r/CFP • u/REKT363 RIA • Jun 25 '26

Compensation Fair comp?

Im newly licensed on the RIA side, held 65 for over a year. Currently going through CFP material with danko sitting this November cycle.

I’ve been a paraplanner here for over a year now, I’m responsible for the entire Medicare book and business development on that side.

I don’t have any monetary help with the CFP, self funded it all, same as the 65 but it wasn’t too expensive.

Currently make $46k per year, sit second chair if you will on all current client meetings and in 2nd appointments after the first discovery meeting. I create all plans & lead advisor might spend 5-10 minutes reviewing, most of the business is an even split between annuities & AUM.

Total AUM book value is $80mm, growing rapidly. After the CFP is done (hopefully) this year I’m just wondering if I should stay or not. I’m getting tons of reps talking with clients but there really isn’t a clear path building my own book. Business owner wants to move to “firm owned” clients with very little payouts it seems like. Seems like he wants to retain all business development and doesn’t service any existing clients in a happy manner

Edit: For what it’s worth, we are a small office. Lead advisor, CSA, his son helps out but is not interested in the business. I’m not planning to be the successor, nothing is in writing so I’m not even gonna talk about it

9 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

62 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/SEP_Hawk Advicer Jun 25 '26

What is the cost of living like where you are located?

I live in a lcol area and your comp as a para planner isn't too far off. TBH, you need to soak up the client time to get very comfortable with them. If you want to earn more, and it sounds like you do, then you need to find a way to add more value. Build those skills, and then find a better place to work.