Preserve Your Culture: A Blueprint for Internal Succession

For many fee-only RIAs, selling to a private equity-backed aggregator may seem like the only viable exit strategy, but is it the right one? The rise of mega-firms is reshaping the fee-only space, often at the cost of culture, client experience, and fee-only integrity. This session will challenge advisors to think beyond external M&A and consider internal succession as a path to preserving their firm’s mission, values, and independence.

Attendees will gain a real-world, step-by-step playbook on structuring an internal succession plan, including how to identify and mentor the right successors, shift client confidence to the next generation, and create a financial and legal framework that ensures long-term success. Rob Schulz, CFP®?, will share insights from his own internal succession journey, what worked, what didn’t, and how to navigate the transition while protecting what you’ve built.

3 Learning Objectives:

After this session, participants will be able to:

Identify, develop, and retain top talent to become the next-generation leaders of their firm.

Understand the financial, legal, and operational structures necessary for a seamless internal succession.

Successfully transition client relationships and firm leadership without disrupting business continuity.