Internship/Residency Program Gives Financial Advisors Additional Options For Expanding Their Businesses

SAN DIEGO, March 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Succession Link, a company that provides an online marketplace for buying and selling financial advisory practices, is pleased to announce the formation of a strategic alliance with Advisors Ahead.

Advisors Ahead offers a unique program for college students who are interested in pursuing careers as financial advisors or financial planners that includes preparatory curriculum, internships offering first-hand industry experience, and residency programs that provide entry-level positions for recent graduates.

According to Clay Skurdal, EVP and Director of Candidate Development, the program has drawn the interest of more than 260 universities, most of which are business colleges with about 50 having CFP curriculums; and, to date, nearly 3,000 students have submitted applications to participate in the program.

Phillip Flakes, co-founder and managing partner of Succession Link, says the program provides options for advisors who want to expand their businesses, or are looking for a qualified person who can eventually take over the reins.

"Bringing a recent college graduate into your business, someone you can personally groom, is a positive step toward developing a successful succession plan, or it can be a great resource for advisors who are expanding their practices," he says.

A screening process and one-on-one assessment allows Advisor Ahead personnel to identify students who are sincerely interested in following this career path. Then, with mentoring and hands-on-experience within a thriving financial advisory practice, students have a better chance of excelling in this competitive industry.

Advisors Ahead CEO and founder, Craig Pfeiffer, says, "Our goal is to increase the professionalism of the next generation of financial advisors, and to improve their chances of succeeding by placing them with a role model where they can observe and participate in a successful practice. This, of course, lends itself to creating better client experiences. We feel that through our strategic alliance with Succession Link, we're one step closer to making this happen."

About Succession Link
Succession Link provides a platform for financial advisors who want to buy or sell practices. The firm does not charge transactional fees, listing fees or membership fees to sellers, and for buyers just a nominal subscription fee is required. It also provides advisors with access to resources that aide in the transaction process. [www.successionlink.com]

About Advisors Ahead
Advisors Ahead was founded in 2012 and is committed to the next generation of Financial Advisors. The program supplements university curriculum with focused content, industry mentors, and practical in-field experience.  The Advisors Ahead Preparatory Program gives graduates the strong baseline competency they need to succeed as Financial Advisors while the Advisors Ahead Institute adds in-the-field experience. [www.advisorsahead.com]

Phillip Flakes
Succession Link
800.397.0430
[email protected]
http://successionlink.com

SOURCE Succession Link