At Abacus Planning Group, financial planning isn’t a one-time report, it’s an ongoing conversation. The Columbia-based RIA has built its reputation on helping clients understand every element of their financial picture, transforming data into decisions they can trust. By using Moneytree’s interactive tools, the team empowers clients to explore possibilities, ask questions, and play an active role in shaping their financial futures.
Recently, I sat down with Abacus’s Senior Financial Planner Alex Chastain, CFP®, to hear more about the firm’s experience using Moneytree. Let’s hear more about what she had to say!
Background: A foundation of clarity
When asked how Abacus started using Moneytree, Chastain said, “We’ve used Moneytree since the very beginning. For me, the biggest thing is that I can back into every single number. There’s no black box. I want to understand how everything flows, and I want my clients to see that too.”
This is because clarity is at the heart of how Abacus builds trust. Rather than presenting plans as static documents, the team walks clients through the logic and assumptions behind each recommendation. By showing how every decision connects to broader goals, clients gain confidence in both the process and the outcomes.
“Clients often come in with a list of what-if questions,” Chastain explained. “What if I retire five years earlier? What if we buy a second home? What if I start a business? Being able to model those possibilities quickly gives them peace of mind and helps them make smarter decisions.”
Moneytree’s scenario modeling and cash-flow projections allow Abacus advisors to turn these questions into meaningful conversations. Plans become living, breathing tools that clients can interact with — not just reports to review once a year.
Features that are tailored to every client
Every client processes information differently, and Abacus uses Moneytree to adapt accordingly. 
“For some clients, I focus on a few simple visuals,” Chastain said. “They just want to know, ‘Am I going to be okay?’ Others are more data-driven; they want to see probabilities, stress tests, and detailed breakdowns. We can do both.”
By tailoring how information is shared, advisors make complex data approachable and actionable. That personalization has helped Abacus strengthen long-term relationships and deliver a planning experience that feels as unique as each client.
Client impact: Empowering deeper conversations
Moneytree’s advanced tools, including Roth conversion modeling, Monte Carlo simulations, and IRMAA projections, enable advisors to explore sophisticated strategies in real time.
“I can handpick the years, choose the amounts, and show clients how those decisions impact their tax liability,” Chastain said. “That’s incredibly valuable and I haven’t seen other platforms do it as well.”
Beyond the numbers, Chastain noted how Moneytree Elite’s modern interface enhances engagement. “People like pretty things,” she said with a laugh. “It’s way more visually appealing and that really helps clients stay interested.”
Building a collaborative future together
Abacus’s approach reflects a broader shift across the industry: clients want understanding, not mystery. They want to see how their plan works, not just what it says.
Moneytree makes that possible by giving advisors the ability to show, explain, and collaborate — transforming planning from a one-way presentation into a shared experience.
“The flexibility and clarity of the program are huge for me,” Chastain said. “It lets us audit-trail everything, and that builds trust.”
As client expectations continue to evolve, firms like Abacus Planning Group are proving that technology isn’t replacing human advice — it’s enhancing it. With tools that make complex planning clear and collaborative, advisors can focus on what matters most: empowering clients to make confident, informed decisions about their future.
