As a great IFA, I bet you advocate strongly for your clients and think through their financial planning needs and risks, to help and support them in their journey. Who supports you? When those thoughts are in the back of your mind about what you need to do… who understand this?
For Wealth Planners who are even considering IFA retirement, it’s really easy to focus on the day job, push these thoughts aside and think about everyone else, rather than tackle this, isn’t it?
It’s not just about the financials; it’s about trust, relationships, and ensuring that everything you’ve built continues to thrive. The IFA Acquisition process can feel overwhelming, and naturally, big questions arise, normally surfacing when you are outside of work with less distractions…
What Financial Planner will want to hear their clients have been ‘upgraded’ to a robo-adviser with the emotional intelligence of a toaster?
You’ve spent years ensuring your wealth management clients get the best, unbiased advice. It’s only natural to wonder whether the firm acquiring your business will uphold the same whole-of-market approach.
The key is to partner with a buyer who shares your values, offers unrestricted access to the market, and prioritises your clients’ best interests. Vetting potential buyers thoroughly will ensure continuity of service at the standard you expect.
Let’s be honest, you don’t want to hear from Mrs. Taylor that her new Financial Adviser thinks a ‘fact-find’ is something you do on Wikipedia.
Your clients trust you, and they value your personal touch. The very idea of handing them over to a faceless call centre is unthinkable! The right buyer will have high-quality, qualified Financial Planners who continue to offer face-to-face service – providing reassurance and maintaining relationships just as you have done.
Ah, the age-old question: will retirement be sipping piña coladas on the beach, or will you just end up reorganising your sock drawer for the third time this week?
This is one of the biggest emotional hurdles. After all, you’ve built strong bonds with your clients over the years. The best acquirers prioritise seamless transitions, introducing advisers early and keeping service standards high.
A well-structured sale should ensure your clients feel valued, heard, and cared for throughout the process and beyond!
It might be something that they may be feeling awkward in bringing up with you, but they may well be wondering what will happen when you retire. You might not have discussed this with them yet, but it might well be on their minds already and be a concern… talking this through with them may well put their minds at ease.
Change can be unsettling, but transparency is key. Clients will appreciate being included in the journey, especially if they see you’ve chosen a buyer who aligns with your ethos. Positioning the sale as a positive step ensures they remain confident in their future financial planning.
Yes, this is hard and this is where due diligence is essential. Let’s face it if we have a £1 for every IFA Firm who said they are client centric and clients come first, no one would ever have to work again. However, which ones truly mean this and deliver?
Consult independent specialists who are whole of market and have been in financial services themselves for many decades. They know the good the bad and the ugly!
Check out their awards for ethics as a great IFA Acquisitions specialist will recommend a good IFA company who has a strong track record, excellent testimonials, and a transparent, adviser-friendly acquisition process, where clients flourish for the long term. Here are some great awards for ethics, advocacy and financial services recruitment: https://www.truestartalent.co.uk/awards/
Here is a great article on why advocacy truly matters in supporting retiring IFAs selling their IFA Firms and why in general having someone in your corner is a good idea: https://www.truestarlegacy.co.uk/blog/why-does-advocacy-matter
Selling an IFA business involves legal, regulatory, and financial considerations, but with the right partner, it doesn’t have to be stressful. A well-structured deal with experienced professionals guiding you can make the process smooth and efficient, allowing you to focus on the transition rather than the paperwork.
Work with people that will be with you every step of the way through the process and beyond!
Many IFAs feel very apprehensive about stepping away from a career that has defined them, but this is an opportunity to explore new passions, spend more time with family, or even stay involved in a consultancy role.
Remember, a well-planned exit strategy can help you transition into the next phase of life with excitement rather than uncertainty and support your clients to their next home which will give you peace of mind.
Ah, the IFA version of ‘I’ll just do one more year’ – next thing you know, you’re three years in, mentoring the new team, and still getting invited to the Christmas party.
Many buyers offer flexible options, allowing you to stay on, forever, or for a period to ensure a smooth handover. You sell and go or sell and stay. Should you wish to transition and go, this too can be beneficial for your clients as it allows you to step back gradually while still playing a role in their financial future.
Here is a great article on both sell and go and sell and stay: https://www.truestarlegacy.co.uk/blog/why-clients-come-first-in-selling-your-ifa-business-and-how-do-you-ensure-that-they-do
If compliance paperwork was an Olympic sport, IFAs would be bringing home gold medals by now.
Regulatory demands are increasing, and Consumer Duty means heightened responsibilities. For some IFAs, selling is a way to reduce the burden while ensuring clients continue to receive top-tier advice. If running the IFA business is becoming more about compliance than client relationships, selling might be the best way to preserve what matters most.
No one wants their retirement plan to include the phrase ‘carried out of the office still clutching a client fact-find.’
As much as we all like to think we’ll work forever, the reality is different. Without a structured succession plan, clients’ risk being left without a Financial Planner, if something unexpected happens. Selling to the right IFA firm ensures long-term stability for them while allowing you to exit on your own terms.
If they give you the side-eye over their pint, you want it to be out of admiration – not confusion over their new Financial Adviser’s existence!
One of the biggest personal considerations for IFAs selling their IFA business is how their clients will react post-business sale. The good news? If you’ve handled the transition well – choosing a reputable buyer, communicating transparently, and ensuring continued great service – there’s no reason for awkward encounters. Instead, you’ll likely be met with gratitude for the years of dedication you’ve given them.
Then if you see them in the pub, you finally have time to enjoy a pint with them instead of filling out suitability reports.
Selling your IFA business is a major milestone, but with careful planning and the right buyer, it can be a hugely positive step – for you and for your clients. Addressing these key concerns head-on will help you feel confident in making the best decision for your future.
If you’re thinking about selling and want guidance from someone who understands both the industry and your concerns, reach out for a confidential conversation. Your legacy, your clients, and your future deserve a thoughtful, well-managed transition.
Truestar Talent and their specialist IFA Acquisition team called Truestar Legacy, are whole of market, with on average 35+ years in financial services and wealth management. We have won awards for our ethics and for our advocacy and work with IFA firms nationally and locally to find the best fit for any IFA selling their business or moving their client bank.
Contact us for an initial holistic chat. We are just like you… we take the time to understand your needs, then a fact find before whole of market recommendations that will truly work for the long term. We offer down to earth, common-sense advice steeped in decades of wealth management experience.
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