Why Independence Is Often Misunderstood

Independence is one of the most overused words in financial services.

It’s often marketed as a structure. A platform. A firm type. A badge that signals freedom from large institutions or corporate influence.

But Eric Kittner frames independence differently.

Independence isn’t something you file paperwork for. It’s something you practice every day.

It shows up not in branding, but in decision-making.

Independence Lives in the Moment of Choice

True independence reveals itself at the exact moment an advisor makes a recommendation.

Who benefits from this decision? The client—or the system around them?

That question cuts through marketing narratives quickly. Advisors can operate inside large firms and still act independently. Others can go fully solo and still be constrained by incentives, fear, or short-term thinking.

Independence isn’t about how big or small your firm is. It’s about whether your advice is shaped by alignment or by pressure.

Why Scale Doesn’t Have to Dilute Independence

At Moneta Group, growth didn’t dilute independence. It reinforced it.

As the firm expanded into new markets and doubled its AUM, scale created deeper resources, greater specialization, and stronger internal collaboration. Advisors gained more tools to serve clients well without sacrificing objectivity.

Instead of limiting choice, scale increased optionality.

The independence came from clarity of purpose, not isolation.

Freedom From Incentives Is What Clients Actually Feel

True independence means advisors aren’t chasing commissions, trends, or optics.

They’re not reacting to what looks impressive on paper or what moves fastest in the market. They’re free to recommend what’s appropriate, even when it’s boring, slow, or unglamorous.

Clients feel that freedom immediately.

Advice lands differently when it’s clearly not rushed, not conflicted, and not agenda-driven. Over time, those moments stack up into trust—and trust is what clients remember long after performance charts fade.

Independence Is a Long-Term Commitment, Not a Label

Anyone can claim independence.

Living it requires discipline.

It means saying no to misaligned opportunities. It means resisting momentum when it conflicts with client outcomes. It means choosing consistency over excitement and principle over optics.

That mindset doesn’t fluctuate with market cycles or firm size.

It endures.

Key Takeaway: Independence Is How You Decide

True independence in financial advice has nothing to do with going solo or scaling up.

It’s about whether every recommendation is made in service of the client’s best interest, free from pressure, incentives, or short-term gain.

That’s not a structure.

That’s a mindset.

Inspired by Eric Kittner, CEO and Chairman of the Board at  Moneta Group, on the Next Mile podcast. Listen to the full episode and explore related articles in this series