More Than Advice, It’s Advocacy

Jimmy Lee calls it “the personal CFO model.”

It’s not just about managing money. It’s about being the first call a client makes—whether the issue is taxes, trusts, or even big life decisions outside your direct scope.

Think of it as the quarterback of a client’s financial life. You may not throw every pass yourself, but you coordinate the entire playbook. That’s advocacy.

Proactive vs. Reactive

Traditional advisors wait for the client to raise their hand. “Can we talk about this?” or “Should I be worried about that?”

But a Personal CFO flips the script. They anticipate challenges. They don’t just react to market swings—they prepare clients for life events before they happen.

It’s the difference between rebalancing a portfolio and helping a client rebalance their life.

From Nice-to-Have to Table Stakes

Five years ago, being “holistic” was a differentiator. Something you could use as a marketing edge.

Today, it’s quickly becoming table stakes. High-net-worth clients expect comprehensive guidance. If you can’t deliver—whether in-house or through trusted partnerships—you risk falling behind.

The Personal CFO model isn’t optional anymore. It’s the baseline.

The Future of Advisor-Client Relationships

The rise of the Personal CFO signals a bigger shift: clients no longer see advisors as product providers. They see them as life partners in financial decision-making.

Advisors who embrace this role will earn not just assets under management, but clients for life.

These insights are inspired by the latest episode of Next Mile featuring Jimmy Lee, CEO of The Wealth Consulting Group. Hear how he’s scaling holistic wealth management and why the personal CFO model is the future. Listen to the full episode here and explore more articles in this series.