Top business succession planning financial advisors in Carlsbad, 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're preparing to transfer your business ownership, you need an advisor who understands the complexities of timing and tax implications. A common mistake is underestimating how property tax rules like Proposition 13 can affect long-term costs after succession.

  • Tax impact awareness. Confirm how they factor in California's high income taxes alongside property tax limits when planning your exit.
  • Ownership transition timing. Ask how they balance market conditions and personal goals to schedule the succession effectively.
  • Stakeholder coordination. Ensure they consider the interests of family, partners, and employees to avoid conflicts during the handover.
  • Valuation expertise. Look for advisors who explain how they determine your business's worth to support 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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Edward C

Series 63

Carlsbad, CA

Ameriprise

Edward Creed is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 37 years of industry experience. He has held roles within Ameriprise and Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. since 2005. He holds a Series 63 designation. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a specialized Premier Retirement Income service focused on retirement income planning through written recommendations and ongoing advice. The firm integrates proprietary research and algorithmic tools with a selective investment approach influenced by its affiliated product ecosystem.

Retirement income strategy Income planning Social Security optimization Retirement withdrawal strategies Approaching retirement
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Andrew S

CFP®, Series 66

Carlsbad, CA

Carlsbad Wealth Advisory Group, Inc.

Andrew Sontag is a CFP® with 20 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Carlsbad Wealth Advisory Group, Inc. since 2008. He holds a Series 66 designation and works out of Carlsbad, CA. Carlsbad Wealth Advisory Group offers discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning to a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth households, trusts, foundations, and charitable organizations. The firm’s investment approach centers on asset allocation using primarily exchange-traded funds (ETFs), focusing on low expense ratios, internal diversification, and liquidity, while managing all client assets in-house.

Tax-loss harvesting General retirement planning College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) General estate planning guidance
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John S

Series 66

Carlsbad, CA

Equitable Advisors

John Steccato is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at AXA and experience at San Diego State University. Outside of his advisor duties, he has operated a small business in the food service sector. Equitable Advisors serves a broad client base, including individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, retirement consulting, and asset management programs primarily through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and third-party managers.

Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Business exit / sale strategy Concentrated stock management Equity Recipients (RS/RSU, SOP, ESPP) Long-term care insurance Founder/Business Owner Retired Executive Approaching retirement Sandwich Generation
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Michael S

Series 63, Series 65

Carlsbad, CA

LPL Financial

Michael Sorenson is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Carlsbad, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and over 37 years of industry experience. His prior work includes positions at The Wealth Advisors, VOYA Financial Advisors, and Transamerica Financial Advisors. Outside of financial services, he sponsors an educational website about the art of his late brother and serves as an independent insurance agent for fixed insurance products. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a wide range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supporting advisers with advanced operational and research tools.

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

Series 63, Series 65

Carlsbad, CA

Integrated Advisors Network LLC

Todd Blackburn is a financial advisor with Integrated Advisors Network LLC in Carlsbad, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and possessing 26 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Madison Avenue Securities, Vintage West Capital Management, and Mutual Securities. Blackburn also manages The Burns-Blackburn Group, an insurance agency providing various life insurance and annuity products. Integrated Advisors Network is an SEC-registered multi-team investment adviser offering portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, retirement plans, and corporate entities. The firm employs a range of investment approaches and frequently uses third-party sub-advisers while providing ongoing portfolio oversight and rebalancing.

ESG / Sustainable investing Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Executive
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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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