Back to Basics

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  Process Implementation: Moving Toward a More Efficient Office

  By Joni Youngwirth  |  February 1, 2012

  Sometimes the snag in a smoothly functioning practice is the advisor

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  Social Media and You

  By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne  |  February 1, 2012

  Social media: Those two words have become ever present in our daily lives and it’s safe to say that, to some extent, a good portion of us use a social media outlet on a daily basis.

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  Survey for Success

  By Angie Herbers  |  February 1, 2012

  My work with independent advisory firms over the past 10 years or so has led me to conclude that there are three steps to maximizing employee contributions to their firms through increasing their happiness.

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  2012 Tax Season Survival Guide: 22 Days of Tax Planning Advice

  By Dan Skiles  |  February 1, 2012

  Some best practices and operational procedures to make tax season for all advisors—not just tax preparers—a little less hectic.

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  Top 10 Compliance To-Do’s for 2012

  By Thomas D. Giachetti  |  February 1, 2012

  2011 was a year full of changes for the investment advisory community.

• The Annuity Puzzle

  By Bob Seawright, Madison Avenue Securities  |  February 1, 2012

  Since at least 1965 and the seminal research of Menachem Yaari, economists have recognized that retirees should convert far more of their assets into an income annuity at retirement than they do

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  5 Top Alternative Funds

  By John Sullivan, AdvisorOne  |  January 26, 2012

  So-called alternative funds offer just what they advertise: non-correlated assets in a convenient ’40 Act wrapper.

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  401(k)s to Overtake Pensions as Primary Retirement Vehicle in 2012: State Street

  By Joyce Hanson, AdvisorOne  |  January 26, 2012

  In 2012, more people will save for retirement in 401(k)-type plans than in traditional pensions, which means employees need better guidance from plan sponsors, says State Street Global Advisors.

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  4 Steps to Conducting Client Portfolio Reviews

  By Mike Patton  |  January 23, 2012

  Yes, it’s that time again. Here's a practical process for conducting periodic client portfolio reviews.

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  8 Ways to Give Your Clients a Tax Cut

  By Liz Davidson, Financial Finesse  |  January 20, 2012

  Reminders on trimming your clients’ tax burdens now, taking advantage of the IRC and market volatility, and how you can remind them of your value while doing so.