The first days of a client relationship set the tone for everything that follows. Onboarding a new client is as much about collecting important information as it is about demonstrating professionalism and helping clients feel confident they are in capable hands.

Yet for many advisers, the onboarding process feels harder than it should. Advisers juggle compliance checks, manual data entry, and endless email exchanges. Clients repeat information they have already shared or wait days for confirmation that their documents were received. By the time planning begins, the initial excitement has been replaced with frustration. 

Using planning software with automated onboarding tools can help your firm change the onboarding process from being a logistical hurdle to a first step of engagement.  

Why does onboarding still feel harder than it should?

Onboarding can be complex for good reason. Advisers must balance regulatory compliance, data security, and operational efficiency, all while creating a welcoming experience for new clients. 

But traditional workflows were not built for client expectations today. Paper forms, manual data collection, and disconnected systems make it difficult to deliver the seamless, digital-first experience clients now want. These inefficiencies slow down operations and create a first impression that can undercut the trust advisers are working to build. 

Automation improves experience

Automation is perfectly suited to handle the repeatable, rule-based tasks that often consume onboarding teams’ time. This includes document collection, data entry, and signature gathering. This frees up advisers to focus on more strategic conversations.  

Collecting client information can be one of the most time-consuming parts of the onboarding process, especially when handled manually. In fact, a McKinsey survey found that more than 40% of a client’s onboarding time is spent on Know Your Customer (KYC) due diligence and account-opening tasks—a clear sign of how much manual effort still exists in traditional workflows. 

Moneytree’s automated onboarding tool helps streamline this step by allowing clients to securely enter their personal info and financial details through a digital platform. This information then directly flows into the adviser’s planning software (Moneytree), reducing manual data entry and minimising errors. When clients can securely provide their information at their own pace, it makes the process easier and more transparent. 

Integrations

Automation works best when systems talk to each other. Integrated onboarding tools that connect with financial planning software, CRM platforms, and custodial accounts eliminate duplicate data entry and reduce the chance of human error. 

When client data flows directly into your planning tools, you spend less time rekeying numbers and more time analysing insights. For clients, that means fewer forms to fill out and more confidence that the information transferring over is accurate. 

Account aggregation plays an equally important role. When clients can link accounts directly during onboarding, advisers get a more complete picture of their financials right away. That clarity accelerates the planning process and leads to richer conversations earlier in the relationship. 

A better beginning

A well-orchestrated onboarding process sends a clear message that your firm prioritises client experience. When the administrative details happen quickly and securely behind the scenes, advisers can focus on connecting with clients.  

Moneytree Software strives to help advisers modernise their workflows from the very start, with automated onboarding tools that securely collect client information, integrate seamlessly with your planning process, and free up your team’s time. 

Want to learn how it works in action? Read more about Moneytree’s Automated Onboarding Tool. 

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