Preparing for the future of your business There comes a time when your business will face an ownership transition. It is far better to plan for that event long before the time actually arrives. We can help you plan, we can help implement the plan, and we can be there to help ensure another generation of success. Ownership and Management Succession Planning Family businesses are unique. Most of the time there are many more issues to work out than simply transferring the ownership to the next generation. We understand those issues, have dealt with them before, and are comfortable working with families arrive at a successful transition strategy. Even if there are others outside the family involved, we will help identify the stumbling blocks, develop the plan, and provide expert advice along the way. Deferred Compensation Planning Sometimes it is better to compensate a key employee by making payments for present service at a future time. Often those payments can be a part of a larger transition plan for your business. But deferred compensation is not as simple as it sounds, and traps abound for the unwary. We can help structure a deferred compensation plan that will do what you want it to do.

Business Valuations Valuing a business is not an exact science. Our Certified Business Appraiser knows which questions to ask to determine the value of a business. We believe that a key to providing an accurate business valuation is objectivity. Our goal is to see the big picture clearly, and to come to a fair business valuation that is impartial to any party involved. Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) Under the right conditions an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) can be a win/win strategy for employees and business owners. Any business owner contemplating an exit strategy should consider an ESOP transaction due to the significant tax incentives available to all parties involved; owners, employees, and the business. We can help evaluate whether an ESOP is right for you and your business   Darwin Benz, 651-767-1608 Rich Runbeck, 763-560-1649