[quote=newbob]

I am an experienced investor(worked in past in investment advisor team) with entrepreneurial experience looking to become a financial advisor. I have the contacts and network needed to be successful over the long term but am looking for a firm that will provide training and development while facilitating the first year. Have interest in INGFP because of their independent advisor program. Really just looking for a good company to work with in developing a business as I am looking to make this a career. 

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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Stay away from ML,MSSB. The hurdles are aggressive and if you miss them you are gone, and don't dare try and transfer assets out. You will be hounded like a dog and you will lose. I'm with ML.

I would recommend an RIA or Indy. The company itself makes little difference as long as they are ethical and will not bleed you with charges. The more important issue is the actual office in which you will work. Find an experienced FA who will take you on as a protege and show you how to create a business.

I see so many PMD's start our program and think that they are ready for it. It matters little if you are entrepenurial or if you know investments. This is a sales job, unless you are being hired to actually build and manage portfolios. Even if you have previous sales experience this is different. I speak from experience.

I do wish you well.

Thank you Zwingding.

I really appreciate your thoughts on my situation. I will start going in more of the independent direction. I have been vacilating between going to mssb or going the more independent track for a  while now so your input really helped. Anyone heard anything especially bad about any of the independent houses like Ing Financial partners that I should know of?