Solo financial planners earning $250K–$1M often wear many hats, but doing everything yourself eventually caps your growth. It’s time to work smarter by delegating smarter. Handing off routine work to a capable assistant frees up hours each week – hours you can reinvest into clients and business development. In fact, by delegating, advisors can focus on high-value tasks: delivering financial advice, refining portfolios, strengthening client relationships, and spending more time with qualified prospects. Below are two delegation roadmaps tailored to solo advisors: one for comprehensive financial planners and one for those focused on high-net-worth clients. Each roadmap includes (1) tasks an EA (with no financial background) can take over – sorted from easiest to hardest to delegate – and (2) the high-ROI activities you, the advisor, should emphasize once your time is freed up (from quick wins to long-term growth moves). Delegation Roadmap for Comprehensive Financial Planners Comprehensive planners juggle retirement, investment, estate, tax, and insurance planning for families. An EA in the U.S. or Canada (even with no finance background) can lighten your load more than you might expect. Start with simple admin duties and gradually hand off more involved tasks as trust and processes grow. The table below lists key tasks you can delegate, in order from easiest to most challenging to offload: Tasks to Delegate to Your Assistant Task to Delegate Description/Notes Calendar Management & Scheduling Booking client meetings, coordinating calls, and managing your calendar. Easy win: purely administrative and immediately saves you hours each week. Email Inbox Triage & Client Reminders Filtering non-urgent emails, flagging important messages, and sending routine reminders to clients (e.g. upcoming appointments). Keeps you focused on critical communications. Document Prep & Filing Organizing client files, scanning and filing documents, preparing meeting packets and forms for signatures. Low-risk task: ensures paperwork is ready without consuming your time. Client Onboarding Admin Sending new client intake forms, tracking completion, opening accounts with pre-filled paperwork, and following up on missing info. Requires creating a checklist, but once defined, your EA can run with it. Post-Meeting Follow-ups & Task Tracking Logging meeting notes in the CRM, drafting follow-up emails for you to personalize, and tracking action items (e.g. “Client to send tax return”). This ensures nothing falls through the cracks. Basic Financial Data Entry Inputting client financial data into planning software or spreadsheets (under your guidance). Harder to delegate: requires training and spot-checking initially, but saves significant time once your EA masters it. By outsourcing the above tasks, you free yourself to focus on the high-value activities that truly move the needle in your practice. The next table highlights what a comprehensive planner should prioritize with this newfound time, sorted from the fastest return on investment to more time-intensive, growth-oriented efforts: High-Value Activities for You (Fast ROI 🡒 Long-Term Growth) High-Value Activity Why It Matters Client Face Time with Top Clients & Prospects Spend more time in client review meetings and prospect consultations. Strengthening relationships and engaging new leads produces immediate wins – happy clients who stay (and refer), and prospects who convert to clients. Proactive Financial Planning & Problem-Solving Use freed-up time to deeply analyze client plans, identify opportunities (tax savings, portfolio tweaks, insurance needs), and develop creative solutions. Delivering more personalized advice enhances your value and often uncovers additional business (fast ROI via upselling services or managing more assets). Networking & Referral Outreach Actively cultivate referrals from centers of influence (CPAs, attorneys) and satisfied clients. A quick phone call or lunch with a potential referral partner can yield a high-net-worth prospect or two in short order. This targeted business development pays off relatively quickly in new assets or clients. Marketing & Thought Leadership Invest time in long-term marketing plays: write blog articles, record a podcast episode, host a webinar or seminar. These efforts build your brand and lead funnel. While they require consistency and creativity (and don’t pay off overnight), over time they position you as an expert and attract ideal clients. Continued Education & Niche Specialization Pursue advanced designations or training (e.g. CFP®, tax planning courses) and develop niche expertise. It’s time-intensive but yields growth by allowing you to serve clients in specialized areas better than competitors. In the long run, this expertise justifies higher fees and draws in referrals seeking that specialty. Tip: Focus on initiatives that directly impact client satisfaction or revenue growth when deciding how to use your freed time. For example, an hour spent calling a top client or prospect is far more valuable than an hour spent fiddling