As we announced last week, effective today, we have retired the Commonwealth Independent Advisor blog. You’ll continue to find all of our thought leadership and practical guidance over on Insights, https://www.commonwealth.com/insights.

As you may know, Commonwealth launched our new public-facing website in September. One of the advantages of the new platform is that it allows us to consolidate the content we’ve historically shared on the Commonwealth Independent Advisor blog in a new section called Our Insights.

Financial advisors rely on their relationship with their broker/dealer for a variety of functions, from back-office support to practice management, but there’s a difference between broker/dealers that provide a service and those that allow you to elevate your practice and grow your business. If you’re considering switching firms—and especially if you’re making a move from the wirehouse to the world of independence—choosing the best broker/dealer means looking beyond a big name, shiny sign-on bonus, and slick marketing to consider the importance of fit.

When thinking about leaving a wirehouse, the change in compensation will likely be a major factor in the decision. But you may be wondering if increased payouts will offset the added costs. Check out these comparisons to help you evaluate whether independence is the right choice for you.

When opportunities beckon, we often find ourselves faced with difficult choices. If you’re thinking about becoming an independent advisor, you’re dealing with one of the biggest planning decisions you’ll ever make for yourself. Although weighing the pros and cons may seem overwhelming, answering one question could be the key: do you want to be a business owner?