In a moment, I’ll share with you twelve critical questions to ask your new, prospective firm. Whether you are thinking of changing your independent broker-dealer, IMO/FMO, RIA, or TAMP platform, these questions go far beyond what many advisors normally ask.
The typical advisor questions include the “obvious” items:
- Culture. While it may be difficult to discern what the “culture” is like at the company by just asking a few questions, you can usually identify this by talking with other affiliated advisors and/or visiting the firm before making the decision. If the home office culture is one that fits you, that’s a great first start.
- Length of tenure for team members. If employees stick around for a while, then it’s likely that the employer treats their people well. This can also be reassuring that you aren’t working with people with limited experience and knowledge in the firm.
- Regulatory history. This one is simple. Ask about their regulatory history (you can also do the homework yourself these days). Don’t forget that when you saddle up with a broker/dealer or RIA, you’ll likely feel the same regulatory “bumps in the road” that they do. Just ask any rep whose firm caught negative press over the past 5-10 years. Or worse yet, if the firm all of a sudden went out of business.
Related Posts
The Power of Storytelling: 3 Essential Stories Every Financial Advisor Needs
In this episode of Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook, Mark Mersman reveals how storytelling can transform your marketing and client relationships. Learn the three foundational stories every advisor needs: your origin story to build trust, your client transformation story to demonstrate results and empathy, and your philosophy story to define your beliefs and differentiate your brand. Discover practical tips for crafting these narratives and integrating them into your website, meetings, and marketing strategy.
What’s Trending: Why Active Management Matters When Emotions Run High
In this November’s Trending Report, Kevin Roskam of USA Financial dives into the emotional side of investing and why keeping short-term fears in check is crucial for long-term success. He shares a real-life client story that highlights how media-driven anxiety can derail financial plans and reminds us that market corrections aren’t just possible—they’re normal. Kevin explains how trends show the importance of active management in today’s market, where not all 500 S&P stocks are moving together. He explores how diversification, discipline, and a clear understanding of your portfolio’s purpose can help investors navigate volatility with confidence. Whether you’re an advisor guiding clients or an investor staying the course, this report is a timely reminder that disciplined strategies—not emotions—drive lasting results.
Building a Client-Centered Practice: Insights from Duncan MacPherson & Pareto Systems
In this episode of the Rare Advisor, host Aaron Grady sits down with Duncan MacPherson of Pareto Systems to unpack the “Always On” client experience from The Blue Square Method—showing financial advisors how to move from personality-driven to process-driven, scalable firms. You’ll learn the four quadrants (Onside, Onboard, Ongoing, Onward), why a documented fit process and onboarding sequence create professional contrast, how the 12-4-2 service model competitor-proofs relationships, and why systematizing moments of truth builds advocacy and referrals. We cover turning know-how into intellectual property (playbooks/SOPs), becoming “fee-worthy” and referable, leveraging the Pareto principle for AAA clients, and shifting from B2C to B2B growth.