RIA Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
RIA Q&A for Financial Advisors Exploring Independence
What is the difference between an RIA and a Broker-Dealer?
An RIA provides ongoing investment advice and is required to act in a client’s best interest when delivering advisory services. RIAs commonly offer fee-based investment management and financial planning.
A Broker-Dealer offers investment recommendations and related services and is subject to Regulation Best Interest when making recommendations to retail clients. Compensation may include commissions, fees, or other permitted arrangements, depending on the services provided.
OneSeven operates as an investment adviser and provides advisory services in that capacity.
Do RIAs provide custodial or investment support services?
OneSeven partners with multiple leading custodians as well as other investment-based platforms. Alongside our partners, we provide comprehensive investment and custodial support. Advisors have access to model portfolios, custom investment guidance, research-driven strategies, and tools to manage client accounts efficiently and effectively.
What back office support do RIAs provide advisors?
OneSeven provides comprehensive back-office support so advisors can stay focused on their clients. Our compliance team manages reviews, oversight, audits, and ongoing regulatory needs, while our operations team designs, manages, and oversees onboarding, custodial workflows, and billing configuration. In addition, our optional admin desk handles client paperwork and day-to-day administrative tasks, removing the operational burden and helping your business run smoothly and efficiently.
What should I look for when choosing an RIA to join?
When choosing an RIA, it’s important to find a firm that empowers you to grow your business, provides strong back-office support to give you more time for your clients, and allows you to maintain control over your practice. OneSeven provides comprehensive advisor support, including compliance, operations, technology, and administrative resources, so you can focus on serving clients. OneSeven offers robust business growth resources, including marketing support, lead-generation programs, coaching, and opportunities for peer collaboration. At the same time, you retain full ownership of your book of business and the freedom to run your practice your way.
Can I move my clients to a new firm?
At OneSeven, we work closely with you to determine if you have the legal rights to your clients before any transition. Our legal team reviews your NDAs, contracts, and other agreements to ensure client ownership is clear and compliant. This helps you understand what can be moved, protects your relationships, and ensures a smooth, secure transition to your new firm.
How do RIAs help advisors grow their business?
At OneSeven, growth is intentional and fully supported. Advisors have access to lead generation programs, a robust technology stack, and marketing funnels designed to attract and convert prospects. We also provide marketing and branding resources, business development strategies, and operational infrastructure to remove friction as you scale. From onboarding and beyond, you’ll have direct access to our teams for marketing, compliance, operations, and practice management—so you can focus on clients, expand your reach, and build long-term enterprise value.
How do RIAs support advisors during the transition process?
At OneSeven, we provide structured, hands-on support to make your transition seamless. Advisors participate in weekly or biweekly onboarding calls and benefit from a robust workflow that guides every step. Our team assists with paperwork, client communications, registrations, technology setup, trainings, and more, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. From planning through full onboarding, we guide advisors through every step of the transition and continue providing dedicated support long after onboarding, ensuring your practice runs smoothly and you have the resources to grow and succeed over the long term.
Can advisors have their own brand or DBA at an RIA?
Advisors may choose to operate under their own brand, co-brand, or fully align with our firm’s brand—depending on what best supports their business goals. OneSeven provides marketing and branding support to help you design, refine, and grow a brand that fits your business goals.
Do RIAs let advisors own their book of business?
It depends on the firm. Some RIAs retain partial or full ownership of client relationships. At OneSeven, advisors keep full ownership of their book of business. Our structure is designed to support independence while providing the resources to help you grow and protect what you’ve built.
Can advisors choose their own investment strategies at an RIA?
At OneSeven, advisors maintain autonomy over their investment philosophy and client strategies. You can use our investment resources, partner with our investment team, or continue managing portfolios independently. We support flexibility while offering expert guidance when needed.
How do RIAs handle compliance and supervision?
At OneSeven, compliance and supervision are handled through a dedicated in-house compliance team supported by a robust ticketing and workflow system. Our team manages reviews, supervision, regulatory oversight, and ongoing guidance, while the ticketing system ensures requests, approvals, and documentation are tracked, timely, and transparent. This structure provides strong regulatory support without slowing advisors down—so you can stay compliant while remaining focused on serving clients and growing your business.
How do I sell my financial advisory practice?
At OneSeven, we help advisors strategically prepare and position their practice for a successful exit or sale. Our team provides guidance on valuing your business, structuring deals, and identifying potential buyers or successor advisors. By combining operational support, marketing, and continuity planning, we help ensure a smooth transition that maximizes the value of your practice while protecting your clients and legacy.
How do I plan for succession or retirement as an advisor?
Whether you’re planning for retirement, looking to gradually step back, or focused on ensuring long-term continuity for your clients, OneSeven provides comprehensive succession planning, continuity solutions, and innovative monetization options—including our SPV structure—designed to help advisors realize the value of their business while maintaining control.
What is a typical payout rate at an RIA?
At a firm like OneSeven, many advisors can expect to retain a substantial portion of their advisory fee revenue, often in the range of 75%–95%, depending on factors such as book size, revenue production, and the level of back-office support provided. Advisors maintain ownership of their book and have access to resources that help maximize efficiency and growth. Because payouts can vary based on individual circumstances, we recommend using our PriceMyPractice tool to project potential revenue and see a personalized estimate of your net payout before making a transition.
Join OneSeven as an Independent Advisor
If you’re looking for more than a professional network—if you want a community built on growth, collaboration, and real impact—OneSeven is where you belong. Together, we’re building something bigger than any one advisor, and we invite you to be part of it.
