I am relatively new to securities and only have about 400k in AUM right now.  I plan on adding to that of course. However, I am concerned that the B/D RIA that "hired / sponsored" me is just not a good fit.

My background is in insurance and am the principle of a brokerage firm that works with company plans / insurance. About 95% of the revenue is from company plans / insurance.  The kind of work I do lends nicely to 401k /403b plan administration / maintanence.  That is why I got into securities.

The B/D RIA that sponsored me does not do any ERISA business on their platform (i.e they only do ERISA exempt plans).  If I want to work with ERISA plans,  I have to find a wholesaler and use their platform.  I am also not allowed to see clients in my office, but instead, must drive 1 hour to the B/D's regional office or meet clients in their home / place of business.  They say that the compliance would be too costly to allow me to see clients in my office.  They also say that a registered rep of the B/D must be at the office (i.e. my office) during trading hours.  I am the only registered rep in the office, so therefore, I can't meet clients in my own office since I may not be there every day between 9-5.  The payout rate is also about 40%... they keep 60%.  Which seems like a bad payout rate.  From what I've seen, there is little one to one training.  I am usually referred to call a wholesaler for info / training.  I've been training myself via books, magazines, and websites like this one.  The monthly "trainings" are mostly having a wholesaler pitch product to you.  The compliance consists of "you do it this way".  I suppose they do execute trades / provide custodian services for me.  Does that warrent a 40/60 split?  Is this the norm for a B/D?

That said, what should a BD/ RIA provide?  What is reasonable to expect?  What should the average yearly costs that the B/D or RIA charges me (not much AUM) be?  

Also, after reading a few posts about "registering as an indie RIA", I got an idea.  Could I join a small RIA to avoid these B/D issues?  I think 2 guys I know are RIA's as they advertise under "XYZ wealth planners" but run their business thru Princor / Principle.  I especially don't like the fact I can't meet clients in my own office. 

I have a book of business that is non-securities, it's a good book, I want to expand into securities.  It sounds like a lot of B/D's want you to sell sell sell and meet production requirements.  Is it hard to transfer clients if I do want to change RIA's or  B/D's in the future?  This current B/D isn't bad, I'm just concerned it's not a good long term fit and a better fit will be available in a few years (or sooner) as my AUM grows.  I do not want to be "stuck" and have to leave my clients behind.  Ideally, I want to be able to advertise under "XYZ Financial Advisors" and not as "Employee of ABC Broker Dealer".  But I don't want the costs to be prohibitive.