with spreadsheets. Delegation is not about dropping balls – it’s about handing off low-value tasks so you can “let go to grow” and concentrate on what only you can do as the advisor. Delegation Roadmap for High-Net-Worth (HNW) Financial Planners Advisors who cater to high-net-worth individuals and families often function as personal CFOs – coordinating complex wealth management needs. Your high-touch service can be amplified by leveraging your assistant for logistics and admin support. HNW clients expect responsiveness and white-glove treatment, which means your time should go toward client-facing work and strategic planning, not paperwork. Below are tasks an EA can handle, from easiest to most challenging to delegate, in an HNW-focused practice: Tasks to Delegate to Your Assistant (Easiest 🡒 Hardest) Task to Delegate Description/Notes Meeting & Event Coordination Scheduling review meetings (often coordinating with clients’ own assistants), arranging client appreciation events or dinners, and booking your travel for house calls or conferences. Easiest: scheduling and logistics are classic EA duties. Routine Client Communications Sending birthday/holiday cards and thank-you notes, organizing gifts, and handling RSVP’s or scheduling for client events. Maintains high-touch service with minimal advisor involvement. Inbox Management & Gatekeeping Filtering your email and voicemail for HNW client requests. Your EA can ensure urgent client needs are flagged immediately and handle simple inquiries (e.g. scheduling changes). This ensures no client message goes unanswered while you focus on advisory work. Document Management & Prep Organizing complex account statements, trust documents, and tax returns in client files. Preparing paperwork for

Solo accounting practitioners earning $250K–$1M annually often find themselves at capacity. Effective delegation is the key to working smarter, not harder. By offloading routine tasks to a higher-level, domestic, Executive Assistant, a solo accountant can free up hours per week – time that can be redirected to high-value, growth-oriented activities. The roadmap below provides delegation strategies tailored to four common practice areas: For each specialty, we list: Each solo practice is unique, but this framework will help North American small-firm accountants delegate effectively and invest their reclaimed time where it counts most. 1. General Bookkeeping & Tax Preparation Solo accountants providing bookkeeping and tax prep services often juggle many repetitive administrative duties alongside client work. An executive assistant can take over a lot of the day-to-day admin and client communication, even without accounting expertise. This allows you to focus on reviewing financials, advising clients, and expanding your practice rather than chasing documents or scheduling meetings. Gradually delegate simpler tasks first (calendar and email management) and then train your assistant for more involved tasks like client onboarding and billing support. Tasks to Delegate to an Executive Assistant (Bookkeeping/Tax Practice) – from easiest to hardest: Delegable Task Description/Notes Calendar Management & Scheduling Manage your calendar: schedule client meetings, send calendar invites, and prevent conflicts. This is a straightforward task that EAs excel at, keeping you organized. Email Inbox Triage Screen and sort emails. Have your EA filter out routine inquiries and spam, flag important client messages, and even draft simple responses to FAQs or meeting requests. Client Communication & Follow-Ups Send out routine client reminders and follow-ups. For example, your EA can remind bookkeeping clients to upload monthly bank statements or nudge tax clients about missing documents. They can also prepare templated emails to request information or signature on forms (e.g. engagement letters). Document Organization Organize digital documents and client files. An EA can ensure that bills, receipts, and tax forms are properly named and filed, so you and the bookkeeper can find information quickly. They might also assemble tax preparation packets by collecting and organizing all client documents for your review. Billing & Invoicing Support Take over billing logistics to keep cash flow steady. Your assistant can use your accounting software or templates to generate client invoices, send them out promptly, and track overdue payments for follow-up. This relieves you from routine billing tasks and ensures no revenue falls through the cracks. Client Onboarding & Admin Oversee new client intake steps. EAs can send onboarding forms, set up client profiles in your systems, schedule kickoff calls, and introduce the bookkeeper to the client. These are procedural tasks that, once documented, an EA can handle with minimal oversight. Basic Data Gathering for Accounting With some training, allow the EA to handle non-technical data gathering. For instance, they can pull standard reports (balance sheets, AR aging) from QuickBooks for you or the bookkeeper, or input figures into pre-designed spreadsheets. They won’t