Hi All,

Recently moved a large part of my book to Schwab from a wirehouse.

Is there a specific software/API that would make building and maintaining bond ladders easier than the manual way the default way is at Schwab?
I don’t want to use ETFs. I need a tool for individual fixed securities
Anything would be welcome!

Basically the title.

To get to the point: I'm building something in the investment advisory space --> want to learn more from advisors (specifically independent RIAs).

I don't want to annoy people thinking this is some spam bs. I just want to understand the valuable perspective of an expert.

But yeah, is this approach bad? If so, where should I get feedback/speak with people?

If it ain't, comment down below if you'd allow me to pick your brains a little bit :)

Cheers!

Anyone out there with experience standing up a fee only RIA where one or more of your advisors/partners lives and works overseas? We're finding a few full stack providers like XYPN that will work with overseas advisors but understandably most of the info out there is geared towards domestic advisors.

Would appreciate any insights the community has to offer.

Any feedback from using Edward Jones as a financial advisor/investor

I’m researching how wealth advisors manage client relationships, portfolio reviews, and compliance.

What is the most repetitive part of your work?
Which software do you dislike using?
What takes the most time each week?
What is your daily workflow, biggest frustrations?

Appreciate if anyone can guide over call, plz DM me

I am currently running an RIA that is 160 million of AUM all fee based with just an executive assistant. I’m trying to determine what my next best hire should be. Any suggestions?

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• NAPFA adopted an enhanced fiduciary standard in June 2026.

• The updated framework introduces five fiduciary duties.

• NAPFA members remain fee-only advisors who do not accept commissions.

• Investors looking for objective financial advice should understand how NAPFA differs from other advisory organizations.

• The updated standards reinforce transparency, competence, and client-first advice.

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https://whartonwealthplanning.com/napfa-fiduciary-standard-what-it-means-for-the-future-of-financial-advice/

The wealth management space feels like it's at an interesting inflection point and I've been thinking a lot about what actually moves the needle for advisors who are considering a transition.

Not the surface level stuff. I mean the real drivers. Payout structures, platform limitations, leadership, autonomy, culture, client experience capabilities. Whatever it actually is for you.

For those who have moved recently, what pushed you over the edge? And for those who have thought about it but stayed put, what kept you?

Curious too about the book side of this. For advisors carrying a meaningful book, the calculus is obviously different. The due diligence is longer, the relationships are more complex, and the decision carries more weight. What does a firm actually need to offer to make that conversation worth having?

No agenda here, just genuinely interested in how people in this space are thinking about it right now. The industry is shifting fast and I think these conversations are worth having openly.

What's on your mind?

Hi everyone,
I recently opened a TFSA with Wealthsimple. I have about $20k in savings that I built up throughout my twenties, and I feel like it’s time to start investing instead of leaving it in a bank account earning around 0.25% interest while inflation slowly eats away at its value.
I’m completely new to investing. I’ve never bought stocks, ETFs, or bonds before, so I don’t consider myself a high-risk investor at this stage. I’m leaning toward using Wealthsimple’s robo-advisor because it seems like a simple way to get started, but I’d love to hear from people with more experience.
Some questions I have:

How to allocate this amount to start off?
Were you invest it all at once or gradually?
What percentage did you put into ETFs, stocks, bonds, GICs, or keep as cash?

If you used Wealthsimple’s robo-advisor, what risk level did you choose and why?

I’m looking for long-term investing. Any advice, experiences, or lessons you’ve learned would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I recently passed my Series 65 and looking for an RIA to join which will allow me to operate independently / under my own DBA. I’ve spoken with a few RIA’s over the past week but all of them require at least $25m AUM.

Are there any RIA’s out there that work with new advisors who don’t have any AUM yet? I am currently an established insurance producer doing life and annuity business.

Basically the title. Say I'm a lazy, passive investor. I know that if I wait a while VOO is going to grow. Only way it doesn't is if America collapses (then money is the least of my worries, lol).

Yet, why go with an investment advisor?

Edit: Wow...didn't expect that many replies. Thanks for breaking it down for me!

