Heavy AI Users Report Greater Gains in Advisory Practices

As financial advisory firms expand their use of artificial intelligence, early adopters are reporting gains in profitability, client service and staff productivity. Financial AI software company Fieldguide Inc. surveyed 400 auditing and advisory professionals in May and found that 51% of surveyed firms were “active deployers,” with AI deeply embedded into most or all of their core workflows.

While Fieldguide acknowledged that its study relied on self-reporting and that comparisons of respondents “do not establish causation,” 74.5% of surveyed firms actively deploying AI said their profitability increased by at least 10%, compared with 52% of more casual AI users. During the past two years, 77% of active deployers reported growth in advisory revenue, compared with 62.8% of casual users.

Of active deployers, 70% reported moderate or significant capacity expansion, and 73.5% said AI was a factor in winning or retaining clients, compared with 46.9% and 53.6% of casual users, respectively.

Surveyed advisers even claimed to see differences in staffing and career development. AI reportedly improved staff retention for 75% of active deployers, compared with 51% of casual users. More than 87% of active deployers reported redesigning roles and team structures due to AI, and 81% said AI reshaped career paths for entry- and mid-level professionals, compared with 60% and 65% of casual users, respectively.

Cerulli Associates’ recently published survey of advisers, The Cerulli Edge U.S. Advisor Edition, 3Q 2026, suggested AI and other technologies are becoming key competitive differentiators between firms. Among surveyed advisers who had joined a new broker/dealer, 54% said technology was among the most important factors, slightly ahead of compensation (50%) and level of autonomy (49%). Twenty percent of surveyed hybrid retirement investment advisers who ended a broker/dealer affiliation said flexibility to select technology systems was a major factor, and another 40% said it was a moderate factor.

The advisers, however, appeared to lack enthusiasm for their broader technology suite. While 46% of respondents said their tech was “very effective” for regulatory compliance, only 27% said it was very effective for client communication or managing operational aspects of client relationships. In every category, “somewhat effective” was the most-selected choice, ranging from managing client relationships (64%), helping client communication (61%) and providing a high-quality client experience (56%) to regulatory compliance (49%).

“Technology providers have solved for the back office more quickly than for the front office, leaving an opportunity wealthtech providers and asset managers can seize by providing solutions that improve relationship management and client engagement efficiency,” the Cerulli report stated.