Transition To RIA Podcast

Hosted by Brad Wales

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Episodes

152

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

The Transition To RIA Podcast is named by Kitces as a Top Podcast for Financial Advisors! Brad Wales, founder of Transition To RIA (TransitionToRIA.com) discusses WHY and HOW to transition your financial advisory practice to the Registered Investment Advisor ("RIA") model. This question/answer style podcast pulls directly from the hundreds of RIA related questions Brad has been asked over the years. With 20+ years industry experience, including direct RIA related roles in compliance, finance and business development, Brad has become the go-to expert for everything financial advisors want to learn and understand about the RIA model. Transition To RIA is completely independent of any one solution, thus Brad is able to provide impartial advice and guidance across all of the possible pathways into the model.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 20, 202619 min

Q155 - What Is A W2 RIA Model?

Many people think of the RIA model as an "independent" model. This is accurate, as many pathways into the model are independent in nature. However, some RIA models feature advisors affiliated as W2 employees. These come in many different flavors: partnership models, traditional grid payout models, buyout models, etc. In this episode of the Transition To RIA question and answer series, I explain what these models are and when they may be a fit for your practice. Come take a listen! P.S. Prefer video? You can find this entire series in video format on Youtube. Search for the TRANSITION TO RIA channel. Show notes: https://TransitionToRIA.com/what-is-a-w2-ria-model/ About Host: Brad Wales is the founder of Transition To RIA , where he helps financial advisors between $50M and $1B understand everything there is to know about WHY and HOW to transition their practice to the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) model. Brad has 20+ years of industry experience, including direct RIA related roles in Compliance, Finance and Business Development. He has an MBA and has held the 4, 7, 24, 63 & 65 licenses. The Transition To RIA website (TransitionToRIA.com) has a large catalog of free videos, articles, whitepapers, as well as other resources to help advisors understand the RIA model and how it would apply to their unique circumstances.

August 6, 202617 min

Q154 - What Is An RIA Aggregator?

For those that follow my content, I often rant about "TAMPs" and "hybrids." Not that they aren't good solutions, but rather because our industry often uses those terms to refer to offerings that are sometimes not at all similar. (i.e., one "TAMP" provides one type of service, while another "TAMP" has a quite different model.) It is safe to add "aggregator" to my rant list. How some market participants define an "aggregator" firm can sometimes look nothing like how another defines it. In the latest episode (#154) of the Transition To RIA question & answer series I explain the different models often defined as "aggregator" firms, so you can better understand if such a model fits your practice. Come take a listen! P.S. Prefer video? You can find this entire series in video format on Youtube. Search for the TRANSITION TO RIA channel. Show notes: https://TransitionToRIA.com/what-is-an-ria-aggregator/ About Host: Brad Wales is the founder of Transition To RIA , where he helps financial advisors between $50M and $1B understand everything there is to know about WHY and HOW to transition their practice to the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) model. Brad has 20+ years of industry experience, including direct RIA related roles in Compliance, Finance and Business Development. He has an MBA and has held the 4, 7, 24, 63 & 65 licenses. The Transition To RIA website (TransitionToRIA.com) has a large catalog of free videos, articles, whitepapers, as well as other resources to help advisors understand the RIA model and how it would apply to their unique circumstances.

July 23, 202625 min

Q153 - What Are Red Flags To Look Out For In The RIA Model?

All affiliation models have pros and cons. They all have red flags to watch out for as well. The RIA model is no exception. Case in point: when someone predominantly touts the "100% payout" of the model. Yes, with your own RIA, you retain 100% of your client fee revenue. But when someone loudly touts the top line without also explaining the expenses required to generate that revenue, that is generally a red flag. On this episode (#153) of the Transition To RIA question and answer series, I address this and other red flags in the RIA model to be aware of. Come take a listen! P.S. Prefer video? You can find this entire series in video format on Youtube. Search for the TRANSITION TO RIA channel. Show notes: https://TransitionToRIA.com/what-are-red-flags-to-look-out-for-in-the-ria-model/ About Host: Brad Wales is the founder of Transition To RIA , where he helps financial advisors between $50M and $1B understand everything there is to know about WHY and HOW to transition their practice to the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) model. Brad has 20+ years of industry experience, including direct RIA related roles in Compliance, Finance and Business Development. He has an MBA and has held the 4, 7, 24, 63 & 65 licenses. The Transition To RIA website (TransitionToRIA.com) has a large catalog of free videos, articles, whitepapers, as well as other resources to help advisors understand the RIA model and how it would apply to their unique circumstances.

