Sell Your RIA Practice with Confidence
Personalized Succession.
Maximum Valuation.
buyAUM helps Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) owners with 1–5 advisors plan their succession, unlock the full value of their firm, and match with the right buyer.
(Start with our quick questionnaire and see what your practice may be worth.)
Testimonials
What Our Client Say About Us
CEPA‑Certified
Our valuations follow Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) standards.
Client Retention Matters
Practices with structured succession plans retain up to 90–95 % of client revenue after a sale.
Record Activity
RIA M&A hit an all-time high in 2024, with momentum continuing through 2025.
Featured Buyers We have worked with
Why Find a Successor Now?
Retirement & Succession Trends
A generational shift is underway. Within the next decade, about 37 % of financial advisors plan to retire, and they control roughly 40 % of industry assets. Many owners lack succession plans, which makes early planning essential to secure top valuations and protect clients.
Lifestyle & Well‑Being
Retirement is the leading reason business owners sell their firms (35 %), and burnout is a fast‑rising second reason (27 %). Selling can ease workload, remove compliance headaches, and free time for family, hobbies, and travel.
Market Conditions & Valuations
RIA M&A activity hit a record 272 transactions in 2024 and remains brisk in 2025. Decreasing interest rates and pent‑up demand have pushed multiples higher: typical RIA practices sell for 2.0× to 4.0× revenue and 5× to 9× EBITDA. Larger growth firms can command double‑digit EBITDA multiples. Many deals include contingent earn‑outs, but private‑equity demand means sellers often receive strong upfront cash offers.
Client Care & Legacy
Most transactions require at least 90–95 % of client revenue to remain after the deal. Firms that communicate early and use digital tools usually reach this milestone within 45–60 days. Structured succession planning protects client relationships and ensures continuity of service.
Exit Options Tailored to Your Goals
| Option | Typical Timeline | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Sell & Go | Full exit in ~6–24 months | Fund retirement or new ventures; eliminate burnout; create an inheritance; regain autonomy |
| Sell & Grow | Flexible stake sale with continued work | Access superior technology, outsourcing, and scale; join a larger firm (even at $40–80M AUM); focus on revenue‑generating activities while back‑office duties are handled |
| Other Structures | Gradual buy‑outs or next‑generation transitions | Plan over several years; mentor junior advisors; preserve culture while unlocking liquidity |
| Drop Dead Plan | Triggered by death or disability | Successor in place; revenue split with estate 50/50 for 3–4 years |
Our Proven Process End‑to‑End Succession Support
1
Discover & Valuation
We evaluate your AUM, revenue streams, overhead, and intangible capital. Around 80 % of a company’s value lies in intangible assets, so we assess human, customer, structura,l and social capital. Our CEPA‑certified valuation explains revenue and EBITDA multiples (2–4× revenue and 5–9× EBITDA) and how recurring revenue and margins affect price.
2
Strategy & Goal Alignment
We align your business, personal, and financial goals using the Value Acceleration Methodology. The “three legs of the stool” (business planning, personal planning, and financial planning) must be balanced for a successful exit. We identify gaps between current performance and desired valuation and set milestones to strengthen intangible capital.
3
Preparation & Value Enhancement
We help clean up financials, normalize expenses, and update client agreements and compliance. We build intangible capital: document workflows, develop leadership beyond yourself, cultivate culture, reduce client concentration, and diversify revenue. We also prepare client retention strategies by answering clients’ core questions (“Will you still be my adviser? Will your team support me? Will fees change?”) and by using digital signature tools.
4
Buyer Matching & Competitive Bidding
Our network connects you with pre‑qualified, like‑minded buyers. Unlike public listing sites, we hand‑pick introductions based on cultural and strategic fit. A competitive process with multiple buyers can raise the sale price and provide fallback options. We maintain confidentiality and discretion; you meet only serious, well‑financed buyers.
5
Deal Structuring & Negotiation
Typical deal terms include cash at closing, seller financing, earn‑outs tied to client retention, and equity rollovers. We guide you through negotiation and documentation and collaborate with your legal and tax advisers. Our expertise ensures fair terms without providing legal, regulatory, or tax advice.
6
Transition & Client Retention
We help you meet the 90–95 % client retention hurdle. We provide client communication templates, arrange introductory calls with the new adviser, and orchestrate digital signature collection. Most sellers meet the retention requirement within 45–60 days, by which time about 85–90% of assets are typically transitioned.
7
Post‑Sale Integration & Ongoing Support
Our role doesn’t end at closing. We coordinate integration of systems, staff, and client service to ensure culture and processes align. We assist with client communications during the transition and provide check‑ins after the sale. We also help calculate earn‑out payments and support your next chapter, whether retirement or reinvestment.
