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.

With more views and options for financial advisors to be independent, TritonPoint Partners is offering up its take on flexibility, cash and equity, and employment status.

Location plays a crucial role in growth and advisory practice valuations — just not in a simple map focusing on the largest cities with the most wealthy people.

The largest independent digital investment advisor in the U.S. is buying the automated investing arm of the woman-focused company.

Last year set a record for mergers and acquisitions among advisory firms. Industry experts expect more of the same in 2025, driven by a desire for client and asset growth.

Debra Taylor is spearheading a new program entailing education for financial advisors, guides for clients and technology integrations.

The model that RIAs use to pay their less-tenured professionals is morphing and looming larger in their future plans and present-day valuations, experts say.

The addition of Prudential Financial and Atria Wealth Solutions helped boost LPL's advisor headcount to a record of nearly 29,000 by the end of last year.

For accountants with clients with multiple entities, one of the biggest bottlenecks is in multi-entity consolidation, especially family offices. How can you, as their trusted advisor, help combat the issue?

Avantax acquired Sweeney Kovar, and Marsico Financial Group bought Care Accounting.

Jeffrey Dobyns, the president of SageSpring Wealth Partners, says he and his colleagues were looking for greater freedom to make use of technology their clients wanted and needed.

With 37% of financial advisors expecting to retire within the next decade, rookies are still failing at a 70% clip within their first five years, according to a new Cerulli study.

Failing to have a solid succession plan is one of many risk factors that can tank an advisory practice's selling price, industry pros warn.

Top deals from Q4 include Wealth Enhancement Group's deal with Levy Wealth Management Group and Cetera's bid for Concourse Financial Group Securities.

Michael Nathanson, CEO of the RIA aggregator, envisions a day in the not-distant future when firms like his will sit on $1 trillion or more in client assets.