Survey Preview

Survey questions & structure.

13 sections·74 questions·Advisory Firms

Firm Identity

Tell us about your firm so we can match you to the right peer group.

What best describes your compliance model?*

This is the most important question — it determines your entire peer group.

Aggregator-provided compliance (AGG)TAMP-provided compliance (TAMP)Outsourced CCO / Independent compliance (OC)Embedded in-house CCO (ECCO)

What is your firm's total Assets Under Management (AUM)?*

Less than $100M$100M – $500M$500M – $1B$1B – $5B$5B+

Who are your primary clients?*

Mass AffluentHigh Net Worth (HNW)Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW)InstitutionalMixed

How many advisors are in your firm?*

1 – 23 – 56 – 1011 – 2525+

What is your firm's approximate annual revenue?*

Less than $1M$1M – $3M$3M – $10M$10M – $25M$25M+

How would you describe your firm's revenue growth trend?*

DecliningFlat — no significant changeModerate growthStrong growth

How many support staff do you have per advisor?*

Less than 0.5 per advisor0.5 – 1.0 per advisor1.0 – 1.5 per advisor1.5 – 2.0 per advisorMore than 2.0 per advisor

How many client households does your firm serve?*

Fewer than 100100 – 250250 – 500500 – 1,0001,000+

Compliance Snapshot

A quick picture of your compliance posture.

Roughly what percentage of your revenue goes toward compliance?*

Less than 1%1% – 2%2% – 4%4% – 6%6% or more

How confident are you in your firm's overall compliance posture?*

Very LowLowModerateHighVery High

What level of automation does your firm use for compliance work?*

None — fully manual processesBasic tools — email, simple checklistsIntegrated systems — dedicated compliance softwareAI-driven — automated monitoring and alerts

Which compliance areas create the highest burden for your firm? (Select all that apply)

Select every area that is a meaningful burden — not just the single biggest one.·Select all that apply

DocumentationSupervisionMarketing reviewCybersecurityAI governanceExam preparationCross-state licensing

What was the outcome of your most recent regulatory exam?*

Clean exam — no findingsMinor findingsSignificant findingsCurrently under reviewNot yet examined

What is your current AI governance policy status?*

Not considered yetAware but no action takenCurrently in developmentFormal policy in place

Strategic Snapshot

Where you are headed and how you feel about it.

How confident are you in your firm's 5-year trajectory?*

Very LowLowModerateHighVery High

What is your top strategic priority for the next 12 months?*

GrowthComplianceTechnologySuccession planningStaffingCost management

What is the single biggest threat to your business right now?*

Fee compressionTalent and staffingTechnology disruption / AIRegulatory burdenCompetition / consolidationSuccession

How would you describe your current economic outlook?*

Very PessimisticPessimisticNeutralOptimisticVery Optimistic

What data would most improve your ability to run your firm?

Your answer directly shapes future Atlas modules.

e.g. Fee benchmarking data, compliance cost comparisons...

If you could fix one thing about running your firm right now, what would it be?

Free text — your answer helps populate the Intelligence Hub across all subscribers.

e.g. Better CRM integration, clearer AI governance guidance...

Cybersecurity & Vendor Risk

Your firm's security posture and vendor management approach.

How would you describe your cybersecurity program?*

No formal programBasic measures only (passwords, basic firewall)Outsourced to a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP)Internal IT team with security responsibilitiesFormal Written Information Security Program (WISP) with regular testing

Have you experienced any cybersecurity incidents in the last 5 years?*

No incidentsMinor incident — no client data exposedIncident with potential data exposureReportable incident — disclosed to regulatorsIncident occurred but not disclosed

How do you assess cybersecurity risk across your technology vendors?*

No formal vendor assessmentSOC 2 review for major vendors onlyFormal assessments for all significant vendorsContractual security standards required from all vendors

Technology Stack

The tools your firm uses and how satisfied you are with them.

