RIAs Added Junior Staff Despite AI Automation

Independent firms are hiring new advisors to manage succession planning as AI streamlines routine office tasks.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Financial Planning

Isometric editorial illustration featuring a compass and stacked notebooks near an abstract architectural model, representing succession planning in finance. — Independent investment firms are hiring junior advisors to ensure leadership continuity as artificial intelligence automates routine office workflows. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe AI-driven automation will eventually make entry-level roles in your field obsolete?

Independent registered investment advisors (RIAs) are continuing to hire junior staff despite the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence. Eighty-three percent of surveyed firms now use some form of AI to manage operations.

Why it matters

Firms are prioritizing long-term succession planning as they prepare to transition client books to a new generation. This hiring strategy helps firms ensure continuity as they aim to resonate with younger, wealthy clients.

Sixty-four percent of firms report AI has reduced manual work, yet 73% of RIAs plan to hire junior advisors over the next two years. Currently, 28% of these firms provide specific AI training to their staff.

The players

Cerulli Associates

A research firm that provides data and analytics on the wealth management and asset management industries.

Vista Equity Partners

An investment firm that focuses on enterprise software, data, and technology-enabled organizations.

Schwab

A financial services company providing brokerage and banking products for individual investors and RIAs.

Orion

A technology provider offering portfolio accounting and practice management software for financial advisors.

Wealth.com

A digital estate planning platform used by financial advisors to organize client assets and documents.

The details

Firms are using revenue from recurring fee-based models to fund these new roles while junior advisors master platforms like Schwab, Orion, and Wealth.com. While 47% of aspiring professionals fear job displacement from automation, 40% believe that evolving technology makes the financial field more appealing. This shift allows human advisors to focus on client relationships while machines handle administrative burdens.

2026: The Schwab RIA Benchmarking Study was conducted.
Next two years: RIAs are likely to add junior advisors.

Money Landscape

The RIA sector is navigating a period of significant demographic transition as older advisors prepare to retire. This hiring focus mirrors broader efforts in financial planning to bridge the gap between legacy practices and the digital expectations of younger, affluent households.

If you work with an advisor, expect to see more reliance on digital platforms for your portfolio reporting and estate organization. These changes aim to improve the efficiency of your advisory team while keeping a human lead involved in your complex long-term wealth decisions.

The takeaway

The rise of AI in finance is reshaping advisor roles rather than replacing them, as firms prioritize human expertise for client relationships. If you are reviewing your own financial plan, ask your advisor how their firm is utilizing new platforms to improve their service and succession continuity.