Managing Your Business

The RIA Benchmarking Study

With more than 1,000 firms participating every year, the RIA Benchmarking Study is the largest of its kind in the industry for a reason. Firms that participate receive in-depth data and insights, customized to their business, and all at no cost.

The 2025 study opens January 22: Start prepping today.

Use the checklist

The number one reason that we participate in the Benchmarking Study, and will continue to, is that it provides us with an objective, reliable, consistent source of data against which we can measure ourselves, and, hopefully, make good decisions. 

I'm Ben Dickey. I am one of the founders and principals of Resident Capital Advisors, a registered investment advisory firm in Madison, Wisconsin. 

We have used the Benchmarking Study data consistently to evaluate the growth of our firm. In particular, we have honed in on two particular data points. The first is the growth in assets from our existing clients. We're never more proud than when an existing client entrusts us with more of their capital to manage. The other is the growth of new assets from new clients. And when we put, of course, the two of those together, and also measure attrition, we have a very good view of how we're doing. And we have really used the metric of additions by existing clients to reinforce coaching points about client service, about communication, about technical specialties across the entirety of our employee base. 

We have seen such incredible accretive benefit from participating initially, and then year over year. I think that there is almost no argument that would convince me that an independent firm should not participate in the study if they have the option to. In fact, I would probably encourage many of them to participate at the expense of other things that they may be doing. That's how great I think the value is.
Video Transcript

Actionable insights, year over year

The number one reason that we participate in the Benchmarking Study, and will continue to, is that it provides us with an objective, reliable, consistent source of data against which we can measure ourselves, and, hopefully, make good decisions. 

I'm Ben Dickey. I am one of the founders and principals of Resident Capital Advisors, a registered investment advisory firm in Madison, Wisconsin. 

We have used the Benchmarking Study data consistently to evaluate the growth of our firm. In particular, we have honed in on two particular data points. The first is the growth in assets from our existing clients. We're never more proud than when an existing client entrusts us with more of their capital to manage. The other is the growth of new assets from new clients. And when we put, of course, the two of those together, and also measure attrition, we have a very good view of how we're doing. And we have really used the metric of additions by existing clients to reinforce coaching points about client service, about communication, about technical specialties across the entirety of our employee base. 

We have seen such incredible accretive benefit from participating initially, and then year over year. I think that there is almost no argument that would convince me that an independent firm should not participate in the study if they have the option to. In fact, I would probably encourage many of them to participate at the expense of other things that they may be doing. That's how great I think the value is.

Results from the 2024 Benchmarking Study

Explore findings from the most recent study results and see how RIAs are driving their firms forward.

2024 Main Study White Paper 2024 Compensation Study White Paper

View interactive study results

Take an interactive tour of the study insights and explore related resources that make it easy to take action.

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In-depth insights you can use

Haven't participated in the Benchmarking Study before? See sample excerpts of the custom reports with peer and compensation information that study participants receive.

Sample peer report Sample compensation report

Get an inside look at the study

Study overview >

See how your peers use the study >

Peer report sample >

Compensation report sample >

Firm snapshot >

Frequently asked questions >

Participants: Access your custom reports >

"The benchmarking study provides so much insight into the industry and your firm." Brian Golkar CEO, FPC Investment Advisory

From the archives

The largest study in the registered investment advisor (RIA) industry is also the most respected—with good reason. Take a look back and see what's pushing firms forward.

2024

2024 Main Study White Paper >

2024 Compensation Study White Paper >

2023

2023 Main Study White Paper >

2023 Compensation Study White Paper >

Data to inform your critical decisions

Why does this firm consider the RIA Benchmarking Study an essential tool for their business? Because "the data points are critical to making good business decisions." Learn how they do it.

Read the case study >

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The Benchmarking Study is a requirement in order to keep our business managed in an optimal way and growing as best we can.

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(1224-6XBS)

Ben Dickey, Bijan Golkar, and Mike Amash are clients of Schwab and are 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.

About the RIA Benchmarking Study 
Schwab designed the RIA Benchmarking Study to capture insights in the RIA industry based on survey responses from individual firms. The 2024 study provides information on topics such as asset and revenue growth, sources of new clients, products and pricing, staffing, compensation, marketing, technology, and financial performance. Since the inception of the study in 2006, more than 4,800 firms have participated, with many repeat participants. Fielded from January to March 2024, the study contains self-reported data from 1,304 firms that custody their assets with Schwab and represents $2 trillion in assets under management, making this the leading study in the RIA industry. Schwab did not independently verify or validate the self-reported information. Participant firms represent various sizes and business models. They are categorized into peer groups by AUM size. The study is part of Schwab Business Consulting and Education, a practice management offering for RIAs. Grounded in the best practices of leading independent advisory firms, Business Consulting and Education provides insight, guidance, tools, and resources to help RIAs strategically manage and grow their firms.

Past performance is not an indicator of future results.

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.

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