What CRM platform does your firm use?*

SalesforceRedtailWealthboxPractifiHubSpotOther

What portfolio management platform do you use?*

OrionTamaracBlack DiamondAddeparOther

What financial planning software do you use?*

eMoneyMoneyGuideProRightCapitalHolistiplanOther

How well does your technology stack work together overall?*

Poor — systems barely talk to each otherFair — some integrationGood — mostly connectedExcellent — fully integrated

How satisfied are you with the ROI from your technology spend?*

Very dissatisfiedDissatisfiedNeutralSatisfiedVery satisfied

Are you planning to replace any core technology in the next 12 months?*

No plansConsidering itActively planningAlready in process

What is your biggest technology pain point?

Poor integration between systemsCost vs. perceived valueStaff adoption resistanceVendor support qualityCapability gaps

AI & Automation

Where your firm stands on AI adoption and governance.

What is your firm's current AI adoption status?*

Not started — not on our radarEvaluating optionsPiloting with a few toolsIn production — using AI actively

Where are you currently using or piloting AI? (Select all that apply)

Select all that apply

Client communicationPortfolio analysisCompliance reviewFinancial planningMarketingOperations / adminNot using AI anywhere yet

What is your primary concern about AI in your business?*

Accuracy and reliabilityCompliance and regulatory riskClient data privacyClient trust and perceptionCost of implementationRegulatory uncertainty

Compared to firms like yours, where do you think your AI adoption sits?*

Significantly behindSlightly behindAbout at parSlightly aheadSignificantly ahead

How much of your potential automation opportunity have you addressed?*

Completely unaddressed — large opportunity ignoredLarge unaddressed opportunitySignificant portion addressedMostly automated

Staffing & Human Capital

Your biggest people challenges and hiring situation.

What is your biggest people challenge right now?*

Recruiting new talentRetaining existing staffCompensation pressureBuilding a strong cultureSuccession planningPerformance management

Which role is hardest to fill right now?

Lead advisorSupport advisorOperations staffCompliance staffMarketingTechnology

Have you lost any advisors in the last 12 months?*

No turnoverLost 1 advisorLost 2 – 3 advisorsLost 4 or more advisors

Do you offer equity or ownership incentives to non-partner staff?*

YesNoPlanned for the future

Succession Planning

Your firm's readiness for ownership transition.

Where are you in your succession planning journey?*

Not started — haven't thought about itEarly thinking — no concrete planHave identified a succession structureDocumented plan existsActive transition underway

What succession structure are you considering or pursuing?

Internal buyout by junior partnersPlatform transfer (AGG/TAMP)External sale to another firmMerger with another RIAPE or institutional acquisitionNot yet defined

What is your succession timeline?

No timeline set5+ years away3 – 5 years1 – 3 yearsWithin the next year

What is your biggest obstacle to completing your succession plan?

Financing complexityValuation uncertaintyLeadership pipeline — no clear successorClient retention risk during transitionPlatform or aggregator complexityNo obstacles — plan is on trackNot applicable — no plan yet

How well do you understand your firm's current valuation?*

We have had a formal valuation doneWe have a general senseWe are genuinely uncertain

Revenue Strategy

Your fee model, pricing strategy, and compression pressure.

What is your primary fee model?*

AUM-only feeAUM + separate planning feeFlat annual retainerHourly billingHybrid (combination)Performance-based

What is your primary AUM fee rate for a typical client?*

This powers the fee rate benchmarking charts. Use your most common rate across your client base.

Less than 0.25%0.25% – 0.50%0.50% – 0.75%0.75% – 1.00%1.00% – 1.25%1.25% – 1.50%More than 1.50%

What percentage of your revenue comes from non-AUM sources?*

0% — AUM only1% – 10%10% – 25%25% – 50%50%+

Have you changed your fees in the last 24 months?*

Reduced feesNo changeIncreased feesRestructured our model entirely

How much fee compression pressure are you experiencing from clients?*

NoneLowModerateSignificantSevere

What percentage of your revenue comes from your top 10 clients?

Less than 25%25% – 50%50% – 75%75% or more

Investments & Products

The investment capabilities you offer and where client demand is shifting.

