Wealth Management IT Infrastructure: The Full RIA Tech Stack and What It Requires

The Six Layers of an RIA Tech Stack

Most established RIAs run software across six categories. Each has specific IT requirements:

1. Portfolio Management and Reporting

Portfolio management platforms (Orion Advisor Services, Tamarac, Black Diamond, Addepar, Advent APX) are typically the highest-stakes piece of technology in an RIA because they feed client statements and performance reports.

• Orion / Tamarac / Black Diamond: Cloud-native platforms accessible via browser. Require reliable business internet and current browser versions. Integration with custodians (Schwab, Fidelity, Pershing) requires API configuration.
• Advent APX / Geneva: Legacy on-premise installations requiring Windows Server and SQL Server. Often running on aging server hardware that needs IT maintenance.
• Data feeds: Portfolio platforms receive automated data feeds from custodians. Feed failures are a common IT issue requiring troubleshooting between the portfolio platform vendor and the custodian's data team.

2. CRM

Redtail CRM and Wealthbox are purpose-built for RIAs; Salesforce Financial Services Cloud is used by larger firms. All are cloud-native.

• Integration with portfolio management platforms requires API configuration and periodic maintenance as APIs are updated
• Document signing integrations (DocuSign, Adobe Sign) require configuration and testing
• MFA required for all users — CRM contains client PII, financial account information, and relationship data

3. Financial Planning Software

eMoney Advisor, MoneyGuidePro, and RightCapital are all browser-based platforms with standard IT requirements. The key IT consideration: they connect directly to client financial accounts via data aggregation services (Plaid, Yodlee). These connections require periodic maintenance as financial institutions update their authentication requirements.

4. Compliance and Recordkeeping

SEC and state registration requirements generate significant recordkeeping obligations:

• Email archiving: All client-related emails must be archived in SEC 17a-4 compliant format if you're registered with the SEC. Third-party archiving (Smarsh, Global Relay, Microsoft 365 Compliance) is required.
• Personal account monitoring: ComplySci, MyRIACompliance, and similar platforms track employee personal trades for conflicts of interest. Require IT integration with broker account data feeds.
• Document retention: Form ADV, client agreements, financial plans, and correspondence must be retained for 5 years. Your document management system must support retention policies.

5. Document Management and e-Signatures

Docupace and LaserApp are RIA-specific document management platforms. They integrate with portfolio management and CRM to automate account opening, transfer, and maintenance paperwork. IT requirements:

• Integration with custodians via DTCC or custodian-specific APIs
• E-signature integration (often DocuSign or embedded signing)
• Current browser and Microsoft Office versions on all advisor workstations

6. Video Conferencing and Client Portals

Client-facing video and portal tools (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, the client portal built into most portfolio platforms) need proper security configuration:

• Zoom or Teams meeting recordings containing client financial discussions should be archived alongside other client communications
• Client portal access should require MFA on the client side where the platform supports it

The Core IT Infrastructure Requirements

Underneath all of this software:

• Internet: Business fiber (100Mbps+) with a failover connection (LTE or cable). For a busy RIA with multiple advisors doing video calls, 100Mbps shared is the minimum — 300Mbps+ is better.
• Endpoints: Windows 11 or current macOS, full disk encryption, EDR, current Microsoft 365 for Office integration. Aging hardware (5+ years old) creates compatibility issues with modern web applications.
• Backup: Cloud-based portfolio platforms back up their own data, but you still need to back up local files, email archives, and any on-premise systems. The 3-2-1 rule applies.
• Identity: Microsoft 365 with Azure AD provides SSO and MFA across most cloud platforms in the RIA stack. This is the identity foundation for most modern RIA environments.

Common IT Failure Points in RIA Environments

Based on what financial services IT providers see most often:

• Custodian data feed failures causing portfolio performance report errors
• Email archiving not capturing all communication channels (missing text messages, personal email used for client communication)
• Legacy portfolio management servers running without proper SQL Server maintenance, causing slowdowns
• Insufficient internet bandwidth during market volatility events when all advisors are on video calls simultaneously
• Departing advisor offboarding gaps — former advisors retaining access to CRM or portfolio platform after departure

Frequently Asked Questions

What internet speed does an RIA need?

For a 5-person firm with regular video calls and cloud-based portfolio management, 200Mbps business fiber is a reasonable baseline. The more important factor is reliability — a redundant connection (fiber primary + LTE backup) matters more than raw speed for a practice where downtime means missed client calls during market hours.

Can an RIA run entirely on cloud-based software?

Yes, and most modern RIAs do. Cloud-native portfolio management, CRM, planning software, and document management eliminate the need for on-premise servers. This shifts IT complexity from server maintenance to endpoint management, integration maintenance, and internet reliability.

What is the biggest cybersecurity risk specific to RIAs?

Wire fraud via business email compromise (BEC). Attackers compromise an email account, monitor client communications, and then impersonate the advisor or client at a strategic moment to redirect a wire transfer. Strict verification procedures for wire transfers — including out-of-band phone confirmation to a known number — are the primary defense.