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Provider comparison

Best ROBS Providers for Different Founder Situations

There is no source-supported overall winner for every ROBS transaction. The useful question is narrower: which provider's published services, pricing, administration support and limits match your business purchase, employee plan, valuation work and financing stack?

By Dennis Shirshikov, finance educator and writer · Published August 13, 2026 · Updated August 13, 2026

13 reachable providers summarized•1 unavailable provider retained•23 numbered sources

Commercial disclosure

401kROBS.com may earn referral or commercial compensation from some provider relationships. This article does not use compensation to choose the provider universe, order providers, invent a winner or soften limiting facts. Provider websites are cited only for what the provider states about its own pricing and services; IRS and DOL sources control the ROBS, rollover, fiduciary and filing discussion.

Read match methodology

Start Here: Choose by Situation, Not by a Universal Ranking

A ROBS transaction moves eligible retirement assets into a qualified retirement plan sponsored by a C corporation. The plan then purchases stock in that corporation, and the corporation uses the stock proceeds as business capital. IRS materials describe that structure and warn that poor operation can create problems with valuation, employee access, promoter fees, Form 5500 filings, Form 1120 filings, Form 1099-R reporting, discrimination and prohibited transactions.[1][2][5][6]

The provider's role is implementation and support. It may form the corporation, establish plan documents, coordinate rollovers, help document the stock purchase, administer the plan, support valuation records or assist in an audit. It does not make the business a good investment, guarantee plan qualification in operation, remove fiduciary duties or prove that retirement concentration is prudent. DOL guidance says fiduciaries must act prudently, follow plan documents, monitor service providers and understand fees.[4]

Use the short list by need: franchise and loan-heavy buyers should compare FranFund, Guidant, Benetrends and Directed Equity first because their public pages emphasize franchise, SBA or lender coordination.[7][8][9][10][21] Cost-sensitive founders with straightforward employee timing should compare My Solo 401k Financial, Accelefund, ROBSPRO, Pango, IRA Financial and Nexus because public fees can be calculated or partly calculated.[11][12][13][14][18][19][22] Larger acquisitions, compensation-sensitive files and exit-heavy plans may justify quote-only advisory providers such as Aprio if the proposal prices tax, valuation, equity and sale support separately from basic ROBS setup.[20]

ROBS Terms to Understand Before Comparing Providers

ROBS means Rollovers as Business Start-Ups. In the standard structure, retirement assets move through a rollover into a new qualified plan, and that plan buys employer stock from a C corporation. A rollover is not the same as a personal distribution, and a stock purchase is not a loan.[1][2][3]

TPA means third-party administrator. A TPA may help with plan documents, annual testing, participant records, Form 5500, distributions, participant notices and amendments. The exact scope depends on the contract. Fiduciary means a person or entity exercising discretionary control over plan management, plan assets or administration. Hiring a provider can help a fiduciary, but DOL guidance still expects prudent selection, fee review and monitoring.[4]

Valuation matters because the plan is buying private employer stock. IRS ROBS guidance highlights stock valuation as a recurring issue, and DOL guidance says fiduciaries should document valuation and investment decisions. A routine annual value used for reporting is not necessarily the same service as a transaction-level appraisal for buying a business, adding investors, redeeming shares or selling the company.[1][2][4]

First-Year Fee Math You Can Reproduce

Public price comparisons are useful only when the inputs are visible and the omissions are named. The calculations below use published setup plus twelve months of published administration unless the provider's page says the first year is included or the price is quote-only. They exclude state fees, registered-agent renewals, tax returns, payroll, legal advice, accounting, fidelity bonds, valuation upgrades, cancellation fees, partner add-ons, employee-count adjustments, promotions that expire and optional loan packaging unless the cited page expressly includes them.

  • Guidant Financial: $7,283 before excluded costs [7]
  • Benetrends Financial: $6,855 Rainmaker; $12,335 Roth Advantage before excluded costs [9]
  • FranFund: $6,975 before optional loan packaging and excluded costs [10]
  • Pango Financial: $6,243 using $4,695 setup; $5,543 if the lower $3,995 setup reference controls [11][12]
  • My Solo 401k Financial: $3,000 because first-year support is included [13]
  • IRA Financial: $4,500 using the displayed $1,000 first-year promotional figure before excluded costs; renewal/ongoing amount not computed without written confirmation [14]
  • Accelefund: $5,688 before excluded costs [18]
  • ROBSPRO: $4,600 using the starting monthly administration fee [19]
  • Nexus 401(k) by Talcott Forge: $7,000 [22]

Quote-only or incomplete records cannot be made comparable by guessing. Tenet, Business Funding Trust, Aprio and Directed Equity require written setup fees, recurring fees, renewal economics and exclusions. ROBsAdvisor is retained as unavailable/unverified because the public site timed out when reopened for this update.[15][16][17][20][21][23]

Provider Summaries

Each summary separates provider-stated facts from editorial fit judgments. Unknown pricing means the current public page did not provide a complete dollar amount; it does not mean the provider is worse. A published fee is easier to compare, but the contract still controls what is included.

