Succession planning

“Why should a really good smaller firm that’s growing have a lower multiple than a big firm that’s crappy?” asks Peter Raimondi, president of Boston Private Wealth.

The primary buyers of advisory firms are RIAs, banks and roll-up companies.

While gifting can have important benefits, not every client will be in favor of it, no matter how many good reasons exist.

Maximizing savings in tax-deferred accounts may lead to an abrupt increase later in both income and income taxes. Here are a couple of ways to help clients steer clear.

As new state regulations loom, experts caution that examiners already expect advisors to have a business continuity and succession plan in place.

Focus Financial expand into Southeast with family-owned firm that has $600 million in AUM but no succession solution.

The pace of RIA dealmaking has leveled off over the last few years, with no increase in the number of deals over the previous year and aggregate AUM acquired ticking up only slightly to $47.4B from $43.7B, according to new data from Schwab Advisor Services.

A reality TV episode on a bakery's succession plan hits uncomfortably close to home for a wealth management pro.

This is the beginning of a relationship, so the process should more closely resemble a courtship begun on eHarmony than a purchase made via Craigslist.

For Victoria Collins and Jennifer Cagle, a succession plan was complicated by a pending public offering. One kept a valuable equity stake, the other got the client base.

The CFP Board has launched a new online portal intended to serve as a resource for people looking to start a career in financial planning.

For buyers, the cost of funds is low now. For sellers, valuations are rich. Cashing out now is an “easy case to make," says AssetMark EVP Michael Abelson. "Or they can keep riding the wave."

At TCI Wealth Management, Bob Swift wanted a succession plan that would let him distribute ownership but keep working. Here's the solution he developed.

Emphasis at the Women Advisors Forum in San Francisco is on smart strategies advisors can use to build their practices and support women in the industry.

Worries about a tidal wave of retiring advisors may be overblown, say some wealth management executives.

If you want a better talent pipeline, you should get closer to the institutions minting new CFPs. See how several firms are doing it.

"We have to continue to grow and we'll be looking at acquisitions, mergers, tuck-ins and roll-ups, all of the above," says Mark Allen, president of Nebraska-based Allen Capital Group.

Strong details and carefully executed plans make for a positive transition.

When it's time to give up control of your firm, will you know what to do?