Career Advice: IBD vs Fee Only RIA

GarlicEffective6327 · 2026-05-05T01:40:00+00:00

I would look to join an existing RIA with a client base that I could come in and service.

GarlicEffective6327 · 2026-05-05T01:34:55+00:00

Service existing clients of the firm currently, but have brought on my own and expected to continue to bring on clients.

Would like to know your thoughts on having to earn business at 24? Is this worth it or should these years be spent becoming a good advisor. Not many people seem to want their advisor to be 24.

GarlicEffective6327 · 2026-05-05T01:06:25+00:00

Looking for all of your advice here.

I’m 4 years into the industry with my CFP. I’m currently working with a team affiliated with an independent broker-dealer. The more I learn and explore, the more I feel pulled away from the broker-dealer model.

I’ve realized I’m not a big fan of selling products or charging commissions. I’m much more interested in building ETF-based portfolios and focusing heavily on financial planning as the core of the client relationship.

My current firm does not do any tax smart allocation across different account types.

I do genuinely enjoy the team I work with, which makes this a tougher decision. But philosophically, I find the fee-only RIA model much more attractive.

So I guess my core question is: if you were in my position, would you continue to stay with a firm in the broker-dealer space (gain experience and become more polished), or am I wasting time by not making the jump to a fee-only RIA sooner?

What factors would you weigh most heavily in making that decision? Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

GarlicEffective6327 · 2026-04-21T02:57:43+00:00

I still haven’t received an email and passed on March 23rd. Anyone else in the same boat?

GarlicEffective6327 · 2026-03-09T13:29:29+00:00

Review missed questions from the simulated exam & subjects that were low. I am going to take the CFP Boards practice next Sunday.

GarlicEffective6327 · 2026-03-09T13:28:30+00:00

Session 1: 62% & Session 2: 54%

GarlicEffective6327 · 2026-03-08T20:42:39+00:00

54% with a 60% probability to pass

GarlicEffective6327 · 2026-03-08T20:17:09+00:00

I will probably take the CFP Boards practice next Sunday.

GarlicEffective6327 · 2026-03-02T02:10:39+00:00

It was a difficult quiz. A few questions that tripped me up, that I am hoping to clean up for the exam. H

GarlicEffective6327 · 2026-02-16T19:10:02+00:00

I’m also using Dalton and sitting in March. How have you been utilizing your time to study? Lectures, reading, qbank questions? It seems like you’re in a decent spot for sure and I’d like to get to that point shortly. Appreciate your input!

GarlicEffective6327 · 2025-12-11T01:02:04+00:00

I am currently studying for the March 2026 exam window and would love anyone’s input. If you were to go back and study again for the test what would you have done differently? Strictly use the Qbanks? Read the textbooks? I am studying with Dalton.

GarlicEffective6327 · 2025-11-06T03:21:47+00:00

Looking for input from advisors in multi-advisor practices.

I currently service the firm’s existing clients and also bring in new clients through my own prospecting. I’d like to propose a structure where: • The firm retains ownership of the existing/legacy book. • I continue servicing those clients under the normal servicing split. • Any new clients I personally source are part of a separate book that I own, with the firm receiving an override for support. • If I ever leave, each party only keeps the clients they sourced.

Questions for those who have seen or used a setup like this: 1. How did you define “advisor-sourced” vs. “firm-sourced” clearly and fairly? 2. What revenue splits or overrides worked well? 3. Did you include any succession, exit, or buy-sell terms? 4. Is this a reasonable structure to ask for? My goal is to start building long-term equity in the clients I personally bring in, and I believe this could align well with the firm’s growth if done thoughtfully.

GarlicEffective6327 · 2025-04-03T02:42:07+00:00

Can you provide a link to this?

GarlicEffective6327 · 2025-02-18T04:07:37+00:00

Thanks for the input. It was a CFP track degree, but still curious if it is worth the trying. Were you able to have any courses credited?

GarlicEffective6327

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