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title: Onboarding with Innovation Partners description: [AFW T.1] Joining Innovation Partners LLC, Getting Licensed, Transferring from Another Firm & Getting Started published: true date: 2026-06-30T08:08:14.306Z tags: editor: markdown dateCreated: 2021-04-20T22:47:13.642Z

See the fees and licensing calculator Google Sheet

Note: make sure to complete the Succession Planning Docusign template

Transitioning from Another Firm


Holding Pending Commissions

A tip if you haven't made the jump to IP and are about to, call your respective custodian if you're awaiting giant commissions. Just explain your situation and they will hold your commission until you jump over to IP. I did that with Sammons and AMF and saved $17k in commissions! -Julian Rodriguez


Step 1: Retaining Your Data from Your Previous Firm

Do all of the steps in this section before resigning from your firm.

DocuSign

If your previous firm used DocuSign then download all of your DocuSign documents/envelopes. You will need these when you do your agent-change forms. After you've downloade all PDFs then delete all data and empty the trash.


LaserApp

Delete all of your applications in LaserApp.


Google Workspace Data to Export

If your previous firms used Google Workspace, or Google Services in general, the simplest way to export your data is to use Google Takeout. I recommend exporting everthing. However, GT often changes the formatting of the exported data, so in addition you may also want to:

  1. Import all your emails from your previous BD into your personal Gmail, using POP (works in most casaes).

  2. Export your Google Contacts via CSV.

  3. Export all your files from from Google Drive using Shared Drives and/or use Google Takeout.

  4. Export your Company Google Calendar into your personal Google Calendar.

  5. Export your Chrome browser bookmarks (under the profile associated with your former firm's email address).


After you've exported all your data and verified it, then delete everything before you resign. Especially important:

  • Gmail: Delete all emails and then empty the trash.
  • Drive: Delete all files and then empty the trash.
  • Calendar: Delete all of your calendar(s).
  • Keep: Delete all of your notes then empty the trash.
  • Contacts: Delete all of your contacts then empty the trash.
  • Photos: Delete all of your photos then empty the trash.
  • Chrome browser. Delete all of the bookmarks.


Client Data

  1. Download your client list from American funds via CSV.
  2. And other fund families / variable annuities.
  3. Log into DST Vision and export all of your data. Once you're registered with IP you'll have a completely new DST account.


Other Services

You may have other servies that are attached to your former firm's email account. If so, then log into each of them and change the email to your personal email. Some examples: - Calendly - Redtail - RightCapital - LinkedIn - Facebook - Mutual fund family web sites - Variable annuity company web sites - Insurance carrier web sites - MarketingPro - HelloFax


Step 2: Resign from your Previous Firm

Send an email to your firm's compliance officer. Simply write...

With this email I resign from XYZ and all of it's affiliates.


Step 3: Electrontic Fingerprinting

You must get fingerprinted (again) even if you are already licensed and transferring from another firm.

You can complete the fingerprinting at the same time/before sending the above paperwork. - Visit BrokerFP to schedule your fingerprinting scan. - IP's fieldprint code: FPInnovationPartnersAP - For "employer" write: Innovations Partners, LLC - For "employer address" write: 5950 Fairview Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210-3104 - Once completed, you'll get a confirmation email. Please forward this to management@ipfinancialservicesllc.com, amcclymont@innovationpartnersllc.com. Your fingerprints will also be automatically sent to FINRA and available electronically to IP.


Step 4: Fill Out the DocuSign IP Pre-Reigstration Forms

  • Ask Michael to send the DocuSign to you (you don't need to have a DocuSign account).


Step 5: Recieve your "Welcome" Email & "Compliance Packet" Email

  • Within a few days to a week you will recieve a "Welcome to IP" email. There will be forms for you to review.
  • You will also receive a "Compliance Packet" email that includes more PDFs for you to fill out and return.

    One of the emails will include your new @innovationpartnersllc.com email address. It is hosted by MS Outlook but can be used with Gmail. Your IP Rep ID will also be included - notate this as you will need it often. Provide me with your new IP email and rep ID so that I can add them to our Directory.


