Going Independent Section

Understand Your Options as an RIA

Starting your own firm isn't the only way to become an independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). In fact, when it comes to independence, you have options. Lean into Schwab's expertise and resources to understand your choices and transition with confidence.

Contact us

Explore the core RIA business models

Discover which path to independence makes the most sense for you. Check out a short white paper on each model, or read about them all together in our full-length white paper.

Join

Join an RIA firm as an employee

Bring your talents to an established RIA firm to get the benefits of independence without the responsibility of ownership.

Read the white paper
AFFILIATE

Affiliate with an existing RIA firm

Manage your book of business with the support of an established firm to handle admin and operations.

Read the white paper
SHARE

Share ownership with an equity partner

Pair up with an equity partner—on your own terms—to facilitate the transition process while mitigating risk.

Read the white paper
OUTSOURCE

Outsource tasks to a platform provider

Retain total equity while leaning on a team of experts to handle tasks outside your wheelhouse, like technology or compliance.

Read the white paper
CREATE

Create your own independent RIA firm

Build your own RIA firm from the ground up and take total control of all aspects, including tech, marketing, and expansion.

Read the white paper
GET CLARITY

Find your path

Ready to become an independent RIA? Read on to learn more about each path to freedom, or take our quiz to help give your transition some direction. Then reach out to see how Schwab can help you get where you want to go.

Read the paper Take the quiz
Hybrid RIA

Maintain your brokerage and advisory business

You don't have to commit to building a fully independent firm. Explore the flexibility of the hybrid RIA model, which allows you to maintain both commission-based and fee-based business.

Read the white paper

Advisor success stories

On-screen text:
Resources to help us succeed.
Quadrant Private Wealth

On-screen text:
Going independent doesn't mean going it alone.
There are a number of resources available to advisors who choose the RIA model.
Focus Financial Partners is a partnership of independent wealth management firms and one of many consulting options available to advisors.
Focus Financial Partners has worked with Quadrant Private Wealth during their transition to the RIA model and beyond.
Quadrant Private Wealth selected Schwab Advisor Services™ as their custodian.

On-screen text:
Jason B. Cort, CPWA®
President, Founding Partner, & Private Wealth Advisor | Quadrant Private Wealth

One of the greatest challenges leaving the wirehouse world was we didn't know how to run a business and we've always believed that you can't surround yourself with enough good people that can add value and at the same time have your best interest at heart.

On-screen text:
Kori Lannon, CPWA®, CRPC®
CMO, Founding Partner, & Private Wealth Advisor | Quadrant Private Wealth

The real turning point for us was when we met the folks at Focus Financial Partners. They handed us a spreadsheet, I think it was a 250 to 300 point spreadsheet that said this is what you guys are going to have to accomplish in the next six months to make this work.

Marketing, technology, human resources, operations, you name it, if it's related to run a business Focus has a vested interest in helping us make smart, logical decisions.

Financially as well, they helped us to bridge the gap from running your own practice within a wirehouse to independently running your own practice. We continue to value Focus as an extremely useful resource. We collaborate with them very, very frequently. They just have such an extraordinary top-notch pool of intellectual capital to share.

On-screen text:
Herman L. Rij, CIMA®
Chairman, Founding Partner, & Private Wealth Advisor | Quadrant Private Wealth

The decision of a custodian is obviously a very, very important one. We had the opportunity to interview many different firms. And when we got all said and done we just felt much more comfortable with the options available to us and support available to us through the people at Schwab.

On-screen text:
Brian C. Cort, CFP®, CHFC, CRPC®
COO, CCO, Founding Partner, & Private Wealth Advisor | Quadrant Private Wealth

At the time of our transition one of the most asked questions was, are my assets still safe, and it was very easy to say that Charles Schwab Institutional was going to be the keeper of the assets.

We are obviously looking for someone that could safeguard our client assets, but also provide all the technology and all the support that would allow us to focus on what we do best, which is working with clients, and not have to worry about did we have access to research, did we have access to trading, did we have access to the basic, you know, accounting systems. Schwab took care of all of that for us.

