Mergers and acquisitions are often the start of a transformative journey, offering both immense opportunities and significant challenges. Few industries present more attractive M&A potential than wealth management, a fragmented field where success hinges on the seamless performance of processes, personnel, and operations. For financial advisory firms of all sizes, preparing for acquisition is critical, making careful planning and a clear project roadmap essential to a successful merger.
In this episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, sits down with Verity Larsen, Founder and CEO of Versoft Consulting, to discuss the importance of a comprehensive post-deal integration strategy.
Shannon and Verity also discuss:
- Why working with reliable vendors and partners can significantly streamline the merger process
- The role of data accuracy
- Why assessing cultural and operational compatibility between merging firms is essential for smooth integration
- How to ensure user adoption of new systems
Connect with Shannon Rosic:
Connect with Verity Larsen:
About Our Guest:
Verity is the driving force behind Versoft, a company she co-founded in 2015 after spending over seven years as Team Lead and Senior Consultant at SS&C Advent. Before transitioning into consulting, she served as the Assistant Director of Information Systems at a Portland-based asset management firm, bringing more than two decades of experience in the investment management industry.
Verity holds an A.A.S. in Computer Information Systems from Portland Community College. She also dedicated three years to The Exchange Network (formerly the Advent Users Group), where she served on the Board of Directors, eventually stepping into the roles of Vice President and President.
Her commitment to delivering a consultative, client-centered approach is evident in her leadership at Versoft. She is passionate about ensuring that every project undertaken by the Versoft team results in exceptional customer satisfaction. Verity is also focused on the continuous training and development of her team, sharing the wealth of knowledge she has gained throughout her career. She prioritizes maintaining strong vendor relationships to ensure that Versoft stays at the forefront of technology platforms, IT hosting solutions, and data services.
Outside of her role as CEO, Principal Consultant, and Co-Founder, Verity enjoys spending time with her family, including her seven nieces, nephews, and two great-nephews, spread across various states. On occasion, she can be found hiking along the Oregon Coast, Central Oregon, and other scenic spots in the Pacific Northwest.