How does your advisory firm stack up?

Comparing a firm's pay to the competition can point out vast flaws.
OCT 18, 2017
With talent so hard to find and keep at advice firms, each practice should have a clear handle on how well it is – or isn't – compensating its brilliant workforce. The benchmarking data below show the greatest range of salaries occurs in what firms are paying their lead advisers, with the 3rd quartile of firms paying nearly twice that of the 1st quartile. Of course, salaries are only part of what firms pay to employees. Total income for advisers shows bonuses vary greatly between positions, roughly doubling as professionals climb each rung of the ladder of adviser roles. The analysis also shows exactly how top performers are pulling ahead of other firms, and the profitability measures and revenue per professional differences are huge. All figures are from the 2017 Adviser Compensation & Staffing Report, which captures full income statements, assets and client information, management and staffing strategies, and staff compensation for 30 positions at 353 independent firms. For more information, and to benchmark staffing levels, compensation and income statement data, visit the InvestmentNews dashboard.
Salary range
MEDIAN BASE SALARY
Practicing partner
Lead adviser
Service adviser
Support adviser
Median metrics and ratios
TOP PERFORMERS* ALL OTHER FIRMS
AUM $447,234,000 $205,000,000
Clients 335 242
AUM per client $1,000,000 $862,706
Revenue $3,162,500 $1,448,660
Revenue growth, 2015-16 7.3% 4.3%
Revenue per professional $730,231 $412,386
Operating profit margin 41.1% 14.8%
Pretax income per owner $729,473 $286,003
*Top performers are those firms that rank in the top quartile of a compound ranking of the following: operating profit margin, pretax income per owner, year-over-year revenue growth, revenue per professional and earnings before owner compensation (as a percentage of revenue).
Designations by position
Hold your cursor over the segment to see percentage
Certified financial planner (CFP)
Certified public accountant (CPA)
Chartered financial analyst (CFA)
Series 7
Practicing partner
Lead adviser
Service adviser
Support adviser
Owner Income
MEDIAN PRETAX INCOME PER OWNER BY FIRM REVENUE
Salary by position
MEDIAN TOTAL INCOME FOR ADVISER POSITIONS
HOLD YOUR CURSOR OVER THE SEGMENT TO SEE salary
Bonus
Salary
Total traditional compensation*
Practicing partner
Lead adviser
Service adviser
Support adviser
*Median, not sum of bonus and salary.
Staff levels
TYPICAL STAFF STRUCTURE AND HEAD COUNT BY FIRM REVENUE

Latest News

Citigroup continues strategic investment banking talent raid on JPMorgan
Citigroup continues strategic investment banking talent raid on JPMorgan

Since Vis Raghavan took over the reins last year, several have jumped ship.

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast
Slow is smooth, smooth is fast

Chasing productivity is one thing, but when you're cutting corners, missing details, and making mistakes, it's time to take a step back.

Edward Jones layoffs about to hit employees, home office staff
Edward Jones layoffs about to hit employees, home office staff

It is not clear how many employees will be affected, but none of the private partnership's 20,000 financial advisors will see their jobs at risk.

CFP Board hails record July exam turnout with 3,214 test-takers
CFP Board hails record July exam turnout with 3,214 test-takers

The historic summer sitting saw a roughly two-thirds pass rate, with most CFP hopefuls falling in the under-40 age group.

Founder of water vending machine company, portfolio manager, charged in $275M Ponzi scheme
Founder of water vending machine company, portfolio manager, charged in $275M Ponzi scheme

"The greed and deception of this Ponzi scheme has resulted in the same way they have throughout history," said Daniel Brubaker, U.S. Postal Inspection Service inspector in charge.

SPONSORED Delivering family office services critical to advisor success

Stan Gregor, Chairman & CEO of Summit Financial Holdings, explores how RIAs can meet growing demand for family office-style services among mass affluent clients through tax-first planning, technology, and collaboration—positioning firms for long-term success

SPONSORED Passing on more than wealth: why purpose should be part of every estate plan

Chris Vizzi, Co-Founder & Partner of South Coast Investment Advisors, LLC, shares how 2025 estate tax changes—$13.99M per person—offer more than tax savings. Learn how to pass on purpose, values, and vision to unite generations and give wealth lasting meaning