Once we formed Quadrant and started to transfer our book of business, they were amazing at a time when we didn't have any extra hours or minutes or seconds to spare.

The hard work was absolutely worth it and if it wasn't for everybody in the firm really having each other's backs and understanding that it would take a joint effort. And Schwab there right with you gave you a sense of well-being that you could just put your head down, focus on the task at hand and make it through the transition.

On-screen text:
Schwab logo: Own Your Tomorrow
©2024 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved, Member SIPC. (1223-0FCJ)

On-screen text:
Disclosures

Jason Cort, Brian Cort, Kori Lannon, and Herman Rij are clients of Schwab and were not compensated for their comments. The experience described may not be the experience of all clients and is not a guarantee of future performance or success.

Focus Financial Partners is a partnership of independent wealth management firms and one of many consulting options potentially available to transitioning advisors. Focus Financial Partners and their employees are not affiliated with or employees of Schwab unless otherwise noted. Their mention should not be construed as a recommendation by, endorsement of, or sponsorship by Schwab. The views expressed are those of Quadrant Private Wealth and are provided for informational purposes only. Experiences expressed are no guarantee of future performance or success and may not be representative of you or your experience. You must decide whether to hire any firm and the appropriateness of their services for you or your firm.

The above mentioned firms and their employees are not affiliated with or employees of Schwab unless otherwise noted. Mention should not be construed as a recommendation, endorsement of, or sponsorship by Schwab. The views expressed are those of the third party and are provided for informational purposes only. Experiences expressed are no guarantee of future performance or success and may not be representative of you or your experience.

Third party trademarks are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. Third party firms and their employees are not affiliated with or an employee of Schwab.

Information included in this video is intended to be an overview and is subject to change.

Schwab does not provide legal, regulatory or compliance advice. Consult professionals in these fields to address your specific circumstance.

Schwab Advisor Services™ provides custody, trading, and the support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"), member SIPC, to independent investment advisors and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. ("CSIM").

Independent investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by Schwab.

©2024 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"). All rights reserved. Member SIPC.
Video Transcript

Guides for each step toward independence

On-screen text:
Resources to help us succeed.
Quadrant Private Wealth

On-screen text:
Going independent doesn't mean going it alone.
There are a number of resources available to advisors who choose the RIA model.
Focus Financial Partners is a partnership of independent wealth management firms and one of many consulting options available to advisors.
Focus Financial Partners has worked with Quadrant Private Wealth during their transition to the RIA model and beyond.
Quadrant Private Wealth selected Schwab Advisor Services™ as their custodian.

On-screen text:
Jason B. Cort, CPWA®
President, Founding Partner, & Private Wealth Advisor | Quadrant Private Wealth

One of the greatest challenges leaving the wirehouse world was we didn't know how to run a business and we've always believed that you can't surround yourself with enough good people that can add value and at the same time have your best interest at heart.

On-screen text:
Kori Lannon, CPWA®, CRPC®
CMO, Founding Partner, & Private Wealth Advisor | Quadrant Private Wealth

The real turning point for us was when we met the folks at Focus Financial Partners. They handed us a spreadsheet, I think it was a 250 to 300 point spreadsheet that said this is what you guys are going to have to accomplish in the next six months to make this work.

Marketing, technology, human resources, operations, you name it, if it's related to run a business Focus has a vested interest in helping us make smart, logical decisions.

Financially as well, they helped us to bridge the gap from running your own practice within a wirehouse to independently running your own practice. We continue to value Focus as an extremely useful resource. We collaborate with them very, very frequently. They just have such an extraordinary top-notch pool of intellectual capital to share.

On-screen text:
Herman L. Rij, CIMA®
Chairman, Founding Partner, & Private Wealth Advisor | Quadrant Private Wealth

The decision of a custodian is obviously a very, very important one. We had the opportunity to interview many different firms. And when we got all said and done we just felt much more comfortable with the options available to us and support available to us through the people at Schwab.

On-screen text:
Brian C. Cort, CFP®, CHFC, CRPC®
COO, CCO, Founding Partner, & Private Wealth Advisor | Quadrant Private Wealth

At the time of our transition one of the most asked questions was, are my assets still safe, and it was very easy to say that Charles Schwab Institutional was going to be the keeper of the assets.

