Families Serving Families: Frank Corrado on What Family Practices Should Look for in a Partner

When Frank Corrado, CPA, CFP^®, RLP^®, first met the team at Robertson Stephens, he wasn’t looking to join another firm. He and his son, Frankie Corrado, CFP^®, RLP, and their team had a successful practice advising clients on a broad range of financial planning and wealth strategies. However, succession planning was increasingly on Frank’s mind, as was the desire to have access to a broader team (and the right team) of experienced financial professionals who could deliver the full range of wealth management services his clients needed and deserved. He found that in Robertson Stephens.

Below, Frank shares more about why Robertson Stephens was the right fit for his team and his family.

Frank, why did Robertson Stephens appeal to you and your family?
The autonomy and flexibility Roberston Stephens offers its advisors have been wonderful, but so, too, has been the ability to lean on other incredibly talented advisors and access resources across the firm that can address virtually any challenge/opportunity a client might face. Robertson Stephens nurtures an environment where advisors are encouraged to share their expertise with the rest of the firm. For my team, that is financial and tax planning, and we continue to share that expertise with the rest of the firm. It’s gratifying to be part of a culture that encourages advisors to share their expertise with others for the greater good of the firm and, ultimately, clients. That ability to give back and be part of a truly collaborative culture is very rewarding, and frankly rare in this industry. It makes us all better advisors, and our clients benefit because of it.

How does the structure of your practice at Robertson Stephens benefit your clients?
We had a successful practice when we joined Robertson Stephens, so it was essential that our clients knew they would still be able to access myself, my son, and our team like they always had, but also gain access to an even greater depth of resources. That was critically important, and Robertson Stephens not only allowed us, but encouraged us to keep serving our clients the way we know best, and how our clients had come to expect. In other words, our partnership with Robertson Stephens has been additive to our clients’ experience and not disruptive in any way. That is an ideal situation for any advisor, as well as the end client.

How has Robertson Stephens enabled your succession planning?
Succession planning with a firm like Robertson Stephens is so much easier and more achievable than if you are out on your own or with a firm that is only focused on the here and now. To me, succession planning is first and foremost about our clients. How can I ensure they continue to receive the highest-quality, highest-touch service possible, long into the future? The depth and breadth of the Robertson Stephens team, and the collaborative nature of that team, gives me enormous confidence that the legacy I’ve built, and the promise I’ve made to our clients, will endure. Also, at Robertson Stephens, you can technically retire but still remain involved in the business. It doesn’t have to be hard stop, which is very meaningful for advisors who have long-standing relationships with their clients and want to stay involved.

What sets Robertson Stephens apart from other firms in the industry in terms of supporting family practices like yours?

It all starts with the culture. Robertson Stephens was a great fit right from the start for all the reasons I stated above. I just felt very comfortable, very aligned, knowing my team was partnering with a firm that would allow us to continue to be client-centric in the way we’ve always been. It’s just an incredibly collaborative, partnership-based culture. The four pillars of the firm – institutional-quality investments, being a true fiduciary, advanced financial planning, and intelligent digital solutions - really resonated with me, and my son, which continues to this day. It’s just been a great partnership all around.