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Grow Your Practice: CPA and Financial Advisor Partnership Benefits

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Article

Grow Your Practice: CPA and Financial Advisor Partnership Benefits

At some point, every advisor runs into a situation that crosses into tax territory. A business sale. A big liquidity event. A client income picture that keeps changing year to year. You can clearly see the investment strategy. But the tax side is layered and nuanced. That’s where a strong CPA relationship can make a real difference.

You don’t need to be a tax expert. In fact, trying to be a “jack of all trades” can introduce risk and dilute your value. Clients don’t expect you to do everything, but they do expect you to build the right team around them.

A CPA advisory collaboration brings investment strategy and tax planning together in a way that feels more complete, more thoughtful, and more aligned to the client’s full financial picture.

How Financial Advisors Use Financial Wellness to Grow 401(k) Plans

Growth Strategies · Plan design & capabilities · Expand my practice · Article

How Financial Advisors Use Financial Wellness to Grow 401(k) Plans

In today’s competitive financial advisory market, offering strong investment strategies alone may not be enough to differentiate your practice. Employers are increasingly seeking advisors who offer holistic retirement plan solutions—plans that not only manage assets but also enhance employee engagement and encourage healthier financial habits.

Closing the Gap: How Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs) Are Expanding Retirement Plan Access

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Whitepaper

Expand Retirement Plan Access with PEPs

Pooled employer plans (PEPs) are a type of retirement plan designed specifically to eliminate some of the barriers that have traditionally kept smaller businesses from offering a retirement savings plan, and make it easier for more Americans to participate in an employer sponsored retirement plan. 

2024 Newport/PLANSPONSOR NQDC Trends Survey Report: Enhance Your NQDC Program, Boost Executive Retention, and Stay Competitive

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Insights

2024 Newport/PLANSPONSOR NQDC Trends Survey Report

Recent changes in the nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plan landscape present new opportunities for employers. Tap into the latest trends—and use them to your advantage.

Comprehensive PEP Marketing Plan for Financial Advisors

Growth Strategies · Help me prospect · Marketing Plan

PEP Marketing Plan

Boost your PEP efforts with ready-to-use marketing campaigns, designed to help you win new business with minimal effort. 

Unlock Growth with Small Business 401(k) Plans

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Products and Services

Small Business Growth Strategies

Discover the untapped potential of small business retirement plans and learn how these plans can expand your advisory practice to drive growth.

Grow Your Advisory Practice with Strategic Prospecting Plans

Growth Strategies · Help me prospect · Marketing Plan

Prospect Marketing Plan

Boost your prospecting and conversion efforts with a ready-to-use marketing campaign, designed to save time and enhance engagement.

Maximize Nonqualified Plans with COLI: Tax-Efficient Funding for Key Talent

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Article

Boost NQDC Plans with COLI

Discover how Corporate-Owned Life Insurance (COLI) can enhance nonqualified deferred compensation plans. Learn how COLI offers tax advantages, reduces plan costs, and supports long-term financial security for your clients. 

Demonstrate Plan Value to Clients with Our Online Pricing Calculator

Growth Strategies · Help me prospect · Calculator or Tool

Demonstrate Plan Value with Online Pricing Calculator

Use our pricing calculator to create a custom illustration that demonstrates the plan value and compare Ascensus 401k plan pricing with current plan pricing.

Six Best Practices to Maximize Your BOLI Program's Effectiveness

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Article

Optimizing BOLI Programs for Maximum Impact

Help clients maximize the effectiveness of their bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) programs with these six best practices. Learn how to structure a BOLI program, understand regulatory and tax rules, review due diligence procedures, verify credit quality, monitor market conditions, and find a comprehensive provider.

Annual Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) for Retirement Plans

Engage Clients · Participant education · Information Guide

Annual COLAs for Retirement Plans

Explore how cost of living adjustments (COLAs) impact contribution limits and the operations of qualified retirement plans, SEP plans, and SIMPLE plans. Learn about the annual adjustments required by Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code and how they affect your clients' retirement planning.

Leveraging the Elite Advisor Program for Business Growth and Client Success

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Products and Services

Elevate Your Practice with the Elite Advisor Program

Join the Elite Advisor program to enhance your advisory practice and reward your commitment to quality, transparency, and service excellence. This exclusive program offers advanced support, dedicated service, and unique opportunities to help you scale your business, position yourself as an expert, and grow your client base. 

How Advisors Can Achieve Personal Fulfillment While Helping Clients Reach Their Financial Goals

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Video

Advisor Story: Aligning Goals with Client Success

Explore the concept of "getting there" both personally and professionally, and how it aligns with helping clients achieve their retirement goals. 
 
Our Advisor Stories series showcases real-world insights and strategies from successful advisors.

Leveraging the Expertise of Service Partners to Help Advisors Grow Their Practice

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Video

Advisor Story: Expert Partnerships for Advisory Growth

Learn how partnering with the right service provider can provide the expertise needed to grow your advisory practice.

Our Advisor Stories series showcases real-world insights and strategies from successful advisors.

