Beyond the booth: what we learned at Scaling New Heights 2025

Beyond the booth: what we learned at Scaling New Heights 2025

Every year, Scaling New Heights brings together advisors, accountants, and tech leaders for four days of learning, connection, and inspiration. This year’s event in Orlando was no different, except maybe in energy.

The 2025 theme, “Make it so,” encouraged attendees to stop waiting for the perfect moment and start taking action. And that spirit ran through every hallway chat, every session, and every booth.

From AI and automation to forecasting and confidence in client conversations, this year’s hot topics reflected what firms are facing right now, and what they’re ready to tackle next.

Team Fathom on the ground

Our booth was buzzing with conversations, and not just about our latest feature releases. Advisors were curious about the real impact Fathom could make, whether that was through data visualisation, faster insights, or better client conversations.

With James, Sam, Sasha, and Carson on the ground , we captured some great insight, feedback, and inspiration that we can’t wait to share.

We were also lucky to be joined at the stand, by keynote speaker and longtime Fathom champion, Geni Whitehouse. Geni was on hand to answer advisors’ burning questions about getting started with advisory, building confidence in client conversations, and making the shift from numbers to narrative.

Recognized as a Top 100 US Accountant and known for her advocacy in the industry, she shared actionable advice, hard truths, and a timely reminder: It’s not about having all the answers, it’s about asking better questions.

From those conversations (and plenty more across the floor), here’s what emerged as the biggest signals from SNH 2025.

1. Advisory isn't aspirational, it's what clients need  
   Forget future-focused panels and hypothetical “someday” sessions. This year, advisory work was front and center in nearly every conversation. Not because firms were preparing to offer it, but because they already are.
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   What’s changed? For many firms, the barrier isn’t technology, it’s team capability, client education, and the confidence to start. As one advisor shared: “We don’t need another reason to do advisory, we need the repeatable process that lets more of our team deliver it.
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2. The real value of AI is efficiency, not complexity
   AI was on the agenda, but not in the way you might expect. Rather than grand predictions, the conversations we heard were grounded and practical. Advisors wanted to know:
   
   • How do I reduce admin?
   • How do I get to the insight faster?  
   • How do I automate what doesn’t need my attention, so I can focus on what does?
   The real theme here wasn’t automation for the sake of it, it was freeing up time to have more meaningful, human conversations.
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3. Advisors are asking better questions, and helping clients do the same
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   The most forward-thinking advisors we spoke to aren’t rushing to show clients more dashboards or data. They’re starting by asking:
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   “Where do you go to check if you’re on track?”
   “What decision are you struggling to make right now?”
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   The power is in translating numbers into conversations clients actually care about. Tools help, but it’s the narrative and connection that drive trust.
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   As one Geni put it: “The numbers don’t need to be perfect. But the timing, and the meaning behind them, really does.”
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4. There’s a renewed focus on relevance, not just reporting
   Across multiple sessions and hallway chats, one message kept resurfacing: businesses are overwhelmed with data, but starved of direction.
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   Many advisors shared that they’re moving away from detailed, catch-all reports. Instead, they’re focusing on fewer, more relevant insights tailored to the client’s specific stage or challenge.
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   This shift isn’t just aesthetic. It’s about decision support. It’s about helping clients move forward with clarity, not confusion.
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5. Firms are thinking beyond the numbers
   Several advisors spoke about expanding their scope, not just with advisory, but with the kinds of tools and conversations they’re bringing to clients. This includes:
   
   • Helping clients connect financial metrics to operational systems (like inventory or e-commerce)
   • Bringing non-financial indicators into the conversation
   • Building confidence across internal teams to lead these discussions

Advisory isn’t staying in the boardroom; it’s reaching further into the day-to-day operations of client businesses.

Scaling New Heights always gives us more than just a to-do list, it gives us a renewed sense of what is possible.

This year was no exception. The conversations around confidence, clarity, and the power of real insights reminded us why we do what we do, and how Fathom can help financial professionals lead through complexity with conviction.

We’re grateful to everyone who stopped by, shared a story, or sparked a new idea.  

If you missed us at Booth #1, don’t worry, we’ve got plenty more content, ideas, and resources coming your way soon. For now, watch our Scaling New Heights wrap-up video below for more of our highlights.

Until next time!