Practical analysis for investment professionals
04 January 2016

Five Reasons to Start Your Own Firm and Four Steps to Take to Do It

The inherent beauty of the investment management profession is its applicability to all people. Investing requires a global perspective, and it transcends cultural, social, and economic boundaries.

Investment professionals serve clients in multiple capacities across an organizational spectrum of boutiques, middle-market firms, and global financial institutions.

A confluence of factors reinforces the opportunity to launch a financial advisory firm, but here are five of them:

Subscribe Button

1. There will be plenty of demand for advice:

  • Roughly 10,000 US residents will reach retirement age every day for the next decade and half.
  • The number of Americans age 65 and older is expected to more than double by 2050 to 89 million people.

2. The shift from defined-benefit (DB) to defined-contribution (DC) retirement plans:

  • Retirement income and longevity risk is now the responsibility of the employee rather than the employer.
  • US 401(k) retirement assets currently exceed $4.4 trillion.

3. Investors have difficulty picking the right financial products:

  • The proliferation of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the advent of self-directed brokerage, and the digital revolution create confusion for those attempting to make the most-informed investment decisions.
  • The average lifespan of a company listed in the S&P 500 has significantly decreased from 67 years in the 1920s to 15 years today.

Ad for Earning Investors' Trust Report

4. A dearth of young financial adviser talent:

  • There are more financial advisers over the age of 70 than under the age of 30. The average age of a financial adviser exceeds 50.
  • Four out of 10 financial advisers will reach retirement age in the next 10 years, and 42% of this demographic lack a succession plan.

5. Investors seek professionals with qualified credentials:

  • The 2008 financial crisis and infamous individuals such as Bernie Madoff have eroded trust in the financial services industry.
  • The investing public, as outlined by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), is vulnerable to confusion about professional designations and certifications, which affords further credibility and trust to those who have earned the CFA charter.

Congratulations! You are considering the merits and feasibility of launching your own investment advisory practice!

Financial Analysts Journal Ad

In November 2013, after two years of preparation and planning, Marguerita Cheng and I co-founded Blue Ocean Global Wealth, an investment advisory firm that strives to be a trusted partner and educational resource. We deliver comprehensive financial planning and wealth management solutions to families, entrepreneurs, and executives. Based upon our experience, we provide a simple framework to help you make the most-informed decisions when considering your own firm.

1. How do you want to service your clients? Investment management or financial planning?

As a CFA charterholder or CFA candidate, you may have a natural affinity for portfolio construction and asset allocation. It is important to note that creating an investment portfolio in isolation is not the same as financial planning. Determine if you want to simply focus on the investments or if you identify with a financial planning process, which integrates additional areas of financial life above portfolio management, including taxes, insurance, liabilities, budgeting, succession planning, estate planning, and charitable giving.


Identify Your Sources of Revenue

Source: Blue Ocean Global Technology


2. What is your future revenue model, advisory fees or brokerage commissions?

The products and services you offer, and associated compensation received, will determine the optimal legal structure for your business.

Advisory/Fees:

  • Investment Management Fees
  • Financial Planning Fees
  • Consulting Fees

If you prefer fee-based or fee-only compensation, you will need to join an existing or create a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). If you earn income from fees, you are considered an investment adviser. Depending on their size, investment advisers have to register with either the SEC or the state securities agency where they maintain their principal place of business. For the most part, investment advisers who manage $100 million or more in client assets must register with the SEC. If they manage less than $100 million, they must register with the state securities agency. Please note that fees may be structured as a flat amount or a percentage of assets under management.

Investment Professional of the Future report graphic

Brokerage/Commissions:

  • Mutual Fund 12b-1 Fees
  • Life Insurance
  • Long-term Care Insurance
  • Term Insurance
  • Variable Annuities
  • Fixed Annuities
  • Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
  • Structured Products

If you plan to receive commissions, you will need to affiliate with an existing broker-dealer to offer such products, which requires passing licensing exams, such as the Series 7.

In forming Blue Ocean Global Wealth, we sought a more comprehensive product offering and anticipated receiving compensation from both fees and commissions. As a result, dual or hybrid registration was most appropriate. Advantages include:

  • Flexibility to serve clients from a brokerage and advisory standpoint.
  • Enhanced ability to consolidate client relationships.
  • Versatility to provide options for both retail and institutional clients.

Identify Your Sources of Revenue

Source: Blue Ocean Global Technology


3. Consult a reputable compliance provider.

Following the compliance rules and regulations is fundamental to the daily viability of your business. Navigating the regulatory landscape, at the state and federal level, can be complex and time consuming. Maintaining an in-house compliance department is often neither practical nor feasible. Establish best practices from the onset of your business so that you can focus on engaging clients and strategic partners.

4. Develop a business and marketing plan with a detailed timeline to prepare you for when you go live.

Every business, particularly within the financial services industry, is unique. Your business model (RIA vs. broker-dealer vs. hybrid/dual registration) will dictate next steps and resources available to support your vision. Begin with the end in mind and recognize that your business will evolve as your realize success and learn from mistakes. Below are some of the key factors we recommend you consider:

Business Incorporation: If forming an RIA, name and register your entity after determining the right legal structure.

