Most Business Owners Value Dedicated Financial Advisers
While almost all of those surveyed said they appreciated financial guidance, only 55% were already working with a financial adviser, according to PNC Private Banks.
As business owners juggle the financial pressures of running a company, most are seeking help. Nearly nine out of every 10 (89%) business owners surveyed said they value financial advice that considers both business and personal needs, and 88% said they see value in working with a dedicated financial adviser who understands both, according to PNC Private Bank’s inaugural “Business Owner Wealth Insights” report.
Yet even with most business owners surveyed agreeing that they want more financial advisement, only 55% reported currently working with an adviser on both personal and business finances.
“Many business owners are seeking holistic advice that brings together their personal finances and business goals,” said Don Heberle, head of PNC Private Bank, in a statement. “This highlights the importance of working with advisers who understand the complexity of managing both, and who can help owners make informed decisions that support long-term growth, succession and legacy.”
Among surveyed business owners, 67% reported managing business and personal finances separately.
Asked what they were specifically looking for in an adviser, 44% of responding owners ranked business financial management as their top advisory need. Advice or assistance in keeping expenses separate came second (27%), with tax planning and compliance assistance third (17%).
The most common financial pressures reported by respondents were managing cash flow (33%) and managing the cost of and keeping up with technology (32%). Balancing reinvesting with tax strategy ranked third (26%), but 40% of respondents said they were willing to sacrifice tax efficiency in favor of reinvesting in their business.
“Taken together, these findings reinforce what we hear from business owners every day—that their business, personal and financial lives are deeply interconnected,” Heberle said in the statement. “They want advice that brings it all together.”
The study, conducted online by Ipsos from November 19 through December 10, 2025, included 300 commercial and lower-middle-market private business owners and co-owners aged at least 25 who held primary responsibility for their companies’ operations.