July 9, 202617 min

Q152 - Should I Join A Hybrid RIA?

Every couple of years, a buzzword seems to rise up to become the industry's token topic. There was an era when "TAMP" was the sexy talk of the day. About 10 years ago, "hybrid" was all the rage. While these terms are still used today, past hype has sometimes caused confusion about when and how to use them. Case in point, should you join a "hybrid" RIA? But what does "hybrid" really even mean? After all, it's often used to describe several different logistical scenarios. In this episode (#152) of the Transition To RIA question & answer series I clarify what a "hybrid" RIA is, and when it might be a fit for our practice. Come take a listen! P.S. Prefer video? You can find this entire series in video format on Youtube. Search for the TRANSITION TO RIA channel. Show notes: https://TransitionToRIA.com/should-i-join-a-hybrid-ria/ About Host: Brad Wales is the founder of Transition To RIA , where he helps financial advisors between $50M and $1B understand everything there is to know about WHY and HOW to transition their practice to the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) model. Brad has 20+ years of industry experience, including direct RIA related roles in Compliance, Finance and Business Development. He has an MBA and has held the 4, 7, 24, 63 & 65 licenses. The Transition To RIA website (TransitionToRIA.com) has a large catalog of free videos, articles, whitepapers, as well as other resources to help advisors understand the RIA model and how it would apply to their unique circumstances.

June 25, 202621 min

Q151 - What Licenses Do I Need For The RIA Model?

In most scenarios, passing the Series 65 exam is the prerequisite to become licensed as an Investment Advisor Representative. However, there are scenarios where the 66, a CFP, or maybe even a 7 are still applicable. It's important to understand how your practice profile, both today and going forward, impacts the licenses you may need in the RIA model. In this episode (#151) of the Transition To RIA question & answer series, I break down the licensing scenarios to be aware of. Come take a listen! P.S. Prefer video? You can find this entire series in video format on Youtube. Search for the TRANSITION TO RIA channel. Show notes: https://TransitionToRIA.com/what-licenses-do-i-need-for-the-ria-model/ About Host: Brad Wales is the founder of Transition To RIA , where he helps financial advisors between $50M and $1B understand everything there is to know about WHY and HOW to transition their practice to the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) model. Brad has 20+ years of industry experience, including direct RIA related roles in Compliance, Finance and Business Development. He has an MBA and has held the 4, 7, 24, 63 & 65 licenses. The Transition To RIA website (TransitionToRIA.com) has a large catalog of free videos, articles, whitepapers, as well as other resources to help advisors understand the RIA model and how it would apply to their unique circumstances.

June 11, 202631 min

Q150 - What Are The Pros And Cons Of The RIA Model?

There is no golden goose when it comes to affiliation models in the wealth management industry. Wirehouses, independent broker-dealers, RIAs all have pros and cons. Anyone who suggests otherwise is either ill-informed or being disingenuous. So when considering pathways for your advisory practice, it's important to understand how those pros and cons compare. In this episode (#150) of the Transition To RIA question & answer series, I explain the pros and cons of the RIA model. Come take a listen! P.S. Prefer video? You can find this entire series in video format on Youtube. Search for the TRANSITION TO RIA channel. Show notes: https://TransitionToRIA.com/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-the-ria-model/ About Host: Brad Wales is the founder of Transition To RIA , where he helps financial advisors between $50M and $1B understand everything there is to know about WHY and HOW to transition their practice to the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) model. Brad has 20+ years of industry experience, including direct RIA related roles in Compliance, Finance and Business Development. He has an MBA and has held the 4, 7, 24, 63 & 65 licenses. The Transition To RIA website (TransitionToRIA.com) has a large catalog of free videos, articles, whitepapers, as well as other resources to help advisors understand the RIA model and how it would apply to their unique circumstances.

May 28, 202619 min

Q149 - Can I Use Variable Annuities In The RIA Model?