Helping Clients Achieve Financial Success Through Tailored Guidance and Support

Engage Clients · Participant education · Video

Advisor Story: Supportive Financial Planning for Clients

Explore how advisors can make a significant impact on clients' financial journeys through personalized guidance and support. 
 
 Our Advisor Stories series showcases real-world insights and strategies from successful advisors.

Amplify Your Retirement Practice with Ascensus

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Video

Amplify Your Retirement Practice with Ascensus

Leverage advanced technology, expert insights, and comprehensive plan solutions to drive efficiency, improve outcomes, and amplify your retirement practice with Ascensus.

Take Advantage of Next-Level Service Through the Elite Advisor Program

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Article

Next-Level Service for Elite Advisors

Enhance your advisory practice with the Elite Advisor program, offering exceptional support, advanced tools, and expanded opportunities to drive growth and client satisfaction. 

Addressing Client Retirement Plan Concerns: A Guide for Advisors

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Information Guide

Overcoming Business Owner Objections

Address common employer concerns about starting a retirement plan and learn solutions to overcome them. 

Maximize Your Clients' Bank-Owned Life Insurance: Two Proven Strategies for Advisors

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Article

Strategic Optimization for Clients' BOLI Programs

With high interest rates persisting over the past few years, it's crucial for advisors to review and enhance clients' Bank-Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) policies to improve performance, credit, and risk-weight characteristics. Learn two proven strategies to help your clients optimize their BOLI portfolios.

Prospect New Clients with SECURE 2.0 Tax Credit Calculator

Growth Strategies · SECURE 2.0 · Help me prospect · Calculator or Tool

SECURE 2.0 Tax Credit Calculator for Eligible Employers

Use the SECURE 2.0 Tax Credit Calculator to prospect small business clients by demonstrating potential tax credits available for sponsoring a retirement plan.

How Workplace Retirement Plans Can Accelerate Your Advisory Practice Growth

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Article

Workplace Retirement Plans: Distraction or Accelerator?

Discover how integrating retirement plans into your practice can enhance client relationships, capitalize on growing demand, and protect your business from competitors

How Financial Advisors Can Help Younger Generations Understand the Importance of Saving for Retirement

Engage Clients · Participant education · Article

Inspiring Young Clients to Save

Use these tips to encourage younger generations to start saving for retirement — enhancing your advisory practice and fostering long-term client relationships. 

Maximizing Client Savings: Simple Strategies for Financial Advisors

Engage Clients · Participant education · Article

Finding Savings Opportunities for Clients

Help clients find simple opportunities to save more money, positioning yourself as a supportive and effective advisor.

Using Elite Advisor Insights to Expand Your Advisory Practice

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Products and Services

Optimizing Your Business with Elite Advisor Insights

Your growing retirement plan business requires actionable insights to inform client meetings, drive strategy, and demonstrate value to your clients. Explore the benefits of becoming an Elite Advisor—access a holistic view of your business, complete with analytics and recommendations for improved results.

Three Ways to Effectively Educate Retirement Plan Participants as an Advisor

Engage Clients · Participant education · Article

Educating Plan Participants Effectively

Enhance your advisory practice by bridging the financial literacy gap among clients, positioning yourself as a valuable resource and trusted advisor. 

How Financial Advisors Can Grow Their Clientele with Proven Marketing Strategies

Growth Strategies · Help me prospect · Article

Grow Your Client Base with Effective Marketing

Boost your financial advisory practice by dedicating a few hours each week to marketing activities, leveraging community engagement, social media, and thought leadership content.

How to Help Clients Stay on Track with Retirement Savings Goals

Engage Clients · Participant education · Article

Keeping Client Savings on Track

Guide clients to stay on track with their retirement savings goals, fostering retirement confidence and long-term financial success. 

Diversify Your Advisory Practice with Bank-Owned Life Insurance

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Article

Expanding Client Portfolios with BOLI

Learn how BOLI programs can help clients offset employee benefit expenses, achieve higher returns, and improve credit characteristics, and discover how partnering with an expert in institutional insurances can help you navigate the complexities of BOLI while growing your long-term, sustainable revenue.

How Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs) Can Help You Scale Your Retirement Plan Business

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Article

Unlock New Client Opportunities with PEP

Scale your retirement plan business efficiently by recommending pooled employer plans (PEPs) to clients, leveraging economies of scale and simplified administration.

Growing Your 401(k) Business: How to Write Effective Prospecting Emails

Growth Strategies · Help me prospect · Article

401(k) Business Growth: Email Prospecting Tips

Learn how writing effective prospecting emails—focusing on client needs and establishing value—can help you grow your 401(k) business.

How to Navigate Risk Tolerance Conversations with Clients

Engage Clients · Participant education · Article

Discussing Risk Tolerance with Clients

Help your clients confidently navigate their investment journey by understanding and managing their risk tolerance, positioning yourself as their trusted financial guide.

Five Ways for Financial Advisors to Prospect 401(k) Clients

Growth Strategies · Help me prospect · Article

Effective 401(k) Prospecting Strategies

Expand your book of business by leveraging easy prospecting methods and partnering with specialized providers to offer 401(k) plans to clients.

