Top business succession planning financial advisors in Clearwater, FL

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 how intertwined business and personal finances can be, leading to unexpected tax or legal issues.

  • Federal tax focus. Since Florida has no state income tax, ask how they optimize for federal income, property, and sales taxes that impact your succession plan.
  • Homestead protection knowledge. Confirm they consider Florida's strong homestead laws, which can affect asset protection and wealth migration strategies.
  • Exit strategy alignment. Look for advisors who tailor succession plans to your retirement timeline and business goals, not just generic transfer methods.
  • Stakeholder coordination. Ensure they address the interests of family, partners, and key employees to avoid conflicts during ownership transition.

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

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Steven Z

Series 63, Series 65

Clearwater, FL

Atlantis Wealth Advisors LLC

Steven Zerbarini is a financial advisor with Atlantis Wealth Advisors LLC in Dunedin, FL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 28 years of industry experience. He has worked with Atlantis Wealth Advisors since 2018 and has longstanding roles at Sower Realty, Inc. and Sower Wealth, LLC, where he is involved in tax preparation and insurance sales alongside his advisory work. Atlantis Wealth Advisors provides financial planning, asset management, and consulting services to a diverse client base that includes individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a combination of proprietary strategies and third-party managers, using both top-down and bottom-up investment approaches across multiple teams and offices.

Medicare planning Charitable giving & philanthropy Wealth management Debt management
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Craig K

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Clearwater, FL

Independent Financial Partners

Craig Koller is a CFP® with over 30 years of experience in financial services. He is affiliated with Independent Financial Partners and has held roles at IFP Securities, LLC and LPL Financial. Koller's other business activities include managing a wealth management practice affiliated with LPL Financial and involvement in an insurance-related entity. Independent Financial Partners provides investment advisory, financial planning, trust, and retirement-plan services through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm supports a multi-advisor platform and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary account management, with notable expertise in retirement-plan advisory and pension consulting.

Retirement income strategy Tax-loss harvesting Founder/Business Owner Executive Retired
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Nicole C

Series 66

Clearwater, FL

Chronos Wealth Management, L.L.C.

Nicole Chamberlain is a financial advisor at Chronos Wealth Management, L.L.C. in Clearwater, FL, with 21 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Morgan Stanley for 23 years. Chamberlain is also a licensed independent insurance agent. Chronos Wealth Management provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and business entities. The firm employs a variety of analytical methods and focuses on long-term trading strategies across multiple asset classes, including U.S. large-cap equities, mutual funds, fixed income, and alternative investments.

Annuities
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Megan M

Series 66

Clearwater, FL

Merrill

Megan Martinez is a financial advisor at Merrill with six years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Merrill and Bank of America N.A. since 2019. Prior to that, she worked at Cascle Inc. and Applied Technology Resources, among other roles. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management
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Benjamin C

CFP®, Series 63

Clearwater, FL

Simplicity wealth

Benjamin Clark is a CFP® with three years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Simplicity Wealth in Clearwater, FL. He has worked at Simplicity Wealth since 2024 and also operates Clark Wealth LLC, where he is involved in wholesale insurance sales. Prior to his current roles, he held positions at Universal Financial Consultants and Ernst & Young Investment Advisers LLP. Simplicity Wealth serves a diverse client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, corporations, and other financial firms. The firm utilizes a fund-of-funds strategy incorporating ETFs, mutual funds, and individual securities, and offers a turnkey asset management platform with model portfolios, third-party manager oversight, and technology-driven solutions for advisers.

Tax-loss harvesting ESG / Sustainable investing Passive / index investing Wealth management Retired Founder/Business Owner Values-based investing
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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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