What percentage of client portfolios are currently allocated to alternative investments?*

0% — we do not use alternatives1% – 5%5% – 15%15% – 30%30%+

Do you offer options overlays or collar strategies for clients?*

Not offeredEvaluating — considering adding thisLimited use — available but rarely usedActive use — regularly deployed

Do you offer direct indexing or separately managed accounts (SMAs)?*

Not offeredEvaluating — considering adding thisLimited use — available but rarely usedActive use — regularly deployed

What is your ESG or sustainable investing offering status?*

Not offered — not something we doAvailable on request onlyProactively offered to suitable clientsCore part of our investment approach

How do you handle clients with concentrated equity positions?*

Exchange fundsCompletion portfoliosCharitable strategies (CRTs, DAFs)Options overlays / collarsCombination approach depending on clientWe do not offer specialized concentrated position strategiesNo clients with concentrated positions

What client product demand are you currently not meeting? (Select all that apply)

Be honest here — this reveals gaps across the industry that Atlas tracks.·Select all that apply

Alternative investmentsDirect indexingOptions strategiesESG / sustainable investingTax optimization strategiesNone — we meet all current demand

Client Behavior & Growth

How clients are behaving, how you acquire new ones, and your onboarding experience.

What is the biggest shift in what clients are asking for compared to 12 months ago?*

Tax optimization strategiesAlternative investmentsMore comprehensive planning servicesGenerational / estate transfer planningBetter digital access and portal toolsESG / values-aligned investingNo significant shift

Is client sensitivity to your fees changing?*

Decreasing — clients are less price sensitiveStable — no meaningful changeIncreasing — more clients pushing back on feesHigh and rising — fee pressure is a constant challenge

How do clients typically respond during periods of market volatility?*

Minimal contact — clients stay calmModerate — some check-ins neededSignificant hand-holding required

Where do most of your new clients come from?*

Client referralsCenters of influence (COIs) — attorneys, CPAsDigital / online presenceM&A / firm acquisitionCold outreachExpansion from existing clients

How intentional and structured is your marketing strategy?*

No strategy — purely reactiveAd hoc — occasional efforts without a planDefined strategy — written plan existsSystematic — consistent execution with tracking

What percentage of your revenue do you spend on marketing?

Less than 0.5%0.5% – 1%1% – 2%2% – 4%More than 4%

How formal is your Centers of Influence (COI) referral network?*

None — no COI relationshipsInformal — ad hoc relationshipsSemi-formal — regular contact but no structured programFormal program — structured with tracking and reciprocity

How long does your client onboarding process typically take?*

Less than 2 weeks2 – 4 weeks4 – 8 weeks8 – 12 weeksMore than 12 weeks

What causes the most friction in your onboarding process?*

Document collection from clientsCompliance review and approvalsTechnology and account openingInternal process bottlenecksNo significant friction

How would you describe your proactive client communication style?*

Reactive only — we respond when clients reach outQuarterly touchpointsMonthly touchpointsProactive and frequent — consistent outreach

Wealth Transfer & Next-Gen

How prepared you are for assets transitioning to the next generation.

How would you describe your wealth transfer strategy?*

No strategy — haven't addressed itAwareness only — know it's importantServices available if clients askActive approach — proactively engagingComprehensive program in place

Approximately what percentage of your client households have you engaged with their heirs?*

0% — none1% – 10%10% – 25%25% – 50%50%+

How do you approach heir engagement?*

We don't — reactive onlyReactive when heirs reach outEducational events for heirsDedicated services for heirsFull integration of heirs as clients

How concerned are you about retaining assets through generational transition?*

Very low concernLow concernModerate concernHigh concernVery high concern

Macro & Economic Outlook

How external forces are shaping your firm's decisions.

How are current interest rates impacting your clients overall?*

Very negativelyNegativelyNeutralPositivelyVery positively

How are you positioning client portfolios for a potential recession?*

Fully offensive — no defensive positioningSlightly defensiveBalanced approachDefensiveFully defensive

Is an ownership or control change at your firm likely in the next 3 years?

No — ownership is stablePossibly — being consideredLikely — actively discussingActively planning — in process

What data would most improve your ability to run your firm?

Your answer directly shapes future Atlas modules.

e.g. Fee benchmarking data, compliance cost comparisons...