interpret the numbers, but they can retrieve and compile data for your review. This is a bit more advanced to delegate because it requires careful instruction and trust in their accuracy checking. High-Value Activities for the Accountant (Bookkeeping/Tax Practice) – freed from admin busywork, focus on these (fastest ROI first): High-Value Activity Why It Matters (ROI) Cross-Sell and Upsell Services Quick revenue boost: Approach your existing bookkeeping or tax clients with additional services they haven’t signed up for. For example, if a tax client doesn’t use your bookkeeping, offer it; if a bookkeeping client lacks tax planning, pitch a planning session. Selling more to warm clients can generate immediate revenue with minimal marketing cost. Implement a Client Referral Program Fast client acquisition: Happy clients won’t always remember to refer you, so give them a nudge. Set up a simple referral incentive (e.g. a discount or gift for any referred new client) to tap into word-of-mouth growth. This can quickly bring in quality clients at virtually no acquisition cost. Focus on Advisory & Planning High-value service: Transition from pure compliance work into advisory. Use freed time to provide consultations on budgeting, cash flow, or tax strategy for your small-business clients. Advisory services command higher fees and deepen client relationships (leading to longer retention and more project work). Shifting to higher-value consulting increases your revenue per hour significantly. Review Pricing and Client Mix Boost profitability: Revisit your pricing strategy and client list. You might find it’s time to raise fees for underpriced engagements or let go of “C-list” clients who consume too much time for too little return. Value-based pricing (charging for your output and expertise, not hours) and focusing on your most profitable clients can yield a quick uptick in profit margin. Marketing & Thought Leadership Medium-term growth: Invest your new-found time in marketing initiatives that attract ideal clients. This could include writing high-value blog posts or guides (e.g. “Year-End Tax Tips for Small Businesses”), engaging on social media, or speaking on a local business podcast. Publishing authoritative content elevates your brand and perceived value, helping you command higher fees and draw in clients willing to pay for expertise. Leverage Technology & Automation Efficiency = future ROI: Research and implement tools to automate data entry, bookkeeping workflows, or client communication. Streamlining processes (e.g. using receipt scanning software or client portals) can allow you to take on more clients without equivalent increase in hours worked. This is a time investment now that pays dividends in scalability and profitability long-term. Develop a Year-Round Service or Niche Long-term, strategic: Think about growth beyond the current services. For instance, you might develop a year-round service package (monthly financial check-ups to smooth out the seasonal income of tax prep) or start specializing in an industry niche. Adding new services (like advisory, financial planning, or payroll) or carving out a niche can open up significant new revenue streams. These initiatives require more time and planning, but they position your firm for sustainable, higher-level growth. 2. CFO-Level Advisory Services Accountants offering fractional CFO or advisory services act as strategic

If you’re a solo/small practice attorney generating $500K–$1M in annual revenue, you likely feel overwhelmed with emails, scheduling, client management, and financial tasks. With only a paralegal at your side, administrative work eats into your time, leaving you less space for high-value activities like billable legal work or business development. Enter the Executive Assistant (EA). This roadmap shows what to delegate to an EA based in the U.S. or Canada (even if they have little or no legal background) and what high-leverage tasks you, the attorney, should focus on instead. Below are four versions of this roadmap tailored to different practice areas: 1. General Law Practice Sample Tasks to Delegate to Your Executive Assistant: Task Description Calendar Management Schedule client meetings, court dates, and calls. Handle rescheduling and reminders. Email Inbox Management Triage emails, flag urgent items, draft routine responses, and manage scheduling requests. Document Filing & Case File Organization File and organize documents; update case files in Clio. Phone Call Handling Answer and screen calls, route messages, schedule consults. Scheduling Requests Coordinate calendar invites and rescheduling, and communicate updates. Billing and Invoicing Generate invoices, send reminders, follow up on unpaid bills. Monitoring Court Notices Track filing deadlines, docket notifications, set calendar alerts. Travel & Event Arrangements Book travel and register for CLEs, conferences, or meetings. Website and Marketing Admin Update your WordPress site, schedule blog/social media posts, send newsletters. Sample Tasks You, the Attorney, Should Focus On: Focus Area Description Reach Out to Past Clients Generate quick referrals and repeat business through check-in emails or calls. Billable Legal Work Take on more client matters and focus on high-value legal activities. Network with Other Professionals Develop referral relationships with CPAs, estate planners, and other attorneys. Speaking & Workshops Give talks to attract clients and showcase expertise. Content Marketing Publish helpful blog posts, FAQs, and resources. Write a Book Establish authority with a comprehensive book or guide. 