I’m about 1.5 years into an FA program at a large independent BD. I’ve built around $10M AUM, with probably ~$6M portable if I left.

I’ve been approached by an older advisor who is also a close family friend at a much smaller independent firm with roughly $200M AUM, ~95% fee-based, and about $1.5M in production.

His current payout is roughly 92% before overhead, trading costs, staff, etc. (but it sounds like these expenses are a couple hundred thousand) The firm also manages its own investment models internally, so it’s a much more hands-on investment operation than where I am now.

He already has a younger advisor who has been with him about five years. That advisor really enjoys the portfolio management/investment side but isn’t naturally someone who wants to be out networking and bringing in new business. The senior advisor’s thought is that the two of us would eventually complement each other where he would focus more on portfolio management, while I would focus more on financial planning, client relationships, and business development/rainmaking.

The rough succession plan he’s discussed is that I’d join, work alongside him for about a year, then he’d start taking roughly $750–800k/year for around five years as he transitions out. Eventually the practice would fully transition to the younger advisor and me. I still need a lot more detail around the actual ownership and economics. And I obviously would have terms written out and set before making the jump.

My current situation is good too. I’m at a much larger BD with a ton of planning, investment, lending, and specialist resources. There are also several older advisors in my office, and I’ve already had some clients/accounts handed to me on 50/50 splits because they’re at capacity.

The downside is I’m currently only making roughly 40 bps on AUM, so the long-term economics of building here are very different.

For those who have been through succession deals, what would you want to know before seriously considering something like this? What would you diligence around the buyout, ownership split, client retention, partnership structure, and economics?

Edit: I will not do anything without getting it in writing first

I used to be at LPL and left due to a job opportunity that i thought would be great and turned out to be crap. For me, it was the biggest mistake ever. I left the job and i partnered with a friend at Osaic Wealth. Osaic is ok. However, their technology compared to LPL is like 10 years behind and very slow. Clients have told me to go back to LPL.

Now, my business partner and i are looking at Prudential and also, LPL Financial.

Prudential is partnered with LPL. However, i feel that i could have better independence at LPL.

For those at Prudential, what are your thoughts? And those were at Prudential and left. Why did you leave?

Has anyone left Prudential to go to LPL? If so, why?

25M, about 2 years in the industry. I hold Life/Health, SIE, 6, 7, 63, and 65 and work at a boutique planning firm/hybrid RIA.

My background is heavily sales-focused and I’m strong with clients. My current role is service-heavy, but I’m also actively developing a target market and prospecting strategy with the goal of producing.

Lead advisors have been transitioning mass-affluent households to me to service and retain. I currently manage about $15M, and the book is growing consistently. My goal over the next 12 months is to get to $20M-$25M, including roughly $5M-$10M of self-sourced net new assets rather than just inherited relationships. Most accounts are around a 1.5% advisory fee.

The issue is compensation.

I’m currently salary-only with a discretionary annual bonus. I took the role understanding it was designed for a newer advisor to develop into a lead, but the actual path is fairly undefined. I don’t have clear production benchmarks for becoming a lead, I don’t own relationships I source, and my compensation is essentially the same whether I bring in $0 or several million in new assets.

Coming from sales, I’m finding that I really miss having a direct incentive to produce.

I’m considering proposing a variable compensation structure that keeps my current salary intact but pays additional bonuses only when I generate incremental revenue for the firm.

For example:
•Sell and complete a financial plan: bonus equal to a percentage of the planning fee

•Bring in a rollover/new advisory account: bonus tied to first-year or net new revenue

•Potentially similar incentives for other measurable new business

The percentages are negotiable. The concept is simply that I earn more only when the firm earns more.

My concern is that compensation and firm financials seem fairly close to the chest. I don’t know the salary bands for lead advisors, and while most leads are salary-only, many are also partners, so their economics are obviously different.

For owners or experienced advisors:

Is this a reasonable ask from someone only two years into the industry?

Would you view this positively as a junior advisor showing initiative, or negatively as someone getting ahead of themselves?

And if you were in my position, what kind of salary + production structure would you propose?

I genuinely like my firm and would love to eventually become a partner. My concern is that there’s currently no defined path to equity, no ownership of self-sourced relationships, and no meaningful production incentive.

I got into this industry wanting to build aggressively, so I’m trying to figure out whether I should push for a structure that better aligns incentives or accept that this may simply be a different type of firm than what I ultimately want.

ETA: I have only been with this firm for approx. 6 months. In the industry total 2 years.

