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About SRG

Succession Resource Group is a boutique succession consulting firm based in the Pacific Northwest, serving clients across the country. SRG was founded by David Grau Jr., MBA in 2012 after nearly a decade of helping advisors with valuation and succession planning. SRG's team of experts leverage their industry expertise, combined with best-in-class resources, to help advisors, agents, and accountants manage the equity in their businesses...

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Entity_Header-1
Entity Support

Create a Formal Business
Organizational Structure

Set up an LLC or S-Corp for Your Financial Business

Need professional assistance forming your business entity? 

Our entity support services help you navigate the nuances and challenges of implementing a more formal organizational structure for your firm. While it may seem challenging at first, proper business entity formation can serve as the foundation for growth and provides numerous benefits. SRG offers a variety of solutions to help, from our simple Starter service where we provide you all the industry specific agreements to use on your own, to our Elite service where we do it all for you.

Entity Support

 Extensive Industry Expertise

There are numerous reasons to operate your business under an LLC or corporation, but there are numerous financial industry-specific nuances to navigate. But, it is still possible to leverage an entity if done correctly. Our team will help make the entity setup process turnkey and effective for business owners. 

Benefits of Correct Entity Setup

Using an entity to operate your business can only help you, and every business owner should consider using one. You'll benefit from decreased personal liability as an owner, increase your ability to start sharing equity & develop phantom equity plans, and benefit from potential tax savings.

Ongoing Support for Growing Practices

SRG's team of experts help you establish a robust entity set up designed to grow with your business. We can also provide the ongoing maintenance support to keep the entity current at all times through our Entity Maintenance Program, allowing owners to focus on more productive activities.

SCHEDULE CALL

Entity Formation Assistance
at a Glance

You will receive one-on-one consulting from a dedicated member of our team, with resources designed for your specific business needs.

  • What's included?

    We offer three entity packages based on your needs. At a minimum all of our entity services include:

    • Single point of contact 
    • Entity documents
    • E-Signature and backup storage vault (for certain documents)

    Our elite entity package includes additional consulting, recommendations, an entity binder, coordination with your tax professional, and industry resources so you can seamlessly move forward day one.

  • How long is the process?

    We guarantee your entity documents with 15 calendar days following federal and/or state approval.

    The process from start to finish may vary based on your needs, but we can generally finalize the entity for you within 30-60 calendar days.

    If you need the entity sooner, we offer expedited options.

  • How to get started?

    Fill out our contact form, call us, or schedule a call.

    (503) 427-9910

    SCHEDULE CALL

Entity Support Testimonials
SRG is fantastic. They worked with us and explained all our questions. They had meetings with our accountant to coordinate the setting up of the entity and S-corp. We were very happy with all of their explanations and guidance. The final binder we received was great to keep all of our information in and make sure we had everything set up correctly. (...)
— Sharon B.
I can't say enough good things about our experience with SRG. They were wonderful to work with, always responsive, on top of us but never pushy, gave us great advice and helped us implement. We asked quite a bit from them and asked that it be done in a tight timeline and they found a way to make it work and were ALWAYS very professional and kind. (...)
— Ryan J.
The experience in setting up an entity was a good growth experience for me in investigating deeply the options that we have available with all the complexities that exist. (...) SRG was helpful in giving me the confidence that the path chosen was the right one and provided the flexibility that we will need down the road.
— Kent T.

