Top business succession planning financial advisors in Florida

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 planning to transfer your business ownership or retire soon, you need an advisor who understands the complexities of business succession planning. A common mistake is overlooking how state-specific tax rules and asset protections affect your transition, which can lead to unexpected costs or legal hurdles.

  • Federal tax focus. Since Florida has no state income tax, ask how they optimize your succession plan around federal taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes.
  • Homestead protection knowledge. Confirm they consider Florida's strong homestead laws, which can impact your personal asset protection during succession.
  • Business continuity strategies. Look for advisors who discuss how to keep your business running smoothly through ownership changes, not just the sale itself.
  • Tailored exit timing. Ask how they help you decide the best time to transfer ownership to minimize tax impact and maximize value.

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

Want help finding the right advisor?

Answer a few questions to see advisors matched to you.

user avatar

Rafael R

Series 66

Miami, FL

Morgan Stanley

Rafael Rosenthal is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Miami, FL, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. His career includes five years at Wells Fargo Clearing before joining Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, where he has worked since 2021. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers comprehensive advisory programs and tailored financial planning services, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

General estate planning guidance
user avatar

Gary C

Series 63

St. Augustine, FL

Mass Mutual Investors Services

Gary Conicella is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services who holds a Series 63 designation and has 35 years of industry experience. He previously worked at MetLife Securities Inc. and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for over two decades. Conicella also maintains an outside insurance business focused on life, fixed annuities, and disability products. MassMutual Investors Services is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm offers financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars, structuring engagements as annual, collaborative relationships using advanced analytical tools to develop written recommendations.

Divorce financial planning General estate planning guidance Multi-generational wealth transfer Cash flow / budgeting Founder/Business Owner Attorney Executive Married/Couples/Partners Divorced

Michael H

Series 63, Series 66

Boca Raton, FL

Fidelity

Michael Henderson is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments. In this role, he focuses on understanding his clients' financial goals and collaborating with them to develop personalized financial plans aimed at providing peace of mind through retirement. He has been with Fidelity Investments since 2021, serving in multiple capacities including Financial Representative, Investment Consultant, and currently Financial Consultant. Prior to joining Fidelity, Michael worked as an Operations Consultant at XCelerant Consulting from 2018 to 2021. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Michael has personal interests in boating, fitness, food, golf, snowboarding, and soccer.

General retirement planning Retirement income strategy Income planning
user avatar

David G

Series 66

Jacksonville, FL

Merrill

David Glenn is a financial advisor with Merrill in Jacksonville, FL, holding a Series 66 designation and has 10 years of industry experience. He has worked with Bank of America, N.A. and Merrill since 2015, accumulating 11 years in these roles. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions program, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by internal and third-party managers, with a range of portfolio implementation options and tax-aware strategies.

Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management
user avatar

John Z

Series 63, Series 66

Boca Raton, FL

Nfsg Corporation

John Zaffarano is a financial advisor at NFSG Corporation in Boca Raton, FL, with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at NewBridge Securities Corporation since 2016. Outside of finance, he manages Digital Star Entertainment LLC, a music production and record label company, and Arqive AI LLC, a social media and entertainment app developer. NFSG Corporation provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and business entities. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary asset management, employs internal portfolio managers, and utilizes third-party asset managers with various investment styles.

Wealth management
user avatar

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
user avatar

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
user avatar

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
user avatar

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
user avatar

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

People also searched

Find advisors by type

Warmer team member

Not sure where to start?

We'll help you think it through—whether you ultimately need an advisor or not. Warmer helps you compare advisors clearly, so you can choose with confidence.

Find your advisor

For advisor listings, we rely on sources including public filings and data provided by advisors, and we cannot guarantee that all information is current or accurate. Advisors are independent and may not have reviewed or updated this information. Please review an advisor’s Form ADV and do your own diligence before deciding whether to work with them.

Advisor matching and introductions are provided by FinanceHQ LLC (“FHQ”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warmer and an SEC-registered investment advisor. We receive compensation from certain participating advisors for introductions or referrals. This creates a conflict of interest because we have an incentive to recommend advisors who compensate us, including those who pay us more. You pay no fee to use our matching service, and advisor fees are not increased because of a referral or introduction. We do not review the ongoing performance of advisors, manage or hold assets, guarantee performance, or provide advice about specific investments.

By using our service, you agree to our Terms of Service and Advisory Agreement, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. Please review FHQ’s ADV Part 2A and Form CRS. Logos provided by Logo.dev

© 2026 Warmer Holdings Inc. (“Warmer”)