2. Divorce/Family Law Practice Delegate to EA: Task Description Calendar & Court Date Management Schedule hearings, mediations, and consultations. Client Communications Answer routine questions, send updates, schedule calls. Email & Phone Triage Flag emergencies, route messages, reduce interruptions. Document Logistics Format pleadings, assemble packets, prep filing materials. Billing & Payment Plans Issue invoices, follow-up on payments, track retainers. Court Filings E-file documents, log deadlines, calendar reminders. Attorney Focus: Focus Area Description Client Referrals Ask satisfied clients to refer others. Referral Partnerships Network with therapists, CPAs, other attorneys. Case Strategy & Prep Focus deeply on high-impact legal strategy. Community Networking Speak at support groups, attend legal clinics. Content Creation Write FAQs, client guides, and blog posts. Author a Book Build credibility through authorship. 3. Trademark Law Practice Delegate to EA: Task Description Docket & Deadline Management Track office action dates, renewals, and SOUs. Email & Client Communication Provide status updates, send template notifications. Application Support Collect client info, fill standard fields, prep drafts. Billing & Portfolio Records Track trademark portfolios, send invoices. Research & Monitoring Run preliminary searches, set up alerts. Marketing Admin Manage webinars, email campaigns, and LinkedIn updates. Attorney Focus: Focus Area Description Past Client Outreach Ask if they need new filings or referrals. Business Networking Join startup groups, bar associations, LinkedIn groups. Educational Speaking Host trademark webinars, startup workshops. Legal Strategy Work Craft responses to refusals, manage enforcement. Expand Offerings Add copyrights, licensing, or new niche services. Write a Trademark Guide Publish a book or download for thought leadership. 4. Real Estate Law Practice Delegate to EA: Task Description Closing Scheduling Coordinate with clients, lenders, title companies. Calendar Management Track contingencies, inspections, deadlines. Document Prep Assemble closing packets, manage e-signatures. Title Work & File Management Order title searches, maintain file structure. Billing & Trust Tracking Send invoices, record trust deposits, track payouts. Realtor/Client Relationship Admin Send thank-you notes, log referral activity, book follow-ups. Attorney Focus: Focus Area Description Past Client Referrals Contact former clients for repeat business or referrals. Realtor & Lender Network Deepen referral relationships with professionals. Investor/Business Networking Attend real estate meetups, property investor events. Legal Work & Deal Strategy Negotiate contracts, solve title/zoning issues. Strategic Marketing Write blog posts, lead seminars, build online authority. Author a Book Create a resource for buyers/sellers/investors. By handing off the right tasks to an executive assistant, solo attorneys can reclaim time and focus on activities that directly lead to more clients, more revenue, and greater impact. Whether you’re practicing family law, real estate law, or trademarks, this roadmap gives you a proven sequence to grow your firm while staying in your zone of genius. Want to get a Great Assistant so you can get your time back? Book a Discovery Call with us here: GreatAssistant.com/Apply

As an entrepreneur, you wear many hats. You’re the visionary, the decision-maker, the problem-solver, and the driving force behind your business. But as your business grows, there comes a point when wearing all these hats becomes a hindrance rather than an asset.  The question arises: Who should you hire first to propel your business forward?  Is it an executive assistant, a salesperson, a project manager, or someone else entirely?  Today, we’re here to break down this crucial decision and reveal why an executive assistant might just be the secret sauce to unlocking your entrepreneurial potential. At the heart of this decision lies a fundamental question:  How do we accelerate your journey to unleashing your genius within your business?  You are the linchpin, the person with the deep industry insights, the invaluable connections, and the wealth of experience. So, it’s paramount to get you focused on what you do best as quickly and consistently as possible.  The vehicle to this zone of genius? An executive assistant. Let’s take a step back and compare the options. On one hand, we have an executive assistant available for $22 an hour, and on the other, a salesperson demanding a hefty $75,000 annual salary PLUS commissions.  