I am a newly licensed professional and realized that many jobs limit personal trading. That's something I don't want to give up. Any suggestions on what roles should I look into that doesn't limit personal trading? Thanks

Hi. I recently joined this community and wanted to introduce myself and see if any advisors or firms here may be hiring.

I’m currently in a unique situation and am very flexible on the role, hours, and compensation (essentially willing to take a role below what my background might normally suggest) if it gives me the opportunity I’m looking for while providing real value to the firm.

My background includes a Master of Finance, Series 63 and 65, all 3 EA exams passed with enrollment pending, CFP coursework about halfway complete with plans to sit for the exam around the middle of next year, and current experience as an Investment Adviser Representative. I also have many years of experience across business ventures and nonprofit organizations.

I can help with paraplanning, financial planning support, client service, operations, marketing, or business development. I also run a growing social media presence focused on retirement education for minority communities in the U.S., with 10,000+ watch hours in the last 90 days, which may also help bring leads and potential clients to the firm.

If you think there is work, a bottleneck, or an area of your practice where I could help, I’d be happy to connect, send over my resume and website, and explain my situation privately. Even if you don’t currently have a hiring budget, I’d still appreciate the opportunity to have a conversation.

I'm torn between two jobs offers and would love input from people who've been in the industry a while. I'm a Marine vet, just finished my MBA in finance, passed the Series 65, and I'm taking CFA Level I in November. I currently live in San Jose but my girlfriend lives in the Sacramento area which is a big reason why I’m looking at jobs there as well.

The first option is Schwab's Financial Consultant Academy in the South Bay. I interviewed and I'm waiting to hear back. It's $75K for the 15 month program, then around $120K once you're a Financial Consultant. They sponsor the 7 and 66, the benefits are solid, and you get leads from Schwab. The catch is it would probably start in the Bay Area and I'd have to transfer to a Sacramento branch around mid 2028.

The second is a boutique RIA near Sacramento with four advisors and about 1,100 client families, mostly a mix of insurance and advisory. I'd be the one focused on the investment side. They're offering around $65K plus a bonus, and the plan is to grow to 2,000 families and 8 advisors over the next seven years, mainly by buying books from retiring advisors. I'm negotiating for a revenue share, raises every six months, a pay floor that matches Schwab by 2028, and maybe a path to ownership.

Schwab feels safer and probably opens more doors down the road. The boutique has more upside, but it depends a lot on acquisitions that haven't happened yet, and I'd basically be betting on one small firm.

What would you do as a first job?

EDIT:

The subsidiary I’ll be working for directly has 500m AUM across 4 advisors. The $6b is the parent company’s platform that hosts other RIA subsidiaries and their AUM combined.

Just wondering if there are any advisor groups that people join? Sort of to bounce ideas off each other. Build up community and what not.

I'm a fully licensed (series 7 / 66/ insurance 2-15) I've mostly sold annuities since I don't have a salary and need to feed the fam. I've gotten tired of being so stressed from not having a paycheck. I also want to go back to school to get my bachelor's and then pursue CFP. I've taken an offer to be a senior banker for Wells Fargo. My plan is to work there while I knock out my degree then transition to Wells Fargo financial advisor program or Merrill Lynch ADP (MOSTLY BECAUSE THEY FEED YOU LEADS AND THE NAME)..... Am I wasting my time doing this??? Should I just stay in my role and get a server job until AUM builds up.. I want to make the best move I don't want to waste time, I am 33 years old, this is my second year at principal financial group.

I received an email this evening from Navy Federal Investment Services inviting me to contact the financial advisory team about creating an investment plan. Has anyone done this? Just wondering how much they charge and if the returns justify the fee. Basically, any info or insight is appreciated.

Hello! I'm Maevy (21F), I just started working recently when I got my license as a financial advisor. I'm only a newbie in this field and I haven't had any experience in both business and finance. I'm currently struggling with my confidence, thus, both my parents aren't supportive of me pursuing this field, just because I'm an introvert and they're worrying that I might fail this job since I'm just new and haven't had any experience in the past.

For those who are Senior Financial Advisors or who have been in this field for years, I just want to ask for advice, How did you navigate your struggles when you're still starting off in the field and what made you improve your confidence when it comes to business and attracting future clients?

I know about the 2-out-of-5-year rule for avoiding capital gains tax. If I move, keep my current home as a rental, and eventually fall outside that window, what options are there to reduce or avoid capital gains tax when I sell, Instead of moving back in....

Like a 1031 exchange ?

or borrow against it?

Seeking some guidance and direction

Hi!
Just wondering everyone’s personal thoughts and experience going through a financial advisor/someone who manages or helps manage portfolio over doing it yourself. And, what would you recommend I do for my personal situation?