Guidant Financial

Where it may fit: Founders who want a broad ROBS plus small-business-finance service stack and published entry pricing. [7][8]

Provider profile
Public pricing
Published starting: setup from $5,495; plan administration from $149 per month. [7]
First-year math
$7,283 before excluded costs [7]
Setup
ROBS setup with ERISA-attorney access and a stated as-little-as-three-weeks funding timeline. [8]
Administration
Plan administration marketed with compliance review, amendments, business valuation and lifelong support. [7]
Audit and valuation
States lifetime audit protection and coverage of qualified attorney defense fees if IRS audits the plan. States an in-house team of valuation analysts and business valuation as part of administration. [7][8][7][8]
Employees and financing
Administration page describes plan amendments and compliance calculations; employee access still remains sponsor duty. Public pages describe ROBS, SBA, payroll, tax, bookkeeping and valuation services. [7][7][8]

Before signing: Marketing claims such as survival rates, only-provider audit language, or industry-leading language are not treated as proof of better outcomes. Affiliate/referral relationship not determined from the cited pricing and ROBS sources; not used for inclusion, order or fit category. [7][8]

Benetrends Financial

Where it may fit: Franchise or acquisition buyers who want published Rainmaker pricing plus a written service schedule. [9]

Provider profile
Public pricing
Published plan prices: Rainmaker Plan $4,995 setup and $155 per month; Rainmaker Roth Advantage $9,995 setup and $195 per month. [9]
First-year math
$6,855 Rainmaker; $12,335 Roth Advantage before excluded costs [9]
Setup
States C corporation setup, qualified-plan design, rollover transfer and employer-stock purchase steps. [9]
Administration
States ongoing administrative support, retirement plan analyst support, Form 5500 support, testing, amendments, eligibility and exit consultation. [9]
Audit and valuation
States Audit Shield protection and a track record claim; those are provider claims, not independent proof. States initial stock appraisal assistance and annual fair-market-value assistance. [9][9]
Employees and financing
States eligibility and vesting calculations; require current service schedule for employee-price mechanics. Franchise and acquisition funding focus; additional financing terms require contact. [9][9]

Before signing: FAQ says the current service and fee schedule controls exact price and services; require the written schedule. Affiliate/referral relationship not determined from the cited pricing source; not used for inclusion, order or fit category. [9]

FranFund

Where it may fit: Franchise buyers who want published ROBS pricing, attorney consultation, TPA scope and optional loan packaging. [10]

Provider profile
Public pricing
Published fixed/starting items: $4,995 one-time setup; $165 per month TPA; $2,500 standard business loan packaging fee. [10]
First-year math
$6,975 before optional loan packaging and excluded costs [10]
Setup
Includes corporation establishment, organizational documents, plan and corporate bank-account assistance, asset-transfer help and stock certificates. [10]
Administration
TPA scope includes annual testing, Form 5500, 1099-R, Form 945, SARs, statements, amendments and contribution review. [10]
Audit and valuation
States IRS and DOL audit assistance when necessary. States annual fair market value support. [10][10]
Employees and financing
States employee census review, enrollment support and required employee notifications. Business loan packaging page text describes lender matching, loan package preparation and closing support. [10][10]

Before signing: The business-loan packaging claims are service-scope claims, not promises of approval, terms or lender quality. Affiliate/referral relationship not determined from the cited pricing source; not used for inclusion, order or fit category. [10]

Pango Financial

Where it may fit: Price-sensitive founders who value a digital compatibility checker and published setup fee. [11][12]

