Transaction Advisory, Investment Management

September 24, 2018

The Role of Earn-outs in Asset Management M&A

Earn-outs are as common to investment management firm transactions as they are misunderstood.

Despite the relatively high level of financial sophistication among RIA buyers and sellers, and broad knowledge that substantial portions of value transacted depends on rewarding post-closing performance, contingent consideration remains a mystery to many industry M&A participants. Yet understanding earn-outs and the role they play in RIA deals is fundamental to understanding the value of these businesses, as well as how to represent oneself as a buyer or seller in a transaction.

This whitepaper is not offered as transaction advice or a legal primer on contingent consideration. The former is unique to individual needs in particular transactions, and the latter is beyond our expertise as financial advisors to the investment management industry. Instead, we offer this to explore the basic economics of contingent consideration and the role it plays in negotiating RIA transactions.

Download your copy of the whitepaper below.


WHITEPAPER

The Role of Earn-outs in Asset Management M&A

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Mercer Capital to Sponsor the Association of Trust Organizations 2026 Annual Meeting
Mercer Capital to Sponsor the Association of Trust Organizations 2026 Annual Meeting
Mercer Capital is pleased to sponsor the Association of Trust Organizations’ 2026 Annual Meeting, taking place September 21-23, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley in Park City, Utah. Matt Crow, Brooks Hamner, and Zach Milam will attend on behalf of the firm.The 2026 Annual Meeting is a 1.5-day conference designed exclusively for the trust industry and will feature more than 13 hours of roundtables, panels, and networking. One of the featured sessions is Tuesday afternoon’s Session VI, “What Makes a Trust Company Worth More? Building Value Before the Deal,” which will be moderated by Matt Crow. The panel will explore the factors that drive valuation, how buyers and sellers evaluate opportunities, and what firms can do today to maximize enterprise value.Matt Crow, CFA, ASA, is the CEO of Mercer Capital and leads the firm’s Investment Management Industry team. He works with RIAs, independent trust companies, broker-dealers, and investment consulting firms on valuation matters related to corporate planning and reorganization, transactions, employee stock ownership plans, tax issues, and intangible asset valuations. Matt is also a frequent contributor to Mercer Capital’s RIA Valuation Insights blog.Brooks Hamner, CFA, ASA, is a Senior Vice President and a senior member of Mercer Capital’s Investment Management Industry team. He provides valuation services to RIAs, independent trust companies, asset managers, wealth management firms, broker-dealers, and investment consultants, and he also advises clients buying or selling their business.Zach Milam, CFA, is a Vice President and a senior member of Mercer Capital’s Investment Management Industry team. He has experience in corporate planning and reorganizations, financial reporting, fairness opinions, litigation support, employee stock ownership plans, and estate and gift tax planning and compliance matters.Mercer Capital regularly works with RIAs, independent trust companies, broker-dealers, and other investment management clients on valuation and advisory matters, and the firm looks forward to connecting with attendees in Park City. Visit the conference website to learn more about this year’s Annual Meeting: https://trustorgs.com/annual-meeting/.
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The Margin RIA Buyers Actually Underwrite

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