If you use paper reports to present financial to your clients, you’re in good company. The Financial Planning in 2015: Today’s Demands, Tomorrow’s Challenges study by FPA Research and Practice Institute™ found 76% of advisors present plans via paper report. While printed reports are a tried-and-true method, more advisors are supplementing the traditional format with online delivery methods.
Online delivery options are gaining in popularity, especially with younger clients. Tech-savvy clients with busy schedules value the convenience of online presentations.
Online presentation and electronic reports delivered via email are possible for the desktop and online editions of Money Tree’s financial planning software. Online editions offer client access to the planning software.
Online/Virtual Presentation:
Online meetings make it easy for advisors to present materials to clients. Screen sharing allows advisors to walkthrough planning reports, give presentations, and view financial planning software. Many services are available to facilitate online meetings.
Electronic Report Delivered via Email:
The reports can be saved as a PDF and emailed to your client. It’s a good practice to add password protection to PDF files. Password protection is available if you use a paid version Adobe Acrobat (not in the free Adobe Reader).
Access to Interactive Planning Software:
Client access is available in the online editions of Silver and TOTAL. The client access portal allows advisors to create websites for clients to review their data and reports from anywhere. TOTAL Online’s client access allows for data review and report access. Silver Online’s client access can also enable the ability for clients to edit plan data.
If you are ready to try a report presentation using a new method, start with a coworker, a family member, or a friend. Then expand to customers whom you have solid relationships. Get the process down before trying it with new or recently formed relationships.