Provider profile
Public pricing
Conflicting public setup price: $4,695 setup on ROBS page; $129 per month maintenance and a conflicting $3,995 setup reference on common-questions page; written confirmation required. [11][12]
First-year math
$6,243 using $4,695 setup; $5,543 if the lower $3,995 setup reference controls [11][12]
Setup
DreamSpark page states incorporation setup, customized retirement plan and 12 months of registered-agent services in a special offer. [11]
Administration
States $129 per month maintenance and 24/7 online account management; quote should reconcile the setup-price conflict. [12]
Audit and valuation
No explicit audit-protection pricing claim was verified on the checked page. States certified business valuation for new businesses. [11][11]
Employees and financing
Public disclaimer states retirement-plan fiduciaries and trustees, not Pango, are responsible to customize each plan for employer and participant needs. The page positions ROBS for staff salaries, marketing, equipment, startup costs and recapitalization, but does not present lender packaging as a core verified feature. [11][11]

Before signing: The page says Pango is not a lender, fiduciary, trustee, financial advisor or legal advisor. Treat provider support accordingly. Affiliate/referral relationship not determined from the cited ROBS and common-questions sources; not used for inclusion, order or fit category. [11]

My Solo 401k Financial

Where it may fit: Cost-sensitive founders who want flat public pricing and can manage a more self-directed service relationship. [13]

Provider profile
Public pricing
Published flat/participant-based: $3,000 setup including first-year support; $899 per year starting 12 months later for first 10 participants; $75 per additional participant. [13]
First-year math
$3,000 because first-year support is included [13]
Setup
States corporation formation, plan setup, EINs, bank and brokerage account help, transfer forms and plan documents. [13]
Administration
Annual support includes Form 5500, 1099-R, amendments, statements, contributions, vesting, nondiscrimination, top-heavy, additions and coverage items. [13]
Audit and valuation
States an audit guarantee. States annual routine corporation valuation for Form 5500 preparation. [13][13]
Employees and financing
Published per-additional-participant price and testing items make employee-count questions easier to price up front. Site includes SBA, equipment and commercial real estate financing resource links, but no loan approval is implied. [13][13]

Before signing: Review and BBB claims on the provider page are not used as quality rankings here. Affiliate/referral relationship unknown from the cited pricing source; not used for inclusion, order or fit category. [13]

IRA Financial

Where it may fit: Founders who want published setup and first-year promotional pricing from a retirement-account specialist and are comfortable confirming renewal terms in writing. [14]

Provider profile
Public pricing
Source-bounded public page: $3,500 setup; page displayed $1,000 first-year promotional price with $1,200 crossed out; renewal/ongoing amount was not verified and requires written confirmation. [14]
First-year math
$4,500 using the displayed $1,000 first-year promotional figure before excluded costs; renewal/ongoing amount not computed without written confirmation [14]
Setup
States online account opening, ROBS specialist support, C corporation establishment and qualified-plan creation. [14]
Administration
States ongoing maintenance to keep IRS compliant; public page wording did not make post-promotion renewal economics explicit in accessible text. [14]
Audit and valuation
States guaranteed IRS audit protection. No separate valuation scope was verified in the checked page text. [14][14]
Employees and financing
Public page focuses on setup and ongoing maintenance; employee census and testing detail was not as granular as TPA pages. Page compares ROBS with SBA loans and investors but does not verify loan-packaging scope. [14][14]

Before signing: The page states tax-free and sell-business-tax-free marketing claims; this article does not treat those as legal or tax conclusions for any reader. Referral or affiliate economics unknown from the cited ROBS source; not used for inclusion, order or fit category. [14]

Tenet Financial Group

Where it may fit: Founders who want a TPA-oriented provider with employee eligibility and ongoing administrator access foregrounded. [15]

Provider profile
Public pricing
Quote-only: no exact public setup or ongoing price found in the cited source. [15]
First-year math
Cannot compute from public quote-only pricing
Setup
States ROBS plan design, installation and administration, with a typical 4 to 5 week funding timeline. [15]
Administration
States assignment to a qualified 401(k) plan administrator for eligibility, contributions, filings and consulting. [15]
Audit and valuation
No public dollar audit-protection package was verified on the checked page. No exact valuation service or pricing was verified on the checked page. [15][15]
Employees and financing
Public FAQ says employee participation is a requirement and the plan document will outline eligibility requirements. Site points to a funding calculator and SBA 7(a) or other funding options as part of fit assessment. [15][15]

Before signing: No exact public setup or ongoing administration price was found on the checked page. Affiliate/referral relationship unknown from the cited ROBS source; not used for inclusion, order or fit category. [15]

Business Funding Trust

Where it may fit: Only for readers specifically investigating a no-monthly-admin-fee model and willing to document missing terms in writing. [16][17]