Custodian: Selecting a reputable custodian is critical. Bernie Madoff, for example, held client assets in custody and was therefore able to manipulate values and account statements. We selected the Bank of New York Mellon (BNY), through their subsidiary Pershing Advisory Solutions, because they are the world’s largest custodian. BNY administers more than $29 trillion, or 20% of the world’s securities. We also found their global presence in key markets, such as London and India, advantageous for our long-term strategic plan.

Slide of Investment Management: A Science to Teach or an Art to Learn?

This line from history resonates with me and validates the importance of planning.

“Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.” — Confucius

Prepare for the opportunity. No matter how prepared you are, you may never feel you have prepared enough. When you have a flexible framework, it’s easier to stay focused on reaching your goals. An integrated plan will help you measure short- and medium-term progress toward realizing your long-term vision.

Just as portfolio management may stipulate that an asset manager implement an “active” strategy within the guidelines of the investment policy statement, entrepreneurship will require you to adjust your plan on an ongoing basis. Educate yourself to be as knowledgeable as possible.

By understanding your options, you’ll be better prepared to make informed decisions.

If you liked this post, don’t forget to subscribe to the Enterprising Investor.


All posts are the opinion of the author. As such, they should not be construed as investment advice, nor do the opinions expressed necessarily reflect the views of CFA Institute or the author’s employer.

Image credit: ©Getty Images/sturti


Professional Learning for CFA Institute Members

CFA Institute members are empowered to self-determine and self-report professional learning (PL) credits earned, including content on Enterprising Investor. Members can record credits easily using their online PL tracker.

About the Author(s)
Sameer S. Somal, CFA

Sameer S. Somal, CFA, is the CEO of Blue Ocean Global Technology and co-founder of Girl Power Talk. He is a frequent speaker at conferences on digital transformation, online reputation management, diversity and inclusion, relationship capital and ethics. Fundamental to his work at Blue Ocean Global Technology, Somal leads collaboration with an exclusive group of PR, law, and management consulting agency partners. He helps clients build and transform their digital presence. Somal is a published writer and internet defamation subject matter expert witness. In collaboration with the Philadelphia Bar Foundation, he authors continuing legal education (CLE) programs and is a member of the Legal Marketing Association (LMA) Education Advisory Council. He serves on the board of the CFA Institute Seminar for Global Investors and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). He is an active member of the Society of International Business Fellows (SIBF).

13 thoughts on “Five Reasons to Start Your Own Firm and Four Steps to Take to Do It”

  1. Isom Adiari says:

    This is a very insightful article and came at the right time for some of us preparing to launch an investment advisory very soon. Thanks so very much Sameer for your thoughts. They are going to be very helpful especially for the preparation stage. I hope you don’t mind if I have to contact you for more insights.

    1. Ko Ko says:

      Very helpful info…thx.

  2. laurence brody says:

    Laurence Brody I really liked this article and its timeliness. There will be continuing need for human relational financial advice. You will have to have the personality and confidence to attract clients. I think the Advocacy movement is for the present, but planning for the future and professional survivability is a better issue. If there are concerns about working for someone, a CFA member should consider starting their own firm, either solo, or with trusted partners. There can be great pleasure in creating your own corporate culture and ethical system. There will be a shock in terms of the compliance and legal attention needed. I think Sameer S. Somal makes a contribution for what younger members could be considering. Thanks Sameer.

    Laurence Brody, M.D.
    CFA Society of Los Angeles

  3. Klemen says:

    Great article. You talk about US only, but a similar picture can be observed also in Europe. Younger population is more and more aware that they can not relay on the state pension system, instead they need to think of creating savings on their own. But creating savings is only part of the story, one also needs to invest them. And here the role of financial advisors comes into play 🙂 Would be interested to hear more on a fee model, what kind of fee model works best both for advisor and investor (also from marketing prospective)…

  4. Ari Daramola says:

    Thank you Sameer for this article. It is indeed timely as i am putting together an advisory and financial planning startup in Nigeria. The regulatory framework and operating landscape for advisory-type businesses is not cast in stone so i have had to look at other jurisdictions.

    I am happy i stumbled on your write-up as it is helping in conceptualizing my business. We are far from where we want to be but believe we are on the right track.

    I am having challenges with sourcing for business or clients, might you have any insights in this regard?

    Will be happy to read from you.

  5. Jason Veneri says:

    Thank you for sharing. Great content

  6. Kolawole says:

    Thank you.

  7. Ajay Kumar says:

    Thanks Sameer, your write-up has answered many questions I have looking into. A very concise and insightful article.

  8. Jouyan Tang says:

    Hi Admin, may I know with the above Financial Planning 10 elements- charity giving, business succession planning etc can be done with CFP license?

  9. Jouyan Tang says:

    Cfp Can do portfolio investment?

Leave a Reply to Ajay Kumar Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *



By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close