Ryan earned his Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) credential and Certified Business Appraiser (CBA) credential from the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) and Institute of Business Appraisers respectively and has been admitted multiple times as an expert witness by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) as well as various state judicial authorities.

Ryan’s an industry authority on value and valuation of investment advisory, wealth management, and insurance-based businesses. He’s performed thousands of valuation in the last ten years for various purposes such as mergers, acquisitions, charitable gifting, granting shares, divorces, damage claims resulting from breach of contract, C-S Corp. election, estate tax, and institutional lending. Ryan’s authored, as well as contributed to, various industry publications and best-selling books on the topics of succession planning, valuation, and acquisition of independent financial service and advisory practices.  In 2018, Ryan was recognized as one of the NACVA’s top 40 Under Forty honorees for his accomplishments and contributions to the profession.

Ryan’s ongoing mission is to provide clarity around the process of valuing an interest in a closely held business. Through presentations, editorial work, and authorship of numerous articles, Ryan endeavors to share his knowledge and to educate the financial services industry as a whole on how to best value, protect, and grow their highly regulated businesses. Whether they are buying, selling, protecting value through a death and disability plan, or creating equity pathways to grow the enterprise, Ryan’s contributions have helped thousands of advisors and professionals achieve their business goals. 

All said, Ryan isn’t just business. He enjoys golfing, snowboarding, and is an automotive enthusiast. Ryan and his wife Christina both share a competitive streak fueled by competing in local weightlifting competitions together. Above all else, he loves spending time with Christina and their three kids Anthony, Liam, and Madison. Not to be forgotten in the Grau family is a Doberman mix named Axel, who partakes in all family adventures. Also within the family tree is Ryan’s brother and SRG President, David Grau Jr. If the shared last name didn’t give it away, the uncanny resemblance between the two during a virtual meeting surely will.