The Fine Print

RIA valuations are at record highs, private equity is reshaping deal structures, and internal succession is evolving faster than ever. In this episode of The Fine Print, David Grau Jr. breaks down the real M&A data from 2025 and maps out what financial advisors should expect for the rest of 2026.

David digs into the latest revenue and EBITDA multiples, explains why the most profitable firms don't always command the highest valua...

Most advisory firm owners think they're 80% done with a deal once they've found a buyer and shaken hands on a number. In reality, they may not even be in the first inning.

In this episode of The SRG Exchange, SRG's consulting team and General Counsel pull back the curtain on what firm owners consistently get wrong about M&A, from timing and valuation methodology to entity structure and equity sharing strategy.

The group covers wh...

Regulatory scrutiny is evolving, and RIAs involved in acquisitions or succession transitions are starting to see a new area of exam focus: how the SEC’s Marketing Rule endorsement provision may apply to certain client transition communications.

In this episode of The Fine Print, SRG General Counsel Todd Fulks is joined by Christine Ayako Schleppegrell, Partner at Morgan Lewis and former SEC attorney, for a timely discussion on what ...

Employment agreements are often treated as a formality, until a key employee leaves, client relationships walk out the door, or a succession plan starts to unravel.

In this episode of The SRG Exchange, SRG’s consulting team and General Counsel break down the real-world role of restrictive covenants in advisory firms, and why the biggest risk is often having no agreement in place at all.

The group explores the difference between non-...

Entity structure is not just paperwork. It shapes how your firm grows, shares ownership, and eventually transitions.

In this episode of The SRG Exchange, SRG’s consulting team and general counsel break down what advisors need to know about entities and entity maintenance, and why firms often outgrow the structure they set up years ago.

You’ll learn:

• How entity design affects internal succession and equity transfers
• Why S-corp rigid...

In this episode of SRG's The Fine Print, host David Grau is joined by Saša Mirkovic from Inspire Network to explore the art of building self-leading teams. Saša shares his journey from financial advisor to a leader in developing teams that thrive independently. Discover the importance of transitioning from advisor to CEO, the concept of being a 'multiplier,' and the role of humility in leadership. Whether you're an advisor or a bus...

In this episode of The Fine Print, David Grau Jr., President of Succession Resource Group, unpacks the critical—yet often overlooked—relationship between valuation and deal terms in today’s advisor M&A landscape. Building on previous discussions around private equity and industry aggregators, David dives into the real mechanics of how deals are financed, structured, and negotiated.

From historical norms of “one-third cash, one-t...

David Grau Jr. discusses the increasing influence of private equity (PE) and industry aggregators on the valuations and consolidation trends within the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) industry. He explores historical developments, the rise of aggregators, how their unique deal terms to boost the appearance of value is impacting advisors, as well as the long-term implications for succession planning. Grau highlights how PE's foc...

In this episode, David discusses strategies to keep top talent in the financial advisory industry and protect client relationships. He emphasizes the importance of creating a happy, healthy work culture and providing career tracks and mentorship opportunities. David also explores the use of equity-sharing programs to incentivize employees and build a sense of ownership. On the topic of protecting client relationships, he suggests f...

In this episode, David Grau discusses the importance of death and disability planning for independent advisors and small business owners. He emphasizes the need to separate succession planning from contingency planning and suggests dividing and conquering these two subjects. Grau explains the different agreements and funding mechanisms that can be used in death and disability planning, including life insurance, promissory notes, an...

Finding talent can be hard. But you don’t always need to find it, with the right approach you can develop it within anybody.

This episode is a continuation of David Grau Jr.’s conversation with Ray Sclafani, Founder and CEO at ClientWise, LLC. Join them as they’re dedicated to uncovering the secrets behind flourishing financial advisory firms as they explore the synergy of digital marketing, the power of client referrals, and the be...

Finding talent can be hard. But you don’t always need to find it, with the right approach you can develop it within anybody.

This episode is the first part of David Grau Jr.’s conversation with Ray Sclafani, Founder and CEO at ClientWise, LLC. Join them as they’re dedicated to uncovering the secrets behind flourishing financial advisory firms as they explore the synergy of digital marketing, the power of client referrals, and the be...

Do you ever look at some of the industry’s most successful advisory firms and wonder, “Where are they finding top talent?”

After looking under the hood, guess what we found? They don’t find top talent. They build it!

Get ready to adapt to a new paradigm of talent management, as David Grau Jr. encourages listeners to rethink how they mentor, train, and compensate the next generation of talent. You will discover a systematic and scalab...

Many Advisors dedicate their lives to building their companies. But what happens after they exit their business?

The transition can be fraught with unexpected emotional challenges that are often overlooked!

Get ready to address the “founder’s exit paradox” with David Grau Jr. and guest Jerome Myers, founder of DreamCatchers and The Myers Development Group. They shed light on the difficulties that come with stepping away from a busine...

Whether it’s M&A or succession planning, a critical challenge advisors face is navigating the lending process for equity purchases.

It’s not just about the access to capital, but also the intricacies of the deal structure!

Recognizing this struggle, David Grau Jr. sits down with Dustin Mangone and Aaron Racino from PPC Loan to simplify advisor financing. They highlight the current state of M&A and share insights into securing...

Ever wondered how top financial firms plan for the future?

Discover the secrets of scaling your financial advisory business in this engaging episode of The Fine Print. Host David Grau Jr. and guest expert Caleb Brown, co-founder of New Planner Recruiting, dive into effective succession planning strategies for independent advisors.

Key Discussion Points:

• The pitfalls of succession planning 
• Understanding the evolving roles in adviso...

Ever wondered how CRM can redefine your advisory firm?

Join us on The Fine Print, where Rick Williamson, Director of Brand Experience at Redtail/Orion Advisor Technology, brings his dynamic personality and industry expertise to explore the transformative role of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems in enhancing advisory business value.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Impact of CRM Systems: Explore how CRM systems can transfor...