Beyond the Deal: How an M&A Advisor with Wealth Expertise Maximizes Your Exit

April 8, 2025

Selling a mid-sized company is likely the largest liquidity event of a business owner’s life. Whether you’re planning to retire, reinvest, or pivot to a new venture, how you structure the deal and manage the proceeds will determine your long-term financial future.

Too often, business owners focus solely on getting the best sale price—without thinking strategically about taxes, estate planning, legacy goals, or income generation post-exit. That’s where an M&A advisor with wealth management expertise becomes a game-changer.

The Missing Link: M&A Meets Wealth Strategy

A traditional M&A advisor is laser-focused on the deal: sourcing buyers, negotiating terms, and closing at top value. But once the ink is dry, their job is done.

M&A advisors with integrated wealth management expertise, like Woodbridge – A Mariner Company, bridge that gap by delivering a holistic exit strategy that aligns with your personal, financial, and family goals via the following strategies:

1 | Tax Optimization from Day One

Without proactive planning, taxes can eat up a significant chunk of your proceeds. A wealth-savvy M&A advisor works with tax professionals to structure the deal in the most efficient way possible, considering:

Capital gains minimization
Cross-border tax strategies (especially important for U.S./Canada transactions)
Charitable giving vehicles (such as donor-advised funds)
Trust and estate planning to preserve wealth for the next generation
The option to sell via tax-beneficial Employee Stock Ownership Plans

2 | Personalized Post-Sale Wealth Planning

A successful exit hinges on wealth planning. An informed advisor will ensure the best exit outcome by:

Creating a long-term income strategy
Diversifying your assets to reduce risk
Setting up investment portfolios that reflect your goals
Protecting your capital through insurance and estate structures

3 | Legacy and Philanthropic Goals

For many entrepreneurs, the exit isn’t just about walking away with a payout—it’s about “what comes after”. Maybe you want to fund a foundation, invest in the next generation, or support a cause close to your heart. Advisors who understand wealth strategy can help you establish:

Family foundations or charitable trusts
Succession plans that keep the business in the family or community
Multigenerational wealth structures that preserve your values

4 | Risk Management and Asset Protection

Sudden liquidity can expose you to unexpected risks—from market volatility to lawsuits or unforeseen family dynamics. A wealth-savvy advisor puts guardrails in place to:

Shield assets through appropriate legal entities
Manage concentrated wealth exposure
Navigate cross-border financial regulation and compliance

5 | Continuity Across the Finish Line

Transitions are complex; you may be stepping back gradually, staying on as a consultant, or passing the reins to a family member. Whatever your exit path, an M&A advisor with wealth insight ensures continuity between your business, personal finances, and broader life goals.

Why Wealth Management Matters for Mid-Sized Business Owners

You’re not a Fortune 500 CEO with a team of advisors on speed dial—but your financial life is no less complex. For mid-sized business owners in the U.S. and Canada, the right advisor makes all the difference between simply selling and strategically exiting.

At Woodbridge – A Mariner Company, we strive to deliver not only the best deal, but also the best exit for our clients by providing seamless tax and wealth management services via our parent company Mariner Wealth Advisors.

If you’re thinking of selling your mid-sized business (annual revenue of more than $5M), contact us today for a free value assessment.