Provider profile
Public pricing
Incomplete public pricing: no exact current setup price found; fees page states no hidden fees, no advance payments and a no-cost plan administration kit. [17]
First-year math
Cannot compute from incomplete public pricing
Setup
ROBS page states use of retirement money to fund a personally operated business and salary concept. [16]
Administration
Fees page promotes a no-cost administration kit and professional plan-administrator help for an affordable fee if needed. [17]
Audit and valuation
No current audit-protection package was verified in accessible text. No current valuation scope was verified in accessible text. [16][17][16][17]
Employees and financing
No current employee census, testing or enrollment scope was verified in accessible text. Footer states 401(k) or IRA money and no bank loans; this is not treated as legal sufficiency or comparative savings proof. [16][17][16]

Before signing: The ROBS page includes unrelated filler content and broad savings claims, so this article treats the source as limited and requires direct contract verification. Affiliate/referral relationship unknown from the cited source; not used for inclusion, order or fit category. [16][17]

Accelefund

Where it may fit: Founders who want published mid-market setup pricing, low monthly administration and visible setup/TPA scope. [18]

Provider profile
Public pricing
Published with deposit detail: $4,500 one-time setup with $1,000 non-refundable deposit; $99 per month administration. [18]
First-year math
$5,688 before excluded costs [18]
Setup
Includes corporation establishment, retirement-plan setup, transfers from up to three accounts, legal documents, stock subscription agreements and initial cash value appraisal. [18]
Administration
Includes recordkeeping, compliance testing, contribution review, Form 5500 and 8955-SSA, SARs, statements, employee census, enrollment support, amendments and restatements. [18]
Audit and valuation
States IRS and DOL audit assistance when necessary. States initial cash value appraisal and recordkeeping around balances and transactions. [18][18]
Employees and financing
States employee census review and enrollment support. Does not present SBA loan packaging as a core public claim in the checked pricing page. [18][18]

Before signing: Fidelity bond is facilitated, and the page says most clients pay about $100 per year, so include that separate possible cost in a quote file. Affiliate/referral relationship unknown from the cited source; not used for inclusion, order or fit category. [18]

ROBSPRO

Where it may fit: Founders who want direct attorney-led setup and low published administration pricing. [19]

Provider profile
Public pricing
Published starting administration: $4,000 turnkey package; half due in advance, balance on delivery; administrative fee starts at $50 per month billed quarterly. [19]
First-year math
$4,600 using the starting monthly administration fee [19]
Setup
Fees page connects the price to a turnkey ROBS package and direct lawyer positioning on the site. [19]
Administration
Monthly administrative fee covers first-year Form 5500 help and consultative services; later fee may be discussed after employee eligibility is clearer. [19]
Audit and valuation
No separate current audit-protection package was verified on the fees page. No separate valuation package was verified on the fees page. [19][19]
Employees and financing
Fees page warns the plan is a full-fledged retirement plan and discusses eligible employee coverage and fiduciary responsibility. No lender packaging claim was verified on the checked fees page. [19][19]

Before signing: The starting monthly fee may change after eligible employees are understood, so do not compare only the $50 figure. Affiliate/referral relationship unknown from the cited source; not used for inclusion, order or fit category. [19]

Aprio

Where it may fit: Larger, tax-sensitive, acquisition, compensation, valuation or exit-heavy cases that need advisory depth rather than a simple price quote. [20]

Provider profile
Public pricing
Quote-only: no exact public setup or ongoing price found in the cited source. [20]
First-year math
Cannot compute from public quote-only pricing
Setup
States C corporation formation and registration, EIN support, ROBS plan setup, plan documents, plan adoption, compliance documentation and QES framework. [20]
Administration
States annual administration and ongoing compliance monitoring, but public page does not publish dollar pricing. [20]
Audit and valuation
States compliance-oriented structure, not a separate audit-defense package price. States business valuation, founder tax consultation, compensation strategy, equity planning and M&A and exit support. [20][20]
Employees and financing
Public page is less granular on employee census mechanics than TPA pricing pages. Positions ROBS for launching, acquiring and growing businesses and franchise purchases. [20][20]

Before signing: The page includes proven-results marketing; this article does not treat it as proof of client outcomes or legal sufficiency. Affiliate/referral relationship unknown from the cited ROBS source; not used for inclusion, order or fit category. [20]

Directed Equity

Where it may fit: Franchise or acquisition buyers who want ROBS coordinated with finance professionals and quote-based directINVEST support. [21]