Why buyAUM?
Our Advantage Over Listing Marketplaces
Hand‑Picked Buyer Matching vs. Public Listings
We proactively cultivate relationships with potential buyers and offer private “pocket” listings, instead of broadcasting your practice publicly. This protects confidentiality and reduces the risk of wrong‑fit suitors. A curated, competitive environment improves outcomes.
Learn More about Our Buyers
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Meet Element Wealth Management Client-First Planning, Boutique Feel Element Wealth Management was...
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Certified Valuation & Transparent Process
Our valuations are conducted by Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPAs). A CEPA must have at least five years of experience, hold a relevant degree or equivalent, complete a five‑day training course, and commit to ongoing continuing education. Our process uses objective, data‑driven analysis based on AUM, revenue, overhead, and intangible capital.
Full Deal Support vs. DIY
buyAUM offers end‑to‑end support, including valuation, strategic planning, matchmaking, negotiation, and transition management, while listing sites leave these tasks to you. We charge no seller fees; buyers pay. We also provide financing guidance and post‑transaction support.
Technology & Human Expertise
We leverage a secure platform for valuations and client communication while providing dedicated advisers to answer questions and offer personal guidance. This combines tech‑enabled simplicity with human support.
Financing & Lending Guidance
Bank financing for RIA acquisitions has grown rapidly. Specialist lenders offer conventional, cash‑flow‑based loans to advisors, often with 10‑year terms. Loan amounts range from $250,000 to over $100 million. Lenders look for recurring revenue, solid cash flow (often 1.5× the annual principal and interest payments), diversified clients, and clean financials.
Small Business Administration (SBA) loans require sellers to exit within 12 months and may demand collateral, whereas conventional loans are more flexible and can accommodate partial sales. buyAUM connects sellers and buyers to lending partners and helps package applications, which makes financing smoother.
Understanding CEPA & Value Acceleration
Certified Exit Planning Advisors undergo rigorous training: at least five years of experience, a relevant degree or equivalent, a five‑day course, and ongoing continuing education. Our advisers apply the Value Acceleration Methodology, which balances business, personal, and financial goals. The focus on intangible capital (human, customer, structural, and social) can dramatically increase a firm’s value, accounting for about 80 % of the total.
About buyAUM Support
1
Mission
Empower independent financial advisers to exit on their own terms. We position you as the hero. We are the guide, providing knowledge, tools, and support.
2
Experience
With two decades of experience in mergers and acquisitions, our team has raised capital, structured deals, and established relationships with M&A firms and private-equity experience in mergers and acquisitions, our team has raised capital, structured deals, and establish groups.
3
Inclusive & Education‑First
We serve advisers from diverse backgrounds, focus on transparency and education, and provide tools to demystify M&A.
4
Team Credentials
Our team includes CEPA‑certified professionals, deal lawyers, and financing specialists. We help sellers craft custom exit plans, create buyer presentations, run bidding processes, and integrate post‑transaction.
Success story
What Advisers Like You Achieved
These outcomes show that a thoughtful plan, competitive process, and trusted guide can secure your legacy.
Educational Resources & Blog
We offer guides on succession planning and articles on market trends and financing options. Our education‑first approach includes calculators (valuation estimator) and checklists (due diligence preparation, intangible capital assessment) to help you plan with confidence.
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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes buyAUM different?
We provide proactive buyer sourcing, CEPA‑certified valuations, full deal support, and a competitive process. We charge no seller fees.
How long does a sale take?
Most sales are completed within 3 to 9 months. Timelines depend on your preparedness, client retention, and financing.
What types of practices do you work with?
We primarily serve RIAs with 1–5 advisers, regardless of AUM, and can help larger practices seeking growth partnerships.
At what age should I consider selling?
Many advisers start planning in their late 50s, but earlier planning can increase value through value acceleration.
How are valuations determined?
We analyze revenue and EBITDA multiples, recurring revenue, margins, and intangible capital.
What does it cost to work with buyAUM?
Sellers pay no direct fees; the buyer funds the transaction, and we are compensated by the acquiring partner.
Are you a listing marketplace?
No, we use private matching and curated introductions rather than public listings.
How do I finance an acquisition or succession?
Specialist lenders offer 10‑year term loans. Lenders evaluate cash flow and recurring revenue. buyAUM introduces sellers and buyers to lending partners and helps package applications.
How do I ensure my clients are taken care of?
We help you meet the 90–95 % retention hurdle through proactive communication, client introductions, and post‑sale support.
How do I get started?
Complete our free valuation questionnaire and schedule a consultation.