The COO Advantage: Scaling with Operational Discipline

Not all COOs in wealth management come from the advisory world. Jay Tarno did—and that’s his edge.

As a former advisor, Tarno understands the frontline grind: the pressure of client meetings, the drag of service bottlenecks, and the headaches of technology friction. That firsthand experience shapes how he leads operations at Cornerstone Planning Group today.

Redefining the COO Role in RIAs

For Tarno, being COO isn’t about pushing spreadsheets. It’s about solving problems that actually matter to advisors—the obstacles that keep them from spending time with clients and growing the business.

That operational discipline translates into three key priorities:

1. Removing Friction – Building systems that streamline workflows and eliminate inefficiencies.

2. Empowering Service Teams – Creating a support structure that handles the details so advisors don’t have to.

3. Freeing Advisors – Allowing advisors to focus on what they do best: deepening client relationships and driving growth.

The Results of Advisor-Centric Operations

By deliberately separating advisor responsibilities from administrative tasks, Cornerstone achieved what many firms struggle to unlock: true scalability.

– Revenue grew steadily without overloading advisors.

– Advisor satisfaction improved as daily frustrations disappeared.

– Client experiences became more consistent across the firm.

The COO Edge in Wealth Management

Tarno proves that when operations are designed by someone who’s been in the trenches, the results go beyond efficiency. The entire firm levels up—creating an environment where advisors thrive, clients feel supported, and the business scales with discipline and purpose.

Listen to the Full Story

These insights are inspired by the latest episode of Next Mile podcast featuring Jay Tarno, COO of Cornerstone Planning Group. Hear how Cornerstone turned disruption into opportunity. Listen to the full episode here and  explore more articles in this series.