Top business succession planning financial advisors in Vancouver, WA

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 a new owner or family member, you need an advisor who understands the complexities of timing and valuation. A common mistake is underestimating tax impacts and legal hurdles, which can jeopardize your financial goals.

  • Tax-aware planning. Confirm how they navigate Washington's unique tax landscape, including federal income tax and the state's capital gains tax on long-term sales.
  • Valuation expertise. Ask how they determine your business's worth to ensure a fair and strategic succession.
  • Transition timing. Inquire about their approach to scheduling the handover to minimize disruption and maximize value.
  • Legal coordination. Check how they collaborate with attorneys to address contracts, ownership transfer, and compliance issues.

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

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Spencer S

Series 66

Vancouver, WA

Merrill

Spencer Schmid is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Bank of America, Point West Credit Union, and Wells Fargo. 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 individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions.

Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management

Daniel G

Series 66

Vancouver, WA

Edward Jones

Daniel Gilchrist is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Vancouver, WA, holding a Series 66 designation and 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, Gilchrist is an artist who occasionally sells his paintings. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households and charitable organizations. The firm manages over $1 trillion in assets with a large network of financial advisors and offices, offering a range of advisory programs, discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, and affiliated investment products.

Divorce financial planning Charitable giving & philanthropy Multi-generational wealth transfer ESG / Sustainable investing Wealth management Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive LGBTQIA Women's Finance Women Professionals
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Evan T

Series 63, Series 65

Vancouver, WA

LPL Financial

Evan Timperley is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and possessing 13 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Northwestern Mutual and Columbia Credit Union. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a coach in the Battle Ground School District. 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 services including financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supporting a diverse network of investment adviser representatives.

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

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Vancouver, WA

Raymond James Financial

Fred Elledge is a CFP® with 38 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is affiliated with Raymond James Financial and has been associated with the firm and its related entities since 2016. He is also the owner of Blue Spectrum Wealth, which he has led since 2017. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and uses analytical tools to assist clients in understanding potential financial outcomes while supporting a broad network of advisors and affiliated firms.

Wealth management Tax strategies for small businesses Business succession planning General estate planning guidance Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Bradley H

Series 63, Series 66

Vancouver, WA

Cetera

Bradley Heath is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 20 years of industry experience. He has worked at Cetera since 2018 and previously held positions at Wells Fargo Clearing and Edward Jones. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a basketball referee for the Evergreen Basketball Officials Association. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a nationwide SEC-registered adviser that serves individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to 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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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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