Provider profile
Public pricing
Quote-only: no exact public setup or ongoing price found in the cited source. [21]
First-year math
Cannot compute from public quote-only pricing
Setup
Four-step process: establish C corporation, set up retirement plan, roll over retirement funds and invest funds into the business. [21]
Administration
Public page emphasizes attorneys, CPAs and financing experts but does not publish ongoing TPA pricing detail. [21]
Audit and valuation
No public audit-protection package was verified on the checked page. No separate valuation service pricing was verified on the checked page. [21][21]
Employees and financing
Page states employee-retention benefits of directINVEST but does not provide census or testing scope detail. States funds may be used for franchise fees, equipment, leasehold improvements, working capital or other expenses, and that lending pros help connect entrepreneurs with opportunities. [21][21]

Before signing: The 5,600+ entrepreneur claim is a provider-supplied volume claim, not quality evidence. Affiliate/referral relationship unknown from the cited directINVEST source; not used for inclusion, order or fit category. [21]

Nexus 401(k) by Talcott Forge

Where it may fit: Digital-first founders who want a bundled published-price model and can diligence its contract scope carefully. [22]

Provider profile
Public pricing
Published bundled: $5,000 one-time setup plus $500 per quarter for ongoing administration. [22]
First-year math
$7,000 [22]
Setup
Includes C corporation formation, state filing fee, first-year registered agent, C corporation EIN, plan and trust establishment, trust EIN, rollover coordination, stock issuance and first-year fidelity bond. [22]
Administration
Includes Form 5500, required testing, ERISA fidelity bond renewal, cap table and valuation recordkeeping, registered-agent annual renewal and filing service fees. [22]
Audit and valuation
Includes compliance infrastructure, but no separate attorney-defense guarantee was verified on the pricing page. States cap table and valuation recordkeeping and annual fair market valuation in comparison material. [22][22]
Employees and financing
Form 5500 and required testing are included; employee census specifics should still be confirmed in the service agreement. Pricing page emphasizes ROBS infrastructure and fintech partners, not in-house loan packaging. [22][22]

Before signing: Provider-comparison claims against legacy providers are marketing and not used as independent quality conclusions. Affiliate/referral relationship unknown from the cited source; not used for inclusion, order or fit category. [22]

ROBsAdvisor: The public website timed out when reopened for this update. ROBsAdvisor remains in the directory universe, but this guide does not use stale pricing or include it in fit suggestions until a public site or written quote is available.[23]

How Different Founders Might Build a Short List

Use these examples as starting points, not recommendations. The right short list changes when the rollover amount, lender stack, employee timeline, valuation work, exit risk and quote terms change.

Franchise buyer using ROBS plus an SBA loan

A buyer with $180,000 of eligible rollover assets, a $450,000 franchise project and five expected employees needs two separate comparisons: ROBS administration and loan packaging. FranFund publishes ROBS pricing, TPA pricing and a $2,500 business loan packaging fee. Guidant publishes ROBS setup, plan administration and SBA services. Benetrends markets franchise-oriented ROBS/RAPS plans, while Directed Equity describes directINVEST support with lending professionals and franchise expenses.[7][8][9][10][21] The contract should keep lender work, plan administration, employee eligibility and valuation responsibilities distinct.

Lower-complexity startup watching first-year fees

A founder rolling $90,000 with no employees expected for several months may start with providers whose public prices can be modeled: My Solo 401k Financial at $3,000 including first-year support, ROBSPRO at $4,000 plus administration starting at $50 per month, IRA Financial at $3,500 setup plus a displayed $1,000 first-year promotional price, Accelefund at $4,500 plus $99 per month, Pango at $4,695 plus $129 per month but with a conflicting $3,995 setup reference, and Nexus at $5,000 plus $500 per quarter.[11][12][13][14][18][19][22] The lowest visible first-year number still needs employee, valuation and renewal terms in writing.

Business acquisition with valuation and exit complexity

A buyer using ROBS for a business acquisition should ask whether basic plan setup is enough. Aprio's public page is relevant for larger or tax-sensitive files because it describes founder tax consultation, compensation strategy, equity planning, valuation, financial model advisory and M&A or exit support, but it does not publish dollar pricing.[20] A useful proposal separates ROBS setup, annual plan administration, acquisition diligence, valuation, payroll, corporate tax returns, purchase accounting and exit support.

