CFP®-certified, business succession planning financial advisors in San Rafael, 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 to new ownership, you need an advisor who understands the complexities beyond just the sale price. Without focused expertise, you might overlook tax implications or the timing that can affect your financial security.
CFP® certification means these advisors have formal training in financial planning, which helps them navigate the many moving parts of succession.
- Tax impact awareness. Confirm how they address state income taxes and property tax rules like Proposition 13 that can affect your long-term costs.
- Ownership transition timing. Ask how they plan the sequence of ownership transfer to align with your retirement and cash flow needs.
- Stakeholder coordination. Check how they work with your legal and tax professionals to ensure all aspects of the succession are covered.
- Valuation and deal structure. Understand their approach to valuing your business and structuring the deal to meet your financial goals.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Robert E
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Richmond, CA
Raymond James Financial
Robert Emmer's 47 years of experience and CFP® certification equip him to handle complex business succession planning, including tax impact and ownership transition timing. Based in Richmond, CA, he offers flat-fee and hourly services through Raymond James Financial, a large firm serving diverse clients, which may provide broader resources compared to smaller local advisors.
Experience: 48 years
Avg account: $700,796
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Michael W
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
San Francisco, CA
ValMark Advisers, Inc.
Michael Watson's 19 years of experience and CFP® certification equip him to handle complex business succession planning, including tax impact and ownership transition timing. Based in San Francisco, he offers flat-fee and AUM-based pricing through BPM Wealth Advisors, which manages nearly $50 million with a blend of passive and active investment strategies, serving high-net-worth individuals and institutions.
Experience: 19 years
Avg account: $554,438
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Ann L
CFP®, Series 63, Series 66
San Francisco, CA
SVB Wealth
Ann Lucchesi's 26 years of experience and CFP® certification equip her to handle complex business succession planning in the San Rafael area, including tax planning and ownership transition timing. As Managing Director at SVB Wealth, she serves high-net-worth clients with a flat-fee structure and integrates quantitative and fundamental analysis, differentiating her through a comprehensive, research-driven approach.
Experience: 26 years
Avg account: $2,365,410
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Mark L
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Mill Valley, CA
Edward Jones
Mark Lavan's 24 years of experience and CFP® certification equip him to handle complex business succession planning, including tax implications and ownership transition timing. Based in nearby Mill Valley, he works with Edward Jones, a large firm managing over $1 trillion in assets, offering a comprehensive approach with a program fee up to 1.35% annually, which may suit business owners seeking seasoned guidance.
Experience: 25 years
Avg account: $246,728
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Robert S
CFP®
Alameda, CA
Fireside Finances, LLC
Robert Shaye, a CFP® with seven years of experience, specializes in business succession planning and serves founder/business owner clients. Operating from Alameda, CA, his firm offers flat-fee and hourly consulting focused on education, tax awareness, and diversification without managing assets. His background includes teaching personal finance at UC Berkeley, which adds an educational dimension to his advisory approach compared to others in the region.
Experience: 7 years
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