Interacting Effectively with Family Wealth Advisors in the Age of AI with Craig Armstrong

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Sep 11, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Craig Armstrong, Managing Partner of Veridian, shares his extensive experience in public accounting and family wealth management. He reveals how the roles of CPAs and family advisors have shifted with technological advancements, particularly the rise of AI, which enhances decision-making rather than replaces it. Craig also highlights the need for younger generations' involvement in wealth conversations and emphasizes the importance of family capital, stewardship, and fostering relationships across generations.

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INSIGHT

CPAs Are Now Data Synthesizers

Craig Armstrong says modern CPAs have evolved from compliance roles into synthesizers of data and facilitators of timely decisions.
He argues this shift makes CPAs more people-focused and proactively advisory rather than purely technical.

INSIGHT

AI Lets Advisors Slow Down By Speeding Up

Armstrong compares advisors adapting to faster business pace with athletes who must speed up to keep up with the game.
He notes AI lets CPAs slow decision-making by delivering information faster and more accurately.

ADVICE

Welcome Client AI Research, Then Discuss

Embrace AI as an information multiplier and collaborate with clients who use it rather than resisting their research.
Thank clients for engaging and use their prompts as starting points for deeper conversation and improved advice.

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Today, I am pleased to welcome Craig Armstrong, Managing Partner of Veridian, a Miami-based tax, audit, accounting, and advisory firm. Craig has over 25 years of public accounting experience, including serving clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to local or middle market companies, as well as high net worth family offices and individuals. He began his career with the firm of Williams, Cox, Weidner, and Cox in Tallahassee, Florida, and held prior roles as Senior Manager of Corporate Accounting Special Projects with Ryder System, Inc. and South Florida Site Leader for audits of employee benefit plans at PwC in Miami.

Craig co-founded CAPA, a certified public accounting firm in 2004 and merged with Hancock Askew in 2020 prior to forming Veridian in 2025. He serves on the audit and finance committee of the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami and is a member of the University of Miami’s School of Business Accounting Advisory Board. Craig and his firm, Veridian, are advisor members of FOX and we are thrilled to have their expertise available within our membership community.

In recent years, technological advancements have transformed the role of the advisor serving UHNW families. Craig talks about how the role of the advisor has evolved alongside technology, and particularly how the role of the CPA has changed.

With the rise of AI, we are beginning to witness the next-stage transformation of the family advisor role. Craig shares his thoughts on what is likely to happen to the role of the fiduciary advisor in the era of AI – how will CPAs, estate planners, and wealth planners will coexist with the AI tools.

One practical consideration advisors and families need to navigate is the increasingly divergent preferences between older-gen and rising-gen clients. Craig offers his tips on how professionals and clients can best manage the “generational tug of war” caused by their different values and preferences.

Finally, Craig provides his and suggestions for UHNW clients on how best to interact with their CPA – especially given all the self-serve tools and AI solutions that are increasingly available in all professional services fields.

Please enjoy this highly informative conversation with a leading expert and experienced UHNW advisor serving enterprise families.