Top business succession planning financial advisors in Beaufort, SC

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're preparing to transfer your business ownership or planning for retirement, you need an advisor who understands the complexities of business succession planning. A common mistake is underestimating the tax and legal implications, which can jeopardize your business's future and your financial security.

  • Exit strategy alignment. Confirm how they tailor plans to your personal goals and business realities, not just generic templates.
  • Tax impact awareness. Ask how they navigate local and federal tax rules to minimize your liabilities during the transition.
  • Stakeholder coordination. Effective succession involves aligning interests of partners, family, and key employees; check their approach to managing these relationships.
  • Valuation expertise. Ensure they can accurately assess your business's worth to inform fair and strategic succession decisions.

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

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Jonathon W

Series 66

Huntersville, NC

Merrill

Jonathon Wagoner is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He partners with individuals and families to build clear and disciplined wealth strategies. His focus is on helping clients organize their financial lives, invest with intention, and stay on track through changing markets and life events. Jonathon's approach involves understanding clients' priorities and translating them into concrete plans. He manages investments and risk exposure to support clients' goals over time, covering areas such as portfolio construction, retirement planning, tax-aware strategies, and guidance around major financial decisions. He utilizes Merrill Lynch's research, planning tools, and investment platform to deliver resources within a personal, relationship-driven experience. Clients engage with him for proactive communication, clear explanations, and accountability to their plans. He holds the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. Jonathon earned a Bachelor's Degree from Arizona State University and a Master's Degree from Thunderbird School of Global Management.

General retirement planning Retirement income strategy Wealth management
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Daniel D

Series 63

Beaufort, SC

Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC

Daniel Deverna is a financial advisor with Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC, holding a Series 63 designation and 26 years of industry experience. He has held roles at several firms, including Ameritas Life Insurance Corp and Creative Financial Partners, and has founded multiple financial businesses. Outside of advising, Deverna is an author writing a book for union workers about retirement planning and a speaker providing training and motivational presentations. Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC offers investment advisory and planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm combines model portfolios, mutual funds, ETFs, and individual securities, utilizing various program platforms and third-party technology to tailor investment solutions.

Private / alternative investments Wealth management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Retirement income strategy Charitable giving & philanthropy Founder/Business Owner Retired Mid-Career Professionals
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Edward T

Series 65

Beaufort, SC

Verity Investment Partners

Edward Taylor is a financial advisor at Verity Investment Partners with 13 years of industry experience. He has previously worked at Dividend Assets Capital, LLC and Blackwell Boyd Wealth Management. Outside of his advisory work, he is a 10% owner of PAW Properties, LLC, a real estate investment entity. Verity Investment Partners is a 12-advisor team managing approximately $1.4 billion in assets, serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm provides discretionary investment management, ongoing financial planning, and family office consulting, focusing on portfolios built around dividend-paying equities and fundamental and technical analysis.

General retirement planning Cash flow / budgeting College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) General tax planning
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Denise M

Series 63, Series 65

Beaufort, SC

First Command Advisory Services

Denise Moody is a financial advisor with First Command Advisory Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 15 years of industry experience. She has been with First Command Advisory Services since 2015 and has worked with affiliated First Command entities since 2011. First Command Advisory Services is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, corporate, and charitable clients, with a focus on active-duty service members and their families. The firm offers financial planning and multiple wrap-fee asset management programs featuring model portfolios managed by a centralized Investment Management Team.

Passive / index investing Active portfolio management Retirement income strategy Tax-loss harvesting ESG / Sustainable investing Self-Employed Young Professionals
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Joseph C

CFA®

Beaufort, SC

Apricus Wealth LLC

Joseph Costigan is a CFA® charterholder with 19 years of industry experience. He has worked at Apricus Wealth LLC since 2020 and previously spent six years with Verity & Verity, LLC dba Verity Investment Partners. Apricus Wealth is a registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm uses a tailored, discretionary investment process combining fundamental and technical analysis to construct portfolios aligned with client objectives and risk tolerance, and it emphasizes performance reporting supported by its technology infrastructure.

General retirement planning Cash flow / budgeting College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) General tax planning
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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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