A misconception about the RIA model is that certain investment solutions such as variable annuities and alternatives (alts), are unavailable for client use. That is incorrect. Regarding variable annuities, you can generally continue using new products going forward while also accommodating your existing legacy positions. It's a matter of understanding how the options work, the logistics involved, and which solution providers to use. In this episode (#149) of the Transition To RIA question & answer series, I explain how you can use variable annuities in the RIA model. Come take a listen! P.S. Prefer video? You can find this entire series in video format on Youtube. Search for the TRANSITION TO RIA channel. Show notes: https://TransitionToRIA.com/can-i-use-variable-annuities-in-the-ria-model/ About Host: Brad Wales is the founder of Transition To RIA , where he helps financial advisors between $50M and $1B understand everything there is to know about WHY and HOW to transition their practice to the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) model. Brad has 20+ years of industry experience, including direct RIA related roles in Compliance, Finance and Business Development. He has an MBA and has held the 4, 7, 24, 63 & 65 licenses. The Transition To RIA website (TransitionToRIA.com) has a large catalog of free videos, articles, whitepapers, as well as other resources to help advisors understand the RIA model and how it would apply to their unique circumstances.

May 14, 202627 min

Q148 - How Much Does A Custodian Cost?

Whether you start your own RIA, or join an existing one, choosing which custodian to use is an important part of the decision process. As with choosing most solution providers for your practice, many variables should be evaluated. Price is one of them. So how much does a custodian cost? For better or worse, there is a very nuanced answer to that. On this episode (#148) of the Transition To RIA question and answer series, I explain what you should expect to pay (or not) for custodial services. Come take a listen! P.S. Prefer video? You can find this entire series in video format on Youtube. Search for the TRANSITION TO RIA channel. Show notes: https://TransitionToRIA.com/how-much-does-a-custodian-cost/ About Host: Brad Wales is the founder of Transition To RIA , where he helps financial advisors between $50M and $1B understand everything there is to know about WHY and HOW to transition their practice to the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) model. Brad has 20+ years of industry experience, including direct RIA related roles in Compliance, Finance and Business Development. He has an MBA and has held the 4, 7, 24, 63 & 65 licenses. The Transition To RIA website (TransitionToRIA.com) has a large catalog of free videos, articles, whitepapers, as well as other resources to help advisors understand the RIA model and how it would apply to their unique circumstances.

April 30, 202621 min

Q147 - Can I Service HNW And UHNW Clients As An RIA?

Over the past decade, all the (now tired) excuses for why advisors shouldn't move to the RIA model have fallen. To name a few: "The technology is not as good." "You won't have access to the same level of investment solutions." "Clients want the big brand name on the door." Not only are these arguments no longer true, but the RIA model now generally provides a superior solution. But what about servicing HNW and UHNW clients? Can such clients be accommodated the same, or even better, in the RIA model? In this episode (#147) of the Transition To RIA question & answer series, I explain how supporting such clients is not just possible, but generally more favorable in the RIA model. Come take a listen! P.S. Prefer video? You can find this entire series in video format on Youtube. Search for the TRANSITION TO RIA channel. Show notes: https://TransitionToRIA.com/can-i-service-high-net-worth-and-ultra-high-net-worth-clients-as-an-ria/ About Host: Brad Wales is the founder of Transition To RIA , where he helps financial advisors between $50M and $1B understand everything there is to know about WHY and HOW to transition their practice to the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) model. Brad has 20+ years of industry experience, including direct RIA related roles in Compliance, Finance and Business Development. He has an MBA and has held the 4, 7, 24, 63 & 65 licenses. The Transition To RIA website (TransitionToRIA.com) has a large catalog of free videos, articles, whitepapers, as well as other resources to help advisors understand the RIA model and how it would apply to their unique circumstances.

April 16, 202619 min

Q146 - How Long Does It Take To Register An RIA?

I am often asked how long it takes to register an RIA. The simple answer is typically 45-90 days, though in some scenarios it could take significantly longer. Equally important is knowing when (and how) to file in relation to when you plan to launch your firm. Furthermore, this is just one step in an overall transition process that typically takes 6-9 months. On this episode (#146) of the Transition To RIA question and answer series I explain the variables that determine the timeline for registering your own RIA. Come take a listen! P.S. Prefer video? You can find this entire series in video format on Youtube. Search for the TRANSITION TO RIA channel. Show notes: https://TransitionToRIA.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-register-a-ria/ About Host: Brad Wales is the founder of Transition To RIA , where he helps financial advisors between $50M and $1B understand everything there is to know about WHY and HOW to transition their practice to the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) model. Brad has 20+ years of industry experience, including direct RIA related roles in Compliance, Finance and Business Development. He has an MBA and has held the 4, 7, 24, 63 & 65 licenses. The Transition To RIA website (TransitionToRIA.com) has a large catalog of free videos, articles, whitepapers, as well as other resources to help advisors understand the RIA model and how it would apply to their unique circumstances.