About the Firm
L.S. Ernst Financial Group was founded with a clear purpose: to provide institutions, entrepreneurs, and private clients with strategic financial advisory that drives clarity, growth, and long-term value creation.
In today’s dynamic markets, businesses and individuals alike face complex challenges—capital constraints, debt burdens, inefficient cash flow management, and uncertainty in financial decision-making. Our role is to address these challenges directly through rigorous analysis, tailored strategies, and disciplined execution.
We operate as a trusted advisor, delivering services that span financial modeling, capital structure optimization, fundraising preparation, and corporate advisory. Each engagement is approached with the same commitment: to position our clients for stronger financial outcomes and sustainable success.
Grounded in the values of integrity, expertise, and persistence, L.S. Ernst Financial Group is dedicated to setting a higher standard of financial advisory. We focus not only on solving immediate challenges but also on equipping our clients with the tools, insight, and foresight to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Luke Ernst has always been motivated by a genuine desire to help others.
While studying at the University of Tampa, Luke participated in the Spartan Accelerator Program at the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center, where he developed his entrepreneurial vision through market research, mentorship, and business pitch competitions.
He gained valuable industry experience as an Investment Banking Analyst intern at Communications Equity Associates (CEA Group) in Tampa, FL; as a Summer Associate at Profitability Partners, a fractional CFO firm in Tampa, Florida; and most recently as a Hedge Fund Research Analyst intern at Manole Capital Management, a fintech-focused hedge fund based in Tampa, Florida.
Driven by his experience and a genuine commitment to helping others, Luke Ernst has dedicated himself to guiding clients through complex financial challenges with clarity, focus, and purpose.
In May of 2025, Luke earned his B.S. in Finance with a Minor in Economics from the University of Tampa. He holds his FINRA SIE License and is currently a CFA Level I Candidate. He also earned his Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA) Certification with the Corporate Finance Institute (CFI) in 2025.
Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, L.S. Ernst Financial Group is a financial advisory firm dedicated to providing tailored guidance that helps firms achieve clarity, readiness, and build a lasting legacy for years to come.
