Advisors’ Roadmap: 3 Steps to Prepare for 2026

With 2026 quickly approaching, now is the time for Financial Advisors to plan, refine processes, and focus on delivering better client experiences. Below, some tips to guide you into the new year:

1. Planning: Reflection, Strategy, and Goal-Setting

Setting a clear plan is key to positioning your advisory firm for success. Think about this past year—what went well and where are improvements needed? You may want to use a SWOT analysis to gain insights into your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

With deep insight about your current situation—and potential challenges—you can develop a focused strategy. Start by defining clear, measurable short- and long-term goals then set specific timelines and key performance indicators (KPIs) and continue to regularly assess your progress and adjust as needed.

If growth is a priority, here are some useful tools:

• Symmetry’s Growth Plan workbook can help you refine your target audience and marketing approach

• Symmetry’s Strategy Canvas can help you identify areas for differentiation and growth

2. Refining Your Processes: Technology, Operations, and Automation

In addition to providing financial planning and investment advice, Financial Advisors must continue to adapt to technological advancements, regulatory changes, and shifting client expectations.

There’s a reason why nearly half (45%) of Advisors utilize a Turnkey Asset Management Provider (TAMP).^[1] Partnering with a TAMP can help you remain client focused, freeing up time spent on learning and implementing backend processes and technology.

Key benefits include:

• Access to a comprehensive suite of investment management, technology, and back-office services, enabling Advisors to outsource complex operations.
• Automation and streamlining of tasks, like portfolio rebalancing, trade execution, and tax-loss harvesting
• Simplified back-office functions and integrated tools that can help reduce operational risk and save time.

3. Delivering Better Client Experiences: Communication, Efficiency, and Value

Working with a TAMP provides you with tools you can use to share performance reports and updates with clients, helping them stay informed and engaged. With streamlined communication processes, you can focus more on meaningful conversations with clients rather than spending time on administrative tasks.

Investors are looking to Advisors for personalized financial guidance. More specifically, 64% of those working with an Advisor prioritize the more personal aspects—they’re looking to work with someone who:^[2]

• 47% – Provides financial planning
• 39% – Helps them understand investing
• 33% – Understands their unique situation
• 31% – Listens
• 30% – Offers investments aligned with their personal values

Outsourcing portfolio management, rebalancing, and back-end tasks to a TAMP can increase your efficiency, freeing up time you can spend on building client relationships, discussing strategy, and providing overall service.

Working with a TAMP to help automate tasks and align your communication efforts can help you improve operational efficiency and client engagement.

TAMPs provide advanced data analytics, customizable reporting, and access to a broader range of investment solutions—adding value by helping you make more informed decisions, track portfolio performance, and align strategies with client goals.

Cheers to a Successful 2025

As we wrap up the year, it can feel like a flurry of activity. We recommend setting aside time to plan ahead, which may help you feel ready and focused for the year to come.

If you’re looking to streamline your processes in 2026, schedule a demo to learn more about how the Axiom TAMP can help enhance your business.

For Financial Professionals Only. Symmetry Partners, LLC (“Symmetry”) is an investment advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Registration with the SEC or any state securities authority does not imply a certain level of skill or training. No one should assume that future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, product or non-investment-related content made reference to directly or indirectly in this material will be profitable. All data is from sources believed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed or warranted. 

Symmetry provides this communication on this site as a matter of general information. Information contained herein, including data or statistics quoted, is from sources believed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed or warranted. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may not be reflective of current opinions or positions. All content on this site is for educational purposes and should not be considered investment advice, recommendation, or offer of any security for sale. Symmetry does not provide tax or legal advice and nothing either stated or implied in this material should be inferred as providing such advice. Symmetry does not approve or endorse any third-party communications on this site and will not be liable for any such posts. 

Please note: Before attempting to set up any type of program you should check with your firm’s Compliance Department or OSJ for usage limitations.

[1] “The Wealth Advisor Unveils 2025 America’s Best TAMPs Guide,” April 4, 2025, https://www.thewealthadvisor.com/article/wealth-advisor-unveils-2025-americas-best-tamps-guide

[2] “Welcome to the Age of Diminished Expectations,” 2025 Natixix Global Survey of Individual Investors, Natixix Investment Managers, https://www.im.natixis.com/content/dam/natixis/website/insights/investor-sentiment/2025/individual-investor-survey/individual-investor-survey-full-report.pdf