The competition to attract or acquire leading advisors or advisory firms is fierce. Whether you are a top advisor choosing your best path to independence or an established RIA looking to monetize all or part of your business, there are companies waiting with big checks, and very often, equity. The idea of equity can be very enticing. We are in one of the fastest growing segments of the wealth management industry and owning a piece of that through equity participation could mean significant wealth creation in the future. However, with so much interest and new deal structures emerging left and right, it’s important to carefully evaluate your options. When considering whether to take equity as part of the deal, there are five factors to consider.