Industry Insights – Advice Efficiencies with Kelly O’Brien
R2A recently sat down with Kelly O’Brien from the Entireti Licensee to discuss current trends in practice management.
With a background as a Practice Manager in an IFA business, and now a Licensee Practice Manager with Entireti we asked what are her top 5 ‘must haves’ for an advice practice?
Generous with her knowledge, she provided 7!

Sometimes, it’s the 1% improvements that make the biggest impact - after all, they’re all marbles in the bucket.
- Audit-Ready Checklist: create a checklist to ensure every file is audit-ready before closure. Completing it throughout the advice process enhances efficiency and gives you peace of mind knowing it’s ready if selected come audit time.
- Documented & Straightforward Processes: Ensure you have a documented blueprint of your process – noting it also doubles as an employee training guide. Keep processes straightforward - avoid overengineering. Key: consider whether an adviser needs to be involved in closing workflow tasks or if a key person can handle this to reduce bottlenecks.
- Review Processes Regularly: Treat process reviews as importantly as financial goals - make them an annual KPI to ensure they remain relevant and effective.
- Open Forums for Team Feedback: Provide an open forum for your team to question the status quo and discuss what they’re doing, encouraging innovation and efficiency – your team knows best.
- Efficient Task Management: Prevent tasks from being passed through too many hands. In some cases, a senior person could complete a junior task for efficiency, and that might be acceptable. Alternatively, focus on upskilling.
- Technology Integration: Leverage technology to automate and streamline.
- Scheduled workflow meetings: Schedule regular workflow meetings, whether monthly, weekly, or daily stand-ups. Don’t reschedule even if it seems like there’s little to discuss - there’s always something to cover (also good for culture). Key: ensure you have automated reporting and accurate data to support agenda items, such as upcoming review meetings and client implementation progress.
Thanks Kelly for your insights - R2A Team
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