While the numbers speak volumes, it’s the nature of the work that truly tips the scale.  Think about it – one hour spent on administrative tasks that can be easily delegated, or one hour investing in training a salesperson on the intricacies of your product, process, and market nuances.  The answer becomes clear: an assistant’s hour is far easier to reclaim. Beyond the financial aspect, consider the opportunity cost.  Would you rather have your sales expert mowing the lawn or strategizing for revenue? Every minute spent on tasks that don’t align with your expertise is a minute lost in propelling your business forward. An assistant can take care of the routine, freeing your time and mental space for what truly matters. Now, let’s address the notion that hiring a salesperson might seem like a revenue-generating move, while an assistant might be seen as a mere expense.  It’s a common misconception. While an assistant does appear as an expense on the books, the real profit lies in what that relationship enables.  By offloading administrative burdens onto your assistant, you can channel your focus towards revenue-driving activities: crafting compelling marketing strategies, engaging with clients, and refining your offerings based on real-time feedback. Moreover, staying actively involved in sales, especially in the early stages, has immeasurable benefits. Your direct interactions with clients provide a goldmine of insights – understanding objections, gauging market trends, and staying ahead of competitors.  This invaluable pulse check ensures you’re steering your business in the right direction, continually refining your product or service to match evolving needs. But why does the assistant role shine so brightly in the first hire spotlight?  Because it lays the foundation for growth. An assistant doesn’t just take tasks off your plate; they become your right hand, the gatekeeper of your schedule, and the orchestrator of your efficiency. They’re your accomplice in scaling your business, taking the operational load off your shoulders, and allowing you to focus on strategic endeavors. In a landscape where roles like salespeople, project managers, and coaches all vie for attention, the assistant emerges as the unsung hero – the unsung hero who ensures the gears of your business run smoothly, propelling you toward greatness. In conclusion, the choice of your first hire carries profound implications for your business journey.  While it’s tempting to be swayed by the allure of hiring revenue generators, the true magic happens when you unleash your inner genius by partnering with an executive assistant.  This pivotal hire grants you the freedom to focus on what you do best, all the while ensuring that the operational gears of your business move seamlessly. So, if you’re pondering that first hire, consider this: An assistant is not just an expense but an investment in your future success.  They’re the conduit through which you can maximize your impact, your innovation, and your entrepreneurial journey.  As I’ve said before… “It will be the single biggest productivity jump in your entire career.”  So, embrace the power of hiring an Assistant, and watch as your entrepreneurial dreams transform into a thriving reality. Onwards and upwards Tim 🙂

Welcome back to the second installment of our two-part series on a topic that’s all too familiar to entrepreneurs – raising prices.  We’ve all been there. Those late-night worry sessions where you ponder over whether you should increase your prices, fearing the potential fallout. But what if I told you that raising prices could be the key to unlocking untapped profitability and building deeper customer relationships?  The Fear of Raising Prices: A Familiar Tale Let’s face it – raising prices can be intimidating. What if your clients stop booking calls or making purchases? These questions have haunted me for years. Yet, each time I’ve taken the plunge and increased prices, it’s turned out to be a pivotal step towards greater profitability. In a world where the cost of living continues to rise, business owners like me have to adapt. The reality is, if we don’t adjust our prices to account for these changes, our margins will shrink, potentially putting our businesses at risk. The Power of the Right Price Point So, what’s the secret to raising prices successfully? It’s all about finding the sweet spot – that magical point where your customers see the value in what you offer and are willing to pay a bit more for it. Think of it as a delicate balance between providing exceptional service and ensuring your business remains sustainable. Consider this: our company, Great Assistant, recently raised prices from $5,000 to $6,000 for our programs. This seemingly modest 20% increase led to a remarkable 40% boost in gross profit per client. That’s the kind of impact a well-calculated price adjustment can have on your bottom line. The Role of Customer Relationships and Content Marketing Now, let’s shift our focus to the power of customer relationships. You