Orion Advisor Services, LLC Delivers Portfolio Accounting Solutions To Gradient Investments In Support Of Firm's Accelerated Growth

OMAHA, Neb., Jan. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Orion Advisor Services, LLC ("Orion"), a premier portfolio accounting service provider, has delivered a suite of integrated portfolio accounting solutions to Gradient Investments, LLC ("Gradient"), an independent SEC registered investment adviser serving independent RIAs throughout the country. The partnership has helped position the firm for accelerated growth in 2013 and into 2014, with assets under management (AUM) that are on pace to grow by more than 50 percent from 2012.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140107/NY40981LOGO )

Gradient provides fee-only professional money management services, serving individuals, employer-sponsored pension plans, foundations, endowments and corporations through exchange traded funds (ETF), options, equities and separately managed accounts. The firm had $50 million AUM in 2010, when it brought on Orion's portfolio accounting and rebalancing solutions for performance reporting, trading, fee billing and coding. With support from Orion's comprehensive account integration capabilities, Gradient experienced growth from $282 million at the end of Q4  2012 to $430 million AUM year to date.

"Orion's suite of scalable back-office solutions has been instrumental to our growth, helping us to move from 50 client accounts funded or opened on average per month in 2010 to 430 accounts opened or funded per month in 2013," said Nathan Lucius, Managing Director, Gradient Investments. "Orion's technology liberates our investment professionals to focus on portfolio construction and on supporting our network of independent advisors with active portfolio solutions."

Gradient initially turned to Orion to provide a customized portal with performance reporting capabilities that could be branded to the firm's affiliated advisors. Trading, fee billing and coding functions were added, allowing Gradient to centralize its rebalancing strategies across multiple custodians. Once the data is in the system, it can be used to output risk scores, which can then be linked to a model portfolio, custodial paperwork, investment advisor agreements, investment policy statements, and more.

"Gradient's rapid growth reflects the company's holistic commitment to understanding its clients and offering highly personalized investment solutions," said Eric Clarke, President and CEO of Orion. "The back-office support we provide ensures that Gradient's advisors have access to the resources and services they need to provide the best possible financial solutions."

Based in Arden Hills, Minnesota, Gradient Investments, LLC is part of Gradient Financial Group, LLC, whose member organizations serve independent financial services professionals. The diverse portfolio of financial products and services provided by Gradient Financial Group includes insurance, investment advisory services, asset management, tax preparation, securities and mortgage banking.

To request more information or to speak with Orion, please contact Dana Taormina at 973-850-7305 or [email protected].   

About Orion Advisor Services, LLC
Orion Advisor Services, LLC, is the premier portfolio accounting service provider founded by and for investment advisors. Orion's mission is to liberate advisors from their back offices so they can enjoy the client relationship side of their business again. Process-driven solutions bring efficiencies to operational areas including new account set up, trading, reconciliation, fee billing, and client communications. Orion services feature the integration, scale, and customization advisors need to support business growth.

Founded nearly a decade ago, Orion was formed to address the technology needs of its sister company, a fee-only independent registered investment advisor whose growth was constrained by its existing portfolio management platform. Unable to find the right solution, Orion built its own. Today, the firm empowers over 350 advisors and administrates over $130 billion in assets for more than 600,000 accounts. For more information about Orion Advisor Services, LLC, visit www.orionadvisor.com.

About Gradient Investments, LLC
Gradient Investments is an independent, privately-owned, fee-only SEC registered investment adviser, providing professional money management services. The company serves individuals, employer-sponsored pension plans, foundations, endowments and corporations through exchange traded funds (ETF), options, equities and separately managed accounts. For more information, visit Gradient Investments, LLC. 

SOURCE Orion Advisor Services, LLC