Entity Service Pricing

Starter Premium Elite

$ 4,000
$ 6
per entity

$ 6,500
$ 7
per entity

$ 8,000
$ 29
per entity
Best For
Type of Practice
RR, IAR, RIA, Insurance, Retirement Plans, OSJ, CPA Firms
RR, IAR, RIA, Insurance, Retirement Plans, OSJ, CPA Firms
RR, IAR, RIA, Insurance, Retirement Plans, OSJ, CPA Firms
# of Owners
Up to 1 Owner
Up to 2 Owners
Up to 3 Owners
Entity Usage
Single Member Entity, Holding Company
Multi-Owner Entity
Multi-Owner Entity, Restructuring of one entity
Features
Single Point of Contact
You will be assigned your team based on several factors, such as package, availability, and complexity of your project.
Industry Specific Questionnaire
Each package has a separate questionnaire ranging in complexity and detail. The questionnaires are designed to ensure your deliverables are comprehensive and tailored to your needs.
Entity Documents
Entity documents may vary based on the entity selected, but would include: operating documents, minutes, and resolution documents.
S-Election Preparation
SRG will prepare the IRS Form 2553 to allow your entity to be taxed as an S Corporation. This will include instructions on how to submit the form to the IRS for easy filing.
Document Revisions
We know it's hard to think of everything on the first try. Each package receives at least one document revision to ensure the final product is exactly what you need.
1 Revision
2 Revisions
2 Revisions
Consultation Call(s)
Consultation calls help us clarify inputs, address your questions, and provide recommendations to ensure that your deliverable meets your needs in real-time. The included calls are appropriate for 90%+ of our client projects.
6 Calls
8 Calls
State Registration & EIN Application
SRG will electronically apply for your Federal EIN and register your entity with the Secretary of State to obtain the Articles of Organization / Incorporation for said state. Local licenses and permits and/or payroll registration is not included.
Recommendations
Not all entity structures are created equal and each comes with its own set of rules, administrative burdens, and tax consequences. We provide you with tools and recommendations, so you can choose the entity best for you.
Industry Resources
We don't just want you to have an entity, we want you to understand why you have it and what to do with it. We want this experience to be a success. Therefore, we offer a variety of resources such as guides, checklists, decision trees, whitepapers, and ebooks to ensure have all the tools you need.
Coordination w/Tax Professionals
Collaboration and pre-planning are always recommended. We want your entity to be a success and that means making sure your CPA is comfortable with the entity structure you choose. This prevents unwanted surprises in the future.
E-signature & Backup Storage Vault
If you are ever audited, you want to be sure that you can show proof of your entity. We will store all documents for you as extra back-up, if you need it.
Timeline
The timeline to complete projects starts upon receipt of full information.
60 Days
90 Days
5 Months
Options
Expedite Fee
The expedite option reduces the timeline, subject to client cooperation. You will receive premium scheduling opportunities and/or increased turnaround time in between deliverables, following the receipt of full information.
60 Days
$975
90 Days
$1,200
Additional Owners
$500
Foreign Qualification Application
Foreign qualification exists when the entity is registered in one state, but needs to register in additional states. Foreign qualifications will be based on client's attorney/CPA recommendations.
$1,000 per application
$1,000 per application
State Conversion
A state conversion occurs when you wish to dissolve your existing entity in the state it is currently registered and establish the entity in another state.
$1,000 per state
$1,000 per state
  Get Started! GET STARTED Get Started!

FAQs for Entity Setup and Support

  • What is the entity support service?

    Our entity support service is designed to help advisors navigate the nuances and challenges related to creating and using a more formal organizational structure for their business (e.g., partnership or corporation).  

  • I already have an entity, can you still help me?

    SRG can definitely help you if you have an entity! We review your current entity structure, work inside that framework and ensure that you are well-documented, researched, and compliant.  

  • Who is the entity support service for?

    Our entity support service is for all independent business owners within the financial services industry who typically have one or more employees and/or independent contractor.  

  • Who should engage for the entity support service?

    The business owner should engage in the entity support service.  

     

  • Why form an entity?

    There are several reasons to set up and operate your business as an entity: 

    • Ability to share/sell incremental equity and develop phantom equity plans 
    • Formalized ownership structure 
    • Greater continuity
    • Potential tax savings
    • Reduced personal liability
  • My main goal is tax savings, how much will I save?  

    Tax savings will vary for each business owner, but are usually in the amount of Medicare taxes (2.9% for 2020) saved on distributions received from an S Corporation. For larger teams, the potential tax savings may be sufficient motivation, but there are a multitude of additional reasons to set up and use an entity, all generally more important than the tax savings long-term (but we get it, saving on taxes doesn't hurt either!). 

  • Should my CPA or attorney be included in these conversations?

    We encourage you to include your CPA and/or attorney in select conversations, which we can facilitate in our Elite service level, making the process turnkey for you. 

  • Why should I hire SRG versus my other professional counsel who said they can do it for a lot less?

    Compared with businesses in other industries, the flow of revenue in the financial services industry necessitates additional steps because you are paid directly. This results in different regulatory nuances that you will need to know how to navigate. Our firm works exclusively in this industry, ensuring that you are not only compliant for internal purposes, but also for tax and legal purposes. We collaborate extensively with your CPA to ensure this happens and that he/she understands the background on the issue and the solution. 

  • What do I need to provide?

    We request you complete a questionnaire. The questionnaire includes the following sections to complete: Business Formation Information, Shareholder/Member Information, Director Information, Officer Information, and Accounting Information.  

  • Are there any annual maintenance requirements for the entity? 

