Independence sounds simple until you have to run the business.
The Wealth Consulting Group is betting that financial advisors want control of their practices without having to handle every operational task themselves. The strategy appears to be working. The firm has surpassed $12.1 billion in assets under advisement.
WCG reached the milestone on July 31. The firm said it has grown 27% since 2025 and more than $2.6 billion in recruited assets came in over the past 18 months.
The company has been building toward this model for decades. Jimmy Lee founded WCG in 1995. In 2014, the firm launched its independent RIA platform.
Its pitch is straightforward. Advisors keep their independence, while WCG handles more of the machinery behind the scenes.
That includes investment support, financial planning, retirement planning and insurance resources. The firm’s Advisor Resource Center also provides advanced planning support for areas such as taxes, estate design and complex wealth structures. According to the firm’s announcement, advisors gain access to a “CIO-led investment committee,” suggesting WCG is bringing a more customized investment approach to drive meaningful growth.
Then there is succession.
WCG’s Partners Program gives advisors a way to build enterprise value and access capital. It also gives them more control over when and how they transition their businesses.
That matters as more advisors approach the later stages of their careers. WCG says advisors increasingly want a long-term home where they can prepare for succession without giving up independence.
“We are experiencing significant growth,” said Matt Gilliam, senior vice president of strategic partnerships at WCG. He said the firm is focused on meeting advisors where they are.
Andy Kalbaugh, WCG’s president, said the firm’s culture is helping drive the growth. He said experienced advisors are looking for more than a payout. They want shared services, planning depth and long-term financial alignment.