Company hiring employees soon after funding

Employee access is central, not incidental. IRS materials identify employee-access and discrimination concerns, and DOL fiduciary materials require prudent plan operation.[1][4] FranFund, Accelefund, My Solo 401k, Tenet and ROBSPRO each publish some employee, census, testing, enrollment, administrator-support or fiduciary-responsibility language.[10][13][15][18][19] Ask for the census calendar, eligibility workflow, notices, participant charges and what happens if employees defer into the plan.

Questions to Ask Before You Sign

Ask every provider the same questions so the answers can be compared. What is the setup fee, recurring fee, renewal date and first-year total? Which state filing fees, registered-agent fees, fidelity bonds, tax returns, payroll, legal work, valuation work, employee charges and exit fees are excluded? Who forms the C corporation, obtains EINs, prepares bylaws, establishes the plan, coordinates the rollover and documents the employer-stock purchase?

For administration, ask who prepares or files Form 5500, Form 1099-R and Form 945 where applicable, who reviews annual testing, who tracks census and enrollment, who prepares participant notices and who updates plan documents. For valuation, ask whether the provider prepares, obtains, records or only supports the value, and what changes after a new investor, business loss, redemption, sale or shutdown. For audit support, ask whether the promise covers IRS, DOL, attorney fees, document production, provider time, dollar caps, client-caused errors, late filings or prior operational failures.

Finally, ask what the provider will not do. A clear exclusion is better than vague reassurance. Common exclusions to clarify include Form 1120 corporate tax return preparation, payroll, bookkeeping, franchise diligence, SBA underwriting, business valuation upgrades, legal advice, plan correction work, failed-closing cleanup, plan termination and sale or redemption support.

When a ROBS Provider May Not Be the Next Step

A provider comparison should not quietly assume that ROBS is the right funding method. Consider an SBA loan, seller financing, equipment financing, personal savings, staged opening, outside equity, taxable withdrawal, securities-backed lending, home-equity financing or delaying the purchase when debt service, taxes, collateral, guarantees, retirement concentration, liquidity and failure risk point away from ROBS. ROBS may preserve cash flow by avoiding loan payments, but the plan exchanges diversified retirement assets for private company stock. If the business fails, the retirement account can lose value even when the setup was done correctly.[1][4]

Use internal tools and guides as educational next steps, not as substitutes for professional review: check ROBS eligibility, estimate funding with the funding calculator, compare more providers in the provider directory, or open the provider matcher after you know your rollover source, employee timing, business structure and alternative financing options.

Frequently Asked Questions

These answers cover the comparison questions that usually decide whether a provider belongs on a founder's short list before contract review.

How should I identify the right ROBS provider?

Match public pricing status, setup scope, ongoing plan administration, employee complexity, audit support, valuation support, financing coordination, advisor model and contract terms to your transaction and your ability to carry sponsor and fiduciary duties.[1][2][4]

Can a provider make my ROBS arrangement IRS-approved?

No provider can turn provider marketing into IRS approval of your operation. IRS materials explain that determination letters address plan terms and do not protect a sponsor that incorrectly applies plan terms, operates in a discriminatory way, or engages in prohibited transactions.[1][2]

When should I choose the cheapest ROBS provider?

Choose the lowest-cost provider only when its written scope covers the administration, valuation, employee eligibility, filing, audit-support and exit work your arrangement requires. A low quote creates a gap when required work remains outside the contract.[1][4][5]

What provider pricing was publicly verifiable?

Public setup and ongoing price inputs were found for Guidant, Benetrends Rainmaker and Roth Advantage, FranFund, Pango with a setup-price conflict to resolve, My Solo 401k Financial, Accelefund, ROBSPRO and Nexus. IRA Financial has verified setup and displayed first-year promotional pricing, but renewal/ongoing amount requires written confirmation. Tenet, Business Funding Trust, Aprio and Directed Equity require quotes or written confirmation for exact current pricing based on the checked pages.[7][9][10][11][12][13][14][18][19][22][15][16][17][20][21]

Does audit protection mean I have no audit risk?

No. Audit protection is a provider service promise. It does not remove the plan sponsor's duties, guarantee IRS or DOL treatment, or prove that operations, employee access, valuation and filings will be correct.[1][4][7][9][10][14][18][19]

Why does employee eligibility matter when comparing ROBS companies?

The ROBS company sponsors a qualified retirement plan. IRS materials identify employee-access, discrimination and Form 5500 issues, and DOL materials require fiduciaries to follow plan documents and act prudently for participants.[1][4][5]

Should a ROBS provider also arrange SBA financing?

