Learn how to systematically research and evaluate firms to find the perfect match for your goals, whether you need an investment adviser, recruiting partner, or consulting agency.
Finding the right firm—whether it's a registered investment adviser, recruiting partner, or consulting agency—isn't just about who shows up first in your search results. It's about identifying a firm that aligns with your goals, values, and capacity needs.
From initial search to final decision, this guide walks you through how to research and evaluate firms systematically. Whether you're an individual seeking financial advice or an organization evaluating strategic partners, these steps will help you make an informed, confident choice—with insights on where modern tools like Extruct AI can take your search further.
Before you begin your firm search, you need clarity on what you're actually looking for on a national scale, considering the diverse needs across different regions of the country.
What type of firm do I need? (e.g., investment adviser firm, search firm, brokerage)
What services am I expecting? (e.g., financial planning, executive search, M&A advisory)
What's my timeline, budget, and ideal firm profile?
Do I need national scale, or regional/local focus?
If you're doing this for a business, bring your team into this early. Misalignment here causes friction down the road.
To avoid getting overwhelmed by irrelevant results, define a clear set of search criteria:
Firm name, location, and size
Licensing or certifications (e.g., Registered Investment Advisers, SEC-registered firms)
Industry expertise or niche focus
Track record or case studies in similar projects
If you're searching for investment firms, you'll want to check the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) website or FINRA BrokerCheck for accurate, up-to-date regulatory data.
Need to evaluate 20 firms against specific criteria? Extruct AI can help you filter and enrich firm data based on your prompt, for example:
"List executive search firms in the U.S. that specialize in higher education leadership and have completed more than 50 placements."
This approach is similar to our methods for researching companies more broadly, but tailored specifically for professional service firms.
Here's where to start:
Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD): Search registered investment advisers and view Form ADV filings.
FINRA BrokerCheck: Lookup firms and individuals registered with brokerage firms.
Firm directories (e.g., AESC, Hunt Scanlon)
LinkedIn and Crunchbase for business overviews and employee reviews
Professional networks for real-world referrals
For firms like Isaacson, Miller, which specializes in leadership recruitment in healthcare, education, and the arts, you may also find valuable insights in public case studies, placement announcements, and non-profit board disclosures. These resources can provide a deeper understanding of how leaders are selected and the impact they have on organizational success.
With your tools in hand, it's time to evaluate and refine your searches to narrow down your search results.
Start broad, then refine using filters like location, firm type, or client focus.
Review each firm's website, especially their "About" and "Case Study" pages.
Look for clarity in services, team bios, and client stories.
Use tools like Extruct to compare firm data across multiple categories (e.g., size, industry focus, client roster).
Remember: if your search shows "no results" in systems like BrokerCheck, it may be due to licensing jurisdiction or incorrect criteria—refine your filters.
Not all firms are equal—even those with polished websites. Focus on:
Certifications: For financial advisers, review Form ADV filings to check for regulatory compliance and disciplinary history.
Experience: Do they have case studies relevant to your industry or challenge?
Reputation: Look for press mentions, testimonials, and third-party reviews.
Ratings: Check regulatory ratings where available (FINRA, SEC, etc.)
With Extruct, you can enrich search results with custom fields like "active years in market," "sectors served," or "leadership turnover"—to make deeper evaluations easier.
The same data accuracy standards we apply to company research are essential when evaluating professional service firms.
Especially important when selecting advisers, recruiters, or consultants.
Ask:
Is the firm transparent about its team and methodology?
Do they align with your values (e.g., DEI, sustainability, ethics)?
What's their communication style? Fast and collaborative, or corporate and opaque?
Have they been involved in any litigation or public scandals?
If you're vetting recruiters, search for placement transparency or speak with past clients. For investment firms, review leadership bios and ownership structure for alignment.
Firm size can impact agility, specialization, and scalability.
Small firms may offer personalized service but limited capacity.
Large firms might have more resources but slower decision cycles.
Do they have dedicated teams for your account size or sector?
Can they scale if your needs grow?
Using Extruct, you can search for firms by headcount, geographic footprint, or growth history—critical when you're planning for long-term relationships.
After narrowing your list, consolidate your findings:
| Firm | Expertise | Certifications | Size | Reputation | Alignment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firm A | Higher Ed Search | AESC Member | Mid-size | Strong | High |
| Firm B | RIA, Healthcare | SEC-Registered | Boutique | Mixed | Medium |
| Firm C | M&A Advisory | FINRA | Large | Excellent | High |
Don't rush. This is about fit—not flash. Choosing the wrong firm can lead to misaligned outcomes, poor service, or financial risk.
This systematic evaluation approach mirrors how private equity researchers conduct due diligence on potential investments.
Once you've chosen a top candidate:
Reach out to schedule a discovery call or consultation
Ask detailed questions about process, communication, and contract terms
If needed, negotiate scope and pricing
Get everything in writing—then begin the relationship
While many directories and databases give you surface-level results, Extruct goes deeper. Our engine lets you:
Search for firms using natural language prompts
Enrich firm profiles with leadership, size, sectors, and certifications
Track regulatory filings, press activity, and leadership changes
Score firms based on your priorities (e.g., DEI focus, market specialization, team size)
Whether you're a startup looking for the right RIA, a PE fund vetting search firms, or an enterprise sourcing consultants—Extruct helps you cut research time by 90% and make better, faster decisions.
Our AI-powered lead generation capabilities help you not only find the right firms but also connect with the exact decision-makers who can address your specific needs.
Spending hours comparing firms only to end up with incomplete information? Let's skip the endless spreadsheets. We've built tools that can help you find, evaluate, and track the firms that truly match your requirements. Get in touch – we'd love to show you how we make the search process both faster and more effective.
