RIA Edge RIA Edge Podcast: How an Integrated, All-Digital RIA Looks at Growth with Alex Farman-Farmaian
Modern advisory firms are being reshaped by technology, changing client expectations and the need for deeper personalization.
How do firms scale while keeping the advisor-client relationship at the center? What role does technology really play in growth without replacing the human element?
In this episode, host David Armstrong speaks with Alex Farman-Farmaian, CEO of Compound Planning, about building an all-digital, integrated RIA—with human advisors at the center—that provides clients with a unified experience across multiple service offerings—including tax preparation.
Alex explains how AI-powered workflows and integrations enable advisors to serve clients more efficiently as the human touchpoint, while providing a better experience for clients. He also shares how Compound recruits next-generation advisors, integrates tax services and drives growth by focusing on equity- and option-compensated executives of fast-growing tech firms approaching liquidity events.
Key takeaways:
- How internal technology reduces advisor workload and increases client capacity
- Why proactive advice across a client’s full balance sheet drives stronger relationships and accelerates organic growth
- How the firm uses AI to support advisor work without replacing human judgment
- How modern tech helps recruit growth-minded, younger advisors.
- How it partners with firms to educate execs with equity-based compensation plans on navigating liquidity events.
Resources:
- Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on Wealth Management
- Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts
- Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify
Connect With David Armstrong:
- Wealth Management
- LinkedIn: Wealth Management
- LinkedIn: David Armstrong
- Twitter: David Armstrong
- LinkedIn: Informa
Connect With Alex Farman-Farmaian:
About Our Guest:
Alex Farman-Farmaian is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Compound Planning, responsible for growing the firm to 50+ advisors and over $4 billion in AUM since 2022, and guiding the strategic direction of the firm’s robust wealth management technology and advisory service offerings. Previously, Alex was the 20th employee at Carta, where he built numerous sales teams across the country as Carta scaled to 1,000 employees and a $7B+ valuation from Silver Lake. Alex is an expert in equity compensation and is passionate about tax-efficient equity strategies.