Embracing the Changes: What to Look for in Financial Planning and Budgeting Software for the Year Ahead
“The only constant in life is change.” – Heraclitus
Change happens across all industries and affects every aspect — from the way we communicate with customers and clients to the tools we use to enhance our services and grow our business.
As we navigate the always-evolving financial landscape of 2025, it’s crucial for financial planners to stay relevant and know what technology is available to optimize their workflow, improve client engagement, and provide comprehensive financial insights.
- Financial planning clients are more engaged in their overall financial picture than ever before and expect their advisors to be able to offer them comprehensive, all-in-one solutions that cover every aspect of their financial lives.
- Knowing the best budgeting and forecasting software that’s available today will help a financial planner ensure their clients are getting accurate and up-to-date financial advice tailored to their specific needs.
- Even the most experienced financial planners should take some time every year and reassess current budgeting and planning software to make sure it’s in line with their clients’ needs.
Today’s financial clients are more sophisticated than ever before.
They are well-versed in how to use tech tools in their personal and professional lives and expect their financial advisors to be able to do the same when it comes to managing and advising them on their finances.
Advisors must be proficient in utilizing advanced financial software and staying ahead of technological trends to meet and exceed client expectations in this digital age.
If you are a financial planner who is looking to have the most up-to-date tech stack for the year ahead, it’s a good idea to take a minute and review the latest software systems available today.
Staying relevant is all about staying in the know.
Your desire to keep learning will transfer into your client’s desire to keep working with you, knowing they can trust your expertise and dedication to continuing to offer them the latest and greatest financial tools available.
Let’s look at what is trending for financial planners in the year ahead.
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Start Your Free 7-Day TrialComprehension Is Key: Why Clients Want More “All-In-One” Financial Planning Help
Your clients are living robust lives…and they are seeking financial planning platforms that are robust as well.
According to a recent survey by YCharts, 85% of financial planning clients believe that increased frequency and personalized communication with their financial advisors could significantly enhance their confidence in how their finances are being handled.
This realization emphasizes the growing demand for comprehensive financial planning services that offer a holistic approach to managing wealth.
By utilizing more comprehensive software tools, financial advisors can meet their client’s expectations and make sure that they are engaged in all aspects of their finances and have the most robust and realistic picture of where they are and what lies ahead.
Here are some top ways to bring more comprehensive budgeting and scenario planning to your firm in the upcoming year:
#1: Look for financial forecasting software that incorporates more than one important feature in its design.
Software that allows you to help your clients with multiple forecasting processes is ideal for looking at a client’s financial situation from a wider lens.
For example:
- Software that lets you analyze a person’s estate planning needs and tax implications can provide a more comprehensive understanding of their financial health.
- Software that includes capabilities for cash flow management, retirement planning, and investment analysis can further enhance the overall financial picture and enable you to offer tailored, strategic advice.
#2: Look for financial forecasting and budgeting software that allows for plenty of collaboration between you and your clients.
For today’s clients, being engaged in their financial planning is a crucial part of their satisfaction with their financial team.
Look for software that allows you to involve your clients in as much of the planning and strategizing process as they want.
For example:
- Software that allows for shared access to financial data and interactive dashboards is a key way for clients to stay engaged in the entire budgeting and forecasting process.
- Software that updates in real time can give clients a strong sense of security, knowing they are looking at numbers that are accurate and reflect their current financial situation. This immediacy allows for timely financial management decisions and adjustments, enhancing trust and confidence in your firm’s financial planning processes.
#3: Look for financial forecasting and budgeting software that utilizes comprehensive reporting capabilities.
Software that offers detailed reporting features to generate in-depth financial reports for your clients is a much-needed tool for today’s savvy clients.
Reports should be able to do a deep dive into a variety of financial reporting needs.
For example:
- Cash Flow Analysis: Reports that provide detailed insights into a client’s income, expenses, and savings over time. This helps clients understand their spending patterns and identify areas for improvement.
- Investment Performance: Reports that analyze the performance of a client’s investment portfolio, including returns, risk assessment, and asset allocation. These insights can guide clients in making informed investment decisions.
- Tax Implications: Comprehensive reports that break down the tax implications of various financial decisions, including capital gains, tax-loss harvesting, and retirement withdrawals. This helps clients optimize their tax strategies.
