Are you exactly where you belong?

Independent guidance for financial advisors weighing a move, acquisition, or succession.

Pressure-test alignment, economics, and long-term implications before you commit.

Schedule a confidential call See the 6C Framework →

Or call Rick directly: (303) 246-4352

Replies within 24 hours 100% confidential No cost to advisors

They All Matter: Culture |

Culture → Community → Compatibility → Capability → Compensation → Capital

From intangible tangible

The best transition is not always the biggest check or the best pitch. We test every option across all six dimensions so the recommendation reflects your practice, your clients, and the long-term alignment - not a firm's recruiting agenda.

Download the 6C Alignment Guide Explore the framework →
20+
Years of insider industry experience
50+
BD & RIA platform
relationships
40%
of advisors we consult with confirm they are already in the right place

40% figure based on advisor self-assessments completed through our Platform Alignment Tool.

Proprietary Research

The advisor market: measured, not guessed.

Latest 12-month window 23,000+

SEC-reported advisor registration changes. The same data we bring into every engagement - open to any advisor.

The Advisor Flow Index

Which firms are gaining and losing advisors

Net reported flow, median tenure before a move, and landing spots for 450+ firms.

View the report → Firm Churn

Advisor churn rate, firm by firm

Trailing-12-month advisor departures as a share of each firm's roster.

View the report → Movement Map

Where advisors are moving, state by state

Local movement patterns for all 50 states, built from the same registration data.

View the report →

All figures trace to public SEC IAPD registration changes. Explore all Market Intelligence reports →

Leadership Perspective

A partner who understands what happens after the pitch.

Rick focuses on the questions that determine whether a transition or transaction will work in practice - not just on paper.

"Every firm will promise you the world. I'm here to figure out which one can actually deliver it."

Rick co-founded Continuum after more than two decades in advisor recruiting, business development, and transition strategy. His experience includes serving as Vice President at Kestra Financial and working hands-on across practice acquisitions and succession planning. He built the 6C Framework from thousands of advisor conversations and hundreds of successful transitions, giving clients an operator's view of firm alignment, transaction structure, and what comes after the decision.

Schedule Directly with Rick → Read Rick's Story →
Rick Kerstiens - Co-Founder and CEO

Rick Kerstiens

Co-Founder & CEO
Advisor Perspective
Rick worked with us to make our decision and transition as painless as possible. What I loved most about him was his honesty, integrity and that he continued to assist after the move.
Jennifer S. Financial Advisor · IBD/RIA to IBD/RIA transition
How we work

A clear path from question to decision.

No pressure and no guesswork. Just a disciplined process from the first conversation through a transition, transaction, or succession.

  1. 01

    Confidential discovery

    A private, no-pressure call to understand your goals, concerns, and timing.

  2. 02

    6C alignment analysis

    We benchmark your priorities using our framework to clarify what matters most.

  3. 03

    Curated introductions

    Meet only the firms, buyers, or partners aligned with your priorities. We negotiate on your behalf.

  4. 04

    Transition support

    When you are ready, we coordinate due diligence, timelines, onboarding, and post-move support.

Questions, answered

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers for advisors exploring their next move, evaluating a deal, or pressure-testing the timing of a change.

Do advisors pay for your services?
No. Advisors do not pay us for platform-transition work. If you join a firm or platform we introduce, that organization compensates us. For M&A and practice-sale engagements, the acquiring party pays us. We explain compensation before introductions so you can evaluate our guidance with full context.
How long does the transition process take?
A typical broker-dealer transition takes 60-90 days from signing to your first day. We recommend starting exploration 4-6 months before your target move date.
Is my exploration confidential?
Absolutely. We never share your information with any firm without explicit permission. Your current firm won't know unless you decide to tell them.
What's the difference between an IBD and RIA?
An independent broker-dealer supports commission and advisory business through its brokerage platform. An RIA provides fee-based advisory services under a fiduciary standard. Many practices use both through a hybrid structure.
Should I work with an independent consultant?
An independent consultant can widen the field, protect confidentiality, and help compare economics and operational alignment. Ask how the consultant is paid, which firms they cover, and whether they will tell you when staying put is the better answer.
A confidential next step

Get clarity on what comes next.

A 30-minute conversation with Rick can pressure-test your options, timing, and next step - including whether staying put is the better answer.

  • Independent guidance
  • 100% confidential
  • No cost to advisors
Rick Kerstiens Co-Founder & CEO
Speak directly with Rick

Choose a time that works for you.

Schedule a confidential call

A first conversation, not a commitment.

Prefer phone or email?
(303) 246-4352 Email Rick