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Why financial practices must look offshore for scalability

strategy
By Stephen Sloane, managing director, Levera Solutions
March 15 2025
2 minute read
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For years, financial practices have faced a pressing challenge: how to scale efficiently without compromising service quality.

The hard truth is that if you’re trying to expand while keeping all operations in-house, you’re putting a cap on your own growth.

Traditional hiring models are no longer sustainable and local recruitment for administrative and back-office functions are not only expensive but also inefficient.

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One solution for achieving an efficient financial firm is outsourcing. By strategically allocating tasks between onshore and offshore teams, businesses can streamline operations and improve productivity.

Onshore tasks can include client-facing roles such as financial planning, advisory and consulting. Complex compliance and regulatory decision-making, business strategy, high-level financial analysis and portfolio management remain in Australia to ensure personalised service and adherence to regulations.

Offshore tasks could include administrative support such as data entry, appointment scheduling and form preparation. Compliance support CRM and client database management, marketing support and back-office processing tasks like insurance quotes, investment account setup and superannuation research can also be efficiently handled offshore.

Advisers, accountants and brokers are finding themselves drowning in paperwork, compliance and admin work instead of doing what they do best, nurturing client relationships and driving business growth.

Strong client relationships drive business success. Consider a scenario where a financial adviser previously spent hours processing paperwork but, after leveraging an offshore team, could allocate that time to personalised client interactions.

One client, who previously received only periodic email updates, now benefits from quarterly in-person strategy sessions. As a result, the client consolidates more assets under management with the adviser and refers new business, showcasing the tangible impact of freeing up an adviser’s time.

Growth isn’t just about acquiring more clients; it’s about scaling efficiently. Outsourcing enables firms to attract new clients by freeing up time for networking, attending industry events and personal branding. It also allows firms to expand service offerings, introducing new advisory services or enhancing client experience. Additionally, more time on strategic planning means firms can focus on mergers or acquiring smaller practices.

Outsourcing is not just about cost-cutting; it’s about working smarter. By strategically delegating administrative, compliance, CRM management and marketing support to an offshore team, firms free up valuable time and resources.

The real advantage is scalability. A single local admin assistant has limits, but an offshore team can flex and grow with the business, providing continuous support without bottlenecks.

Technology is another game-changer. I’ve seen firsthand how integrating CRM automation, AI-driven marketing and managed accounts help firms scale faster without adding unnecessary overhead.

It’s a smarter way to work, one that enables financial professionals to focus on growth rather than getting bogged down by administration.

There’s a misconception that outsourcing means losing control. The truth is, when done right, it enhances control. It’s about having the right systems in place to ensure efficiency, accountability and alignment with business goals.

The key takeaway is this: if financial advisory practices want to achieve sustainable, scalable growth, offshore solutions offer a smart and effective path forward. Relying solely on in-house resources can lead to inefficiencies, higher costs and limited growth potential.

I’ve built a business by making strategic decisions that drive scalability, and I encourage other financial practices to do the same.

The future of financial services belongs to those who embrace global talent, leverage smart technology, lead with vision. With a growing demand for financial advice and a shortage of advisers, firms need scalable solutions to meet client needs without overburdening their teams. It’s not just about growing bigger, it’s about building a smarter, stronger and more sustainable business that can scale efficiently while maintaining high-quality advice.

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