A prudent small firm can find all the technology, including the CRM, portfolio management system and financial planning system, for about $5,000 to $10,000 a year. The reality is, if you're starting your firm and you can't spend at least that much, you really have no business being in business. Many of these things are priced based on accounts, so, as you grow, you're fine paying it ."

Alex Murguia, managing principal,  McLean Asset Management