5 minute read
Key Takeaways
- Successful financial advisors face time and scale challenges that can hinder growth.
- Strategic outsourcing helps advisors focus on core competencies like client relationships and portfolio management.
- Commonly outsourced services include tax planning, trust administration, content marketing, and compliance support.
- Personalized content marketing—not generic templates—builds stronger engagement and brand differentiation.
- Concerns like cost, control, and compliance are valid, but can be addressed with trusted partners and clear processes.
- The right outsourcing strategy can boost operational efficiency, improve client satisfaction, and help scale AUM sustainably.
Running a successful financial advisory practice takes far more than giving sound investment advice or building financial plans.
Behind every high-performing practice is an engine room of time-consuming tasks, strategic decisions, and operational hurdles that rarely make headlines.
Think about it:
- Managing and growing a team
- Handling administrative and compliance tasks
- Creating marketing content
- Adopting new technologies
- Tracking key performance metrics
- Keeping up with continuing education
And the truth is: lack of time and scale are two of the biggest obstacles advisors face today.
To grow your assets under management (AUM), improve client service, and focus on what you do best, you need to address these challenges head-on.
Let’s take a look how smart outsourcing and better resource allocation can help.
Outsourcing What You Can Do to Improve Your Practice
Your time is your most valuable resource.
And if you’re running an independent practice with a small team, trying to “do it all” is a fast track to burnout—or stalled growth.
Outsourcing non-core functions allows you to focus on what matters most: delivering value to your clients.
According to a Deloitte study, 59% of businesses outsource specifically to boost operational efficiency.
And financial advisors are no exception.
What Services Do Advisors Commonly Outsource?
A recent white paper by Cerulli Associates1 highlighted the top services advisors outsource:
- Tax planning (40%)
- Trust administration (34%)
- Risk management/insurance (33%)
- Estate planning (28%)
- Bill pay (18%)
- Concierge services (17%)
Many advisors even charge a separate fee for some of these services—making outsourcing not only a time-saver but also a potential revenue enhancer.
The key takeaway? Don’t outsource everything. Focus on filling gaps your team can’t cover internally, while maximizing efficiency and client satisfaction.
The Crucial Role of Content Marketing for Financial Advisors
One area where many practices fall behind? Marketing - especially content generation.
Despite the digital era we live in, a study by Broadridge² revealed that only 23% of advisors have a defined marketing strategy.
Yet the benefits of having one are clear:
- 75% of advisors with a defined strategy feel confident in their growth goals
- Only 41% of those without a strategy share that confidence
This shows how important content marketing is for growing a practice.
So, what’s the problem?
- Time constraints
- Idea generation
- Compliance complexities
In fact, AdvisorFinder³ found that nearly 50% of advisors publish the same generic content on the same seasonal schedule. That “canned content” might check the box, but it rarely drives engagement - or growth.
Why Personalized Content Matters
Clients crave authenticity and relevance. Cookie-cutter content doesn’t reflect your brand, your voice, or your client base.
That’s why smart firms are turning to outsourced marketing solutions. According to Independent Advisor Alliance⁴:
Only 28% of advisors outsource content marketing.
That means 72% may be missing the opportunity to:
- Build a strong online presence
- Differentiate themselves from competitors
- Generate consistent leads
- Clarify their value proposition
Keep in mind that most advisors are not marketers, nor do they need to be.
Using generic content often fails to engage potential clients effectively because it lacks the personal touch and specificity needed to resonate with their unique needs and goals. Financial advisors who rely on cookie-cutter content miss out on valuable opportunities to connect with their audience on a deeper level.
So, Why Many Wary of Outsourcing?
While outsourcing services may offer many advantages, there are still financial advisors who hesitate due to several reasons – some being:
- Perceived Cost Concerns: 35% of businesses avoid outsourcing due to fears of increased expenses, overlooking potential long-term cost savings through improved efficiency.
- Security and Data Privacy Apprehension: 63% of companies worry about data security issues when considering outsourcing, a concern heightened for financial advisors handling sensitive client information.
- Control and Quality Assurance: Many businesses, 63% in fact, fear losing control over critical functions and worry about maintaining service quality when outsourcing essential tasks.
- Lack of Trust in Providers: 42% of companies hesitate to outsource due to mistrust in service providers, a critical consideration for financial advisors reliant on trustworthy relationships.
- Regulatory Compliance Complexity: In the heavily regulated financial industry, 49% of companies cite concerns about staying compliant when outsourcing, reflecting the complexities advisors face in navigating regulatory landscapes.
While these are valid concerns - especially in a highly regulated industry - avoiding outsourcing entirely could hold your practice back.
Outsourcing, when done strategically, doesn’t mean losing control. It means gaining leverage - by accessing specialists who can enhance your operational efficiency, client experience, and marketing power.
Addressing these challenges effectively enables advisors to streamline operations, boost revenue, and prioritize strong client relationships.
Final Takeaway: Focus on What You Do Best
Your ability to serve clients, grow AUM, and run a thriving practice depends on how you manage your time and resources.
By outsourcing smartly, you can:
- Free up your calendar
- Improve your service offerings
- Maintain compliance
- Boost brand visibility
- Scale sustainably
Let’s Make Growth Easier
At Dunham, we help financial advisors like you do more with less.
Whether you need help with:
- Content marketing
- Tax, estate, and trust planning
- Investment management
- ⚙Back-office solutions
We’ve got the tools, talent, and expertise to support your practice - so you can stay focused on what you do best: providing exceptional advice..
Contact our Business Development Team today - via email or phone at (858) 964 – 0500.
Sources:
1. White paper - Top-Performing Teams - 2024 | Cerulli
3. Content Marketing for Financial Advisors is Broken (advisorfinder.com)
4. Unlocking Efficiency: The Power of Outsourcing for Financial Advisors - Independent Advisor Alliance
Disclosures:
This communication is general in nature and provided for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be considered or relied upon as legal, tax or investment advice or an investment recommendation, or as a substitute for legal or tax counsel. Any investment products or services named herein are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered an offer to buy or sell, or an investment recommendation for, any specific security, strategy or investment product or service. Always consult a qualified professional or your own independent financial professional for personalized advice or investment recommendations tailored to your specific goals, individual situation, and risk tolerance. All examples are hypothetical and are for illustrative purposes only.
Information contained in the materials included is believed to be from reliable sources, but no representations or guarantees are made as to the accuracy or completeness of information. This document is provided for information purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice.
Dunham & Associates Investment Counsel, Inc. is a Registered Investment Adviser and Broker/Dealer. Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services and securities offered through Dunham & Associates Investment Counsel, Inc.