Help in Valuating a 401(k) Advisory Business
In this interview from the NAPA 401(k) Summit, Christine Stokes of Nuveen announces a new program designed to help retirement plan advisors assess and increase the value of their businesses. Titled “What’s It Worth to You: Maximizing Today’s Opportunities for Tomorrow’s Valuations”, the initiative responds to growing advisor interest in business valuation—especially in light of increased M&A activity in the financial services space.
Stokes explains that the program is based on insights from Nuveen’s Retirement Outcomes Leadership Council. It includes:
- Educational Content: Teaching advisors the key drivers behind business valuation.
- Diagnostic Tool: Helps identify operational gaps and strategic opportunities.
- Plan Profitability Calculator: Allows advisors to assess the revenue, profitability, and demographic makeup of their client base to understand its impact on their overall business.
The program is intentionally designed to be intuitive and easy to use, recognizing that advisors often prioritize client work over their own business planning. It provides a starting point for advisors to think about future transitions—such as mergers, acquisitions, or partner buy-ins—and to align their business strategies accordingly.
Stokes emphasizes that this offering was developed directly in response to advisor demand and is highly relevant in today’s consolidating market.
With more than 20 years serving financial markets, John Sullivan is the former editor-in-chief of 401(k) Specialist and Investment Advisor magazine and retirement editor of ThinkAdvisor.com. Sullivan is also the former editor of Boomer Market Advisor and Bank Advisor magazines, and has a background in the insurance and investment industries in addition to his journalism roots. Experienced financial services content executive specializing in creative new media delivery. He joined the American Retirement Association in 2023 as Chief Content Officer, overseeing communications for the organization, as well as its sister organizations.