It can help when the transaction needs both rollover equity and debt, especially for a franchise or acquisition, but loan packaging should be evaluated separately from ROBS compliance. A provider's lending network does not validate the business plan or eliminate SBA and lender underwriting.[7][8][10][21]

What should I get in writing before signing?

Get the setup fee, ongoing fee, first-year and renewal scope, state filing fees, registered-agent fees, fidelity-bond handling, valuation method, employee census process, testing, Form 5500, 1099-R, Form 945 if applicable, audit support, exit support, cancellation terms, refund terms and referral compensation disclosures in writing.[4][5][6]

Sources and Limits

Government sources support the ROBS mechanics, rollover rules, fiduciary duties, Form 5500 reporting and C corporation filing context. Provider sources support only each provider's stated public pricing or services. They do not prove provider superiority, legal sufficiency, client outcomes, lender approval, audit results, business survival or investment prudence.

Unverified or incomplete items: exact public pricing for Tenet, Business Funding Trust setup, Aprio and Directed Equity; which Pango setup figure controls; ROBsAdvisor operating status beyond the timed-out public site; any universal audit-defense coverage; any provider's actual contract terms for a particular reader; any tax-free sale result; and any complete customer invoice. Get current written terms before paying.

Calculation recap: Guidant $5,495 + 12 × $149 = $7,283; Benetrends Rainmaker $4,995 + 12 × $155 = $6,855 and Roth Advantage $9,995 + 12 × $195 = $12,335; FranFund $4,995 + 12 × $165 = $6,975 before optional $2,500 loan packaging; Pango $4,695 + 12 × $129 = $6,243, or $3,995 + 12 × $129 = $5,543 if the lower setup reference controls; My Solo 401k Financial first year $3,000 because first-year support is included; IRA Financial $3,500 + $1,000 = $4,500 using the displayed promotion and not computing renewal; Accelefund $4,500 + 12 × $99 = $5,688; ROBSPRO $4,000 + 12 × $50 = $4,600; Nexus $5,000 + 4 × $500 = $7,000.

  1. [1] IRS: Rollovers as Business Start-Ups Compliance Project

    IRS page describing ROBS mechanics, determination-letter limits, filing failures, valuation concerns, employee access concerns, promoter fees, and project findings. Page last reviewed or updated November 16, 2025.

  2. [2] IRS: ROBS Examination Guidelines

    IRS Employee Plans memorandum dated October 1, 2008 describing typical C corporation, plan, rollover, employer-stock purchase, valuation, prohibited-transaction, and plan-qualification examination steps.

  3. [3] IRS: Rollovers of Retirement Plan and IRA Distributions

    IRS guidance on eligible rollover distributions, direct rollovers, 60-day rollovers, receiving-plan acceptance, withholding, and amounts that are not eligible rollover distributions.

  4. [4] DOL EBSA: Meeting Your Fiduciary Responsibilities

    Department of Labor publication on ERISA fiduciary duties, prudent process, plan-document compliance, exclusive benefit, and monitoring service providers.

  5. [5] DOL EBSA: Reporting and Filing Form 5500

    Department of Labor Form 5500 Series page describing annual reporting and disclosure requirements for employee benefit plans.

  6. [6] IRS: Instructions for Form 1120

    IRS instructions for the U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return, relevant because a ROBS structure uses a C corporation that may have corporate filing duties.

  7. [7] Guidant Financial: Pricing

    Guidant public pricing page stating 401(k) Business Financing starts at $5,495 and 401(k) plan administration starts at $149 per month, with lifetime audit protection, ERISA attorney access, business valuation, one-stop ROBS, SBA, payroll, tax, bookkeeping, and valuation services described.

  8. [8] Guidant Financial: 401(k) Business Financing

    Guidant ROBS page stating funding can be accessed in as little as three weeks, a $60,000 rollable retirement or pension account threshold, lifetime audit protection, ERISA-attorney access, SBA coordination, payroll, tax, bookkeeping, and valuation services.

  9. [9] Benetrends Financial: ROBS/RAPS cost article

    Benetrends public pricing article stating Rainmaker Plan $4,995 setup and $155 per month, and Rainmaker Roth Advantage $9,995 setup and $195 per month, with service-schedule caveats handled by quote confirmation.

  10. [10] FranFund: Pricing

    FranFund pricing page stating $4,995 one-time 401(k) Business Funding setup fee, $165 per month TPA fee, included formation, plan setup, asset transfers, stock certificates, attorney consultation, annual testing, Form 5500, 1099-R, Form 945, annual fair-market-value support, employee census and enrollment support, audit assistance, and $2,500 business loan packaging standard fee.