We are obviously looking for someone that could safeguard our client assets, but also provide all the technology and all the support that would allow us to focus on what we do best, which is working with clients, and not have to worry about did we have access to research, did we have access to trading, did we have access to the basic, you know, accounting systems. Schwab took care of all of that for us.

Once we formed Quadrant and started to transfer our book of business, they were amazing at a time when we didn't have any extra hours or minutes or seconds to spare.

The hard work was absolutely worth it and if it wasn't for everybody in the firm really having each other's backs and understanding that it would take a joint effort. And Schwab there right with you gave you a sense of well-being that you could just put your head down, focus on the task at hand and make it through the transition.

On-screen text:
Schwab logo: Own Your Tomorrow
©2024 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved, Member SIPC. (1223-0FCJ)

On-screen text:
Disclosures

Jason Cort, Brian Cort, Kori Lannon, and Herman Rij are clients of Schwab and were not compensated for their comments. The experience described may not be the experience of all clients and is not a guarantee of future performance or success.

Focus Financial Partners is a partnership of independent wealth management firms and one of many consulting options potentially available to transitioning advisors. Focus Financial Partners and their employees are not affiliated with or employees of Schwab unless otherwise noted. Their mention should not be construed as a recommendation by, endorsement of, or sponsorship by Schwab. The views expressed are those of Quadrant Private Wealth and are provided for informational purposes only. Experiences expressed are no guarantee of future performance or success and may not be representative of you or your experience. You must decide whether to hire any firm and the appropriateness of their services for you or your firm.

The above mentioned firms and their employees are not affiliated with or employees of Schwab unless otherwise noted. Mention should not be construed as a recommendation, endorsement of, or sponsorship by Schwab. The views expressed are those of the third party and are provided for informational purposes only. Experiences expressed are no guarantee of future performance or success and may not be representative of you or your experience.

Third party trademarks are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. Third party firms and their employees are not affiliated with or an employee of Schwab.

Information included in this video is intended to be an overview and is subject to change.

Schwab does not provide legal, regulatory or compliance advice. Consult professionals in these fields to address your specific circumstance.

Schwab Advisor Services™ provides custody, trading, and the support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"), member SIPC, to independent investment advisors and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. ("CSIM").

Independent investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by Schwab.

©2024 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"). All rights reserved. Member SIPC.
Share

Quadrant Private Wealth: Sharing the load for faster lift-off

Quadrant Private Wealth's founders knew they wanted to go independent. There was just one problem—they didn't have all the information they needed to start new a business. See how they worked with Schwab and an equity partner to get their RIA firm off the ground.
 

On screen text: 
Resources to help us succeed. 
Concentus Wealth Advisors. 

On-screen text: 
Going independent doesn't mean going it alone. 

There are a number of resources available to advisors who choose the RIA model. 

Dynasty Financial Partners is a partnership of independent wealth management firms and one of many consulting options available to advisors. 

Dynasty Financial Partners has worked with Concentus Wealth Advisors during their transition to the RIA model and beyond. 

Concentus Wealth Advisors selected Schwab Advisor Services™ as their custodian. 

On-screen text: 
Gerald "Zeke" Strid 
Founding Principal | Concentus Wealth Advisors 

We are on a rocket ship right now. The changes in our industry are so fast and so dramatic it's not even funny. 

Paul Strid 
Founding Principal and COO | Concentus Wealth Advisors 

Concentus is located just outside Philadelphia in an area called The Main Line. We grew up here so we've been in this area for a long time, and I think that shows in our business and our clients. 

On-screen text: 
Erik Strid 
Founding Principal and CEO | Concentus Wealth Advisors 

I had a sense that in the long run, we eventually wanted to become independent and have our own independent business. 

We didn't want to join a model that gave up the equity of our firm to someone else. 

So, one of the things we really should have been concerned with was actually running the business and doing the things it takes to set up a business. 

We were introduced to Dynasty Financial Partners through Schwab. Their slogan is "Powering Independence." 

