one option for him is to just obtain the brokerage

one option for him is to just obtain the brokerage that does not have self clearing and just add self clearing ability later. That way he can buy it now without touching the AS. I believe this may be what he decides to do because although paying someone else for clearing will be less money for the company, its better to just get the brokerage at this point to keep the business plan moving forward. He agreed with me.