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Continuity vs. a Custodian Transition Team

One of the most common questions advisors ask is:

"If my custodian has a transition team, why would I need Continuity?"

The answer is simple. They're different roles with different responsibilities. In many transitions, they complement each other rather than compete with each other.

The Custodian's Job

A custodian's transition team represents the custodian. Their responsibility is to help advisors onboard onto that custodian's platform and complete the custodian's required processes.

That may include:

• Opening advisory accounts.
• Providing required paperwork.
• Explaining custodian procedures.
• Supporting asset transfers.
• Training advisors on the custodian's technology.
• Answering questions about custodian-specific workflows.

They are experts in their platform.

Continuity's Job

Continuity represents the advisor.

Our responsibility is coordinating the entire transition—not just one organization's portion of it.

That includes planning, project management, client communication, data preparation, paperwork review, operational coordination, issue tracking, timeline management, and helping advisors navigate the thousands of details that exist between all of the parties involved.

We Coordinate Across Everyone

A typical advisor transition involves far more than a custodian.

• The advisor
• The advisor's staff
• The new firm
• The former firm
• The custodian
• Compliance professionals
• Attorneys
• Technology vendors
• Clients

Every organization has its own responsibilities. Very few are responsible for coordinating all of them together.

That's where Continuity provides value.

Think of It This Way

Imagine building a custom home.

The electrician is responsible for electrical work. The plumber is responsible for plumbing. The roofer is responsible for the roof.

Someone still has to manage the entire construction project.

Advisor transitions work the same way. Every participant has an important role, but someone needs to oversee the complete project.

It's Not Either/Or

The question isn't whether advisors should work with a custodian transition team or Continuity.

Many of the smoothest transitions involve both.

Custodian specialists focus on the custodian. We focus on the advisor's entire transition.

Those responsibilities work together remarkably well.

Comparison

Related Pages

• Continuity vs. Recruiter
• Continuity vs. Compliance Consultant
• Continuity vs. Attorney
• When to Hire Continuity
• The Role of a Custodian
• The Continuity Method