Practice and Client Management News

Financial Planning's Practice and Client Management coverage includes essential advisor-level strategy and operational insight for firms and solo practitioners. Read how elite advisors build retention-driven practices, manage high net worth relationships and operationalize growth frameworks that go beyond rudimentary 101 topics. Learn the latest financial planning news from expert reporting and analysis that matters to industry leaders.

Wealth management

Active management keeps losing to passive. Why some advisors still use it

Morningstar finds that active investment managers beat low-cost passive index trackers only 27% of the time over a 12-month stretch.

By Dan Shaw
Reporter

August 17
Estate planning

How account titling and beneficiary designations can undermine a will

Account titling and beneficiary designations could contradict what clients write in their wills, undermining estate planning. Advisors can help keep these current.

By Zoe Sagalow
Reporter

August 17
Fintech

From Dickens to market panics: The summer books of fintech execs

From 19th-century financial panic to reimagined Charles Dickens, here are the vacation-worthy books according to some fintech execs.

August 17
Estate planning

How an updated estate can give clients 'power from the grave'

August is National Make a Will Month, but advisors say it's important to urge clients year-round to secure their wishes by keeping wills and estate plans fresh.

By Zoe Sagalow
Reporter

August 14
Wealth management

Women are inheriting trillions. How advisors can win their business

Women are projected to receive more than $100 trillion in the so-called great wealth transfer. But their planning needs can differ from men's.

By Kathryn Miller
Reporter

August 14
Industry News

Want ChatGPT to find your RIA? You may be overlooking your best tool

Web designer Bonfire Studio asked ChatGPT for advisor recommendations in five metro markets. The results give advisors more reason to tend to their online presence.

By Dan Shaw
Reporter

August 14
Wealth management

Splitting heirs: Advisors are losing next-gen clients. Here's how to keep them

With trillions on the table, advisors who know how to start conversations with clients' heirs risk losing far less than those who don't.

By Grace L. Williams
Reporter

August 13

Resources

The latest Financial Planning research and discussion:

Practice & Client Management: Key Questions & Analysis

How should financial advisors rethink client management as they grow their practices?

As advisory firms grow, client management often shifts from ad-hoc relationship handling to processes focused on segmentation, service models and long-term retention. Coverage in this area reflects how advisors are operationalizing client experience as a core business discipline.

What operational challenges are most important in advisor-client relationships?

Advisors face increasing pressure from capacity constraints, rising client expectations and the need to balance personalization with scale. Practice and client management reporting highlights where firms are finding success to maintain service quality while expanding.

How are advisors adapting communication strategies to changing client expectations?

Client communication strategies are evolving as advisors respond to demographic shifts, digital expectations and heightened demand for transparency. Read how firms are adjusting cadence, channels and messaging.

How does client management impact long-term practice value?

Effective client management is often viewed as a driver of enterprise value. Client management is a key area of focus for retention, referrals and succession outcomes. Learn how client experience strategy directly to firm durability and valuation.