The folks at Dynasty call themselves an outsourced middle office for independent registered investment advisor firms. They power our independence. 
They help us go independent and be successful at being independent. 

They were gonna really work with us very closely to help us to make sure that our transition was successful which they did. 

Set up HR and payroll and insurance. 

The combination of Dynasty Financial and then Charles Schwab as our custodian was really just very compelling for us. 

We knew that when we were gonna be going to talk to our clients about the fact that we're recommending they use Charles Schwab as their primary custodian, we weren't gonna have any push-back. That feeling of safety of assets permeated everything that our clients understood about Charles Schwab. 

We had all hands on deck during the transition, we had plenty of help. 

It was really just a great combination to have those two firms at our disposal and helping us make sure this transition would be successful. 

And it was great to just have more camaraderie here, more high fives to go around when we had a big client say yes. 

There are a lot of fears about going independent. Clearly they are there and they can be daunting. But having been through it, you look back and you’re like oh my gosh I can't believe how far I've come in a year. If you're thinking about it…do it…is my advice. 

On-screen text: 
©2024 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"). All rights reserved. Member SIPC. (1223-0FMN) 

Gerald Strid, Paul Strid, and Erik Strid are clients of Schwab and were not compensated for their comments. The experience described may not be the experience of all clients and is not a guarantee of future performance or success. 

Dynasty Financial Partners is a partnership of independent wealth management firms and one of many consulting options potentially available to transitioning advisors. Focus Financial Partners and their employees are not affiliated with or employees of Schwab unless otherwise noted. Their mention should not be construed as a recommendation by, endorsement of, or sponsorship by Schwab. The views expressed are those of Concentus Wealth Advisors and are provided for informational purposes only. Experiences expressed are no guarantee of future performance or success and may not be representative of you or your experience. You must decide whether to hire any firm and the appropriateness of their services for you or your firm. 

The above mentioned firms and their employees are not affiliated with or employees of Schwab unless otherwise noted. Mention should not be construed as a recommendation, endorsement of, or sponsorship by Schwab. The views expressed are those of the third party and are provided for informational purposes only. Experiences expressed are no guarantee of future performance or success and may not be representative of you or your experience. 

Third party trademarks are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. Third party firms and their employees are not affiliated with or an employee of Schwab. 

Information included in this video is intended to be an overview and is subject to change. 

Schwab does not provide legal, regulatory or compliance advice. Consult professionals in these fields to address your specific circumstance. 

Schwab Advisor Services™ provides custody, trading, and the support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"), member SIPC, to independent investment advisors and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. ("CSIM"). Independent investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by Schwab. 

©2024 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"). All rights reserved. Member SIPC.
Video Transcript

Accelerating successful transitions

On screen text: 
Resources to help us succeed. 
Concentus Wealth Advisors. 

On-screen text: 
Going independent doesn't mean going it alone. 

There are a number of resources available to advisors who choose the RIA model. 

Dynasty Financial Partners is a partnership of independent wealth management firms and one of many consulting options available to advisors. 

Dynasty Financial Partners has worked with Concentus Wealth Advisors during their transition to the RIA model and beyond. 

Concentus Wealth Advisors selected Schwab Advisor Services™ as their custodian. 

On-screen text: 
Gerald "Zeke" Strid 
Founding Principal | Concentus Wealth Advisors 

We are on a rocket ship right now. The changes in our industry are so fast and so dramatic it's not even funny. 

Paul Strid 
Founding Principal and COO | Concentus Wealth Advisors 

Concentus is located just outside Philadelphia in an area called The Main Line. We grew up here so we've been in this area for a long time, and I think that shows in our business and our clients. 

On-screen text: 
Erik Strid 
Founding Principal and CEO | Concentus Wealth Advisors 

I had a sense that in the long run, we eventually wanted to become independent and have our own independent business. 

We didn't want to join a model that gave up the equity of our firm to someone else. 

So, one of the things we really should have been concerned with was actually running the business and doing the things it takes to set up a business. 

We were introduced to Dynasty Financial Partners through Schwab. Their slogan is "Powering Independence." 

