2024 | $645M | 450 | 11 | 1 |
| March 2023 | $578M | 457 | 11 | 1 |
| June 2022 | $657M | 463 | 11 | 1 |
| July 2021 | $556M | 448 | 11 | 1 |
Besides its headquarters, Bell Investment Advisors has 0 offices, with 1 listed address in California.
California · 1 listed address
- 2 Theatre Square, Suite 315, OrindaHQ
Contact and registration details
- Legal name
- Bell Investment Advisors Inc
- Headquarters
- 2 Theatre Square, Suite 315, Orinda, CA 94563
- Website
- bellinvestmentadvisors.com
- Phone
- 510-433-1066
- @111770
- SEC file
- 801-56417
- Founded
- 1991
- Structure
- California corporation
- Fiscal year end
- December
Bell Investment Advisors uses Charles Schwab ($788M) as custodian for its separately managed accounts. Bell Investment Advisors has custody of $444M in client assets for 360 clients.
- Charles SchwabCharles Schwab & Co., Inc. · Westlake, TX · $788M100%
At year end, Bell Investment Advisors’ separately managed accounts were mostly in funds (91%). Its reported 13F holdings for the quarter ended 30 June 2026 total $681M across 1,820 positions; the largest are Schwab Strategic TR (10.1%), Goldman Sachs ETF TR (9.4%) and Vanguard Scottsdale Fds (7.4%).
What the accounts hold
- Stocks8%
- Funds91%
- Cash1%
Reported 13F holdings
- $681M
- Reported 13F value
- 1,820
- Positions
- 58.1%
- In the 10 largest
- +6.5%
- Value vs. prior quarter
- Schwab Strategic TR · Fundamental US L10.1%
- Goldman Sachs ETF TR · Acces Treasury9.4%
- Vanguard Scottsdale Fds · Mtg-bkd Secs ETF7.4%
- Flexshares TR · Iboxx 3r Targt7.2%
- iShares TR · 20 YR TR BD ETF6.0%
- Schwab Strategic TR · Fundamental Intl5.1%
- iShares TR · MSCI USA Mmentm3.9%
- Schwab Strategic TR · US Lrg Cap ETF3.7%
- Vanguard Index Fds · Value ETF2.9%
- Schwab Strategic TR · Fundamental US S2.5%
Together, the ten largest are 58.1% of reported value.
How many clients does Bell Investment Advisors have?
Bell Investment Advisors has 443 clients and manages $788 million for them, as of June 2026. They include 252 high-net-worth individuals, 177 individual clients and 8 charitable organizations.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.D and 5.F, filed 11 June 2026
What services does Bell Investment Advisors offer?
Bell Investment Advisors provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, portfolio management for institutions, selecting other managers, education planning, estate planning, insurance, and philanthropic planning.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.G, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file; Part 2A brochure, Item 4
How much does Bell Investment Advisors charge?
Bell Investment Advisors charges up to 1.00% a year for its Managed accounts. The fee is billed in advance, is negotiable, has a $10,000 annual minimum and requires an account of at least $1,000,000.
Source: BELL INVESTMENT ADVISORS FORM ADV PART 2A - JUNE 2026, filed 11 June 2026
Which custodians does Bell Investment Advisors use?
Bell Investment Advisors’ separately managed account assets are held at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Westlake, TX), with $788M. Only custodians holding at least a tenth of those assets are named.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedule D, Section 5.K.(3), filed 11 June 2026
How many financial advisors does Bell Investment Advisors have?
Bell Investment Advisors has 8 investment adviser representatives registered with state securities authorities, out of 14 employees, and 6 perform investment advisory functions. None are registered representatives of a broker-dealer or licensed insurance agents.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.A and 5.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
What does Bell Investment Advisors invest in?
At the end of its last fiscal year, Bell Investment Advisors’ separately managed accounts held 91% registered funds (mutual funds, ETFs, BDCs), 8% exchange-traded equities and 1% cash and equivalents.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.K.(1) and 7.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Does Bell Investment Advisors have a minimum investment?
Yes, Bell Investment Advisors’ minimum account size for its Managed accounts is $1M. It charges a $10K annual minimum fee.
Source: BELL INVESTMENT ADVISORS FORM ADV PART 2A - JUNE 2026, filed 11 June 2026
Who owns Bell Investment Advisors?
Bell Investment Advisors’ direct owners are Forrest Bell (50% to 75%), Emily Bell (5% to 10%) and Bell Family 2001 Trust (25% to 50%).
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedules A and B, filed 11 June 2026
How does Bell Investment Advisors get paid?
Bell Investment Advisors is paid through a percentage of assets under management, hourly charges and fixed fees. Its Form ADV lists no commissions or performance-based fees among how it is paid.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.E, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Is Bell Investment Advisors registered with the SEC?
Yes, Bell Investment Advisors has been registered with the SEC as an investment adviser since 12 April 1999. Its CRD number is 108383 and its SEC file number is 801-56417.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 1, filed 11 June 2026; IAPD firm record
How do I contact Bell Investment Advisors?
Bell Investment Advisors’ main office is at 2 Theatre Square, Suite 315, Orinda, CA 94563. Its phone number is 510-433-1066. Its website is bellinvestmentadvisors.com.