(Source: Business Wire)A new survey of independent registered investment advisors (RIAs), released by TD AMERITRADE Institutional, a division of TD AMERITRADE Holding Corporation (NASDAQ:AMTD), shows advisors are upbeat about their jobs and the outlook on the U.S economy. Job satisfaction remains high for RIAs. On a scale of 1 to 10, half of advisors surveyed gave top ratings (9 or 10) to job satisfaction, up 10% from last quarter. And nearly half of RIAs have an optimistic outlook of the U.S. economy over the next three months, up 25 percent from May.

In this quarterly RIA Sentiment Survey, more than 500 RIAs reflect on the impact the last twelve months have had on their professional and personal lives. Advisors also look ahead, revealing their top business goals and challenges for 2010.

The survey shows the RIA channel may be growing as advisors surveyed indicated investors continue to choose independent advisors over full-commission brokers. Nine in 10 RIAs report total client numbers are up or remained steady over the last six months. More than 60 percent of RIAs surveyed added clients, 30 percent saw no change and less than 10 percent lost clients. RIAs who reported growth say 72 percent of new client assets came from wirehouses and broker-dealers. Dissatisfaction and lack of trust in full-commission brokerages (46 percent) and overall preference for the independent advice model (44 percent) are top reasons clients chose an RIA.

While the RIA business is thriving, the events of the past year have taken a toll on the personal lives of advisors. More than half of RIAs report their quality of life was negatively impacted by the financial downturn in the economy. Finances, mental health and hours worked were areas most adversely affected. Those who say they were positively impacted report improvements in job satisfaction and finances.

"RIAs should feel proud knowing they've served to educate, care for and help protect clients through one of the most difficult markets in recent history. They've gone further and done more to get the job done this year," said Tom Bradley, president TD AMERITRADE Institutional. "Their hard work shows through the continued growth in the clients they serve."

Advisors set personal and professional goals for 2010

In the New Year, advisors surveyed say they want to spend more time with family and friends (42 percent), followed by improve their health (31 percent), enjoy more leisure time (31 percent), reach a new level in their career (29 percent), acquire new professional skills (18 percent), get finances in order (15 percent) and participate in public service (14 percent).

Advisors are focused on growth and client satisfaction in the next twelve months.