Since Financial Design Group (FDG) was founded in 1995, our primary goal has always been to help our clients make informed decisions while positioning our advisors to excel in their roles. Recognized as one of the best financial advisor firms to work for, our firm focuses on making it easy for advisors to conduct business by equipping them with the necessary tools, resources, and curated products, always prioritizing their clients’ interests. We are proudly affiliated as an OSJ with LPL, which enhances our ability to fulfill these commitments to both our advisors and clients.
FDG leverages LPL's leading platforms to integrate and streamline business management tools, and we have established a dedicated support team to minimize the challenges of the financial advisor transition. This allows our advisors to free up time to concentrate on their clients, their businesses, and their personal relationships. Our strategic structure is designed to empower financial advisors to succeed as independent business owners by offering customized support and services that align with their unique needs.
Built by advisors for advisors, we understand the complexities of operating a financial services practice and recognize the importance of delivering solutions tailored to the needs of our affiliated advisors and their clients. FDG's mission is to be the partner of choice for advisors looking to join LPL. We support our partner firms and advisors in their move to independent firms by providing customized support services, resources, reduced expenses, operational efficiencies, and an evolving platform. This is all aligned with our overarching goal of empowering our advisors and member firms to optimize their time and enhance their impact on their clients and personal lives.

As one of the best financial advisor firms to work for, LPL Financial offers its advisors affiliated with FDG access to a dedicated 360 support team available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. This includes discounted pricing on custody and clearing services, which can help reduce client costs and improve the profitability of your practice. Additionally, when you join LPL, FDG is here to assist you during your financial advisor transition, helping you navigate LPL and leverage our team to maximize the strength of the platform. This support enables you to move to an independent firm with confidence and thrive in your supported independence.
LPL invests over $500 million into technology every year for their advisors, making it one of the best financial advisor firms to work for. However, having access to technology isn't enough; we help you integrate it into your practice and day-to-day workflows. By utilizing industry-leading AI tools and CRM systems, we support your financial advisor transition, allowing our affiliated advisors to build out automated workflows without needing to be 'tech experts.' If you're looking to move to an independent firm, consider joining LPL, where we prioritize supported independence.
Our advisors typically experience:
Housed advisors at the best financial advisor firms to work for see 20–40% higher net profitability compared to direct-to-BD models (according to LPL M&A stats). We offer guaranteed buyout options for both planned and unplanned exits, allowing for a seamless financial advisor transition. You will never lose practice ownership—you always own your client data and book. Our enterprise pricing provides custody and clearing services that are below what most advisors would pay directly to LPL, making it easier to move to an independent firm.
We’re not here to just take a cut of your practice—we’re here to help you grow it and support your independence.
Our marketing and sales professionals will assist you in developing and implementing effective marketing strategies that can help you thrive as one of the best financial advisor firms to work for. Whether you're looking to make a financial advisor transition or join LPL, our 'done for you' and 'done with you' tools are designed to support your independence. We help you grow your practice, leverage social media, and nurture your clients and prospects as you move to an independent firm.
We offer white-glove transition assistance, including financial and logistical support, and will even come onsite to run our transition playbook. Our experienced team ensures your financial advisor transition to an independent firm is smooth, efficient, and profitable from day one. As one of the best financial advisor firms to work for, we provide Service360 Concierge Support through LPL, custom economic analysis to highlight profitability, and hands-on practice management coaching.
“With FDG, you’re not alone—you’re part of a team that runs the business so you can focus on running your practice and supported independence.”
We offer custom succession planning and guaranteed buyouts so you can join LPL and ensure a smooth financial advisor transition. This allows you to exit on your terms, protect your legacy, and maximize enterprise value while ensuring continuity for your clients as you move to an independent firm supported independence.
We’ve been where you are, and as one of the best financial advisor firms to work for, we understand the challenges of running a financial practice. That’s why FDG is structured to eliminate friction and support your transition as you consider a move to an independent firm. We deliver: Customized operational support, technology and compliance solutions, a turnkey back-office infrastructure, and the freedom to focus on clients—not admin. Whether you’re looking to join LPL or seeking supported independence, we are here to help.
Our team will help you develop a clear and concise strategic plan that aligns with your business goals and objectives. Whether you’re looking to join LPL, grow through recruiting and practice acquisition, prepare for an exit, or simply reduce your day-to-day headaches to focus on what matters most, we are here to assist you in building and executing a plan. If you're considering a transition to an independent firm or exploring the best financial advisor firms to work for, we’ll guide you every step of the way to ensure your supported independence.
Whether you are looking for full support or just to leverage our systems, infrastructure, and enterprise pricing, we offer a full spectrum of affiliation options that can help you find the best financial advisor firms to work for. You can brand as FDG or operate under your own brand, adjusting your affiliation option as your needs change or your business grows. We provide everything from a fully turnkey solution—covering everything from real estate to full admin and branding—to ala carte options that allow you to mix and match services as you need them. If you're considering a financial advisor transition or want to join LPL, we want to meet you where you are and support your independence as you move to an independent firm and get you where you want to go.
