WHO WE HELP
Technology Leadership for Growing RIAs
Wealthtech Advisory works with small and midsized Registered Investment Advisors whose growth and technology complexity have outpaced the leadership available internally.
Tim helps firm leaders bring direction, accountability and long-term planning to the systems, vendors and technology decisions their businesses rely on.
Built for RIAs at an Important Stage of Growth
Wealthtech Advisory is typically the strongest fit for independently operated RIAs with:
5–15 Team Members
A growing team with increasing operational and technology needs.
No Clear Technology Roadmap
Technology decisions are made one at a time without a long-term plan connecting them to the firm’s business goals.
Fewer Than 10 Advisors
A firm that needs executive-level technology guidance but may not need a full-time CTO.
Vendor-Driven Decisions
Software providers and outside vendors may influence the firm’s direction without someone independently representing the firm’s interests.
Vendor-Driven Decisions
Software providers and outside vendors may influence the firm’s direction without someone independently representing the firm’s interests.
Less Than $500 Million in AUM
An established firm whose technology environment is becoming more complex as the business grows.
No Long-Term Technology Owner
Technology responsibility frequently falls to the founder, CEO, or COO, even when technology leadership is not their primary role.
Divided Cybersecurity Responsibility
Cybersecurity responsibility may be spread across the MSP, compliance team, leadership, employees, and vendors without clear ownership or accountability.
Continued Growth
A firm steadily adding advisors, employees, clients or assets under management.
These firms are often large enough to face meaningful technology risks and decisions, but not yet structured to employ an experienced technology executive internally.
When Technology Becomes a Leadership Issue
RIA leaders often contact Tim when they recognize that technology decisions are becoming too important, interconnected or time-consuming to manage informally.
Common situations include:
- The firm does not have a technology roadmap aligned with its strategic goals.
- Disconnected systems are creating duplicate work and data-quality concerns.
- Leadership is unsure whether its technology spending is appropriate.
- The firm cannot independently evaluate the recommendations or performance of its MSP.
- Vendor access, data use and cybersecurity responsibilities are unclear.
- Employees are adopting tools without consistent evaluation or oversight.
- Existing systems may not support the firm’s next stage of growth.
- An acquisition could introduce redundant systems, incompatible data or additional security risks.
For the Leaders Already Carrying the Technology Burden
The need for fractional technology leadership is often first recognized by the executives who are already being asked to make technology decisions without dedicated internal support.
Founders and Managing Partners
Technology decisions continue returning to the owner, taking time away from clients, growth and leadership.
No Clear Technology Roadmap
Technology decisions are made one at a time without a long-term plan connecting them to the firm’s business goals.
Presidents and CEOs
The firm needs a clearer connection between its business strategy, technology investments and long-term direction.
Vendor-Driven Decisions
Software providers and outside vendors may influence the firm’s direction without someone independently representing the firm’s interests.
Vendor-Driven Decisions
Software providers and outside vendors may influence the firm’s direction without someone independently representing the firm’s interests.
Chief Operating Officers
The COO is managing vendors, systems, integrations and operational issues without an experienced technology leader alongside them.
No Long-Term Technology Owner
Technology responsibility frequently falls to the founder, CEO, or COO, even when technology leadership is not their primary role.
No Long-Term Technology Owner
Technology responsibility frequently falls to the founder, CEO, or COO, even when technology leadership is not their primary role.
Tim gives these leaders an independent resource who can evaluate the environment, organize priorities and translate business objectives into informed technology decisions.
A Strong Partnership Starts With the Right Expectations
Wealthtech Advisory is a strong fit for RIAs that:
- Want independent and vendor-neutral technology guidance
- Are prepared to involve firm leadership in technology planning
- Need someone to connect business objectives with technology decisions
- Want greater accountability from vendors and their MSP
- Value a documented roadmap with clear priorities and ownership
- Recognize that technology leadership requires continued attention
- Want an experienced advisor available during major decisions and unexpected issues
The most successful relationships are built with firms that view technology as an ongoing leadership responsibility, not simply a collection of products or IT problems.
What Wealthtech Advisory Does Not Replace
Wealthtech Advisory provides executive-level technology leadership. It is not intended to replace the providers responsible for daily IT support and technical execution.
Tim may not be the right fit for firms primarily seeking:
- Help-desk support or employee troubleshooting
- A replacement for their managed service provider
- A software reseller
- A vendor promoting a predetermined platform
- Short-term implementation without ongoing technology leadership
- Specialized broker-dealer compliance guidance
Wealthtech Advisory currently focuses on independent RIAs rather than dual-registered RIA and broker-dealer organizations.
Tim can help leadership direct and oversee technology providers, but he does not duplicate the day-to-day services those providers perform.
Technology Leadership That Continues After the Roadmap
Tim’s work is not designed to end when an assessment is completed or a roadmap is delivered.
As the firm’s fractional CTO, Tim remains involved to help leadership execute its priorities, evaluate new decisions and adjust the plan as the business changes.
An ongoing relationship may include:
- Regular meetings with the firm’s leadership
- An 18-to-36-month technology roadmap
- Roadmap reviews and updates every six months
- Quarterly MSP performance reviews
- Quarterly evaluation of selected vendor risks
- Annual firm-level cybersecurity reviews
- Evaluation of new technology and vendors
- Support during acquisitions, major decisions and unexpected issues
This gives the firm consistent technology leadership without the cost or commitment of hiring a full-time CTO.
Is Your Firm Ready for Clearer Technology Leadership?
If your firm is growing, managing increasing technology complexity or making important decisions without dedicated technology leadership, it may be time for a different approach.
Start with an RIA Technology Leadership Assessment to discuss your current environment, priorities and whether an ongoing fractional CTO relationship is appropriate for your firm.
