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Go Independent as a Financial Advisor
with Expert Support

Step away from the wirehouse with expert guidance in equity, compliance, and entity formation designed for financial advisors who want to own what they build.

You’ve built your career under someone else’s brand. Now it’s time to build a business of your own. Whether you’re launching your own RIA, joining a supported platform, or affiliating with an existing business, we provide entrepreneurial advisors the tools, structure, and support to make the financial advisor transition with confidence and clarity.

Why Do Advisors Go Independent?

Most breakaway advisors are typically seeking ownership, control of equity, freedom in client services, and long-term value.

 

Whether you’ve spent 15 years at a wirehouse managing $75M in client assets or are a top-producing team lead ready to build something of your own, independence is your opportunity to take full control of your growth and equity. Thousands of entrepreneurial advisors like you have made the move and are now building scalable, equity-centric businesses.

What Are Your Options for Going Independent?

There are three common paths for breakaway advisors.

Choose the model that aligns with your goals:

Launch Your Own RIA: Gain full ownership, register with regulators, form an entity, build your tech stack, and hire a team with guided support.

Join a Supported Platform: Maintain equity ownership while leveraging built-in compliance, tech, and back-office infrastructure.

Affiliate with an Independent RIA: Partner with an established independent wealth management business to gain shared resources, enterprise equity, and collaborative support.

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What Steps Are Involved in Going Independent?

Every transition begins with a strategic foundation.

Key steps include:

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Certified valuation of your existing book

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Goal-setting and transition planning

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Legal entity formation and compliance support

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Cash flow and compensation modeling

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How Can You Build Wealth as an Independent Advisor?

Going independent represents ownership and wealth beyond income.

Advisors who choose independence can build lasting wealth by growing the capital value of their business, receiving profit distributions as owners, and implementing a succession plan that unlocks equity over time. This approach moves beyond a focus on income alone, establishing a business model centered on sustainable, equity-driven growth.


What Challenges Do Breakaway Advisors Face?

Most concerns are solvable with the right support.

Breaking away to start your own advisory business comes with more than just ambition, it brings a wave of critical questions. You might be wondering, Will my clients follow me? How do I stay compliant? How will I fund the move? These challenges are common, but they’re manageable with the right strategy, structure, and support.


Why Does Entity Structure Matter?

Your entity choice shapes your business's growth, taxes, and transferability.

Choosing the right legal structure has a significant impact on how your business operates and grows. The entity you select influences your tax efficiency, liability protection, and ability to transfer ownership or share equity. It also plays a critical role in attracting and retaining talent through well-designed equity incentive plans, especially for those following an RIA startup checklist.


What Support Does FP Transitions Provide to Breakaway Advisors?

More than support, your strategic edge in going independent.

FP Transitions offers more than just transition support. With over two decades of experience and the industry’s largest M&A and equity benchmarking platform, we deliver a coordinated strategy to fuel long-term growth and equity realization. Backed by more than 17,000 certified valuations, our integrated team of legal, financial, and operational experts helps you build a scalable business designed to attract talent, retain clients, and grow with intention. Whether launching your own RIA, joining a platform, or forming a team-based business, we provide the clarity and structure to help you move forward with purpose.

Legal Entity Formation & Compliance

Legal Entity Formation
& Compliance

Choosing the right entity structure is more than a legal formality. It shapes how you grow, share equity, and protect your business. We’ll guide you through forming the optimal structure—whether LLC, S-Corp, or partnership—so you can start with confidence and stay compliant at every stage.

Certified Valuation & Equity Modeling

Certified Valuation
& Equity Modeling

Understanding your business’s value is essential. It is the starting point for every financial decision. Our valuations are backed by the industry's most robust benchmarking data and designed to support buy-ins, ownership tracks, and transition strategies that build lasting value.

Client Retention & Transition Planning

Client Retention
& Transition Planning

Client transitions require more than paperwork. We help you navigate compliance, timing, and messaging so you retain trust and assets through every step. Whether you’re breaking away solo or with a team, we’ll help you plan a seamless experience for the clients you serve.

Cash Flow & Ownership Structure Modeling

Cash Flow & Ownership Structure Modeling

A successful transition is not just about surviving. It is about thriving. We help you build a cash flow model that supports both near-term income and long-term wealth. Our ownership strategies align wages, profit distributions, and equity to fuel scalable growth.

Recruiting & Retention Planning

Recruiting &
Retention Planning

The best teams are built with more than salaries. We design equity paths and compensation models that help you attract, motivate, and retain top-tier professionals. Whether you're just starting to hire or ready to expand your leadership bench, we’ll help you structure a team built on shared equity and long-term alignment.

EMS™ Benchmarking & Equity Tracking

EMS™ Benchmarking
& Equity Tracking

You can’t grow what you don’t measure. Our Equity Management Solutions® membership provides a centralized platform for tracking performance, ownership, and value over time. With automated KPIs, equity dashboards, and annual valuation updates, you’ll have the data you need to lead with confidence.

Are You Ready to Build the Business You Deserve?

Still Gathering Information?
Start with These Key Resources for Breakaway Advisors

Explore our most-used planning tools and guides.

Understanding the Value of My Business White Paper

Understanding the Value
of Your Business

Knowing what your business is worth is the foundation of every strategic move. Learn how valuation reveals growth opportunities, supports deal terms, and protects the equity you’ve built — on your terms.

