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Executive Summary
Carson Group adopted YCharts to unify its portfolio analysis, proposal generation, and onboarding processes. Previously, advisors struggled with outdated tools, fragmented data, and inconsistent workflows that slowed productivity and diluted client impact.
With YCharts, Carson gained:
- Real-time access to Carson's proprietary model portfolios
- Customizable, client-ready proposals that win and retain business
- Standardized workflows that streamline onboarding and scale operations
The impact was immediate: advisors saved up to 15 hours per week, onboarded faster, and closed high-value accounts—like a $1.8M win directly tied to YCharts proposals. The platform now powers more efficient, confident, and client-focused advising across the entire network.
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About
Carson Group, a leading financial services firm managing over $38 billion in assets under management (AUM), sought to unify its advisor network under a single, robust portfolio analysis, proposal and communications platform. Spearheaded by Chief Strategy Officer Dani Fava, this strategic initiative aimed to enhance operational efficiency, improve client engagement, and drive scalable growth across more than 150 partner offices serving over 50,700 families.
The Challenge
Before adopting YCharts, Carson Group advisors faced significant challenges that impeded their ability to deliver consistent, high-quality service:
Fragmented Tech Stack and Outdated Model Data:
Advisors relied on disparate tools, spending excessive time compiling data from multiple sources—time that could have been better spent engaging with clients. The absence of an integrated platform also made it difficult to stay current with updates to Carson Group’s proprietary model portfolios, leading to inconsistent recommendations.
“Before, we didn’t have all the information at our fingertips,” said Ted Swenson, a Sr. Wealth Advisor with 27 years of industry experience. “Now I can dig deeper, see all the data, and have comfort in presenting Carson strategies and sleeves. It gives me confidence in presenting to clients.”
Inconsistent Reports and Onboarding Hurdles:
The absence of standardized workflows for portfolio analysis and proposal creation complicated the onboarding process, negatively affecting new advisors' productivity and alignment with Carson’s established practices.
“YCharts allows us to onboard advisors into Carson’s way of doing things quickly, which has been invaluable as we expand our network,” noted Fava.
Additionally, previous proposal solutions lacked visual appeal and customization, diluting the personal touch necessary for meaningful client interactions.“We’ve been able to win some good business and defend against losing business simply by demonstrating to clients, ‘They’re not actually telling you the whole picture,’” explained Lindsey Toole, a Wealth Advisor with over 20 years of industry experience.
“With the old tool, we didn’t get the breakdown of what we actually had in the portfolio—by asset class, individual holdings—and it didn’t give us any ability to dig deeper,” Swenson added. "YCharts has been a huge improvement over that.”
Before, we didn’t have all the information at our fingertips. Now I can dig deeper, see all the data, and have comfort in presenting Carson strategies and sleeves. It gives me confidence in presenting to clients.”
The Solution
Carson Group implemented YCharts as a centralized, firm-wide platform that delivers:
- Real-time access to Carson's proprietary model updates
- Intuitive portfolio analysis
- Customizable, client-friendly proposals
Streamlined Portfolio Analysis & Real-Time Models:
By adopting YCharts, advisors gained immediate access to standardized analytics, reducing the time previously spent on data collection and interpretation. This allowed them to focus more on client engagement.
“[Before YCharts] we really didn’t have capabilities with analyzing portfolios—whether they were our models, current client holdings, or if we're trying to compete for business and analyze outside holdings from other firms,” said Toole. Accurate, up-to-date model information significantly enhanced advisors' ability to manage portfolios confidently and communicate effectively with clients.
“In Riskalyze, we don’t have access to Carson’s models,” noted Ross Gott, a Wealth Advisor of 27 years. “With YCharts, Carson updates those models as trades occur. Once my model is set, it’s updated, and I don’t have to worry about it.”
Custom Proposals That Win Business:
With 30+ customizable report templates, advisors create tailored, visually appealing presentations that resonate with clients. “With YCharts, our advisors can deliver reports that are not only informative but truly engaging, enhancing our client conversations,” Fava said.
The versatility and personalization of these reports have directly contributed to winning new business. “I won a $1.8 million account,” added Gott. “The ability to show them how the accounts and strategies work together in real-time was a big factor.”
The advanced analytics and presentation tools in YCharts help clearly communicate Carson Group’s value proposition, differentiating their services and demonstrating expertise in every interaction.
“Seamless, intuitive, and impactful—this is the kind of tech that drives better decisions and happier clients,” added Fava.
I won a $1.8 million account. The ability to show them how the accounts and strategies work together in real-time was a big factor.”
The Results
10–15 hours saved/week on portfolio analysis and model building (Toole)
Organic revenue growth and stronger client retention (Toole & Gott)
Instant access to live model data, reducing manual updates
Faster onboarding with standardized tools and workflows
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Efficiency: Advisors now spend less time on administrative tasks and more time with clients.
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Scalability: Standardized tools accelerate onboarding and adoption across 150+ offices.
- Client Experience: Custom proposals and real-time insights strengthen client trust and clarity.
Freed from outdated, inefficient technology, advisors can dedicate more time to meaningful client interactions and faster decision-making. Real-time model updates bolstered responsiveness and client communication.
Toole estimated saving 10–15 hours per week by using YCharts for portfolio analysis and model building, while Gott noted a dramatic reduction in the time required to create models—from 30 minutes to just a few minutes compared to Riskalyze.
Customizable, compliant proposals enabled advisors to clearly articulate Carson’s unique value, building deeper client trust. “Empowering our advisors with YCharts means they now have access to top-tier research and proposal tools. We’re thrilled to see the value it’s already adding for clients,” noted Fava.
“It’s been great to be able to show clients: here’s what you truly own underneath—all the ETFs, individual holdings, and mutual funds—broken down by sector, midcap, small cap, large cap, growth versus value,” said Swenson.
By providing a superior, user-friendly alternative designed specifically to streamline advisor workflows, YCharts accelerated onboarding, enhanced advisor productivity, and elevated overall satisfaction—directly supporting strategic growth and asset expansion. “To me, it’s the better option out there. I’ve used other things like [the incumbent provider] and other proprietary systems,” Toole added. “YCharts has better capabilities—not just from a user-friendly standpoint, but also from access to data and being able to manipulate it.”
“It’s like driving a kid’s car with pedals versus a Ferrari,” Swenson noted, “YCharts is just a way better tool. There’s no question about it.”
To me, it’s the better option out there. I’ve used other things like [the incumbent provider] and other proprietary systems. YCharts has better capabilities—not just from a user-friendly standpoint, but also from access to data and being able to manipulate it.”
Dani Fava's Closing Thoughts
“We are thrilled to partner with YCharts to provide our advisor network with the best investment research and proposal tools available.
This partnership underscores our commitment to equipping our advisors with best-in-class technology, ensuring they can deliver unparalleled value to their clients,” concluded Fava.
2. Custom Proposal Creation
3. Scalable Onboarding Processes