  11. [11] Pango Financial: 401(k) ROBS Business Financing

    Pango DreamSpark page stating $4,695 setup price, incorporation, certified business valuation for new businesses, registered-agent services, low monthly maintenance plan, customized retirement plan, 24/7 online account management, online compatibility checker, and Pango's fiduciary and legal-advice disclaimer.

  12. [12] Pango Financial: Common Questions

    Pango common-questions page used to verify $129 per month maintenance and note a conflicting $3,995 setup reference that should be resolved by written quote.

  13. [13] My Solo 401k Financial: 401k Business Financing Pricing

    My Solo 401k Financial pricing page stating $3,000 setup fee including first-year annual support, $899 annual fee starting 12 months later for first 10 participants, $75 per additional participant, corporation formation, plan setup, transfer forms, audit guarantee, Form 5500, Form 1099-R, annual routine corporation valuation, amendments, nondiscrimination testing, and SBA/equipment/CRE resource links.

  14. [14] IRA Financial: ROBS 401(k)

    IRA Financial public ROBS page source fetched July 24, 2026 stating a $3,500 setup fee, a displayed ROBS 401(k) first-year price of $1,000 with a crossed-out $1,200 figure and SUMMER200 promotion, guaranteed IRS audit protection, C corporation and qualified-plan setup, ongoing maintenance, and 27,000+ clients; renewal or ongoing administration pricing was not verified and requires written confirmation.

  15. [15] Tenet Financial Group: ROBS Funding

    Tenet public ROBS page stating it specializes as a third-party administrator in ROBS plan design, installation, and administration; typical funding in 4 to 5 weeks; $50,000 pre-tax retirement funds example; employee participation requirement; Form 1120 and Form 5500 discussion; assigned plan administrator support. No public dollar pricing was found on the cited page.

  16. [16] Business Funding Trust: ROBS Program

    Business Funding Trust ROBS page stating use of 401(k) or IRA money for business funding, active involvement, salary concept, and contact information. The page contains unrelated filler sections, so this article does not rely on those sections for provider evaluation.

  17. [17] Business Funding Trust: Fees

    Business Funding Trust fees page stating a no-cost plan administration kit, no hidden fees, no advance payments, and availability of professional plan-administrator help for an affordable fee. No exact current setup fee was found in accessible text.

  18. [18] Accelefund: Pricing

    Accelefund pricing page stating $4,500 one-time setup fee with $1,000 non-refundable deposit, $99 monthly plan administration, corporation establishment, retirement-plan setup, asset transfers from up to three retirement accounts, legal documents, stock subscription agreements, initial cash value appraisal, partner add-on price, Form 5500 and 8955-SSA preparation, ERISA fidelity bond facilitation, employee enrollment support, audit assistance, and a specialist group.

  19. [19] ROBSPRO: Fees

    ROBSPRO public fees page stating a $4,000 turnkey ROBS package, half due in advance and balance due on delivery, monthly administrative fee starting at $50 billed quarterly, first-year Form 5500 and consultations, employee eligibility discussion, and fiduciary responsibility language.

  20. [20] Aprio: Rollover for Business Startups Services

    Aprio public ROBS page stating C corporation formation and registration, ROBS plan setup and compliance documentation, rollover coordination and stock execution, founder tax and strategic advisory, compensation strategy, equity planning, business valuation, M&A and exit support, and no public dollar pricing.

  21. [21] Directed Equity: directINVEST

    Directed Equity directINVEST page stating use of 401(k), IRA, profit-sharing or pension plan funds, franchise fees, equipment, leasehold improvements, working capital, four-step process, attorneys, CPAs and financing experts, and 5,600+ entrepreneurs. No public dollar pricing was found on the cited page.

  22. [22] Nexus 401(k) by Talcott Forge: Pricing

    Nexus pricing page stating $5,000 one-time setup plus $500 per quarter, included C corporation formation, state filing fee, first-year registered agent, EIN letters, 401(k) plan and trust establishment, rollover coordination, stock issuance, first-year and renewal ERISA fidelity bond, Form 5500, testing, cap table and valuation recordkeeping, registered-agent annual renewal, and filing service fees.

  23. [23] ROBsAdvisor website

    ROBsAdvisor timed out when reopened for this August 13, 2026 update and remains excluded from fit recommendations until a reachable public site or direct written quote is verified.

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