Recruiting
The truth about third-party recruiting in the advisor space
There are well over 100 recruiting firms. Most are one person with a phone. How to tell the difference.
Resources
Read before you move
Guide
How to change broker-dealers: a step-by-step guide
From defining your why to the first ninety days, with the questions to ask every firm.
Market
Where advisors are moving in 2026
The firms gaining advisors this year, and what the movers say they were looking for.
Glossary
The words in every offer letter
T12 / GDC
Trailing twelve months of gross dealer concession, the production number every offer is priced against.
Forgivable note
Upfront transition money structured as a loan that is forgiven over time if you stay.
Broker Protocol
An industry agreement letting a departing advisor take basic client contact information.
Repapering
Re-signing clients onto the new firm's account paperwork after you move.
ACAT
The automated system that transfers client accounts between custodians or firms.
U4 / U5
FINRA registration filings, opened when you join a firm and filed when you leave.
OSJ
Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction, a supervising branch that can also provide services and share payout.
Hybrid RIA
A structure that runs advisory business through your own RIA while commissions stay with a broker-dealer.
Net payout
What you actually keep after ticket charges, platform fees, technology, E&O, and administrative costs.
Non-solicit
A contract clause restricting your ability to contact your own clients after you leave.
Estimator
What transition assistance looks like by destination
Independent broker-dealer
50% to 100% · Financial Planning 2025
$375k to $750k
Independent BD, AUM-based
50% to 110% · Cetera package reported October 2025
$375k to $825k
Regional and employee firms
125% to 175% · Diamond Consultants
$938k to $1.31M
RIA and hybrid
10% to 70% · Bridgemark 2025
$75k to $525k
Your actual offer depends on your advisory mix, your clients, and the firm. Get the real number in a Fit Report.
Request a confidential callStart here
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Thirty minutes. One recommendation. Nothing shared without your say.
Request a confidential call
Or call Chris Meinsen directly: 813-344-2880