The folks at Dynasty call themselves an outsourced middle office for independent registered investment advisor firms. They power our independence. 
They help us go independent and be successful at being independent. 

They were gonna really work with us very closely to help us to make sure that our transition was successful which they did. 

Set up HR and payroll and insurance. 

The combination of Dynasty Financial and then Charles Schwab as our custodian was really just very compelling for us. 

We knew that when we were gonna be going to talk to our clients about the fact that we're recommending they use Charles Schwab as their primary custodian, we weren't gonna have any push-back. That feeling of safety of assets permeated everything that our clients understood about Charles Schwab. 

We had all hands on deck during the transition, we had plenty of help. 

It was really just a great combination to have those two firms at our disposal and helping us make sure this transition would be successful. 

And it was great to just have more camaraderie here, more high fives to go around when we had a big client say yes. 

There are a lot of fears about going independent. Clearly they are there and they can be daunting. But having been through it, you look back and you’re like oh my gosh I can't believe how far I've come in a year. If you're thinking about it…do it…is my advice. 

On-screen text: 
©2024 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"). All rights reserved. Member SIPC. (1223-0FMN) 

Gerald Strid, Paul Strid, and Erik Strid are clients of Schwab and were not compensated for their comments. The experience described may not be the experience of all clients and is not a guarantee of future performance or success. 

Dynasty Financial Partners is a partnership of independent wealth management firms and one of many consulting options potentially available to transitioning advisors. Focus Financial Partners and their employees are not affiliated with or employees of Schwab unless otherwise noted. Their mention should not be construed as a recommendation by, endorsement of, or sponsorship by Schwab. The views expressed are those of Concentus Wealth Advisors and are provided for informational purposes only. Experiences expressed are no guarantee of future performance or success and may not be representative of you or your experience. You must decide whether to hire any firm and the appropriateness of their services for you or your firm. 

The above mentioned firms and their employees are not affiliated with or employees of Schwab unless otherwise noted. Mention should not be construed as a recommendation, endorsement of, or sponsorship by Schwab. The views expressed are those of the third party and are provided for informational purposes only. Experiences expressed are no guarantee of future performance or success and may not be representative of you or your experience. 

Third party trademarks are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. Third party firms and their employees are not affiliated with or an employee of Schwab. 

Information included in this video is intended to be an overview and is subject to change. 

Schwab does not provide legal, regulatory or compliance advice. Consult professionals in these fields to address your specific circumstance. 

Schwab Advisor Services™ provides custody, trading, and the support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"), member SIPC, to independent investment advisors and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. ("CSIM"). Independent investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by Schwab. 

©2024 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"). All rights reserved. Member SIPC.
OUTSOURCE

Concentus Wealth Advisors: Outsourcing tasks to focus on what matters

The founders of Concentus Wealth Advisors have always centered their priorities around their clients. When they went independent, they worked with Schwab and outsourced tasks to a platform provider so they could maintain their focus on what really matters.

Tap into Schwab's expertise

Going independent doesn't mean going it alone. At Schwab, we've helped thousands of advisors transition to the independent RIA model. Our Business Development Officers thoughtfully guide you throughout the entire process and help you execute the vision for your business.

Get where you want to be

Reach out and we'll introduce you to a Schwab Business Development Officer. They can answer any questions you might have on your journey to independence, no matter which model you choose.
 

Contact us
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Read more about Schwab's privacy policy.

The above mentioned firms and their employees are not affiliated with or employees of Schwab unless otherwise noted. Mention should not be construed as a recommendation, endorsement of, or sponsorship by Schwab. The views expressed are those of the third party and are provided for information purposes only. Experiences expressed are no guarantee of future performance or success and may not be representative of you or your experience.

Schwab does not provide investment planning, legal, regulatory, tax, or compliance advice. Consult professionals in these fields to address your specific circumstances.

Third party trademarks are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. Third party firms and their employees are not affiliated with or an employee of Schwab.

Schwab Advisor Services™ provides custody, trading, and the support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"), member SIPC, to independent investment advisors and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. ("CSIM"). Independent investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by Schwab.

© 2025 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab") All rights reserved. Member SIPC.