If you’re looking to fund a business using your retirement savings, you’ve probably come across two well-known names in the ROBS space: IRA Financial and Guidant Financial. Both offer Rollover as Business Startups (ROBS) solutions that let you access your 401(k) or IRA funds without triggering taxes or early withdrawal penalties.

But the similarities largely end there. In this comparison, we’ll break down pricing, setup process, compliance and ongoing support, and experience and credentials to help you decide which provider is the better fit for your goals.

What is ROBS?

A Rollover as Business Startups (ROBS) is a legal structure that allows you to use funds from a 401(k) or traditional IRA to finance a new or existing business without paying taxes or early withdrawal penalties. The process works by rolling your retirement funds into a new 401(k) plan sponsored by a C-Corporation you establish. That plan then purchases stock in the corporation, giving your business the capital it needs to operate or grow. Because the funds are invested rather than withdrawn, no taxes or penalties are triggered. You’re using your own money to invest in your own business, debt-free. A ROBS is not a loan, so there are no interest payments or repayment schedules to worry about. It does, however, require strict compliance with IRS and Department of Labor regulations, which is why choosing an experienced provider is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the process.

Pricing and Fees: What You’ll Actually Pay

ROBS isn’t free to set up or maintain, and the difference in fees between providers can add up to thousands of dollars over the life of your plan. IRA Financial uses a straightforward flat-fee model. Guidant Financial charges a higher setup fee and a separate monthly administration fee on top of that.

Pricing pulled from company websites as of the article publish date.

IRA Financial

• $3,500 one-time setup fee covers C-Corp formation, 401(k) plan creation, and full documentation.
• $1,200 per year flat annual fee with no monthly billing and no surprises.
• IRS audit protection is included in the annual fee.
• No hidden fees or tiered pricing structures.

Guidant Financial

• $5,495 setup fee, which is nearly $2,000 more than IRA Financial.
• $149 per month ($1,788 per year) ongoing administration fee billed separately.
• Audit protection included, plus a money-back guarantee on setup services.
• Offers additional funding products like SBA loans, portfolio loans, and unsecured loans.

Over five years, Guidant Financial costs nearly $5,000 more than IRA Financial. That’s money that could go directly into your business.

Winner: IRA Financial.

Lower setup fee, lower annual cost, and no monthly billing. IRA Financial saves the average ROBS client thousands over the life of their plan.

Setup Process and Speed: Getting Funded

When you’re ready to fund a business, timing matters. Both IRA Financial and Guidant Financial handle the full ROBS setup on your behalf, including C-Corp formation, 401(k) plan creation, fund rollover, and stock issuance. The key differences are in how they structure the process and what they include.

IRA Financial

• Streamlined three-step process: open your account, work with a ROBS specialist, and establish your C-Corp and 401(k).
• Fully digital onboarding with no paper-heavy process.
• All documentation, fund transfer coordination, and compliance setup handled in-house.
• ROBS specialists are available throughout the process to answer questions and ensure proper execution.

Guidant Financial

• Three-week average funding timeline, with a money-back guarantee if they can’t close.
• Dedicated Account Manager assigned to your setup.
• Outside independent attorney reviews your transaction at Guidant’s expense, which is a unique offering in the industry.
• In-house plan management team handles establishment and ongoing IRS compliance.

Both providers offer a full-service setup experience with comparable timelines. Guidant’s outside independent attorney review is a genuine differentiator that provides an unbiased second opinion at no extra cost. IRA Financial’s process is streamlined and specialist-led, with a focus on getting you funded efficiently.

Winner: Tie.

Both providers handle the full setup process with comparable speed. Guidant’s independent attorney review adds a unique layer of oversight. IRA Financial offers a clean, specialist-led process with no added complexity.

Compliance and Ongoing Support: Staying Protected

A ROBS structure requires ongoing compliance with IRS and Department of Labor regulations. Annual filings, plan valuations, and proper record-keeping are not optional. The quality of ongoing support from your provider directly affects your risk exposure.

IRA Financial

• IRS audit protection is included, with dedicated support if your plan is ever examined.
• ROBS specialists are available for ongoing compliance questions throughout the life of your plan.
• Annual plan administration is handled by an in-house team.
• The company was founded by a tax attorney with deep expertise in ERISA and retirement plan law.

Guidant Financial

• Audit protection is included, and Guidant covers all legal costs in the event of an IRS audit.
• In-house plan management team handles annual compliance filings and business valuation.
• Guidant claims the lowest audit rate in the industry.
• 30,000+ clients and $4.5 billion in funding reflects a substantial operational track record.

Both providers take compliance seriously and include audit protection. Guidant’s claim of the lowest audit rate in the industry is notable. IRA Financial’s foundation in tax law gives it a structural edge in compliance expertise.

Winner: IRA Financial.

Audit protection, in-house compliance expertise, and a founding team rooted in tax law make IRA Financial a strong choice for long-term plan protection.

Experience and Credentials: Who’s Behind the Plan?

ROBS is one of the more complex retirement structures available. The expertise and credentials of the team managing your plan matter more here than in almost any other financial product.

IRA Financial

• Founded by Adam Bergman, a tax attorney with decades of experience in self-directed retirement accounts and ERISA law.
• 27,000+ clients served across ROBS, Solo 401(k), SDIRA, and other retirement structures.
• In-house legal and compliance team with no outsourcing of plan management or legal review.
• Extensive free educational resources including weekly videos, podcasts, and articles led by Adam Bergman directly.

Guidant Financial

• Industry leader by volume, completing more ROBS transactions annually than any other provider.
• 30,000+ clients and $4.5 billion in total funding since founding.
• Offers an independent outside attorney review at no cost to the client, which is a unique transparency measure.
• Strong presence in the franchise funding space with established lender and franchisor relationships.

Guidant has scale and volume on its side. IRA Financial has legal depth. Being founded and led by a tax attorney is a meaningful credential when your retirement funds are on the line.

Winner: IRA Financial.

Being founded by a tax attorney isn’t a marketing point. It shapes how the entire company approaches compliance, plan structure, and client protection, and that expertise is built into every ROBS plan IRA Financial creates.

Final Thoughts: Why IRA Financial Is the Smarter Choice

Guidant Financial is a well-established ROBS provider with a strong track record, genuine scale, and some standout features, particularly the independent attorney review. But for most entrepreneurs, IRA Financial offers more value at a meaningfully lower cost.

Lower setup fees, a flat annual fee instead of monthly billing, in-house legal expertise, and audit protection make IRA Financial a solid choice for anyone serious about using their retirement savings to fund a business the right way.