For anyone who has siblings, or is raising siblings, you might be familiar with the “Fair Share” tactic. Two siblings are told to share the last cookie in the jar. One sibling is tasked with splitting the cookie, while the other gets to choose which half of the broken cookie is theirs to enjoy. Doing so ensures that each sibling gets a fair share of the treat, despite their personal interest, with minimal bickering in the end.  

Whether you are just starting out as a financial advisor or you are simply looking to expand your established business, buying an existing book of business could be the right move for you. Opportunities for business acquisitions are becoming ever more common, as the average age of many financial advisors edges closer to retirement.

Those employed as financial advisors will likely come to a time in their career where they would like to make a vertical move. Once this stage is reached, there are few clear paths available. Some may decide to dig their heels in and open their own financial advisory firm, scrounging up clients where they can and providing the best possible service to ensure the success of their practice.

Merger and Acquisition Modeling

Prior to an acquisition or merger, a merger model (a type of financial modeling) will be used to analyze the combination of the two companies in a proposed deal. The primary objective of M&A modeling is to determine how the acquisition may impact the earnings per share (EPS) of the acquiring company, and how this EPS would compare with others in the same industry. However, M&A models can offer deeper financial insights in any given deal. The financial insights and projections arrived at within the model can help inform whether or not to proceed with a merger or acquisition.

What is Merger and Acquisition Strategy?

Before pursuing a merger or acquisition (M&A), there must be some reflection on how a business intends to leverage an M&A to meet its business objectives. Merger and acquisition strategy allows a business to set a group of parameters to consider and assess to identify M&A opportunities and then determine the viability and value creation potential of any deal.

Mergers and acquisitions are team activities. Surgeons don’t go into the operating room without nurses and anesthesiologists. Business owners shouldn’t enter into an agreement to sell or merge their business without M&A support.

What Exactly Is M&A?

The term "mergers and acquisitions" (M&A) broadly refers to the process of one company combining with another; however, the method and legality of how these terms are processed are slightly different.

It may sound contrarian, but if you are interested in buying a business, do yourself a favor and never ask the question, “Can I buy your practice?” Experienced advisors that have bought a business before know this to be true, and the reason is simple. The question ignores the fundamental realities of practice acquisition in the financial services industry. In the financial services business, the person who says “yes” to the question, “do you want to sell?” is not necessarily the type of person from whom you want to buy a practice.

Join us as we delve into the 2017 Advisor M&A Trends and discuss another exciting year for the financial services industry with increased RIA and advisor consolidation, changes in compliance and the Department of Labor Fiduciary Rule, and the tax reform —  all of which had a direct/indirect impact on the value of RIA and advisory practices. This infographic shares the 2017 highlights in addition to what we shared in SRG’s live webcast.