Why Good People Leave Advice Firms in 2026
I went back through 1000+ candidate conversations and counted why CSOs, Associates and Advisers are leaving, and what they want in their next role. Here’s what came up, role by role.
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What lands in your inbox.
- The top reasons CSOs, Associate Advisers and Financial Advisers gave me for leaving, ranked and kept separate by role.
- The top things each role says it wants from its next firm, so you can see where your offer lines up and where it doesn’t.
- Why most of the Advisers I spoke to weren’t leaving for money, and what came up instead.
- How often Associates leave because their path to Adviser stalls or their PY keeps getting pushed back.
- Six moves I’d make first if I owned an advice firm.
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Who this is for
Yes This is for you if…
- Owners and leaders of Australian advice firms who are hiring, or worried about losing someone good.
- Practice managers and heads of advice who look after Associates and CSO teams.
- Anyone writing a job ad or an offer for a CSO, Associate or Adviser role.
No Skip it if…
- Firms outside Australian financial advice.
- Anyone after salary bands. Those are in the 2026 Advice Talent Report.
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Why this works
Nicole Darmanin
Co-Founder & Head of Talent
I ran the Talent function behind an advice firm that went from 9 people to 50 inside two years, and have recruited for firms right across Australia.
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FAQ
Is it free?
Yes. One email address and it lands in your inbox.
Is this the same as the Advice Talent Report?
No. The talent report covers pay bands and incentive structures. This one is about why people move and what they want next. They sit well together.
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