How Financial Advisors Can Build Client Proposals Using Custodian & Portfolio System Data

TL;DR: Custodian and portfolio systems like Schwab, Orion, or Black Diamond are designed for account management and performance tracking, not for creating client proposals. Advisors using these systems often spend hours exporting data, reformatting it, and building visuals manually. Koyfin bridges that gap by connecting directly to custodian and PMS data with deep portfolio analysis, benchmarking, and professional proposal generation.

Why advisors choose Koyfin:

• Works across multiple custodians and PMS systems (Schwab, Altruist, IBKR, TradePMR, Orion, Black Diamond)
• Combines research-grade analytics, visual reporting, and proposal creation in one connected workflow
• Enables side-by-side portfolio comparisons, clear fee and risk analysis, and professional client deliverables
• Saves hours of manual work and helps advisors deliver a clearer, more professional client experience

Recognition: In the 2025 Kitces AdvisorTech Study, financial advisors rated Koyfin 9/10 for satisfaction and value, ranking it as the highest-rated platform in the Investment Research & Analytics category ahead of YCharts, Kwanti, FactSet, Morningstar, and Bloomberg Terminal.

Introduction
Even when advisors already use custodians or portfolio management systems like Schwab, Orion, or Black Diamond, proposal creation often remains a manual and fragmented process.
These systems are built for trade execution and performance reporting, not for visual analysis or client-ready presentations.

Here’s where most advisors run into friction:

1. Fragmented Data: Custodian portals show positions and balances but rarely consolidate households, external accounts, or benchmarks in one place.
2. Limited Analysis: PMS tools like Orion or Black Diamond are optimized for performance reporting, not proposal creation or fee comparison.
3. Cumbersome Exports: Creating a client-ready presentation still means exporting to Excel or PowerPoint and reformatting charts manually.
4. No Instant Comparisons: Custodians display what the client owns, but not how it compares to the proposed allocation or model portfolio.
5. Poor Visual Communication: Internal reports are technical; they aren’t designed for clients to quickly grasp diversification, exposure, or cost differences.

Modern proposal platforms solve this problem by connecting directly to custodians and PMS systems. They allow advisors to import live account data, analyze performance and risk, and generate professional proposals with clear visuals and firm branding.

Why Financial Advisors Need a Modern Proposal Platform

A modern analytics and proposal platform bridges the gap between raw account data and client-ready presentations.
Key benefits:

1. Time efficiency: Exporting, cleaning, and formatting data from multiple systems can take hours. A modern analytics and proposal platform connects directly to custodians or portfolio systems, importing account data and reducing manual work.
2. Data accuracy: Direct imports ensure holdings, values, and fees reflect the client’s actual positions. Accurate data builds confidence during portfolio reviews and strengthens trust in proposal meetings.
3. Clear presentation: Clients understand visuals better than spreadsheets. A proposal that clearly shows allocation, exposure, and fees helps simplify complex information and makes recommendations easier to understand and act on.

Tools That Support Custodian & PMS Integrations for Proposal Creation: Why Koyfin Stands Out

Advisors can pull client data in several ways, but not all methods offer the same speed, accuracy, or scalability.

1. Manual Exports and Imports

Exporting data as CSV or PDF from custodians and re-uploading it into Excel works for a few accounts, but it’s slow and prone to inconsistencies. Each export requires formatting and manual verification.

2. Legacy Portfolio Platforms

Platforms like Morningstar Office or Envestnet integrate with custodians but often require complex setup, ongoing reconciliation, and separate reporting tools. They’re powerful for enterprise-level management but too heavy for advisors focused on fast, visual proposal creation.

3. Integrated Analytics Platforms (Koyfin)

Koyfin combines direct custodian & PMS connections, portfolio analysis, and proposal generation. Once connected, advisors can import client account data, analyze holdings, compare portfolios, and export branded reports in one place.