    Meeting Minutes should be completed annually. Most states also require the filing of an annual report. Best practice is to review your entity setup annually prior to the due date of your annual report. You will receive a checklist from us to help with the review and we will send you a reminder notice prior to the due date of your annual report.  SRG can also help support you on an ongoing basis for a small additional fee, making it even easier on our clients to have and use an entity.

  • How is SRG different?

    SRG has years of experience creating entities for our clients. We know your industry. And, we have helped our client's family's and legal counsel put these plans into action when something has happened. This is the experience we bring to each client's plan. 

    We strive for excellence and, as a result, we are always learning, adapting, and revising our deliverables and resources to ensure that you receive a fair, accurate, and timely solution as the industry changes.

    We are neutral. We are not affiliated with a broker-dealer or custodian and can provide the advice that is best for you. We also pride ourselves on service - providing high-touch, high-quality solutions to our clients.

  • How do I get started?

    Contact us!

    (503)427-9910

    Schedule a Call

  • Should my staff be included in these conversations?

    For many services, we discourage you from including staff members early on in these calls so both you and SRG may speak freely, but we leave this decision up to each client.  

  • Who would I be working with?

    Nicole Frey (400 × 400 px)

    Nicole Frey, CFP®, Project Manager

    Learn more about Nicole

     

    headshot-gracie

    Gracie Jaeger, Project Administrator

    Learn more about Gracie

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the entity support service?

    Our entity support service is designed to help advisors navigate the nuances and challenges related to creating and using a more formal organizational structure for their business (e.g., partnership or corporation).  

  • I already have an entity, can you still help me?

    SRG can definitely help you if you have an entity! We review your current entity structure, work inside that framework and ensure that you are well-documented, researched, and compliant.  

  • Who is the entity support service for?

    Our entity support service is for all independent business owners within the financial services industry who typically have one or more employees and/or independent contractor.  

  • Who should engage for the entity support service?

    The business owner should engage in the employment resources service.  

     

  • What are the most common reasons business owners in the financial services industry want a formal entity structure?

    There are several reasons owners may engage, however, the most common are:  

    • Ability to share/sell incremental equity and develop phantom equity plans 
    • Formalized ownership structure 
    • Greater continuity 
    • Potential tax savings 
    • Reduced personal liability 
  • My main goal is tax savings, how much will I save?  

    If your main goal is tax savings, this may or may not be the best service for you. Tax savings will vary for each business owner, but are usually in the amount of Medicare taxes (1.45% for 2020) saved on profits received from an S Corporation  

  • Should my CPA or attorney be included in these conversations?

    We encourage you to include your CPA and/or attorney on select conversations, which we will help assist with. 

  • Why should I hire SRG versus my CPA?

    Compared with businesses in other industries, the flow of revenue in the financial services industry creates an additional step since it has to be paid by the broker-dealer directly to the advisor as the licensed person rather than the entity. This results in different regulatory nuances you will need to know how to navigate. Our firm works exclusively in this industry ensuring that you are not only compliant for internal purposes, but also for tax and legal purposes. We collaborate extensively with your CPA to ensure this happens. 

  • What do I need to provide?

    We request you complete a questionnaire [link to questionnaire sample]. The questionnaire includes the following sections to complete: Business Formation Information, Shareholder/Member Information, Director Information, Officer Information, and Accounting Information.  

  • Are there any annual maintenance requirements for the entity? 

    Minutes should be completed on your practice annually. Most states also require the filing of an annual report. Best practice is to review your entity setup annually prior to the due date of your annual report. You will receive a checklist from us to help with the review and we will send you a reminder notice prior to the due date of your annual report.  

  • Should my staff be included in these conversations?

    We discourage you from including staff members on these calls.  

  • How is SRG different?

    SRG focuses solely within the financial services industry.  

    We strive for excellence and as a result, we are always learning, adapting, and revising our deliverables and resources to ensure that you receive a fair, accurate, and timely product as the industry changes.  

    We are neutral. We are not affiliated with a broker-dealer or custodian.  

  • Who would I be working with?

    Nicole Frey

    Nicole Frey, CFP®, Project Manager

    Learn more about Nicole

     

    Hattie Everroad

    Hattie Everroad, J.D., Project Administrator

    Learn more about Hattie

     

    Gracie Jaeger

    Gracie Jaeger, Project Administrator

    Learn more about Gracie

  • How do I get started?

    Contact us!

    (503)427-9910

    Schedule a Call

Schedule an Appointment

Talk with Our Business Development Team to Learn More

Schedule an appointment to learn more about our entity assistance services.

SCHEDULE CALL