Topic: Compensation

2026 State of Compensation: Pay, Equity & Incentives for RIAs and Advisory Teams

Watch the Replay Is Your Compensation Plan Helping You Grow or Holding You Back? Not sure what to pay your advisors and team in 2026, or whether your current compensation plan is actually competitive? In this on-demand webinar, SRG breaks down real-world compensation benchmarks for RIAs and advisory firms, including salary ranges, bonus structures, phantom equity, and staffing trends across advisor, operations, and executive roles. Using data pulled from valuation and compensation analyses, you’ll see what firms are actually paying and how to align incentives with the behaviors you want, so you can attract and retain talent without letting compensation outgrow the role. Download the Presentation Deck Here Download Speakers Host Julia Sexton, CVA Director of Strategic Organizational Planning Paper-plane Linkedin-in Host Ryan Grau, CVA, CBA Director of Valuations Paper-plane Linkedin-in

Equity Compensation: A Technical Comparison between Restricted Equity Grants

Empower your team and strengthen the long-term health of your business with SRG’s “Equity Compensation: A Technical Comparison Between Restricted Equity Grants” white paper. This practical, easy-to-understand resource breaks down the key differences between Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs) and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) — two of the most common tools for sharing ownership value and aligning employees with your company’s future. Whether you’re designing a new equity plan, preparing for growth, or looking to retain top talent, this guide clarifies the structural, tax, and ownership considerations every business owner should understand. From grant mechanics and vesting to 83(b) elections and S-Corp compatibility, you’ll learn how each approach impacts control, complexity, and long-term planning. Explore how the right equity strategy can motivate your team, support succession goals, and protect the value you’ve built. Download the white paper today and make confident, informed decisions about equity compensation. DOWNLOAD NOW

Breaking the Cycle | Compensation Strategies That Protect Value & Drive Growth

Valuation expert Ryan Grau, CVA, CBA, and compensation strategist Julia Sexton, CVA, reveal the most common comp mistakes—and how to fix them. Learn how to build pay models that drive growth, retain talent, and preserve business value. Watch the Replay Related Resources The Financial Advisor HR Toolkit  Get Your Copy → 12 Key Reasons to Get Your Practice Valued Annually Check Out the Article→ The Why, Who & How of Equity Sharing Download Now →  Grab A Valuation We offer a variety of solutions and turnaround times to fit your needs. Join myCompass Our membership club grants you inside tips and opportunities to grow. Review our Seller Services We’re here to ensure you secure the best buyer, price and terms.

The Financial Advisor’s HR Toolkit

DOWNLOAD NOW Streamline Your Practice with These Essential Tools Effective personnel management, including formalized employee agreements, equity sharing, and compensation plans, is equally crucial to the success of your financial practice as well as that of your team. Our toolkit is designed with all the essentials you need to manage your HR processes effectively, saving you time and increasing your efficiencies. Here’s what you’ll find inside: Expert recommendations on employment agreements Best practices for compensation Key elements for clear job role descriptions Guidance for creating a career path for your team Our toolkit is designed to help you improve your employee satisfaction, increase retention, and better align employee compensation plans with business initiatives. Complete the form to receive your free HR Toolkit today!  Learn more about SRG’s Employment Resources and Equity Sharing services. Schedule your free consultation below!

SRG Off Script: Advisor Compensation

In the latest of SRG’s monthly webinar series, SRG Off Script, David Grau Jr. and Nicole Frey, CFP® address the topic of employee compensation and talent retention in your business. SRG Off Script is a monthly webinar series hosted by President David Grau Jr. David along with other industry experts provide insight and address questions related to all stages of managing a financial practice. Have a request for future SRG Off Script session topics? Let us know at registration or email marketing@successionresourcegroup.com Watch Recording Resources Five Best Practices To Create An Effective Compensation Plan → Five Building Blocks of an Attractive Compensation Model → Learn more about SRG’s Employment Resources service. Schedule your free consultation below! Presenters David Grau Jr., MBA President/Founder Nicole Frey, CFP® Project Manager

Five Best Practices To Create An Effective Compensation Plan

  Many companies have spent significant time and effort in recent years to move away from the traditional one-size-fits-all type compensation plans and instead favor a more customized solution. However, the challenge to achieve desired results in attracting and retaining talented workers, within company means, remains prevalent. While at times the issue may be poor job role, poor culture fit, or external circumstances beyond the employer and/or the employee’s control, more often than not the lack of success is the result of a misalignment of the compensation plan with the worker’s role in the company and incorrect implementation practices. Most of these occurences can be avoided if the following best practices are maintained:

Five Building Blocks of an Attractive Compensation Model

Hiring and retaining talented employees is a top priority for most business owners. Effectively doing so has become increasingly difficult in the financial services industry. The number of advisors approaching retirement and exiting the industry far outweighs the number of new advisors joining. This gap is further exacerbated by the Great Resignation. As a result, organizations are struggling to find the human capital needed to grow their business and plan their internal succession.

How Does Equity Compensation Work?

Companies offer a wide range of employee compensation methods. Generous salaries, healthcare plans, and PTO are among the most common, but many companies also offer compensation that doubles as an incentive for high performance and long-term commitment. Equity compensation is just one example — but it takes a lot of different forms that are worth exploring.