--- title: Commonwealth Guide to Independence | Resources description: "Breaking Away from the Wirehouse: Pros and Cons" image: https://learn.commonwealth.com/hubfs/BLC/Images/Resources%20(blog%20posts)/featured%20images/Breaking-Away-Pros-and-Cons.jpg --- [![blue lockup](https://learn.commonwealth.com/hubfs/BLC/Logos/blue%20lockup.svg)](https://www.commonwealth.com/) [![blue lockup](https://learn.commonwealth.com/hubfs/BLC/Logos/blue%20lockup.svg)](https://www.commonwealth.com/) - Your Journey - [Breaking Away](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/journey/breakaway) - [Researching Options](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/journey/research) - [Choosing a Partner Firm](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/journey/firm-partner) - [Opening Your Doors](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/journey/launch) - [Growing Your Business](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/journey/business) - Key Topics - [The Economics of Independence](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/key-topics/economics) - [The Client Experience](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/key-topics/clients) - [Transitioning Your Business](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/key-topics/transition) - [Choosing the Right Firm Partner](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/key-topics/firm-partner) - [Running Your Business](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/key-topics/business-management) - [Marketing Your Business](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/key-topics/marketing) - [Managing Your Risk](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/key-topics/risk-management) - Your Toolbox - [Videos](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources?ty=type-video) - [Quizzes](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources?ty=type-quiz) - [Checklists](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources?ty=type-checklist) - [Guides](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources?ty=type-guide) - [All Resources](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources) - [About Commonwealth](https://www.commonwealth.com/why-commonwealth/about-us) [Let's Connect](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/contact-us) Close - Your Journey - [Breaking Away](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/journey/breakaway) - [Researching Options](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/journey/research) - [Choosing a Partner Firm](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/journey/firm-partner) - [Opening Your Doors](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/journey/launch) - [Growing Your Business](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/journey/business) - Key Topics - [The Economics of Independence](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/key-topics/economics) - [The Client Experience](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/key-topics/clients) - [Transitioning Your Business](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/key-topics/transition) - [Choosing the Right Firm Partner](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/key-topics/firm-partner) - [Running Your Business](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/key-topics/business-management) - [Marketing Your Business](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/key-topics/marketing) - [Managing Your Risk](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/key-topics/risk-management) - Your Toolbox - [Videos](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources?ty=type-video) - [Quizzes](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources?ty=type-quiz) - [Checklists](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources?ty=type-checklist) - [Guides](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources?ty=type-guide) - [All Resources](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources) - [About Commonwealth](https://www.commonwealth.com/why-commonwealth/about-us) SEARCH [Let's Connect](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/contact-us) ##### [Commonsense Guide to Independence](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence) - [Home](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence) - [Resources](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources) - [Breaking Away from the Wirehouse: Pros and Cons](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources/breaking-away-from-the-wirehouse-pros-and-cons) ![cw\_green](https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/295024/BLC/Images/cw_green.svg) # Breaking Away from the Wirehouse: Pros and Cons When opportunities beckon, we often find ourselves faced with difficult choices. If you’re thinking about becoming an independent advisor, you’re dealing with one of the biggest planning decisions you’ll ever make for yourself. Although weighing the pros and cons may seem overwhelming, answering one question could be the key: do you want to be a business owner? Below, we explore what ownership control could look like for you, as well as the associated considerations that should play into your choice to take—or not take—the independent path. ##### Controlling Your Business Pros. First and foremost, as an independent advisor, you’ll be building a business for yourself—not the wirehouse. As an entrepreneur, you can choose the business model that makes the most sense for your clients, with a custom fee schedule that compensates you appropriately for your time and expertise. [![Read the Full Article](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/295024/3008fe60-48b0-404a-bf3c-e720279f5cbc.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/295024/3008fe60-48b0-404a-bf3c-e720279f5cbc) {val=} ### Related Resources ### [5 Signs It May Be Time to Break Away from the Wirehouse](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources/5-signs-it-may-be-time-to-break-away-from-the-wirehouse) [Start Reading](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources/5-signs-it-may-be-time-to-break-away-from-the-wirehouse) [Type: Video](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources?ty=type-video) ### [Knowing When and How to Make the Leap](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources/knowing-when-and-how-to-make-the-leap) [Start Watching](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources/knowing-when-and-how-to-make-the-leap) [Type: Guide](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources?ty=type-guide) ### [So, You've Decided to Break Away from Your Wirehouse—Now What?](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources/so-you-want-to-break-away-from-your-wirehouse-now-what) [Start Reading](https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources/so-you-want-to-break-away-from-your-wirehouse-now-what) ### Connect with Us Tell us a little about yourself. We'll begin a conversation about your business and how Commonwealth can help move your practice forward. ![footer-background](https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/295024/footer-background.png) [![Full Lockup](https://learn.commonwealth.com/hubfs/BLC/Logos/Full%20Lockup.svg)](http://www.commonwealth.com/) ©2025 Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member [FINRA](http://www.finra.org/), [SIPC](http://www.sipc.org/), a Registered Investment Adviser. All rights reserved. This material is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice. Please review our [Terms of Use](https://www.commonwealth.com/terms-of-use). 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If you’re thinking about becoming an independent advisor, you’re dealing with one of the biggest planning decisions you’ll ever make for yourself. Although weighing the pros and cons may seem overwhelming, answering one question could be the key: do you want to be a business owner? Below, we explore what ownership control could look like for you, as well as the associated considerations that should play into your choice to take—or not take—the independent path. Controlling Your Business Pros. First and foremost, as an independent advisor, you’ll be building a business for yourself—not the wirehouse. As an entrepreneur, you can choose the business model that makes the most sense for your clients, with a custom fee schedule that compensates you appropriately for your time and expertise.", "url" : "https://learn.commonwealth.com/advisor-guide/independence/resources/breaking-away-from-the-wirehouse-pros-and-cons", "wordCount" : "188" } ```