Why Koyfin Is the Best Choice for Proposals Using Custodian & PMS Data

1. Connect to Custodians and Portfolio Systems

Koyfin connects with Schwab, Altruist, TradePMR, IBKR, Orion, and Black Diamond. Once connected, advisors can import client holdings, balances, and account details directly, no CSV exports or rekeyed data required.

2. Organize clients clearly

Koyfin allows advisors to organize client accounts using a Household → Portfolio → Account structure. Advisors can group multiple accounts under one household to view consolidated holdings, performance, and allocations in a single view.

3. Analyze the portfolio

Review allocations by sector, instrument type, asset class, and geography. Assess portfolio risk through volatility, beta, and drawdown metrics, and benchmark performance against custom benchmarks, relevant indexes, or ETFs.

4. Build and compare proposals

Create a proposed allocation using Koyfin’s Model Portfolios, and instantly see the difference in fees, risk, and diversification.

5. Generate branded, client-ready proposals

Advisors can create polished proposals that clearly communicate changes in allocation, exposure, and risk. Each proposal can include firm branding, team bios, and custom pages with visuals, charts, or explanations of the firm’s approach.

6. Research and analyze in the same platform

Koyfin combines market research, security analysis, and portfolio analytics in one workspace. Advisors can evaluate holdings, benchmark portfolios, and apply those insights directly in their proposals.

7. Recognized by the industry

In the 2025 Kitces AdvisorTech Study, financial advisors rated Koyfin 9/10 for satisfaction and value, ranking it as the highest-rated platform in the Investment Research & Analytics category ahead of YCharts, Kwanti, FactSet, Morningstar, and Bloomberg Terminal.

Example Workflow: Using Koyfin to Build a Client Proposal

1. Connect your custodian or PMS account

Log in to Koyfin and navigate to Profile → Integrations. Select your custodian or PMS and click Connect.

2. Import client accounts

Go to Client Portfolios → + Add New → Portfolio. Choose your connected custodian or PMS and select the client accounts to import. Koyfin displays all accounts, allowing you to choose which to include.

3. Organize the Household

Group related accounts using the Household → Portfolio → Account structure for a unified view of all client assets.

4. Analyze the Current Portfolio

With the portfolio loaded, Koyfin gives you instant visibility into:

• Allocation: Review asset class, instrument type, sector, country, and bond credit quality.
• Risk: Check volatility, beta, concentration, and the Drawdown chart.
• Performance vs. Benchmark: Koyfin models portfolio performance against selected benchmarks over time, showing how different strategies could affect long-term returns.
5. Build the Proposed Portfolio

Create your recommended allocation using Koyfin’s Model Portfolios. Add a benchmark ETF or mutual fund if helpful, and compare proposed vs. current allocations.

6. Generate the Proposal

Click Create Report in Client Portfolios. Koyfin opens a proposal builder with customizable sections:

• Cover page: Firm name, logo, advisor, client, date.
• Our firm: Team intro, credentials, values, and optional headshots.
• Current portfolio analysis: Allocation, fees, and performance with commentary.
• Side-by-side comparison: Current vs. proposed allocation, fees, and performance.
• Fee transparency: Breakdown of current vs. proposed fees.
• Disclosures: Required regulatory language and risk statements.
7. Deliver

Export the proposal as a PDF and share it with the prospect or client.

Integrations vs. PDF Uploads: When to Use Each

Use custodian integrations when:

• You work primarily with one or a few custodians
• You need frequent data refreshes
• You manage multi-account households

Use PDF uploads when:

• The client holds accounts at custodians you don’t integrate with
• The client prefers not to grant system access
• You’re preparing a one-time proposal or analysis

Hybrid Approach: Many advisors use both. Integrate accounts from your primary custodians and use PDF uploads for smaller or specialty accounts. Koyfin supports both workflows seamlessly within one platform.

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Our insights are derived solely from historical information and analyst predictions, employing an impartial approach. Please note that our articles do not serve as financial guidance.