How Every Engagement Starts
All engagements begin with the Practice Efficiency Review. A non-negotiable 3G best practice.
Engagement Agreement + NDA BoxSign
A signed engagement agreement and NDA are required before any work begins, including the Practice Efficiency Review. Sent via BoxSign with a payment link included.
Invoice Paid Required to Start
Invoice is sent at the same time as the agreement. Work does not begin until payment is confirmed. Payment link is included directly in the agreement document.
Practice Brief Sent
Once payment is confirmed, the Practice Brief link is sent. This 5–7 minute intake form must be completed before the kickoff call is booked.
CRM Access Confirmed Timeline Starts Here
We request access to your CRM. The 10-business-day turnaround for the Insight Report begins once access is confirmed, not from payment date. See CRM access details below.
Kickoff Call
1-hour Zoom call (recorded) to go deep on your practice, priorities, and goals. Completed after the Practice Brief is submitted.
Practice Efficiency Review
Full review of your CRM and operations: data quality, field configuration, workflows, reporting, integrations, and process gaps.
Insight Report Delivered Within 10 Business Days
Prioritized recommendations report including dashboard guidance and flagged data issues. Delivered within 10 business days of confirmed CRM access.
Report Review Call
30-minute call to walk through the Insight Report together and align on next steps: whether that's a retainer, a data cleanup project, or both.
CRM Access
Access to your system is required before analysis can begin
WealthBox
Access is provided either through a dedicated license purchased by the client, or by sharing an existing login. WealthBox supports multiple simultaneous users. Note: licensing or access setup may add time before the 10-day clock begins.
SmartOffice / Zinnia
Direct consultant access is available at no charge but must be set up through Zinnia at SmartOffice. Allow additional time for this setup step at the start of the engagement.
Redtail
Access is arranged directly with the client at the start of the engagement. Setup time varies.
Other CRMs
Access method is determined on a per-engagement basis. We will confirm access requirements as part of the onboarding process.
Billing
Simple, predictable, always upfront
Practice Efficiency Review One-Time
Invoiced upfront at the start of the engagement. Cornerstone members: $2,500. Standard rate: $3,000. Paid before the kickoff call is scheduled.
Monthly Retainers Billed on the 1st
All retainers bill on the 1st of the month, paid in advance. If your Practice Efficiency Review completes mid-month, your retainer starts on the 1st of the following month.
Data Cleanup Separate Scope
Always scoped and priced separately, never bundled into a retainer. Flat fee for straightforward cleanup. Hourly ($250–$350/hr) for complex or large-scale work.
Additional Hours As Needed
Work outside the retainer scope (extra calls, urgent requests, off-scope projects) is billed at the hourly rate. Always communicated before the work begins.
What Your Retainer Delivers
You're not paying for calls. You're paying for consistent, expert-led progress on your practice every single month.
The Work
- CRM improvements, workflow builds, and process cleanup, done for you
- Ongoing optimization: your system evolves as your practice grows, not just when something breaks
- Research, prep, and testing before every call so your time is spent making decisions, not catching up
- Documentation so your team always knows how things run
- Monthly Progress Summary (PDF): what got done, what's next
How We Stay Aligned
- Up to 4 calls per month to set direction, review progress, and make decisions together
- Collaborative Teams channel when available, replacing back-and-forth email
- Priorities set together at the start of each month
- Additional calls beyond 4/month billed at hourly rate
- Month-to-month, no long-term commitment required
Pricing by Firm Size Cornerstone Member Rate Save $500+/mo
Retainer pricing is guided by firm size and scope
| Firm Size | Practice Efficiency Review | Practice Enhancer | Operations Partner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo advisor (1–2 staff) | $2,500 | $2,500/mo | By discussion |
| Small team (3–5 staff) | $2,500 | $2,500–$3,000/mo | $4,000–$5,000/mo |
| Mid-size (6–10 staff) | $2,500 | $3,000–$4,000/mo | $5,000–$6,000/mo |