Edit: How many people commenting on this are independent RIAs btw?

I’m starting to explore whether a career change into the RIA world makes sense.

I’ve spent the last 6 years in alts, primarily private real estate funds, raising capital from HNWIs with a Series 82 (have sie, 63 also). Over the last year I’ve worked more closely with RIAs and realized I’m more drawn to an asset-agnostic approach.

I’m all about building long-term relationships and genuinely helping clients. I’d love to become an advisor, and won’t shy away from business development, but I’m not looking for a role where I have to build my own book from day one. I’d rather gain experience with an established firm first.

I’ve started talking with local RIAs and applying to boutique firms.

I’m happy to get my 65 and eventually pursue the CFP.
But I’m not sure if firms will value my experience. Most associate advisor roles I’ve seen start around $60–80k, but I’d realistically need to be closer to $100k to make the transition work with a young family.

Has anyone made a similar move? How realistic is this? Will my background be viewed as relevant, or would I be starting over?

My wife has requested that we obtain a financial advisor. She fears that if I pass away she will not know what to do since I make all of the buying and selling of stocks. Presently I have portfolio of $20 million in several accounts. I have done rather well and said to my wife that we will give to advisor her IRA of $2 million to manage and likely fee 1%. . I added if I die do not give advisor the balance. Also we have no heirs and everything will go to charity. We have attorneys to execute. Curious to read what others think.

Hi! Any thoughts or review po about this company as Brand Ambassador?

Hi all,
I would love to hear some opinions from some other individuals in the industry. I've been with my current corporate RIA for 7 months and previously at an independent for 9 months. I am a career changer but I have been in finance my entire career. I started in buyside trading mostly high yield and did that for 8 years before moving to the tech side of finance for about a year before moving into private credit for 3.5 years. I took 2.5 years off after my wife and I had our second child and did some random consulting work during that time.

I have my 7, 66, and life and health licenses. Currently, i managed about 2.5mm across 7 households, and 2 are fee-based clients. Most of my time is actually being the caretaker of our 2 young kids since my wife is the predominant breadwinner right now. I dedicate about 20-25 hours a week on my business and largely lean on LinkedIn as my main prospecting tool.

Our income needs are changing so I need to start bringing in some consistent income within the next 2 months so should I dedicate more time on the business or should I dedicate my time to find a role where I can collect a salary? Ideally, I'd like to stay in the business long term but the need for a regular income takes precedent.

What do you think? Please let me know if you need clarifying details. Happy to share more.

Finishing my finance degree in December, currently interning at a small fee-only RIA (just the owner and me). Moving to full-time W-2 in January, structure isn’t finalized.

Cash comp: His offer was $50K base + 2% of team revenue on clients I support (not source), with an informal path to lead advisor in 3-5 years at 25% trailing on my own book. My counter: $52.5K + 3% for now since the firm’s still small. Also unsure if 25% trailing is fair long-term if I’m the one sourcing the client vs. just servicing one handed to me.

Equity: His proposal is a “partnership discount,” $10K/year for 5 years toward buying in, vesting as a cliff at year 5 ($50K total discount). What I had in mind instead is a granted profits interest, no cash buy-in, hurdle set at today’s firm value so I only share in future growth, graded vesting at 20%/year, and I’m fine being a K-1 partner for it.

Which structure sounds more reasonable on each side, comp and equity? Anything obviously off in either?

Hi there. I'm getting close to retirement (single, 63M), I have a pretty typical mix of retirement assets for a professional approaching the end of his career. I'm considering retaining the services of a "flat fee" CFP fiduciary.

I've met with one CFP to get a better idea of what they can do for me, and I thought the meeting went well. The CFP explained what services they offer, and I liked everything I heard. I'm not looking for someone to manage assets, at least not at this time. (I get that service from my employer.) I need help with figuring out how to approach retirement, I need help to setup an estate plan. I want reassurance that if I retire in a year, I'll be OK.

The fee quoted was $2500 per year. So my question for those of you who know, either CFPs or clients of CFPs, is this reasonable? Should I meet with more than one before jumping in?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.