see, nurturing genuine connections with your clients is more than just good business practice – it’s a key driver of growth. Think about it: 100% of the clients who responded to our price increase were loyal, long-term patrons. They knew, liked, and trusted us from previous interactions. Content marketing, often underestimated, played a pivotal role in this. A potential customer might be quietly following your updates for years before finally making a move. This highlights the importance of consistency and quality in your content – you never know who’s quietly listening and preparing to take action. Beyond the Sale: Building Lifelong Relationships It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of closing a sale, but true success lies in building a long-lasting relationship. The famous saying, “Make a sale to get a customer, not the other way around,” couldn’t be more accurate. Your focus shouldn’t solely be on the transaction; it should extend to providing ongoing value and support. By fostering repeat business, upselling additional services, and nurturing your existing customer base, you’re essentially creating a self-sustaining cycle of profitability. Looking Ahead: The Future of Entrepreneurship As we wrap up this chapter of our journey, I invite you to reflect on your own business. What would it take for you to double profits without acquiring a single new customer? The answer may lie in nurturing your relationships, increasing the value you provide, and adjusting your prices to match. Remember, mastering entrepreneurship is about more than just numbers; it’s about forging connections, adapting to change, and finding innovative ways to thrive.  Onwards and upwards  Tim 

Today, I want to share with you a remarkable transformation that took my sales closing rate from 34% to a whopping 81% in just three months.  My name is Tim Francis, and I’m the proud owner of Great Assistant, a company dedicated to helping entrepreneurs find the perfect assistant. Now, let me take you through the three key factors that allowed me to skyrocket my sales closing rate and revolutionize my business. The Right Sales Style One of the first lessons I learned was that the sales method must align with both my personality and my audience’s preferences. For small businesses like ours, the rigid, pressure-packed sales tactics of large corporations just wouldn’t cut it. Instead, I needed a more conversational, consultative approach—one that felt inviting and approachable. I discovered that asking provocative questions during the sales call helped potential clients see the value of our services more clearly. By focusing on finding the right fit, I could disqualify leads that weren’t suitable for our type of Asssistant, saving everyone time and energy. Knowing What Must Be True For Someone to Say “Yes” I had an epiphany when my sales coach asked me a simple question: “What would have to be true for someone to buy from you?” This led me to identify three crucial factors: Factor #1:  The client must genuinely believe they need an assistant and understand the benefits it brings. Factor #2: They should be looking for the kind of assistant we specialize in: someone based in the US or Canada, tech-savvy, and eager to become a valuable asset to the entrepreneur. Factor #3: They must want us to handle the assistant-hiring process for them, as we offer not just assistance but also training and support to ensure a successful long-term partnership. Understanding these criteria allowed me to quickly assess whether a prospect was a good fit, leading to faster and more effective sales calls. Weekly Call Reviews To continuously improve my sales technique, I started recording my sales calls and submitting them to my coach for review. Every week, we would both analyze the calls independently and then meet to compare notes and identify one or two key areas for improvement. The 30-minute weekly sessions were incredibly productive, allowing me to implement the suggested changes immediately the following week. The Results: Closing Deals Faster Than Ever By diligently following these three steps, I witnessed a stunning transformation in my sales process. Sales calls that used to take an hour were now wrapping up in just 35 to 40 minutes, resulting in a substantial increase in my close rate. My journey from a 34% close rate to an impressive 81% was a transformative experience that reshaped my approach to sales.  It taught me the importance of finding a sales style that resonates with both me and my target audience. I also learned to focus on the essential criteria that lead to successful partnerships with our clients. I encourage you to apply these lessons to your own business and see what happens. Remember, it’s not about closing every deal at any cost; it’s about finding the right fit and building long-term relationships that benefit both parties. I hope this has inspired you to rethink your sales strategy and embrace the power of authenticity and genuine connection during your sales calls.  Onwards and upwards ~ Tim Francis, Founder of Great Assistant