At Moneytree, innovation is driven by passionate individuals who bring their expertise and creativity to financial planning software.
One such key player is Alex Long, a Product Specialist with a unique background that spans technical support, product development, and even nuclear engineering. Over his seven years with Moneytree, Alex has grown into a role where he shapes the tools financial advisors rely on, making their work more intuitive and efficient.
In this conversation, Alex shares insights into his journey, his approach to solving client challenges, and what inspires him—both in his professional and personal life.
Alex, can you tell us about your career journey and how you landed at Moneytree?
I joined Moneytree in 2017, starting on the Technical Support team. My role was to help advisors navigate our software and troubleshoot issues.
Over time, I transitioned into Quality Assurance (QA) and then began shadowing the product management team. This eventually led to my current role as Product Specialist, where I focus on bridging the gap between client needs and our product solutions. I studied nuclear engineering in college. Even though my life took a different direction, I’ve always had an affinity for science, technology, and other fields that rely on analysis.
How has your experience in technical support shaped your current role?
My time in technical support gave me invaluable insight into the challenges advisors face daily. I’d often help clients through complex workflows, which taught me not only the pain points of running a financial planning practice but also areas where our software could improve.
Now, as part of the product team, I can take that firsthand knowledge and build solutions that simplify these processes. For example, instead of asking users to navigate multiple pages for a task, we might consolidate it into one streamlined feature.
What do you find most rewarding about your job?
I love being part of the problem-solving process. Whether it’s finding ways to simplify complex financial workflows or designing features that make advisors’ jobs easier, there’s something deeply satisfying about creating tools that have a tangible impact.
One project I’m particularly proud of is my work on Moneytree Elite. I started with early wireframes and flowcharts to test our design systems. While the final product evolved significantly, it’s rewarding to see how my initial concepts helped shape a tool that advisors find intuitive and efficient.
How would you describe Moneytree Elite and its advantages over past versions?
If I had to compare it to something, I’d say it’s like upgrading a classic muscle car. The old version was powerful under the hood but needed a modernized design and improved handling. With Moneytree Elite, we’ve kept the strong foundation—our robust calculation logic—while redesigning the interface to make it more user-friendly. We’ve also introduced new features that provide a more seamless experience for advisors, helping them deliver better outcomes for their clients.
You’ve worked extensively on the development side. How do you stay attuned to the needs of financial advisors?
It’s all about continuous learning and collaboration. When I first started, I spent a lot of time digging into our software, asking questions, and learning from my colleagues. Over the years, I’ve gained a deep understanding of financial planning workflows and the nuances of our software. I still listen closely to advisor feedback, whether it’s through direct support interactions or suggestions from our sales team.
Staying curious and open to new ideas keeps me connected to the people we’re serving.
Can you share a bit about your life outside of work?
I’m currently in a period of rediscovery, focusing on activities that bring me joy and balance. Weightlifting has been a big part of my routine for years, and I find it motivating to track my progress. I also enjoy cooking—on my recent birthday I treated myself to homemade chicken curry, naan, and pumpkin cheesecake.
I really enjoy the outdoors and like to go hiking with my family. Perhaps one of my most passionate hobbies, which I believe also helps me professionally, is creative writing. My longest running string of stories revolve around holiday themed sci-fi stories. I have 13 short stories so far.
