To keep your project moving — especially as year-end approaches — early engagement and active participation are essential. Key factors that influence your timeline include:

• Calls & Meetings: Most projects require multiple scheduled calls, including a final review to ensure you have the information you need to make decisions and move forward.
• Decision-Making: Delays in selecting strategies can slow progress.
• Third-Party Reviews: Broker-dealers, custodians, lenders, attorneys, tax advisors, and compliance teams may require several weeks for document review and approval.
• Regulatory Review: Agencies like FINRA, the SEC, and state regulators may experience year-end backlog, seasonal delays or closures which can slow momentum.
• Internal Coordination: Gaining alignment with business partners, staff, family members or other key stakeholders can add time.
• Your Role: Timely submission of questionnaires, financials, and other documentation is critical.

Other factors such as business restructuring, holiday schedules, technology transitions, or extended negotiations can also affect the pace of progress. Starting early and staying engaged helps ensure your project progresses smoothly and avoids common year-end bottlenecks.