LLC vs. Corporation. Which entity structure fits your goals?

Which Entity Structure
Fits Your Goals?

The entity you choose today can shape the future of your business. Learn how LLCs and corporations compare, and how the right choice aligns with your growth strategy, succession goals, and vision for ownership.

The Framework for a Successful Transition & Integration

The Framework for a Successful Transition

A successful M&A transaction is about fit, communication, and post-close integration. Industry experts break down the human and operational elements that define lasting M&A success — before, during, and after the deal.


Why Do Advisors Trust FP Transitions?

A trusted partner for a confident transition.

We’re trusted by breakaway advisors because our results speak for themselves. With the most robust benchmarking data in the industry and a team of over 70 credentialed professionals, we’ve helped thousands of advisors build sustainable, equity-focused businesses. Our clients trust us to navigate complex transitions, implement growth strategies, and design ownership plans that align with their vision. Advisors don’t just choose FP Transitions for where they are today, they choose us for where they want to go.


Your Questions Answered:
Breakaway Advisors Going Independent

Top questions answered by transition experts.

Getting Started & Planning Your Transition

What’s the first step in going independent?

The first step is clarity. We begin with a certified business valuation to benchmark your current equity position, followed by a personalized strategy call to define your goals, timeline, and legal structure. This ensures your transition plan is built on data, not guesswork.

What does going independent really look like?

Going independent can mean starting your own RIA, joining a supported platform, or affiliating with an existing business. Each path offers a different level of autonomy, infrastructure, and ownership potential. We help you evaluate your goals, risk tolerance, and operational readiness to choose the right model and avoid common pitfalls.

 

I’m not ready to go all-in. Can I plan ahead for a future breakaway?

Absolutely. Many advisors work with us 12 to 24 months before making the move. We help you roadmap your transition, evaluate options, and prepare financially and structurally so you're ready when the time is right.

 

How long does it take to go independent?

A typical breakaway timeline ranges from 90 to 180 days. The duration depends on your existing structure, the complexity of your book, regulatory considerations, and whether you're launching solo, joining a platform, or affiliating with another business.

 

I’m ready to leave, but how fast can I move?

Most breakaway transitions take 90 to 180 days. However, timelines can move faster with proper planning and support. The more clarity you have on your structure, goals, and transition plan, the more streamlined your launch will be.

 

Client Transition & Compliance

How do I move clients from my wirehouse or BD?

Client transition is as much about trust as it is about logistics. Our team guides you through compliant communication strategies, ideal timing, and operational workflows so you can retain assets and relationships while maintaining professional integrity throughout the move.

Will my clients follow me?

Most clients stay with their advisor, not the wirehouse. That said, communication, timing, and compliance are critical. We provide tools and messaging guidance to help you transition client relationships smoothly and maintain trust through every step.

 

What kind of compliance support will I need?

Compliance needs vary based on your model (RIA, IAR under a platform, etc.). We guide you through entity registration, ADV creation, policies and procedures, and ongoing compliance infrastructure—helping you stay focused on clients, not just paperwork.

 

Financial Considerations

Can I still earn income during my transition?

Yes. With thoughtful cash flow modeling and the right structure in place, most breakaway advisors maintain–and in many cases–increase their income after going independent. Our team works with you to align near-term earnings with long-term equity growth.

How much does it cost to go independent and how do I fund it?

The cost depends on the model you choose. Launching an RIA requires upfront investment in legal setup, registration, technology, and staffing. However, many advisors offset these costs through proper cash flow modeling, seller financing (in partner deals), and platform support. We help you forecast expenses and align funding strategies with your growth plan.

 

Growth, Equity, & Ownership

What is EMS™?

Equity Management Solutions (EMS™) is our proprietary platform designed to support long-term value creation. It provides ongoing benchmarking, valuation updates, KPI tracking, and equity modeling to help you lead with insight and continuously grow your business's equity value.

What’s the difference between a silo model and a centralized business structure?

Centralized businesses drive higher enterprise value, greater operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability. In a silo model, each advisor operates independently, which limits scalability, dilutes brand identity, and often hinders succession planning. A centralized structure brings revenue, expenses, and ownership under one coordinated entity. This creates an investible business with shared equity, streamlined operations, and a unified client experience.

 

We help you graduate from solo to ensemble. This transition is more than structural; it’s strategic. It involves aligning compensation, roles, and ownership in a way that supports scale, attracts growth-minded talent, and positions your business for long-term equity realization.

Can I still grow through M&A after going independent?

Yes. In fact, independence often makes you more attractive as a buyer or merger partner. We guide you in building a business that is structured for inorganic growth whether you're acquiring books, merging with peers, or building a multi-partner enterprise.

 

Talent & Team Building

Do I have to go solo?

No. Independence does not mean isolation. Many advisors choose to join existing RIAs, partner with supported platforms, or form ensemble businesses. We help you evaluate each path and select the model that aligns with your vision, values, and goals.

How do I recruit and retain top talent once I’m independent?

Compensation is just one piece of the puzzle. We help you design equity pathways, ownership tracks, and team structures that attract growth-minded professionals. From onboarding your first CSA to building a multi-owner enterprise, we support your talent strategy.

 

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