Flexible Ways to Affiliate
Are you a solo advisor or a large ensemble? Coming from an employee-based model or the independent channel? No matter the answer, you can pick the affiliation option that best aligns with how you run your business and serve your clients.
We offer the following four models:
Dual Registration (RR/IAR)
Hybrid
Corporate RIA (IAR-Only)
RIA-Only
But what if the way you run your firm today isn't the way you want to run your firm tomorrow? With our unique glide path approach, you can get guidance and support for seamlessly transitioning to another affiliation model as your business's—and your clients'—needs change.
From A to Fee: Easing the Path to a Fee-Only Business
Many advisors have set their sights on running a fee-only practice or launching their own RIA. If that's your goal today or sometime down the road, we can ease the way.
Our RIA Services team provides dedicated support to advisors looking to enter, or be fully established under, our corporate RIA or their own independent RIA affiliation model. We'll be here to ensure that you understand the process, including:
Whether now is the right time to go fee-only
Which affiliation model is best for you, your clients, and your business
What the next steps and time frame look like
How much of your business consists of FINRA commissions and trails and how to compensate for any lost revenue
Here's what that glide path looks like depending on the affiliation model you choose:
Initial Consultation
You'll work with one of our RIA transition consultants to:
Review your affiliation options
Discuss the feasibility of converting to fee-only
Align on pricing and compensation
Confirm your decision and begin the glide path
Planning Call
You and your dedicated glide path consultant will:
Review your current book of business
Identify non-advisory accounts to convert to fee-only
Determine how to retain visibility on non-advisory accounts
Create a timeline for conversion
Execution of Your Plan
Beginning the process of converting to IAR-Only, you will:
Prepare paperwork for accounts converting to an advisory relationship
Prepare forms needed to retain visibility on non-advisory accounts
Craft fiduciary message for marketing materials with the help of the Business Consulting team
Prepare disclosures and content updates for stationary, marketing materials, social media, and your website
Review account breakdown with your glide path consultant
Affiliation Change Day
Once you are prepared to go IAR-Only, you will:
Have non-advisory accounts converted to house accounts
Begin using IAR-Only marketing materials
Update your website and social media platforms with new disclosure
Your IAR-Only Future
You can count on RIA Services to:
Provide regulatory guidance and best practices for your new business model
Assist with any operational matters that may arise
Discuss industry trends and topics from a fee-only perspective
Rely on Continued Support to Help You Succeed
With the backing of a firm that delivers what fee-only advisors need, you’ll be properly positioned to build a successful legacy while staying true to what’s best for the clients you serve. As your business evolves, you’ll continue to have access to the infrastructure and support our advisors rely on every day. And, as a fee-only advisor, you’ll be paired with an advisory operations consultant, who will serve as your lifeline to anything you need, including:
Compliance support and consulting, depending on how you affiliate
Marketing tools and support to help promote yourself as a fiduciary
Business consulting to help you pivot to running a fee-only practice
Operations support for help with administrative issues specific to your fee-only business
Find Your Path and Build a Successful Business
The road to a thriving business begins here. Wherever you are today, and wherever you want to go tomorrow, we’ll be right with you to help you get there.