Investment Outsourcing:
A Framework for RIAs
Investment Outsourcing:
A Framework for RIAs
Most RIAs treat outsourcing as one big choice: do it all yourself, or hand it all to a TAMP. That is the wrong question. This guide shows you a better way to think about it, so you can decide what to keep and what to delegate.
A Comprehensive Guide for RIAs
Most RIAs treat outsourcing as one big choice: do it all yourself, or hand it all to a TAMP. That is the wrong question. This guide shows you a better way to think about it, so you can decide what to keep and what to delegate.
A Comprehensive Guide for RIAs
The category label hasn’t kept up. Here’s how advisor trading software really evolved, why most feature checklists miss what matters, and what RIAs should actually ask before they commit.
A Comprehensive Whitepaper for RIAs
Why this matters:
Every growing firm hits this wall
Why this matters:
Every growing firm hits this wall
Why this matters:
Every growing firm hits this wall
As an RIA grows, investment work starts to compete with the rest of the business. Should you hire another trader? Buy new software? Add direct indexing? These questions feel operational, but they hide a bigger one.
Investment management is really two separate jobs. Portfolio construction decides what a client should own. Portfolio implementation turns that plan into real accounts and keeps them on track. A firm can own one job, both jobs, or neither. Knowing the difference changes how you make this decision.
As an RIA grows, investment work starts to compete with the rest of the business. Should you hire another trader? Buy new software? Add direct indexing? These questions feel operational, but they hide a bigger one.
Investment management is really two separate jobs. Portfolio construction decides what a client should own. Portfolio implementation turns that plan into real accounts and keeps them on track. A firm can own one job, both jobs, or neither. Knowing the difference changes how you make this decision.
Four ways to own the work
Four ways to own the work
Once you split construction from implementation, four clear operating models appear. Most firms fall into one without ever choosing it on purpose.
Full In-House: Your firm designs the models and trades every account. Full control, full cost.
Strategist Models, In-House Execution: You use outside models but keep your own trading desk.
In-House Models, Outsourced Implementation: You keep your investment philosophy. A partner handles the trading and rebalancing.
Full TAMP: A provider owns both the models and the trading. You focus on the client.
Once you split construction from implementation, four clear operating models appear. Most firms fall into one without ever choosing it on purpose.
Full In-House: Your firm designs the models and trades every account. Full control, full cost.
Strategist Models, In-House Execution: You use outside models but keep your own trading desk.
In-House Models, Outsourced Implementation: You keep your investment philosophy. A partner handles the trading and rebalancing.
Full TAMP: A provider owns both the models and the trading. You focus on the client.
A Practical Guide
A Practical Guide
01
The real cost of doing it yourself
The real cost of doing it yourself
What an in-house trading desk actually costs once you count staff, software, errors, and your own time.
What an in-house trading desk actually costs once you count staff, software, errors, and your own time.
02
The basis point math, by degree of outsourcing
Fee ranges for each model at $500M in AUM, and how the math shifts with direct indexing, growth, and multiple custodians.
03
Clear signals for each ownership decision
A simple checklist to tell you when to keep construction and implementation in house, and when to delegate them.
04
How to move without a tax headache
Three ways to transition an existing book, plus a plan for firms integrating an acquisition.
05
A partner diligence
checklist
The exact questions to ask a TAMP or implementation partner before you sign, including exit terms.
02
The basis point math, by degree of outsourcing
Fee ranges for each model at $500M in AUM, and how the math shifts with direct indexing, growth, and multiple custodians.
03
Clear signals for each ownership decision
A simple checklist to tell you when to keep construction and implementation in house, and when to delegate them.
04
How to move without a tax headache
Three ways to transition an existing book, plus a plan for firms integrating an acquisition.
05
A partner diligence
checklist
The exact questions to ask a TAMP or implementation partner before you sign, including exit terms.
03
Clear signals for each ownership decision
A simple checklist to tell you when to keep construction and implementation in house, and when to delegate them.
