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Financial Services Consulting

Insurance, mortgage, and wealth management advisory — from practitioners who have built and run brokerages themselves.

Our financial services consulting practice is not staffed by generalists who have studied the industry. It is led by practitioners who have spent careers inside it — setting up brokerages, building agent teams, generating volume, navigating regulatory environments, and managing the full operational lifecycle of financial services businesses in Canada.

Insurance Brokerage Consulting

Our team has deep experience in property and casualty insurance and commercial lines. We understand the brokerage model — its economics, its sales cycles, its recruiting challenges, and its regulatory requirements — in a way that only comes from operating within it at a senior level.

We work with existing brokerages seeking to improve performance, individuals looking to start a career in insurance, and agents ready to take their book of business to the next level. We also provide outsourced management support to firms that want senior-level guidance without the cost of a full-time hire.

  • —Brokerage setup, licensing, and regulatory compliance
  • —Sales process and pipeline development
  • —Agent and broker recruiting, onboarding, and retention
  • —Book of business growth strategies
  • —Outsourced brokerage management
  • —Career entry guidance for new insurance professionals

Mortgage Brokerage Consulting

Our team has built, managed, and operated multiple mortgage brokerages — generating hundreds of millions in volume and building high-performing agent teams from the ground up. We understand the industry from the origination level through to the institutional side, including lender relationships, compliance, and the economics of different brokerage models.

  • —Mortgage brokerage setup and licensing
  • —Agent recruiting and team development
  • —Lender relationships and product strategy
  • —Volume growth and market penetration
  • —Compliance and regulatory navigation
  • —Operational and management structure

Wealth Management & Mutual Funds

Our team brings high-level experience in the mutual fund and wealth management industry, including a thorough understanding of the brokerage and dealer models, recruiting, and the transition from a captive to independent practice. We advise advisors and firms navigating growth, independence, or structural change.

Our financial services consulting clients get access to expertise that would cost multiples more through a traditional consulting firm — delivered by practitioners who have done the work, not just studied it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions About Financial Services Consulting

How do I start an insurance brokerage in Ontario?+

Starting an insurance brokerage in Ontario involves RIBO licensing, errors and omissions insurance, insurer appointments, and a range of operational and compliance requirements. Our team has direct experience setting up brokerages from scratch and can guide you through the full process — from licensing to your first client. The initial consultation is complimentary.

How do I grow my insurance book of business in Ontario?+

Growing an insurance book requires a combination of referral systems, cross-selling, retention practices, and a consistent sales process. Our advisors have built significant books across P&C and commercial lines and can provide specific, practical guidance on what actually works at different stages of growth.

How do I start a mortgage brokerage in Ontario?+

Starting a mortgage brokerage in Ontario requires FSRA licensing as a mortgage brokerage, principal broker registration, lender relationships, and compliance systems. Our team has built and operated multiple mortgage brokerages and can walk you through every step of the setup process, including recruiting your first agents.

How much do insurance brokers make in Ontario?+

Insurance broker income in Ontario varies widely — from $40,000–$60,000 for new brokers to $150,000+ for established producers with strong books. Commercial and specialty lines typically offer higher commission rates than personal lines. Our advisors can give you a frank, experience-based view of what income looks like at different stages and what it takes to reach the top of that range.

Can I get outsourced management support for my brokerage?+

Yes. Abria provides outsourced management support to insurance and mortgage brokerages — giving smaller firms access to senior-level guidance on operations, recruiting, compliance, and strategy at a fraction of the cost of a full-time senior hire. This is one of our most in-demand services. Reach out to discuss what that looks like for your specific situation.