Mergers and acquisitions often mark the beginning of a transformative journey, filled with both incredible opportunities and challenging headaches. Few industries offer more enticing M&A potential than wealth management, a fragmented sector where performance, processes, and personnel must consistently operate at peak efficiency. For financial advisory firms, regardless of size or type, preparing for acquisition is vital, which is why thorough planning and having a well-defined project plan are crucial for a successful merger.

In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Verity Larsen, Founder and CEO of Versoft Consulting, about the importance of a comprehensive post-deal integration strategy.

Shannon and Verity also discuss:

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• Why working with reliable vendors and partners can significantly streamline the merger process
  
• The role of data accuracy
  
• Why assessing cultural and operational compatibility between merging firms is essential for smooth integration
  
• How to ensure user adoption of new systems 
  

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

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• Shannon Rosic
  
• WealthStack website
  
• WealthManagement.com
  

Connect with Verity Larsen:

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• Verity Larsen
  
• Versoft Consulting
  

About Our Guest:

Verity is Versoft’s heart and soul. She co-founded the company in 2015 after spending 7.5 years as Team Lead and Senior Consultant at SS&C Advent. Prior to entering the consulting field, she worked as Assistant Director of Information Systems at a Portland-based asset management firm and has been in the investment management industry since 2000.

Verity graduated with an A.A.S. in Computer Information Systems from Portland Community College. She also spent 3 years on the Board of Directors for The Exchange Network (formerly Advent Users Group) serving as VP and President in her 2nd and 3rd years.

She’s committed to providing an exceptional consultative approach to every client and ensuring the work performed by the Versoft Team results in the highest level of customer satisfaction. Verity works to continue training and education throughout the Versoft team, passing on the knowledge she has gained being in this industry for so many years.  She also spends time building and maintaining relationships with vendors so the Versoft team can remain knowledgeable on technology platforms and tools, IT hosting, and data and outsourced service providers.

When she’s not doing CEO/Principal Consultant/Co-Founder things, Verity likes to spend time with family, including seven nieces and nephews and two great-nephews, in multiple states around the U.S. On rare occasions, she’ll hike around the Oregon Coast, Central Oregon, and other places throughout the Pacific Northwest.