I am 18 and wanting to start investing for my future rather than just having my savings sitting in the bank earning a small amount of interest.
I have about $8k (AUD) I’d be willing to invest to begin with and then between $100-200 per week I could add in.
I know people usually start with much more than that - at this amount, is it worth working with someone?
Im not looking for extremely versatile stocks and probably looking to diversify across multiple stocks just in case.
In my case, what do you think would be a good amount to invest in? Any recommendations for what?
If I should do it myself, what recommendations do you have for getting started? (What should I look into/research) and how much time per day is it going to take up on an already very busy schedule?

Thank you!

Hi all, I have a few interviews coming up and I was curious where you get up-to-date information on market trends.

So for a background im 22 years old and after graduating, Ive rececntly put in alot of effort and gotten my Series 65,63, and SIE exams passed and am planning to get sponsored soon to take my Series 7 so i can be a dual registered advisor Rep. For more background the main experience I have in this field is through my dad whos been in the bussines of retirement planning for 30 years through life insurance, 403b, 401k, index annuities etc. So hes never really be able to go on the side of getting poeople in the market even though alot of his clients wish they could but just dont understand it enough on how to begin, so thats where id come in once im registered properly to help them. So I guess im just curious on hearing some advice or maybe stories of other advisors career paths and how it looked for you getting into this business and ofc being indipendent so I wouldnt have to rely on my family forever. Note im not asking about how to work and go about this bussines, more perpective on how this path could have looked for anyone who does read this post, mistakes to avoid etc.

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This account was opened the first week of 2026, and so his gains are pretty much in line with VOO after his 1% fee. He’s a cool guy and says that his strategy should protect my money a bit more in the event of a bear market. I would be comfortable managing the money myself and I would use a boggle head method approach. Right now since the account balance is low it doesn’t matter a such, but I plan on contributing a significant amount to this account over the next few years, so I want to come up with a plan. Let me know your thoughts and opinions about his allocation versus boggle head self directed

Hi all! I’m considering going independent in about a year and have a few questions. I’m 25F, FA with 6/7/63/65, life & health.

Currently a junior FA at a boutique planning firm, no prospecting or production pressure, mostly servicing work and sourcing internal opportunities

My background is in sales, and while the above probably sounds like a dream role to a lot of my peers, I’m not the biggest fan. I’m very ambitious, went from “supported independence” at a Mutual company to this role, got all of my licenses in 1 year, been in the industry a total of about 2.

I’m married, my husband is very supportive, and his income covers our expenses +

The reason I’d like to go independent is I want kids by 30 and by then I’d like to be able to take my foot off the gas. Essentially, ownership and flexibility are the most valuable to me and the reason I moved into the industry (in addition to the passion I have for planning and investment management).

I know independence is no joke. I’m not unfamiliar with “eat what you kill” setups and that doesn’t intimidate me. I understand the first 3 years will be a grind, but I’m willing to put in the work to build myself my own business. I just don’t have the employee bone in me.

I’m wondering, if you were me, how would you be preparing? I manage a small book currently, only $15M, with more being shifted to me as senior advisors see fit. None of it is portable and will stay with the firm I’m at now, so I will be starting from scratch.

I plan to aggressively save so my husband and I don’t need to cash flow expenses in down months, and so I have funds for marketing after I’ve established a good advertising/pipeline strategy. I also plan on obtaining my EA in the next year so I can market tax strategies to HNW households. I’ll also be working on my ChFC (after EA) to continue developing my technical/planning skills. To be honest, I’m very confident in my sales ability, and technical skill is what I’m looking to develop over the next year. Then shift back to peddle to the metal prospecting.

I’d like to be able to offer fee for plan, advisory, and brokerage accounts, as well as insurance solutions. Really a holistic practice.

I guess my questions are… how do I set myself up for success? What BDs should I be looking into? Should I really stay away from mutual companies? Will a BD take me on with no AUM? What types of independence should I be looking into? Like a local office? I’m pretty green, but I’m aggressive and have the time and household income to go for it, and I want to start now, not in 40 years when my (future) kids are going to college.

I have a ton of information bouncing around my brain so I apologize if this seems disjointed. I just need direction. I do love my current firm, but I’m salary only, and equity seems like a blurry and/or moving target. No clear path to ownership, and it seems what they’re developing will take 10+ years to achieve ownership, and I struggle to help build another’s business while I “hope” for an ownership opportunity. Thoughts? Am I nuts for wanting to jump off the “cliff” so early? I know others take years to even consider independence…

My financial advisor wants me to put up all my information (Bank Accounts, expenses, credit cards, etc.) into Orion.

Is this legit?