04
How to move without a tax headache
Three ways to transition an existing book, plus a plan for firms integrating an acquisition.
05
A partner diligence
checklist
The exact questions to ask a TAMP or implementation partner before you sign, including exit terms.
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Overview
Platform Features
Zoe Financial, Inc. (“Zoe Financial”) is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Zoe Financial provides investment advisory services and access to independent registered investment advisers through its platform. Learn more about Zoe Financial on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website. Brokerage services are provided by Zoe Securities LLC and Apex Clearing Corporation, members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. (FINRA) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Learn more about Zoe Securities and Apex on FINRA’s BrokerCheck website. The information provided by Zoe Financial is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice or as an offer to buy or sell any security. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal.
The information in the visuals are for illustrative purposes only, and doesn’t represent an actual user’s account, balance, or return. Zoe Financial does not provide tax or legal advice.
Fiduciary Advisors shown not affiliated or endorsed by Zoe Financial
Strategies and techniques discussed—including fractional trading, direct investing, asset allocation, rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting, and direct indexing—may not be suitable for all investors, may have limitations, and can trigger fees, expenses, and tax consequences.
Explore the Zoe Wealth Platform with AI
Some of this content may have been generated with the assistance of AI. Please review and sense-check all outputs, as AI tools can occasionally produce incomplete or inaccurate information.
Copyright © 2026 Zoe Financial, Inc. | All rights reserved | Sitemap
Looking to find a vetted financial advisor? Search for a financial advisor on our sister site:
Zoe Financial, Inc. (“Zoe Financial”) is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Zoe Financial provides investment advisory services and access to independent registered investment advisers through its platform. Learn more about Zoe Financial on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website. Brokerage services are provided by Zoe Securities LLC and Apex Clearing Corporation, members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. (FINRA) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Learn more about Zoe Securities and Apex on FINRA’s BrokerCheck website. The information provided by Zoe Financial is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice or as an offer to buy or sell any security. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal.
The information in the visuals are for illustrative purposes only, and doesn’t represent an actual user’s account, balance, or return. Zoe Financial does not provide tax or legal advice.
Fiduciary Advisors shown not affiliated or endorsed by Zoe Financial
Strategies and techniques discussed—including fractional trading, direct investing, asset allocation, rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting, and direct indexing—may not be suitable for all investors, may have limitations, and can trigger fees, expenses, and tax consequences.
Explore the Zoe Wealth Platform with AI
Some of this content may have been generated with the assistance of AI. Please review and sense-check all outputs, as AI tools can occasionally produce incomplete or inaccurate information.
Looking to find a vetted financial advisor?
Search for a financial advisor on our sister site:
Copyright © 2026 Zoe Financial, Inc. | All rights reserved | Sitemap
Overview
Platform Features
Zoe Financial, Inc. (“Zoe Financial”) is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Zoe Financial provides investment advisory services and access to independent registered investment advisers through its platform. Learn more about Zoe Financial on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website. Brokerage services are provided by Zoe Securities LLC and Apex Clearing Corporation, members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. (FINRA) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Learn more about Zoe Securities and Apex on FINRA’s BrokerCheck website. The information provided by Zoe Financial is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice or as an offer to buy or sell any security. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal.
The information in the visuals are for illustrative purposes only, and doesn’t represent an actual user’s account, balance, or return. Zoe Financial does not provide tax or legal advice.
Fiduciary Advisors shown not affiliated or endorsed by Zoe Financial
Strategies and techniques discussed—including fractional trading, direct investing, asset allocation, rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting, and direct indexing—may not be suitable for all investors, may have limitations, and can trigger fees, expenses, and tax consequences.
Explore the Zoe Wealth Platform with AI
Some of this content may have been generated with the assistance of AI. Please review and sense-check all outputs, as AI tools can occasionally produce incomplete or inaccurate information.
Copyright © 2026 Zoe Financial, Inc. | All rights reserved | Sitemap
Looking to find a vetted financial advisor?
Search for a financial advisor on our sister site: