How an Advisory Firm Unified Client Management

JD Montgomery, Managing Director @ Canterbury Consulting

$25% increase in team efficiency
by consolidating client data, tasks, and investment records in one platform
50+ client portfolios
enhancing transparency and communication
70% reduction in time spent
locating key client information
"SmartSuite acts as a second brain for our team. Having everything in one place has transformed how quickly we can access client information—it’s absolutely critical to our efficiency."
JD Montgomery, Managing Directory @ Canterbury Consulting

Problem

Fragmented Data in a Precision-Driven Firm

Canterbury Consulting, an investment advisory firm—managing over $32 billion in assets for endowments, foundations, healthcare organizations, and high-net-worth families—struggled with operational inefficiencies due to fragmented systems.

Client information was spread across emails, spreadsheets, and department-specific databases, making it difficult to quickly retrieve data or build comprehensive views of clients' investment activity. For a firm that prides itself on timely insights and personalized service, these inefficiencies were a growing liability.

In addition to institutional portfolios, many family clients required custom solutions with direct access to their own records—adding to the complexity of managing individualized data flows and compliance requirements.

Q1

Solution

From Siloes to a Single Source of Truth

SmartSuite became the firm’s “second brain,” serving as a single source of truth across the organization. The firm rolled out several key SmartSuite use cases:

  • Client CRM: Comprehensive profiles with linked records for financial history, contacts, and account notes.
  • Investment Journals: Centralized tracking of client holdings across funds, SPVs, and direct investments.
  • Task Management: Seamless coordination between advisors, analysts, and support staff.
  • Client-Specific Solutions: Shared portals for families to access customized dashboards and performance reports.

One standout feature the firm developed was their TOP 25 dashboard. By leveraging SmartSuite’s linked records and formula fields, they created a dynamic report of each client’s top 25 holdings by market value. This includes exposure across various investment vehicles—from traditional funds to special purpose vehicles and direct investments.

Q2

Result

Faster Answers, Deeper Client Engagement

SmartSuite significantly improved operational efficiency and team collaboration. With all client data consolidated in one platform, staff can now answer client questions and complete internal reviews in seconds instead of hours.

The TOP 25 tool, in particular, became a major value-add, offering transparency and engagement in client communications. As one team member shared, “It’s one of the best ways to present data to our clients—they thoroughly enjoy seeing it.”

Looking forward, the team is planning to integrate SmartSuite’s automation features to further reduce manual effort and accelerate workflows.

In summary, SmartSuite has empowered the firm to:

  • Eliminate data silos
  • Enhance client reporting and engagement
  • Enable rapid access to mission-critical information
  • Set a foundation for scalable growth and future automation
Download Customer Story PDF

Company Name

Canterbury Consulting

Industry

Finance

Team

Client Services, Portfolio Management, Operations, Compliance, Leadership

Region

North America

Company size

Mid-Market

Pain point

Disjointed client data and fragmented investment tracking systems

Products replaced

Asana, Spreadsheets

About the company

Canterbury Consulting (canterburyconsulting.com) provides customized investment advisory services to foundations, endowments, healthcare organizations, and high-net-worth individuals. Their focus is on building long-term strategies that align with each client’s mission and financial goals.

Website

http://canterburyconsulting.com/