What are the Best Retirement Plans for Clients Beyond a 401(k)?

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Article

Selling Beyond the 401(k)

For financial advisors, recommending sophisticated retirement plans beyond the standard 401(k) can unlock significant growth for your practice and provide superior value to your clients.

Proactively recommending options beyond the 401(k) helps you build stronger, long-term client relationships and defend against competitors. This guide explores four powerful retirement plan solutions to expand the possibilities for your small business clients.

Unlocking the Potential of Retirement Plans: Insights and Strategies

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Whitepaper

Unlock Growth with Retirement Plans

Expand your advisory practice by integrating retirement plans, leveraging the SECURE 2.0 Act and state mandates to meet growing demand and enhance client relationships.

Integrated Financial Wellness Programs for Advisors: Improve Client Outcomes & Strengthen Relationships

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Participant education · Employer education · Build my brand · Products and Services

How Financial Wellness Programs Elevate Your Advisory Practice

Through Ascensus, advisors can offer a fully integrated financial wellness program powered by Financial Finesse. This holistic financial wellness benefits program combines retirement plan administration with fundamental financial education and coaching. It is designed to help improve employee financial well-being by addressing daily finances, such as debt and budgeting, so they can save more effectively for retirement.

Strengthen Client Relationships with Simplified Fund Management for Advisors

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Products and Services

Simplified Fund Management for Advisors

Streamline your investment management process with Ascensus’ exclusive Investment Change Manager (ICM), a powerful online tool built for financial advisors.  ICM gives financial advisors complete control over fund changes across multiple plans, transforming complex administrative tasks into simple, compliant workflows.  Designed to save time and enhance transparency, ICM helps you build stronger client relationships while improving operational efficiency.

Driving Client Success with Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Products and Services

Driving Client Success with Retirement Plans

Help your clients drive success with employer-sponsored retirement plans. This comprehensive guide equips advisors with the tools to support their clients in creating and managing effective retirement plans, helping employees financially prepare for the future while enhancing business outcomes. 

Compare Managed Account Options to Enhance Your Advisory Practice

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Products and Services

Boosting Performance with Managed Accounts

Explore a range of managed account options to enhance your advisory services and meet your clients' diverse needs. Learn about key factors to consider — including fees, advice models, and rebalancing frequencies — and discover how our independence and strategic relationships provide you with the flexibility to offer tailored investment solutions. 

Comparing Retirement Plan Options for Your Client's Small Business

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Products and Services

Comparing Small Business Retirement Plan Options

Compare various retirement plan options to find the best fit for your clients, considering factors like eligibility, contributions, and administrative responsibilities.

Find the right plan for your client with our small business plans overview.

Optimizing Retirement Plan Offerings for Small Business Clients with CoPilot 401(k)

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Products and Services

CoPilot 401(k): Simplifying Small Business Retirement Plans

Explore how CoPilot 3(38) retirement plans can save you time and help grow your business with streamlined, transparent pricing and low-cost investment menus. Ascensus offers two CoPilot 401(k) retirement plans—traditional and Individual(k)—that are cost-effective and ease the investment and administrative burden of managing a 401(k) plan. 

Streamline Fiduciary Responsibilities with Ascensus 3(16) Administrative Fiduciary Services

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Products and Services

Ascensus 3(16) Administrative Fiduciary Services

Give your clients the support and protection they need with Ascensus 3(16) Administrative Fiduciary Services. Our support for day-to-day plan management and routine monitoring creates efficiencies for clients, allowing you to focus on growing your business.

How MEPs and PEPs Can Benefit Advisors and Their Clients

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Products and Services

Introduction to MEPs and PEPs

Scale your business by offering Multiple Employer Plans (MEPs) and Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs), which reduce administrative and financial burdens for employers.

Enhancing Client Outcomes: Key Benefits of Ascensus Secure Retirement PEP

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Products and Services

Ascensus Secure Retirement Pooled Employer Plan (PEP)

Explore the benefits and features of the Ascensus Secure Retirement PEP, which offers an affordable, customizable retirement solution for advisors and their clients.

Understanding 360° Payroll Integration: A Financial Advisor's Guide

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Products and Services

Enhancing Efficiencies with Payroll Integration

Enhance your advisory practice by offering payroll integrated 401(k) solutions, streamlining processes for clients and increasing your revenue streams. 

How Advisors Can Optimize Retirement Plans for Client Success Using Ascensus Plan Health Reports

Engage Clients · Relationship management · Products and Services

Plan Health Reporting for Client Success

Explore a sample of our Plan Health Report to leverage research and data provided by our recordkeeping platform. These insights help you understand specific plan activities, compare plans to others, and identify features that drive optimal retirement readiness.

Boosting Business with Elite Advisor Strategies: Effective Approaches for Advisors

Growth Strategies · Build my brand · Products and Services

Promoting Your Practice: A Guide for Elite Advisors

As an Elite advisor, you and your clients deserve exceptional service and support. Explore tactics and messaging examples to help you market and promote your Elite retirement practice, highlighting the distinctive benefits you offer.