Michael Ciccone, Developer in New York, NY, United States
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Michael Ciccone

Verified Expert  in Engineering

Operations Developer

New York, NY, United States

Toptal member since August 21, 2023

Bio

Michael is a seasoned financial advisor and head of operations systems with a proven track record in leading a cross-functional team at a fast-growing, recognized top 100 RIA firm. His expertise spans selecting, implementing, and maintaining the systems infrastructure while driving data analytics. Michael's accomplishments include managing large-scale CRM migrations, achieving substantial annual savings through vendor optimization, and designing automated workflows to enhance client journeys.

Portfolio

Cary Street Partners
Salesforce, Microsoft Excel, MoneyGuide Pro, Development, Mobile Money, Flow...
Tradition Asset Management (acquired by Cary Street Partners)
Salesforce, Microsoft Excel, MoneyGuide Pro, Mobile Money, Development...

Experience

  • Microsoft Excel - 15 years
  • Development - 10 years
  • Wealth Management - 10 years
  • Enterprise Architecture - 5 years
  • Architecture - 5 years
  • Flow - 3 years
  • Salesforce - 3 years
  • Scrum - 1 year

Availability

Part-time

Preferred Environment

Windows, Salesforce, Flow, Microsoft Excel

The most amazing...

...architecture and integration solution I've implemented as an operations leader enabled a fast-growing top 100 RIA-ranked firm to save $80,000+ annually.

Work Experience

Head of Operations Systems – Financial Advisor and Director

2020 - PRESENT
Cary Street Partners
  • Led an eight-member cross-functional team at a top 50 fastest-growing firm to deliver high levels of support to 60 advisors and 140+ employees across 17 offices, six states, and over $7 billion in assets.
  • Managed the systems transition and onboarding of multiple acquisitions into the firm, from single advisors to a three-office 30-employee group, including migrating data feeds, performance history, and CRM data.
  • Led the selection, implementation, and maintenance of the firm's operations infrastructure, including portfolio management, CRM (Salesforce), business analytics, client performance reporting and billing, and regulatory reporting (Form ADV and 13F).
  • Spearheaded data feeds, systems integration, e-signature, project management, trading and rebalancing systems, development of workflows and procedures, optimization and digitization of existing procedures, vendor management, and compliance tools.
  • Designed, built, implemented, and trained on a series of digitized processes and workflows that leverage automation and a central ops team to systematize and streamline key elements of the client journey.
  • Developed a number of time-saving automations, such as one-click pre-filled client contracts for electronic signature via DocuSign and Salesforce.
  • Managed the large-scale migrations of multiple legacy CRM systems into a single, firm-wide, customized Salesforce instance while cleaning and enhancing existing data.
  • Realized $80,000+ of ongoing annual savings through vendor selection, optimization, and negotiation.
  • Worked closely with the COO in managing a $1+ million annual operations budget.
Technologies: Salesforce, Microsoft Excel, MoneyGuide Pro, Development, Mobile Money, Flow, Redtail CRM, Salentica, Scrum, SQL, Windows, Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, Business Architecture

Financial Advisor – Vice President

2019 - 2020
Tradition Asset Management (acquired by Cary Street Partners)
  • Serviced new and existing high-net-worth (HNW) clients as a primary or secondary advisor, including transitioning clients from senior partners.
  • Prepared for, participated in, and followed up after meetings with clients and prospects, including setting agendas, handling deliverables, documenting processes, and responding to client inquiries and requests.
  • Analyzed investments for a registered investment advisor (RIA) with $650 million in assets under management (AUM) and developed strategies that included due diligence, portfolio optimization, asset allocation, and ongoing monitoring.
  • Developed detailed research, analysis, and visuals for the firm's book on diversification, Wiser Investing.
  • Performed in-depth financial planning analyses and developed tax, planning, and estate strategies for HNW families.
  • Managed tax-aware trading and rebalancing of household-level strategies—featuring non-traditional investments and interval funds—across all portfolios.
  • Oversaw operations, including training and supervising a team of six while continually refining the firm's processes.
Technologies: Salesforce, Microsoft Excel, MoneyGuide Pro, Mobile Money, Development, Redtail CRM

Associate Vice President

2014 - 2019
Tradition Asset Management
  • Lead a CRM conversion project, evaluated options, spearheaded Redtail CRM implementation and administration.
  • Converted manual operations processes into organized, trackable, cross-platform workflows, including onboarding, client servicing, financial planning activities, new accounts, and rebalancing.
  • Supported senior wealth advisors in servicing HNW and UHNW clients.
Technologies: Operations

Co-creator and Lead Advisor

2017 - 2018
Building Benjamins (a Robo-advisor) at Tradition Asset Management
  • Performed research and analysis of the competitive landscape and technology solutions for launching an in-house robo-advisor.
  • Led the project and interface with tech and marketing firms to design and build custom front and back-end websites.
  • Supported clients with investment strategy selection and financial planning services.
Technologies: Enterprise Architecture, Web UX Design, Web UI, HTML, Back-end

Experience

Digitized Processes and Workflows

My primary responsibility in this project was to design, build, and implement a series of digital processes and workflows. These were aimed at leveraging automation and a centralized operations team to systematize and streamline crucial aspects of the client's journey. My role also extended to providing training on these newly implemented systems, ensuring a smooth transition and effective use of the digital tools.

I developed several time-saving automations to enhance efficiency, such as creating one-click pre-filled client contracts for electronic signatures by integrating DocuSign and Salesforce, significantly reducing the time spent on contract management and improving the overall client experience.

Through these initiatives, I contributed to transforming the client's journey, making it more efficient and user-friendly by harnessing the power of digital tools and automation.

Digital Transformation Initiative and Enterprise Architecture

I spearheaded systems integration, e-signature, project management, trading and rebalancing systems, data aggregation, development of workflows and procedures, optimization and digitization of existing procedures, vendor management, and compliance tools. I designed, built, implemented, and trained on a series of digitized processes and workflows that leverage automation and a central ops team to systematize and streamline key elements of the client journey.

Administered All Aspects of Firm's Black Diamond

I handled all aspects of the firm's Black Diamond, including initial implementation and setup, daily administration, reporting and report template creation, billing, trading/rebalancing administration, new feature testing and roll-out, integration setup, and new integration development.

Education

2008 - 2010

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration

William Paterson University - Wayne, New Jersey, United States

Certifications

MAY 2017 - PRESENT

Certified Financial Planner

CFP Board

Skills

Tools

Flow, Microsoft Excel

Platforms

Windows, Salesforce

Languages

SQL, HTML

Paradigms

Scrum, Web UX Design

Other

Development, Salentica, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Wealth Management, Mobile Money, Redtail CRM, Architecture, Enterprise Design, Enterprise Architecture, Business Architecture, MoneyGuide Pro, Orion, Fintech, FINRA, Operations, Web UI, Back-end

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