When you run an independent financial advice firm, there is no one-size-fits-all technology solution waiting on a shelf. That is the beauty and the headache of independence.
At Stephan Independent Advisory, our independence means we can design every part of our client experience around what is best for the families we serve. It also means we cannot just plug in the same software stack as everyone else and expect it to work.
Instead, we start with our niche, family-focused business owners and private foundations, and select each tool for its ability to deliver something exceptional for that group. Sometimes that is easy. Often, it is not.
A values-first approach to tech
Independence gives us control over our advice, our process, and our data. It also gives us the responsibility to choose technology that reflects our values and client experience, not the other way around.
Every decision starts with the question: Will this help us deliver better, more personalised advice to our specific clients? If the answer is yes, we make it work, even if that means extra integrations or manual processes.
Our ‘patchwork quilt’ tech stack
Disclaimer: If you are not a tech enthusiast, the next bit may sound a little dry. But if you are someone like Patrick Gardner, host of the AdviceTech podcast, you will feel right at home.
We have deliberately moved away from the all-in-one approach in favour of a mix of specialist tools, each chosen for what it does best:
- FIN365 – Our core CRM and workflow tool, fully inside the Microsoft environment for security, data ownership, and AI capabilities like Copilot for Sales.
- Xplan – Still used for IPS and portfolio reporting, because it is hard to beat in that area.
- Lumiant – Powers our values-based onboarding and client engagement process.
- Moneysoft – For clients who want granular cashflow tracking and budgeting.
- RetireMap – Our go-to for complex modelling, from Division 7A loans to inter-entity strategies.
- Claras.AI – AI-powered file noting, compliance documentation, and workflow meeting summaries.
Each piece has a job. Each earns its place.
Why we do not automate everything
Not every client interaction belongs in a digital form. High-trust, values-based conversations are kept face-to-face or screen-to-screen. We outsource background work and non-relationship tasks to technology so we can give our full attention where it matters most, building trust and making good decisions together.
Owning the trade-offs
Independence means we can shape our own path. It also means we accept there will be compromises, like occasional double-handling when two systems do not talk to each other perfectly. We manage those trade-offs with good processes, careful planning, and a willingness to adapt.
The bottom line
Independence makes tech decisions harder because there is no pre-built solution. It also makes them better, because every choice is made for our clients, not for a vendor’s roadmap. That is a trade-off we will take every time.
🎧 Hear Joe talk through the details on the AdviceTech Podcast.
