Myth vs. Math: What It Actually Takes to Scale an Advice-Centric Firm

Alan Moore, CFP®, MS, embarked on his journey to reshape financial planning after being fired from a big firm in 2012. This pivotal moment inspired him to envision an independent practice focused on a fiduciary, fee-for-service model that served clients with or without assets under management (AUM). Freed from a commission-driven approach, he prioritized clients' best interests, demonstrating that financial advice could be both affordable and profitable.

To share his vision, Alan co-founded XY Planning Network (XYPN) with Michael Kitces. Today, XYPN is a leading platform helping fee-for-service advisors launch and grow their own firms, with over 2,000 members serving more than 90,000 clients.

When not writing books, like Fee-for-Service Financial Planning, or founding companies such as AdvicePay, the first compliant payment processor for financial advisors, Alan enjoys CrossFit and snowboarding, sharing his passion with his four young children.

Michael Kitces, is the Chief Financial Planning Nerd at Kitces.com, dedicated to advancing knowledge in financial planning and helping to make financial advisors better and more successful.

In addition, he is the Head of Planning Strategy at Focus Partners Wealth, the co-founder of the XY Planning Network, AdvicePay, New Planner Recruiting, and fpPathfinder, the former Practitioner Editor of the Journal of Financial Planning, the host of the Financial Advisor Success podcast, and the publisher of the popular financial planning industry blog Nerd’s Eye View.

In 2010, Michael was recognized with one of the FPA’s “Heart of Financial Planning” awards for his dedication and work in advancing the profession.

Jeffrey Levine, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CWS®, BFA®, MSA is the Lead Financial Planning Nerd for Kitces.com and the Chief Planning Officer at Focus Partners Wealth. In 2020, Mr. Levine was named by Investment Advisor Magazine as one of the top 25 voices to turn to during uncertain times and was named to the IA25 again in 2021. Jeff is a past recipient of the Standing Ovation award, presented by the AICPA Financial Planning Division, was named to the 2017 class of 40 Under 40 by InvestmentNews, and as a Young Advisor to Watch by Financial Advisor Magazine in 2020. 

Previously, Jeffrey served as Ed Slott and Company’s Chief Retirement Strategist, where his ability to simplify the complex laws that govern individual retirement accounts, combined with his unique blend of humor and tax planning, was first recognized. You can follow Jeff on Twitter @CPAPlanner, where he is known to break down the latest tax and financial planning updates in GIF-filled tweets storms, and via his personal website, www.FullyVestedAdvice.com.