Lillian Smith

My name is Lillian Smith, and I am a senior majoring in Finance and Accounting with a minor in Spanish at the University of South Carolina. This summer, I really enjoyed getting firsthand exposure to the advisory and client-facing side of wealth management while working on Team Lisa Mantei. Learning how to schedule and manage client appointments, sitting in at meetings, and seeing how relationships are built over time gave me a much better understanding of the firm and the advisors' role.

I want to give special thanks to Danny Klemm, Parker Rominger, and Robert Morin for taking the time to explain difficult concepts and giving me the best intern experience, as well as to Lisa Mantei for supporting the interns and being an amazing role model.

I learned the fundamentals of client account paperwork and how to properly set up and manage a client's file from the start. I also learned the key differences between brokerage and advisory accounts, including how each is structured and regulated, and how that impacts the way advisors collaborate with clients. Beyond the technical and administrative side, I learned how relationship building matters, saw firsthand how personalized a client's financial plan can be, and picked up strategies related to taxes.