Mergers and acquisitions often mark the beginning of a transformative journey, filled with incredible opportunities and challenging headaches. Few industries offer more attractive potential for M&A than wealth management, a fragmented sector where performance, processes and personnel must constantly operate at peak efficiency. For financial advisory firms, regardless of size or type, acquisition preparation is vital, so thorough planning and having a well-defined project plan are critical to a successful merger.

In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, talks with Verity Larsen, Founder and CEO of Versoft Consulting, about the importance of a comprehensive post-deal integration strategy.

Shannon and Verity also discuss:

• Why working with trusted vendors and partners can significantly simplify the integration process
• The role of data accuracy
• Why assessing the cultural and operational fit between the merging firms is essential to a smooth integration
• How to ensure user adoption of new systems

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

Connect with Verity Larsen:

About our guest:

Verity is the heart and soul of Versoft. She co-founded the company in 2015 after spending 7.5 years as a Team Leader and Senior Consultant at SS&C Advent. Prior to entering the consulting field, she worked as the Assistant Director of Information Systems at a Portland-based asset management firm and has been in the investment management industry since 2000.

Verity graduated with an AAS in Computer Information Systems from Portland Community College. She also spent 3 years on the Board of Directors for The Exchange Network (formerly Advent Users Group) serving as VP and President in her 2nd and 3rd years.

She is committed to providing an exceptional consultative approach to each client and ensuring that the work performed by the Versoft Team results in the highest level of client satisfaction. Verity works to continue training and education across the Versoft team, passing on the knowledge she has gained from being in the industry for so many years. She also spends time building and maintaining vendor relationships so the Versoft team remains knowledgeable on technology platforms and tools, IT hosting and data, and outsourcing service providers.

When she's not doing CEO/General Counsel/Co-Founder stuff, Verity enjoys spending time with family, including seven nieces and nephews and two great-grandchildren, in many states around the U.S. On rare occasions, she'll hike across Oregon. Coast, Central Oregon and other locations throughout the Pacific Northwest.