Decent training with salary, near-impossible sales targets - Financial Adviser Associate Morgan Stanley Employee Review

3.0
Oct 29, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The firm generously provides training and licensing for the FINRA series 7, 66 and 31 (if you want it) as well as state-specific insurance licenses. Culture varies branch-to-branch. Some senior advisers are friendly and helpful - others will never learn your name or say hello. Some fun perks here and there. The name still carries weight with clients.

Cons

95% failure rate by the first year. It's near impossible to make money and survive the first 1-3 years without being partnered with a senior team. Those opportunities are few and far between. It's the elephant in the room that everyone just ignores. The sales targets are difficult, but it's more of a mercy killing to let the junior FAA go, as they will not be able to support themselves on their earnings anyway for the first few years.

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5.0
Jun 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great company with great ceo

Cons

Large corporation where you can feel left out

3.0
May 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Very good co-workers, Great technology stack. Lot of new technologies and integration with current work.

Cons

They dont even give you a MS cup. They ask you to buy it for 5$. So cheap! Management big on "Giving back", Immediate managers do not like it and are not supportive. Lay off employees twice a year to show profits. Only worried about shareholders and clients. Don't know the criteria for lay-off. So, you are always worried if it is your turn. They boast about mental health and wellness. No good, when they layoff employees like this. HR = Horrible Resources. When you are laid off, they shoo you away as if you are a fly. You feel miserable. They themselves say - "We are better than Facebook or Oracle. We dont fire you at 6 AM over email." Gosh! What a comparison!

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