TL;DR: Many potential clients share their portfolio data with their advisors via PDF files rather than linking their accounts online. For advisors, manually rebuilding portfolios from those documents is slow, error-prone, and difficult to scale. Koyfin solves this problem by allowing advisors to upload client data in PDF format, extract holdings and values, analyze portfolios, and create custom proposals.
Why consultants use Koyfin for PDF-based proposals:
- Upload brokerage data directly and extract essential data for faster account setup.
- Portfolios are organized using Family → Wallet → Account Structure.
- Enable full portfolio and benchmark comparisons with risk, fee and exposure details.
- Creates branded, client-ready reports with company logos, team bios, and custom sections.
- Eliminates manual data entry while keeping proposals accurate and professional.
to get to know: In the 2025 Kitces AdvisorTech study, financial advisors rated Koyfin 9/10 for satisfaction and value, ranking it as the highest-rated platform in the investment research and analysis category ahead of YCharts, Kwanti, FactSet, Morningstar, and Bloomberg Terminal.
source: The Kitces Report – The Technology Independent Financial Advisors Actually Use and Love – Volume 1 2025 (1)
introduction
Many potential clients don’t give you access to their custodian account right away, but they can easily share their latest portfolio statement in PDF format.
Instead of manually rebuilding portfolios from these documents, financial advisors can now use modern platforms that extract holdings and values directly from PDF files and help transform them into professional, client-ready proposals.
This guide shows how financial advisors can efficiently and accurately create custom proposals from PDF files, all within a single workflow.
Tools that support creating proposals from PDF files: Why Koyfin stands out
Financial advisors have several options for creating customized proposals for clients from PDFs of portfolio data. Tools vary in how automated they are, how well they handle financial data, and how complete their workflow is. Below is a clear breakdown of each category.
- Manual PDF extraction and DIY suggestions
- Legacy wallet platforms (Morningstar, Investnet, eMoney)
- Research and portfolio analytics platforms with rendering capabilities (Koyfin)
Some advisors use PDF readers or OCR tools (such as Adobe Acrobat or ABBYY) to extract portfolio data, then manually reconstruct proposals in Excel, PowerPoint, or Word. This approach works for a single client but does not scale. It’s time-consuming, prone to data errors, and doesn’t offer any built-in analytics or tracking.
These platforms can handle performance data and reports but are often complex, expensive, and slow to set up. PDF uploading is limited or requires manual formatting, and proposal creation is often rigid or disconnected from the rest of the workflow. It’s effective for research and ongoing portfolio management, but overkill for advisors who just need to turn PDF files into clear, ready-to-client proposals.
These tools combine research tools and comprehensive portfolio analysis with proposal generation. It’s designed for advisors who want deep analytics along with suggestion capabilities. Koyfin integrates PDF ingestion, portfolio analysis, side-by-side comparisons, and proposal generation into one platform.
Why Koyfin is the best choice for PDF-based proposals
Koyfin is a modern platform that helps financial advisors create personalized proposals for clients directly from PDFs of portfolio data. It combines data mining, portfolio analysis, and proposal generation into one integrated workflow.
- Download PDF files to create portfolios: Advisors can upload client brokerage data in PDF format, and Koyfin automatically extracts positions and values to create complete portfolios.
- Clearly organize customers: Koyfin allows advisors to organize client accounts using a home → wallet → account structure.
- Portfolio analysis: Review allocations by sector, asset class and geography. Assess risk with volatility, beta and drawdown charts. The benchmark performance of the relevant index or ETF.
- Building and comparing proposals: Create a suggested allocation using Koyfin’s model portfolios, and instantly see the difference in fees, risk and diversification.
- Create branded, client-ready proposals: Advisors can create polished proposals that clearly articulate changes in allocation, exposure and risk. Each proposal can include company branding, team bios, and custom pages with photos, diagrams, or explanations of the company’s approach.
- Research and analysis in the same platform: Koyfin combines market research, security analysis, and portfolio analytics in one workspace. Advisors can evaluate benchmark holdings and portfolios and apply those insights directly into their proposals
- Recognized by the industry: Koyfin ranked first in the Financial Analytics and Portfolio Management categories on G2 in the Winter 2026 report. The platform received a rating of 4.8 out of 5, based on strong satisfaction scores from verified users.
In the 2025 Kitces AdvisorTech study, financial advisors rated Koyfin 9/10 for satisfaction and value, ranking it as the highest-rated platform in the investment research and analysis category ahead of YCharts, Kwanti, FactSet, Morningstar, and Bloomberg Terminal.
Example workflow: Using Koyfin to build a client proposal
- Receive statement
- Upload to Koyfin
- Family planning
- Analysis of current portfolio
The prospect or client sends their portfolio statement in PDF format.
Log in, open Client portfoliosand upload the PDF file. Koyfin automatically extracts collectibles and values.
If there are multiple accounts, group them using Family → Wallet → Account Structure for a unified vision.
With the wallet loaded, Koyfin gives you instant visibility into key metrics:
- distribution: Review asset class, instrument type, sector, country and bond credit quality.
- risk: Check volatility, beta, concentration and drawdown chart.
- Performance versus standard: See how a portfolio performs against established benchmarks, which helps clarify long-term return differences.
Create your recommended customization with Koyfin Model portfolios. Add an ETF or mutual fund if helpful, and compare your proposed allocations to your current allocations.
Click Create a report in Client portfolios. Koyfin opens up the suggestion builder with customizable sections:
- Cover page: Company name, logo, consultant, client, date.
- Our company: Team introduction, credentials, values, and optional images.
- Current portfolio analysis: Customization, graphics and performance with commentary.
- Side by side comparison: Current allocation versus proposed allocation, fees and performance.
- Fee transparency: Breakdown of current fees versus proposed fees.
- Disclosures: Required regulatory language and risk statements.
Export the proposal as a PDF and share it with your prospect or client.
Integrations vs. PDF Uploads: When to Use Each
Use guardian integrations when:
- You mainly work with one or a few guardians
- You need to update the data frequently
- You manage multi-account households
Use PDF uploads when:
- The client holds accounts with custodians with whom he does not integrate
- The customer prefers not to grant access to the system
- You are preparing a one-time proposal or analysis
Hybrid approach: Many advisors use both. Consolidate accounts from your primary custodians and use PDF uploads for smaller or specialized accounts. Koyfin supports both workflows seamlessly within a single platform.
