Building the Back Office of the Future: AI Agents and Operations Tech That Will Transform Advisory Businesses
What if the most powerful lever for growth in your advisory business isn’t marketing or client service… but operations?
That’s the message from David Knoch, CEO of Docupace, in this episode of the Modern Financial Advisor Podcast hosted by Mike Langford.
David and Mike dive into the operational backbone of wealth management: the systems, processes, and people that make it possible for financial advisors to deliver on the promises they make to clients.
While most of the industry’s innovation has focused on the client experience, David argues that the real transformation (and the biggest inefficiencies) still live behind the scenes. As he puts it, “The industry is still pretty archaic in its operation.”
He estimates it’s a $50 billion problem, with error rates on paper-based workflows as high as 60% and compliance alerts that produce 95% false positives. All of that friction costs advisors time, money, and credibility.
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What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Why operations are the lifeblood of your firm.
The client-facing work may be the “tip of the iceberg,” but underneath lies the machinery that determines scale, client satisfaction, and profitability.
How Docupace is reimagining the advisor back office.
David explains how the company is building a “purpose-built universal operations platform” to help advisors maximize the value of their tech stack—regardless of size, channel, or custodian.
The growing role of AI in advisory operations.
Learn how Docupace is developing “intelligent automation”—a network of digital agents designed to handle repetitive, complex operational tasks so advisors can focus on higher-value client work.
Lessons on leadership and acquisition strategy.
David shares how Docupace’s recent acquisitions—Hubly and PreciseFP—fit into a broader strategy of building a cohesive operational ecosystem without stifling innovation or culture.
A fresh perspective on the advisor profession.
Having spent decades across channels, David believes the industry’s best people are motivated by service, not sales—and that operations excellence is central to honoring the promises advisors make to clients.
Why It Matters
As advisory firms consolidate, and as technology options continue to explode, operations have become the differentiator.
Firms that master efficiency and consistency at scale are the ones that will win the “battle for talent,” deliver superior client experiences, and sustain margins even as the industry evolves.
Docupace’s approach, connecting systems, automating manual work, and removing friction, offers a blueprint for what the next generation of advisory operations will look like: invisible, intelligent, and indispensable.
Related Episodes You May Like
How Financial Advisors Can Reduce Paperwork and Supercharge Their Productivity - Ryan George, CMO of Docupace joined Mike Langford for an episode of the show a few years ago. It’s a fascinating conversation that forecasted many of the innovations we see today for back office professionals.
Why RIAs That Take Workflow Management Seriously Are Growing 33% Faster Than Their Peers - Mike and Louis Retief, Co-Founder of Hubly sat down for an extensive conversation about his experience joining Docupace and his shared vision for the future of the industry.
How AI Will Power a New Era of Hyper-Growth for Financial Advisors and Wealth Management Firms - Ian Karnell, CEO of VastAdvisor shares how AI is set to transform client acquisition.
