In today’s advisor marketplace, compensation, technology and platform flexibility may open the door—but it’s culture that often determines whether an advisor chooses to stay and grow.
According to J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Financial Advisor Satisfaction Study, leadership and culture rank among the top six drivers of advisor satisfaction, alongside compensation, compliance support and technology. Yet nearly 40% of advisors surveyed said they may not remain with their current firm over the next one to two years.1 The reason is rarely just about economics. More often, it’s about connection—or the lack of it: a gap between what’s promised and what’s actually lived.
In our opinion, culture is the bridge that closes that gap. It’s how you move from simply doing the work to thriving in it.
Culture Is Built on Behavior
It’s easy for firms to say they prioritize culture. But culture isn’t a slogan; it’s behavior over time.
Culture is revealed in how a firm responds to feedback, whether collaboration is encouraged or undermined by internal competition, how leadership behaves during market volatility, or when advisors need support beyond their books of business.
We believe that in firms where culture is real, advisors talk about it. They may say things like:
- “Leadership actually listens to us.”
- “I feel like I have a voice in the future of the firm.”
- “They don’t just talk about client-first — they build around it.”
For example, Mariner offers several in-person forums and events where advisors from across the firm share insights and feedback with leadership on everything from technology investments to growth strategies. That input doesn’t sit in a suggestion box; it’s brought forward and acted upon. It’s a reminder that while results matter, how we achieve them matters more.
A strong culture can support both autonomy and alignment, helping advisors work toward delivering a high-quality experience for their clients. It’s designed to foster consistency and connection.
What to Look for in a Firm’s Culture
Whether you’re exploring a new team-based structure or seeking more independence, these are five signs we believe demonstrate a healthy, advisor-centered culture:
- Advisor voice and influence
Firms with strong cultures don’t just tolerate feedback—they seek it. They include advisors in decisions that shape client service, infrastructure and future growth.
- Consistency over time
Culture should hold steady during market shifts, leadership changes or M&A activity. Ask how the firm has maintained advisor focus through change—not just during stable seasons.
- Support beyond signing day
Any firm can promise a smooth transition. But what does support look like 12 months in? At Mariner, that means ongoing access to national marketing, practice management coaching, and access to holistic and specialized support—not just a call center.
- Community without control
Whether you’re aligned with a team or operating independently, you should feel part of something bigger. Look for autonomy—but also connection.
- Client-first decision-making
Firms that put clients first—rather than pushing products or quotas—build stronger trust and longer-term success. Advisors shouldn’t have to choose between what’s right for their clients and what’s right for their compensation.
Ask the Questions That Get Beneath the Surface
When evaluating a firm, go beyond the pitch. Ask:
- What’s an example of advisor feedback that changed something at the firm?
- How does leadership stay connected to advisors?
- Can I speak with someone who’s been with the firm for several years?
- What does support look like after the first year?
The answers will tell you whether culture is a value or a veneer.
Culture That Lifts and Lasts
When culture is strong, advisors may find they are better able to thrive. Advisors should feel less friction, more clarity and stronger alignment between their business and the firm’s goals. Advisors need to have time to focus on what matters—serving clients, growing their team and building a practice with a sense of abundance and purpose.
That kind of environment doesn’t just happen. It’s designed, nurtured and protected.
Your Next Move Deserves More Than a Paycheck
At Mariner, we don’t just talk about culture—we structure around it. We listen, follow through and evolve. Our values—abundance, keeping promises, client-first thinking—aren’t wall art. They show up in how we support advisors and in the outcomes that follow.
Here, your voice matters. Your clients matter. And your goals are taken seriously. We strive to foster an environment where advisors are heard, collaboration is encouraged, and client-first principles guide our decisions.
Because your next move shouldn’t just check a box. It should feel like the beginning of your best chapter yet.
Source:
1 J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Financial Advisor Satisfaction Study, published March 2025
FOR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY
This material is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is intended for financial professionals to consider affiliation opportunities and should not be construed as specific advice.
Any view expressed reflects general observations on workplace culture and advisor engagement and are not guarantees of advisor or client outcomes. Individual experiences may vary, and references to culture, support, or resources are not assurances of future results. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Mariner is the marketing name for the financial services businesses of Mariner Wealth Advisors, LLC and its subsidiaries. Investment advisory services are provided through the brands Mariner Wealth, Mariner Independent, Mariner Institutional, Mariner Ultra, and Mariner Workplace, each of which is a business name of the registered investment advisory entities of Mariner. For additional information about each of the registered investment advisory entities of Mariner, including fees and services, please contact Mariner or refer to each entity’s Form ADV Part 2A, which is available on the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