We utilize a 4-part framework to assess whether alignment with FDG is beneficial, especially for those seeking the best financial advisor firms to work for.
Compatibility – Are our values, vision, personalities, and business approach compatible?
Value Delivery – Can we improve your client outcomes and assist you in overcoming the challenges you face in your practice during your financial advisor transition?
Economic Impact – We aim to understand the impact on your clients and your Economics—your dollars and your time—while you consider a move to an independent firm.
Long-Term Alignment – Can we support your independence and help you achieve your goals—both now and in the future?
“We don’t just want anyone—we want the right people who are ready to join LPL.”
When I think of a true “Destination Firm”, I envision a firm that stands out among the best financial advisor firms to work for—one that attracts clients, advisors, and stakeholders alike. This firm helps people live their best financial and vocational lives through community, growth, and scale. Financial Design Group is a perfect example of a true “Destination Firm.” From the leadership team and culture to the client service model and client-facing deliverables, FDG sets the standard for what firms in the financial advisory ecosystem should aspire to become, especially for those considering a financial advisor transition or looking to join LPL. For those ready to move to an independent firm, FDG represents a model of supported independence that others should emulate.
It's so nice here; the people at FDG are wonderful. All they want to do is help you transition smoothly to an independent firm. I don't know why I didn't explore the best financial advisor firms to work for years ago, and I hope you all have the same positive experience as I did when I decided to join LPL and embrace supported independence.
Under the exceptional leadership of Mike Clements and Jason Strasser, our team has flourished and achieved remarkable success, making us one of the best financial advisor firms to work for. Mike and Jason embody the qualities of inspiring and effective leaders, consistently guiding our team to new heights of excellence. It has been an absolute pleasure to work for them, especially as we navigate the financial advisor transition to a more independent model. I am grateful for the opportunity to join LPL and support our independence as we move to an independent firm. I am confident that their vision and guidance will continue to lead our team to even greater achievements.
I have been with the Financial Design Group for 35 years, and I have never been more excited in my career than now. Our transition to LPL Financial as our broker dealer has provided us with the resources to better serve our clients while offering a wide array of options for helping them increase and protect their wealth. As one of the best financial advisor firms to work for, FDG creates synergy within our team. The administrative support I receive from our back-office team is phenomenal; I appreciate how they help me track and manage details that would otherwise consume my time. Even my experience with my broker/dealer is enhanced because of the helpful FDG team. I value the proactive leadership at FDG and their utilization of technology, which allows me to serve my clients effectively as I join LPL and embrace the move to independent firm status, fully supported in my independence.
Mike and Jason have been invaluable “encouragers” for me and other advisors in navigating the financial advisor transition to the best financial advisor firms to work for, ultimately enhancing our ability to serve our clients better. They take the time to understand the key issues for specific clients and consistently provide insights that help us deliver the best financial advice tailored to individual client needs. Additionally, they have been proactive in helping to reduce the compliance and regulatory burdens of running a practice, which is especially beneficial for those looking to join LPL or move to an independent firm, supporting our independence.
I joined FDG in 2000 after exploring some of the best financial advisor firms to work for. After interviewing several firms, I decided that FDG matched the culture and values I was seeking in a financial firm. As a fiduciary, FDG has a legacy of always putting the client first. When I chose to join LPL, one of the most appealing aspects of moving to an independent firm was the complete flexibility and autonomy I have to build my practice the way I choose, supported independence being a key feature of my journey.
The staff and team of support with FDG exemplify a commitment to exceptional client service, characterized by quick response times and thorough communication. As one of the best financial advisor firms to work for, they continually impress me with their work ethic, particularly during financial advisor transitions. Their ability to manage these changes while maintaining a great sense of humor makes the decision to join LPL and move to an independent firm feel well-supported. I’m continually amazed at how they foster supported independence for their clients.
“FDG has allowed me to build my practice the way that best suits me. As one of the best financial advisor firms to work for, they are in the background to encourage me and help solve problems, both big and small, during my financial advisor transition as I consider options to join LPL and move to an independent firm that supports independence.”
I underestimated how impactful the FDG and LPL platform would be for my transition to an independent firm. It’s absolutely amazing what it has provided for my clients and my business—not just in terms of resources, but in growth and opportunity. I only regret not making the move to independent firm sooner and joining LPL, which is one of the best financial advisor firms to work for.

Financial Design Group
3230 Central Park West
Suite 100
Toledo, OH 43617
Talk: 419-843-4737
Text: 419-843-4937
Office Locations and Affiliated firms:
Angola, IN
Avon, OH
Fort Wright, KY
Toledo, OH
Phoenix, AZ
Warsaw, IN
West Chester, OH
Waverly, OH
Affiliated Firms:
Innovative Wealth Partners
Center Street Partners
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