Apriem Advisors is honored to be named a 2022 Best Places to Wor­­­k for Financial Advisers by InvestmentNews.

We were chosen as one of this year’s top 75 based on employer and employee surveys delving into everything from company culture, benefits, career paths, and more. At Apriem, not only do we serve our clients to the highest degree, but we ensure that our staff and their families are supported as well.

(This photo was taken during our Apriem Appreciation Dinner on our 2021 annual meeting. With our Staff are their spouses and loved ones.)

At Apriem Advisors, “Not one person is more important than another,” said Rhonda Ducote, president and CEO of the Irvine, California-based firm. “It takes all four departments — client services, financial planning, wealth management, investment management — and all the people within them to make the best experience for the client.”

Management took two important steps five years ago to intentionally foster this feeling of equality:

  1. Changing the compensation structure. Previously, salespeople received percentages of the revenue they generated. “That had set up an ‘us versus them’ scenario because everyone else in the firm was doing just as much work,” Ducote said. Under the new system, everyone receives a salary and the same bonus structure. The change motivated employees to work together and growth took off, she said.
  2. Establishing an employee engagement committee that solicited employee suggestions. One significant employee request was to make permanent the Covid-related hybrid schedule (three days in the office, two days virtual). The firm agreed, and not only did productivity and morale soar, but the virtual aspect enabled growth across the country.

Read the press release here.

See the posting on InvestmentNews here: https://bestplacesforadvisers.com/15-29/apriem-advisors/

Awards Disclosure: Apriem or its Staff did not pay a fee to be included in this list. The award was given on February 7, 2022 and based on data as of December 31, 2021.

Currently in its fifth year, the InvestmentNews 2022 Best Places to Work for Financial Advisers program recognizes financial advice businesses that create meaningful work experiences for all professionals. These firms value a commitment of excellence to both their employees and clients. It is from these encouraging foundations that advice firms can provide high quality and personalized investment and financial planning for clients.

Each year, this project is conducted in partnership with employee survey firm Best Companies Group. Winners are selected from a two-part survey completed by employers and employees. Employers report their organization’s workplace policies, practices and demographics, and employees complete a survey designed to measure the employee experience. Scores from the employee survey represent three-quarters of the weight of the final rankings.

To qualify as one of InvestmentNews Best Places to Work for Financial Advisers, an advice firm must have at least 15 employees and have been in business for one year. There is no charge to register. To read more about the program: https://bestplacesforadvisers.com/about-2/