Experts say it's not just about cold, hard numbers. Knowing client expectations can also make or break any potential deal.

As LPL fights to keep teams in the fold, competitors are making strong plays and pointing to the large brokerage's perceived blemishes. The founders of KRM Investment Counsel said they also found what they wanted at Arkadios, an employee-owned firm.

CEO Paul Shoukry also told analysts that the merger and acquisition deals coursing through the industry could open doors for firms eager to bring in advisors and net new assets.

Agreements from LPL Financial and Betterment top a host of merger and acquisition activity that has jumped since the start of this year.

The choice of brokerage or RIA firm involves any number of factors and a range of timelines. Here's what the numbers and experts suggest are the main drivers.

The structure has been delivering tax savings to advisory practices and other professional services firms for decades. But experts say sometimes it's not the best fit.

The LPL CEO says Commonwealth advisors have almost nothing to lose and much to gain by joining a firm whose headcount is fast approaching 29,000. (Plus, experts say he'll be writing big checks.)

Industry experts think LPL will have to work hard to retain Commonwealth advisors who were sold on the idea that they'd be working for a "boutique" firm.

The acquisition will bring LPL as much as $285 billion in AUM and 2,900 advisors when it closes in the second half of the year.

Sora Finance will continue to operate as a standalone offering for roughly 12 months while Flourish develops a combined deposit and lending solution.