Financial Planning - January 2018

Capital is pouring into the RIA market, resulting in more deals, more competition and higher prices.

Deals have heated up. Can the rapid pace continue?

If an acquisitive advisory firm doesn’t perform due diligence on the seller’s fee structure, headaches are guaranteed, Michael Kitces writes.

Winding down a long and successful career often comes with angst. Follow these steps to make the process a little bit easier, Bob Veres says.

Don’t try to be a jack-of-all-trades. Instead, view advising as a team sport and build a powerhouse lineup of pros, John J. Bowen Jr. says.

Follow these directions to keep your professional goals on the right track, Kelli Cruz says.

When it comes to planning, hitting financial goals is only part of the story.

A group of attorneys raises concerns about extensive industry ties among FINRA’s public board members.

Chairman Jay Clayton and top SEC brass are putting advisors on notice. The regulator is drilling down on investor protections, while warning firms on cybersecurity and AML compliance.

“Your risk of being audited goes up,” says RIA powerhouse Ron Carson.

Health savings accounts can add substantial value to client relationships, advisors are told at the Schwab Impact conference.

The NSA, Equifax and the SEC were all breached. Financial advisors of all sizes are fair game, too, says Wes Stillman.

Most Americans would prefer to age in place, but sometimes the costs make it impractical. Here's how to help.

What — if anything — should an advisor do if a client is abusing illicit substances?

It’s the Roth’s 20th birthday. Where is everyone?

Conventional wisdom is that 60/40 portfolio is highly effective. But there could be a better way to accompany large-cap U.S. stocks than U.S. bonds.

The standard process for launching exchange traded funds is flawed, argues Allan Roth. He proposes a better way.

Wholesalers have taken a new tack for a group leery of sales calls, regulation and litigation.

Learning through experience is a great way to prepare for a successful advisory career.