Independent investment adviser with a dealer
Get licensed through a dealer and manage savings and investments for local clients from a small office.
- C$3k-20k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A licensed adviser who works under a registered dealer or firm, recommends and manages investments such as mutual funds, ETFs and registered accounts (RRSP, TFSA, RESP), and meets local clients in a small rented or shared office.
Your first three steps
- Check your provincial securities regulator and CIRO for the registration categories and courses needed, such as the Canadian Securities Course
- Interview several dealers or firms about payouts, fees, support and compliance requirements before choosing one
- Plan how you will meet your first clients, such as seminars, referrals from accountants and community groups
Who pays
Local households, retirees and small business owners who want ongoing help managing their savings.
How it makes money
Fees based on the assets you manage, commissions or trailing fees on products where permitted, and sometimes planning fees. The dealer usually takes a share.
Skills that help
- Investment product knowledge and exam study
- Relationship building and local networking
- Careful record-keeping and compliance habits
Watch out for
- Registration is required to advise on or sell securities, and rules vary by province, so check before you take on any client
- Dealer fees, minimum production targets and who owns the client relationship if you leave
- Conflicts of interest from commissions, which you must disclose and manage under regulator rules
- Insurance, usually partly through the dealer, and the cost of an office lease
- Slow early income while you build a client base
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: independent investment adviser with a dealer
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
What do I need to check before advising clients through a dealer in Canada?
Registration is required to advise on or sell securities, and rules vary by province, so check before you take on any client. Also check dealer fees, minimum production targets, who owns the client relationship if you leave, and how commission conflicts must be disclosed.
How much does it cost to start as a dealer-affiliated adviser?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $20,000, depending on your office lease, insurance and any dealer fees. Insurance is usually partly arranged through the dealer, so confirm what is covered.
How much can an investment adviser earn and how many hours does it take?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your client base. Plan on at least about 25 hours a week. Early income can be slow while you build clients and meet production targets.
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