Top business succession planning financial advisors in Bakersfield, CA

The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.

If you own a business and are thinking about stepping back or retiring, you need a business succession planning advisor to help you transfer ownership smoothly. Without expert guidance, you might overlook tax implications or undervalue your business, which can cost you dearly.

  • Tax impact awareness. California's high income taxes and Proposition 13's property tax limits affect succession choices; ask how they navigate these rules.
  • Valuation approach. Confirm how they determine your business's worth to avoid surprises during the transfer.
  • Ownership transition options. Explore whether they recommend selling, gifting, or other strategies based on your goals.
  • Stakeholder coordination. Check how they involve family members, partners, or key employees in the succession plan.

Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.

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Lance H

Series 65

Bakersfield, CA

Howard Financial

Lance Howard is the principal advisor at Howard Financial with 17 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has operated his own insurance services firm since 1995. He manages an independent financial advisory practice based in Bakersfield, CA. Howard Financial provides fee-based financial planning, consulting, and portfolio advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm follows a non-discretionary approach with documented client goals and uses third-party money managers alongside multi-tier planning services.

Real estate investing
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Gabriel W

Series 63, Series 65

Bakersfield, CA

Woodward Diversified Capital, LLC

Gabriel Woodward is a financial advisor at Woodward Diversified Capital, LLC with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing, Wells Fargo Investments, LLC, and Banc of America Investment Services, Inc. Outside of his advisory role, he owns and operates a swim instruction business in Bakersfield, California. Woodward Diversified Capital is a fee-only, SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $610 million for around 400 clients, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, trusts, and pooled investment vehicles. The firm offers customized, risk-adjusted, and tax-aware portfolios using a combination of active and passive strategies, and serves as managing member and investment manager for sector-focused private funds across various industries.

Tax-loss harvesting Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Arnell L

Series 66

Bakersfield, CA

Integrated Advisors Network LLC

Arnell Land is a financial advisor with Integrated Advisors Network LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 25 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Morgan Stanley and Citigroup Global Markets. He is also an independent licensed insurance agent specializing in accident and health, life only, and variable insurance products. Integrated Advisors Network is a multi-team SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and corporate entities. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting, employing both fundamental and quantitative approaches and frequently utilizes third-party sub-advisers to implement and oversee client portfolios.

ESG / Sustainable investing Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Ronald Y

Series 66

Bakersfield, CA

LPL Financial

Ronald Young is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Bakersfield, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and 21 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2007 and previously worked at Merrill from 2005 to 2007. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services through a large network serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management solutions utilizing model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and customized strategies.

Wealth management Retirement income strategy College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Tax-loss harvesting Annuities Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Guillermo R

Series 66

Bakersfield, CA

Merrill

Guillermo Rivas Flores is a financial advisor with Merrill in Bakersfield, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Bank of America and California State University Bakersfield. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management
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Ethan S

CFP®, Series 65

Auburn Hills, MI

Plante Moran financial advisors

Ethan Siekkinen is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license, currently serving as a financial advisor with Plante Moran Financial Advisors. He has one year of industry experience and has previously worked at J Wilson Wealth Management and operated Rizzo Lawn Care. Plante Moran Financial Advisors, LLC provides investment advisory, financial planning, and estate planning services to a diverse client base including individual households, institutional clients, and sovereign wealth funds. The firm employs a multi-disciplinary investment process and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, manager search, and tax-lot accounting services.

Active portfolio management Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Michael I

Series 63, Series 65

Livingston, NJ

Raymond James Financial

Michael Ipp is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 42 years of industry experience. He has been with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors since 2010 and serves as an independent contractor for 1792 Wealth Advisors. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and uses analytical tools to support client decision-making, while also maintaining specialized programs such as municipal advisory services and SIMPLE IRA Employer Advisory & Consulting Services.

Wealth management Tax strategies for small businesses Business succession planning General estate planning guidance Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Jeffrey M

CFP®, ChFC®, Series 66

Greenville, DE

Investment Management & Planning LLC

Jeffrey Macdonald is a CFP® and ChFC® with 18 years of industry experience. He has worked at Investment Management & Planning LLC and LPL Financial since 2010, following two years at Wells Fargo Clearing. Investment Management & Planning LLC provides investment advisory and financial planning services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm constructs tailored portfolios using mutual funds, ETFs, equities, and fixed-income securities, employing fundamental analysis and continuous supervision, and operates as both a wrap program sponsor and affiliated registered representatives of LPL Financial.

General retirement planning Business succession planning Tax strategies for small businesses Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Founder/Business Owner Executive Mid-Career Professionals Approaching retirement
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Patrick F

Series 66

New Market, MD

Intentional

Patrick Ferguson is a financial advisor at Intentional with 17 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Commonwealth Financial Network, and LPL Financial. In addition to his advisory role, he is a licensed agent involved in the sales of fixed and traditional insurance products. Intentional provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, families, businesses, and institutions. The firm offers pension consulting, estate planning support, business exit planning, and due diligence on alternative investments, utilizing a combination of fundamental, technical, and economic analysis within a fiduciary framework.

Business exit / sale strategy Multi-generational wealth transfer Private / alternative investments Founder/Business Owner
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Jerald L

Series 63

San Antonio, TX

Frost Investment Services

Jerald Liesman is a financial advisor at Frost Investment Services with 33 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has worked at Frost Brokerage Services, Inc. and Frost Bank since 1993 and 1987, respectively. Frost Investment Services is a retail-focused, SEC-registered adviser serving individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and managed account programs that integrate model portfolios from its affiliate with third-party managers, utilizing a research-driven investment process and providing optional tax and ESG overlay services.

Tax-loss harvesting ESG / Sustainable investing Retirement income strategy General estate planning guidance Business succession planning Founder/Business Owner Executive
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