I don’t know why no one has replied but I will do my best. First, the CFP isn’t all that great. It looks good to people in the field but honestly many clients have no idea what it is. Experience (years in the business) is far more important to clients then those letters after my name.

Ed Jones is “ok” for someone that sort of wants to be an independent. Most people on here don’t like them because it is an unusually situation. You work almost just like and independent but don’t get all the benefits (own your book and payout is lower). On the other side, you have great name branding and helps not to have to explain what you do when you hand someone a business card.

UBS and Wells are the same. You are in a wire house and it is no different than any other wire house. Payouts are different a little but honestly they are all the same.

If I were you, I would actually be looking to partner with an independent rep that will sell you their book when they walk. You would have all the control in tech (which you obviously have expertise in) and you could decide how much to pay yourself and how much to put into your company.

Good luck!

In short, be wary of companies that advertise continually. Some of the companies listed above are continually on indeed/monster. That should be a “giant” red flag…lots of turnover.