Step 6: Pay Your Upfront IP Fees

You will recieve an email that has the invoice to pay for your upfront fees. You can pay via credit card. Remember, these fees are tax-deductible.

To confirm your costs visit the fees and licensing calculator Google Sheet


Step 7: Change Your Clients to "New" You


Inform Your Clients of Your Change

As per Nick Murray (NMI 2021-12) there is one thing, and one thing only, that needs to be said. And it needs to be said with every ounce of passion and conviction you can muster:

In the end, I made this decision for one overriding reason: it will meaningfully enhance the quality of the work I’m able to do for my clients, as well as the quality of my family’s life.


Longer Email for Agent-Change Form

I have a big announcement... after 13 years at Parsonex I decided to leave in February to find a better broker/dealer to work with. After a few months of intensive research I have found the right fit for me, Innovation Partners.

I made this decision for one overriding reason: it will meaningfully enhance the quality of the work I’m able to do for my clients, as well as the quality of my family’s life.

As wonderful as this is for me, it doesn't directly affect you or your accounts. A broker/dealer is merely the firm that process my paperwork and payroll, manages compliance and sets-up the agreements between me and the investment firms (such as American Funds). For example:

  • Previous: American Funds ---> Parsonex ---> Advisor (me) ---> Clients (you)
  • Current: American Funds ---> Innovation Partners ---> Advisor (me) ---> Clients (you)

However, for me to continue to manage your investments I will kindly ask you to complete an Agent-Change form (via DocuSign) to re-assign me to your accounts. This will NOT alter your account in any way and there is NO charge. I've sent you the DocuSign form to e-sign in a separate email.


Re-Assign Yourself to Your Clients' Accounts


Getting Licensed from "Scratch"

Simply follow Steps #3, #4, #5 & #6 above.


After Getting your IP Email and Rep ID

Now that you're licensed and ready-to-go with IP start working through the AdvisorFirst Self-Study Curriculum.


Additional Licensing & Getting Appointed with Carriers


529 Plans Certification

Wether you are a newly licensed Advisor or transferring from anoter firm you must complete the 529-Plan certification.

  1. Complete the AML 529 Plan CE training course through QuestCE. Make sure to download the Certificate of Completion PDF and attach it to the Docusign below.

  2. Michael will send you a Docusign that includes the following:

  3. Read the MSRB Investor Brochure. Make sure to provide a copy of this PDF to each client at the time of solicitation of a 529-plan.
  4. Read the MSRB Investor Brochure.
  5. Sign the Representative Attestation 529 Plans Municipal Securities.


IP's Firm Element Continuing Education

Every year you will recieve an email from IP indicating it is time for the Firm Element and a list of the courses you need to complete and the due date; you usually have two to three months to do so at your leisure. The courses are online hosted by RegEd/NRS Fire. The annual cost to RedEg to cover all courses is only $50. 1. Complete all the required courses at RegEd/NRS Fire and save te PDF Course Certificates for each one. 1. Email all your Course Certificates PDFs to compliance@innovationpartnersllc.com. Always include your IP Agent ID.


Getting (Re)Appointed with Carriers

You must get re-appointed with all carriers you want to do business with even if you were already appointed via your previous B/D.

  • IP's FINRA CRD #: 146344


American Funds

IP should have done this for you. Log in and double-check. If they did, then you may want to verify your email and phone number (mine was wrong). - Phone: 800.421.0180


Jackson Varialbe Annuities

Send an email to Ashton Lawrence request an appointment with Jackson and he will set it in motion and provide you with instructions.


Sammons VA

Sammons requires an e-application for appointment. Go to https://www.srslivewell.com and select the Contracting form for financial professionals towards the bottom of the page. Once completed Sammons will notify IP of your appointment.


Life Insurance License

See the Life Insurance fees and licensing calculator Google Sheet

  • Contrary to many other securities firms, we can hire life-only reps. There is no start-up cost and the E&O is only $50/month.


What You Need to Get Appointed with IP Insurance

  1. Up to date Resident Insurance License.
  2. E&O certificate, only if you already have your own E&O insurance.
  3. AML certificate.

As soon as you receive a Welcome Letter from each carrier you can submit applications.


Next Steps...