Top business succession planning financial advisors in Rochester, NY

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 own a business and are thinking about stepping back or retiring, you need a business succession planning advisor to help you transfer ownership smoothly. Without careful planning, you might face unexpected tax bills or disrupt your company's future.

  • Tax cliff awareness. Confirm the advisor understands how estate tax thresholds can cause large tax bills if your business value crosses exemption limits.
  • Ownership transition strategies. Ask how they balance keeping the business operational while transferring control to new owners or family members.
  • Valuation expertise. Ensure they can accurately value your business to avoid surprises during sale or inheritance.
  • Stakeholder coordination. Check how they involve all parties—family, partners, and employees—to align interests and prevent conflicts.

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

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Lawrence K

Series 63, Series 66

Rochester, NY

LPL Financial

Lawrence Kasinowski is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with nine years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at firms including Merrill Lynch, J.P. Morgan Securities, Wells Fargo, and Mutual of America. 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 range of advisory and brokerage services with access to model portfolios, third-party asset managers, and institutional platforms.

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

Series 63, Series 65

Rochester, NY

Stonex Advisors Inc.

Mark Heberger is a financial advisor with StoneX Advisors Inc. in Rochester, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 48 years of industry experience. He has been with StoneX Advisors Inc. since 2015 and concurrently with StoneX Securities Inc. since 2014. Outside of his advisory role, he operates as an insurance agent specializing in life and accident/health insurance on a limited basis. StoneX Advisors Inc. serves individuals, corporations, retirement plans, and charitable organizations, offering portfolio management, financial planning, ERISA consulting, and related services through a combination of independent advisors and an in-house Private Client Group. The firm utilizes a variety of platforms and investment solutions, including proprietary models and third-party managers, and supports diverse account structures with regular oversight and due diligence.

ESG / Sustainable investing
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Dominick S

Series 66

Rochester, NY

Equitable Advisors

Dominick Scro is a financial advisor at Equitable Advisors with two years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at several companies including Amazon, Walmart, and Assured Partners. Equitable Advisors serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients by providing financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and a variety of asset-management programs. The firm utilizes both proprietary and third-party advisory models and offers ERISA fiduciary services through credentialed representatives.

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 K

Series 66

Rochester, NY

J.P. Morgan Securities

Michael Kustigian is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. for six years. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors through its Institutional Consulting Services program, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.

Wealth management Executive Founder/Business Owner
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Brian K

CFP®, Series 63

Rochester, NY

Vicus Capital, Inc.

Brian Kelly is a CFP® professional with 33 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently affiliated with Vicus Capital, Inc. and serves as the owner and financial professional at Kelly Wealth Services. His prior experience includes roles at Nationwide Securities, LLC and Corey Insurance Agency. Vicus Capital serves a diverse client base including individuals, businesses, trusts, charitable organizations, and retirement plan sponsors, offering investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a variety of investment strategies and provides specialized fiduciary consulting and plan-sponsor services alongside standard advisory offerings.

ESG / Sustainable investing Passive / index investing Tax-loss harvesting Private / alternative investments Religious/faith focused
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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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