- Retirement Planning: Detailed reports that project a client’s retirement savings, expected income, and potential shortfalls. These reports can help clients adjust their retirement plans to ensure financial security in their later years.
Comprehensive financial analysis and forecasting software is a key priority to today’s financial clients.
They desire hands-on tools that allow them to not only know their current financial status but also to forecast future outcomes and make informed decisions.
These tools provide clients with the ability to visualize their financial trajectory, understand the impact of different financial strategies, and plan for various scenarios.
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Get Started TodayCreating a Holistic Tech Stack: Top Software Tools to Invest in Now
A well-rounded tech stack is not only going to streamline your operations, but it’s also going to enhance your client engagement, improve your firm’s financial and budgeting processes, increase your reporting accuracy, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Here are the top software tools to invest in now to create a holistic tech stack for your financial firm’s continued future growth:
Comprehensive Budgeting and Cash Flow Software
Comprehensive budgeting and cash flow software plays a crucial role in achieving a holistic tech stack by providing detailed insights into income, expenses, and savings.
From identifying key financial metrics that a client is hoping to achieve to help with debt and financial consolidation, good budgeting and cash flow software can help a client see where they are today and what changes they may need to make to have a better financial future tomorrow.
Advanced Tax Planning Tools
Tax planning software is crucial for staying ahead of tax law changes and optimizing tax strategies.
Look for tools that provide comprehensive tax analysis, scenario modeling, and integration with tax preparation software. These tools should help streamline workflows and provide accurate, up-to-date information.
Estate Planning Solutions
Modern estate planning software should offer tools for organizing legal documents, managing trusts, and making sure a client’s legacy wishes are clear.
More clients than ever before want to have estate planning be a part of their budgeting and forecasting cycles, and not just an afterthought later in life. Providing your clients with good estate planning at every age is a good way to encourage strong strategic planning for today as well as for their heirs down the line.
CRM and Client Engagement Tools
Customer relationship management (CRM) tools enhance client relationships by offering secure client portals, automated notifications, and interactive dashboards.
These tools help planners manage client interactions efficiently and improve communication, leading to stronger client engagement.
Investment Management Software
Investment management tools are essential for managing portfolios, assessing risk, and tracking performance.
Look for software that offers predictive analytics, automated reporting, and personalized client insights. These features help planners provide data-driven investment advice and enhance portfolio performance.
Collaborative Planning and Reporting Tools
Tools that offer real-time collaboration between advisors and clients are invaluable.
Look for software that supports interactive scenario planning, detailed reporting, and real-time data integration. These features enhance client engagement and ensure both parties are always on the same page.
Security and Compliance Solutions
Security is more important than ever in financial planning.
As more manual processes are replaced by technology, a financial firm must prioritize software that puts the sensitivity of client information first.
Choose software that offers advanced encryption methods, two-factor authentication, and regular security updates to protect sensitive client data. Compliance tools that help track regulatory requirements and provide documentation for audits are also essential.
Mobile Accessibility and Integration
In today’s mobile-centric world, having software that is accessible on smartphones and tablets is crucial.
Look for tools that offer mobile-optimized dashboards and user interfaces, ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience on all devices. Integration with various financial accounts and institutions is also important for real-time data updates.
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Want the Most Holistic Financial Tech Stack? Let Holistiplan Help!
Navigating the complexities of a holistic financial tech stack can be a challenge.
Even for experienced financial planners, knowing the most relevant tools for the most holistic financial processes isn’t always easy.
This is where Holistiplan comes in.
With over 30,000 advisors in the financial planning services industry already trusting Holistiplan, we are making a significant difference in the way that financial planners approach financial tools like estate and tax planning services for their clients.
Our software’s intuitive interface and powerful features allow you to quickly analyze tax returns, identify planning opportunities, and generate detailed, client-friendly reports.
When you choose Holistiplan, you’re not just getting a tool—you’re gaining a piece of wealth management software that is able to help transform your client relationships to match what they are looking for as we enter into a new year.
Are you ready to see the difference Holistiplan can make?
Try a free trial today and experience firsthand how Holistiplan’s software can transform your tax and estate planning services.
Your clients deserve the best — and with Holistiplan, you can deliver it!
Remember: change is the only constant in our lives. Stay relevant, stay informed, and let Holistiplan help you navigate the future of financial planning with confidence.
