How We Work
CSG runs two distinct processes depending on what you're trying to accomplish. Select your path below.
I'm exploring a platform change
Evaluate your current BD or RIA, see what else is out there, and make a confident decision about where to plant your practice for the next 20 years.
See the platform search process ↓I'm thinking about a sale, merger, or succession
Understand what your practice is worth, who the right buyers or partners are, and how to structure a transition that protects your clients and your legacy.
See the M&A and succession process ↓The Journey: From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
A clear path from first conversation to successful transition. Six phases, each with a defined purpose and timeline. Most advisors complete the full process in 3 to 6 months - but we move at your pace, not ours.
Discovery
Weeks 1-2Deep dive into your practice, priorities, and what would need to be true for a move to make sense. We map your 6C profile and establish what 'success' means for you specifically - not generically.
Selection
Week 3Using your 6C profile as the filter, we identify firms that genuinely align with your practice - not every firm we work with. You don't need to see every option. You need to see the right ones.
Gathering
Weeks 4-8We facilitate introductions, coordinate platform demos, and connect you with practicing advisors at each firm for unfiltered conversations. What advisors say about a firm is usually more useful than what the firm says about itself.
Analysis
Weeks 9-10Side-by-side comparison, economic modeling across 3, 5, and 10-year horizons, and a clear risk assessment for each option. This is where the 6C scores become a tool you can actually use.
Decision
Weeks 11-14You make your choice on your timeline. We support the negotiation, help you understand the deal structure, and plan the announcement strategy so nothing leaks before you're ready.
Transition
OngoingWe don't disappear when you sign. We stay actively engaged through your first 180 days - scheduled check-ins, on-call support, and a direct line if something doesn't go as planned. Most of our referrals come from this phase.
Practice Sales, Acquisitions, and Succession Engagements
M&A timelines are less predictable than platform transitions. A well-prepared seller and the right buyer can close in 60 days. A complex multi-advisor acquisition with earnout structures can take 12 months. What stays consistent is the process - and the discipline CSG brings to every engagement.
Confidential Engagement
We begin with a private conversation about your goals, timeline, and what you want this transition to accomplish - financially, for your clients, and for your team. No forms, no commitment, no information shared without your explicit approval.
Practice Assessment
We evaluate your practice across revenue quality, growth trajectory, operational maturity, and client concentration. This isn't a quick calculation - it's a position paper that frames your practice for the right buyers at the right multiple.
Buyer or Partner Identification
We identify candidates - acquirers, strategic partners, or succession candidates - that align culturally and operationally with your practice. The financial terms matter. So does whether the buyer can actually preserve what you've built.
Deal Structure Guidance
W-2 conversion, equity partnership, earnout, full acquisition - we walk through the structure options and what each one means for your taxes, your control, your clients, and your timeline. You shouldn't be learning this in a negotiation room.
Due Diligence + Negotiation
We stay in the process. We coordinate due diligence, help you evaluate counteroffers, and make sure the deal terms reflect the full value of what you've built - not just the headline multiple.
Close + Integration Support
Client communication, team transition, platform onboarding, compliance coordination - the period after close is when deals either stick or unravel. We stay engaged through it.
Learn more about Succession Planning →
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the platform search process take?
Most advisors complete the full process in 3 to 6 months from initial conversation to successful transition. We're completely flexible to your timeline. Some advisors move faster; others take longer to be thorough.
What information do I need to provide?
For the first call, nothing. It's exploratory. If we move forward, we'll need a T12 production summary, practice overview, and your priorities across the 6C dimensions. Everything is handled confidentially.
Can I pause the process if needed?
Absolutely. This is your career and your timeline. You can pause at any stage. We'll be here when you're ready. No pressure.
How do you maintain confidentiality?
We never contact any firm without your explicit approval. Your current firm, clients, and colleagues won't know unless you decide to tell them.
What types of practices does CSG work with on M&A?
We work with established practices across all channels - independent BDs, RIAs, wirehouses, and regional firms. Most of our M&A engagements involve practices with $500K or more in annual recurring revenue.
Do you represent buyers or sellers?
Both. We work with advisors who want to sell or find a succession partner, and with firms or advisors looking to acquire. We disclose any dual representation clearly and upfront.
How long does an M&A engagement take?
Simple acquisitions between aligned parties can close in 60 to 90 days. Multi-advisor team acquisitions with earnout structures typically run 6 to 12 months. We don't manufacture urgency - but we do keep the process moving.
What does CSG charge for M&A advisory?
CSG's M&A fees are structured separately from platform recruiting fees. We'll explain the fee structure clearly in our first conversation. Initial consultations are always free and confidential.
Every engagement starts with a single confidential conversation.
Whether you're exploring a platform change or thinking about what your practice is worth, we're happy to talk. No pressure, no obligation.
Schedule a Confidential Conversation