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Free guides · For advisors

Seven guides built for
advisors doing their homework.

Before any advisor makes a move, they need to understand what they are walking into. These guides are built to help you ask the right questions — about your platform, your economics, your technology, and your options. Download any of them free. No pitch. No follow-up unless you want one.

01
Wirehouse breakaway
The Wirehouse Breakaway Playbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Move
Everything you need to think through before, during, and after a wirehouse breakaway — the math, the legal, the client conversation, and what advisors wish they had known before they moved.
24 pages · PDF · Free download
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02
Independence
Six Models of Independence: Which One Actually Fits Your Practice
RIA, IBD, hybrid, supported independence, W-2 national RIA, tuck-in — a clear breakdown of every model with the economics, operational load, transition capital available, and exit value for each.
18 pages · PDF · Free download
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03
Succession & monetization
What Your Practice Is Actually Worth: A Guide to RIA Valuation and Exit Options
Practice multiples, EBITDA calculations, what buyers are paying in 2026, and how to position your book for a premium exit — whether you are selling in two years or ten.
22 pages · PDF · Free download
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04
Technology
The Tech Stack Audit: How to Evaluate Your Platform Before You Make a Move
A practical framework for assessing your current technology against what the best independent platforms offer — CRM, planning software, portfolio reporting, alternatives access, and AI tools.
16 pages · PDF · Free download
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Winthrop & Co · Research Library

Published by Winthrop & Co — the firm behind this practice. Click any guide to download the PDF directly.

05
Due diligence · Winthrop & Co
Due Diligence Question Bank: Before You Move Your Life's Work
The questions that protect your clients, your equity, and your future. A structured framework to pressure-test any firm or platform before you commit — covering economics, ownership, technology, compliance, and client portability.
15 pages · PDF · Free download · Winthrop & Co
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06
M&A landscape · Winthrop & Co
Navigating the Modern RIA M&A Landscape: Full Integrators, Aggregators, and Minority Investors
A clear breakdown of the three dominant deal structures shaping advisor M&A today. What each model means for your independence, your economics, your brand, and your ability to participate in future enterprise value.
5 pages · PDF · Free download · Winthrop & Co
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07
Model comparison · Winthrop & Co
RIA vs IBD vs Wirehouse: A Full Comparison of Advisor Models
Side-by-side comparison of the three primary advisory structures — fiduciary standards, compensation models, product access, compliance oversight, business ownership, and advisor autonomy. Built for advisors doing real due diligence.
6 pages · PDF · Free download · Winthrop & Co
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