Pros
One of the top companies in the world and an incredible name to have on your resume. The environment is highly competitive, but the training and development are outstanding, especially for the Series 7 and Series 66 exams. The company is extremely supportive throughout the licensing process and invests heavily in employee growth. The benefits are some of the best available, and very few companies can realistically compete with them. Compensation becomes very lucrative after a few years, with many advisors earning well over $350K annually. The firm also provides access to an unmatched client base and unlimited lead opportunities, with the average advisor managing around $600 million in assets. On top of that, the culture is strong, with frequent team lunches, work dinners, and a collaborative atmosphere that makes the experience both rewarding and enjoyable.
Cons
The company can be difficult at times because of how competitive the environment is. In Arizona, there are currently four branches with another one opening in Gilbert. The Scottsdale branch is considered the flagship office with many of the elite advisors, the PWM team, and the market leadership all located there. Because of that, the culture there can sometimes feel very exclusive or elitist, and many of the larger clients tend to stay concentrated within that branch. It also makes getting hired into Scottsdale significantly more competitive than the other locations. The other branches are solid, but they can feel slower paced at times and may not always have the same high-energy wealth management or “Wall Street” atmosphere that some people are looking for. A lot of the top-level competitiveness and prestige is centralized in Scottsdale, which can make the other offices feel somewhat overshadowed in comparison. With the new Gilbert branch opening, there has also been a noticeable trend in hiring coming from similar social and community circles, particularly within the Mormon community. Some employees feel this has made the hiring environment even more network-driven and competitive depending on your background and connections.