RDR has failed to dent advisers' confidence with 82 per cent feeling more confident about the sector than this time last year, according to Ascentric.
The firm, a corporate member of the Institute of Financial Planning, surveyed advisers at its recent RDR roadshows.
The roadshows, held in Bolton, Bath and London, were attended by over 300 advisers.
Some 67 per cent of advisers said RDR had improved their business model, compared to just seven per cent who cited a negative effect.
Mike Morrow, sales and marketing director at Ascentric, said: "With RDR now in place, this survey points to a real optimism in the adviser market as firms reap the benefits of the hard work they have put in over the last few years in re-orientating their businesses and reclaiming more and more of the value chain."
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However, some challenges remained with advisers naming growing client bases and maintaining revenues as a problem. Some 43 per cent said growing their client base was a problem, 25 per cent said maintaining revenue was a problem and 14 per cent said they were concerned about competition from direct platforms.
Mr Morrow said: "This survey suggests that revenue generation remains a concern; something that is only likely to increase as the post-RDR environment opens up the traditional adviser client base to further competition.
"To achieve future business targets, adviser firms may need to access new markets and diversify their business model- an area that I believe platfoms will be uniquely placed to support."

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