Deep AI Users Report Stronger Profit and Revenue Gains

PLANADVISER reports that advisory firms embedding AI across most of their workflows say they are seeing bigger gains than casual users, with a crucial caveat: Fieldguide Inc. describes the findings as self-reported and not evidence of causation. The May survey of 400 auditing and advisory professionals classified 51% of firms as active AI deployers. Among those, 74.5% said profitability increased by at least 10%, versus 52% of casual users. During the past two years, 77% of active deployers reported advisory revenue growth, compared with 62.8% of casual users.

The active-deployer edge shows up across client and staffing metrics: 73.5% said AI helped win or retain clients, against 53.6% of casual users; 70% reported capacity expansion, against 46.9%; and 75% credited AI with improving staff retention, against 51%. More than 87% of active deployers had redesigned roles and team structures, and 81% said AI reshaped career paths for entry- and mid-level professionals, versus 60% and 65% of casual users.

Separately, a Cerulli Associates survey covered by PLANADVISER finds technology is becoming a recruiting differentiator. Of advisers who joined a new broker/dealer, 54% said technology was among the most important factors, ahead of compensation at 50% and autonomy at 49%. Among hybrid retirement advisers who ended a broker/dealer affiliation, 20% called the flexibility to choose technology systems a major factor, and 40% called it moderate.

Elsewhere in the Cerulli survey, advisers expressed limited enthusiasm for the technology they already use. Only 27% described their technology as "very effective" for client communication or managing operational aspects of client relationships; 46% said the same for regulatory compliance. In every category, "somewhat effective" was the most common answer.

Put together, the two surveys frame a gap: technology now helps attract advisers, while the tools they already use earn lukewarm reviews. PLANADVISER's coverage concludes that technology providers have solved the back office faster than the front office, leaving client-facing tools the open opportunity.