Top business succession planning financial advisors in Fort Walton Beach, 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 the tax and legal implications, which can jeopardize your business's future and your financial security.

  • 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 leverage Florida's strong homestead laws to protect your personal assets during business transitions.
  • Exit strategy variety. Inquire about their experience with different succession methods, such as family transfers, sales, or employee buyouts, tailored to your goals.
  • Coordination with legal counsel. Effective succession planning requires close work with your attorney; ask how they collaborate to align financial and legal strategies.

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

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Richard M

Series 63

Fort Walton, FL

Cetera

Richard Martin is a financial advisor at Cetera with 29 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has a background that includes nearly three decades at Avantax Advisory Services and eight years at Avantax Insurance Agency. Outside of his advisory work, he is the owner and sole proprietor of Martin & Pellegrin, CPAs, a tax preparation and accounting firm. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm provides a multi-manager platform offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to various program structures and third-party money managers.

Wealth management Tax-loss harvesting Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Business exit / sale strategy Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Draylen M

Series 66

Ft Walton Beach, FL

Merrill

Draylen Mc Grew is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to Merrill, he held positions at Bank of America and Regions Bank. Outside of his advisory role, he streams video games on Twitch as a hobby that generates additional income. 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 a range of client types including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management
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Dallis S

Series 65

Fort Walton Beach, FL

D3 Advisors LLC

Dallis Shipe is a financial advisor at D3 Advisors LLC in Fort Walton Beach, FL, holding a Series 65 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to his advisory role, he worked in real estate with Keller Williams Realty for over a decade and had roles in fitness and contracting industries. D3 Advisors provides investment management, financial planning, wealth management, consulting, and client education to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, small businesses, and charitable organizations. The firm uses an asset-allocation-driven investment approach, typically implemented through the Betterment Advisor Solutions platform, combining automated portfolio management with personalized client services.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Active portfolio management Real estate investing Founder/Business Owner
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Nancy K

Series 63, Series 65

Fort Walton Beach, FL

Wells Fargo Advisors

Nancy Kline is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors in Fort Walton Beach, FL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 38 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Outside of advising, she owns and manages several entities related to real estate investment. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network serves individuals, trusts, and institutional clients by providing investment and fee-based financial planning services using a broad planning menu and proprietary research tools. The firm offers tailored recommendations and integrates advisory services with other financial product sales and referral channels.

Divorce financial planning Planning for children with special needs Business exit / sale strategy Cash flow / budgeting Founder/Business Owner
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Jeffrey J

CFP®, Series 63

Fort Walton Beach, FL

Private Advisor Group, LLC

Jeffrey Johnson is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with one year of industry experience, currently with Private Advisor Group, LLC and LPL Financial. Prior to his advisory career, he has worked at Delta Air Lines for ten years. Private Advisor Group serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans by offering portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm employs a fiduciary-based advisory model, utilizing proprietary and third-party investment strategies and technology platforms.

Annuities Founder/Business Owner
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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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