Running Your Business Isn’t Just Business. It’s Personal.

Comprehensive transition planning to help make your company – and you – transaction ready

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Your company is thriving. When is the right time to start thinking about the next stage or making a transition? At retirement? Five years before? Now?

The decision to transition your business – either by sale or succession plan – is one of the most difficult and emotional decisions you’ll ever have to make. After all, you’ve devoted a significant part of your life to building and growing your company.

We work closely with owners of privately-held businesses to help them create and execute transition plans that provide a seamless and successful exit for themselves, their families, and other stakeholders.

Why start planning now? On average, it can take up to two years from the time you make your transition decision to the time the transaction closes.

Business owners often wonder about the value of their businesses and whether they should extract some or all of it at any given time. We assist business owners in exploring the merits and best options for realizing this value.

Brett Dearing, Partner

Transition Planning Drives Better Outcomes

You likely have big plans for your transaction proceeds—a new business venture, a passion project, an activity-filled retirement. Fulfilling this vision depends on you maximizing the net amount you receive and putting the funds to work for you. That’s where we come in.

Through our exit planning process, we help you:

  • Understand how prospective buyers view and appraise your business
  • Identify, prioritize, and minimize value detractors and other risks
  • Create a plan that maximizes your post-tax proceeds
  • Invest the proceeds in a portfolio that aligns with your goals and financial situation

Brett Dearing

Partner

Business Owner Advisory

Hiring the Right Wealth Manager for Your Transaction

The net proceeds from the sale of your business adds another layer of complexity to your financial life. That’s why a wealth advisor is one…

Preparation. Preparation. Preparation.

Failure to prepare is one of the primary reasons most businesses don’t sell, or sell for substantially less than expected. Our established exit-planning process helps you avoid being one of them. We’re by your side during every stage of the transition—pre-transaction, transaction, and post-transaction.

1

Assessment of Liquidity Options

There are many ways to transition a business such as selling to a family member, a managed buyout, or recapitalization. The best option for you is the one that matches your goals and long-term vision. We help you weigh the positives and negatives of each choice so you can make a sound decision.

2

360° Business Audit and Enterprise Valuation

To secure the best price for your business, you need to enter negotiations with the highest possible valuation. We conduct a thorough analysis of your company to assess its “sale readiness” and identify issues that may make it less attractive to buyers.

3

Business Planning and Implementation

Identifying potential “value detractors” is just the first step. Next, we work with you to develop a 30-,60- and 90-day action plan to resolve the issues that have the greatest impact on offer price.

4

Formation of Transaction Team

Transitioning a business is a complex legal and financial transaction involving investment bankers, M&A attorneys, accountants, and other advisors. We help you identify the right people for your team, negotiate engagement letters, and establish communication workflows.

5

Comprehensive Transaction Management

You don’t have time to worry about the day-to-day activities involving the transaction. We serve as your project manager, working behind the scenes with your investment banker to streamline the flow of information and coordinate other team members.

6

Goals-Based Personal Advice

A successful transition also depends on the owner’s readiness. Are you emotionally prepared for the sale? What are your plans for the future? How will you manage the proceeds? We work with you to create a comprehensive financial plan that gives you the confidence to embark on the next chapter of your life.

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Investing is a commitment to your future. It's a way to grow and preserve what you've earned. Our disciplined and goal-centric investment approach helps ensure your portfolio is positioned to withstand changing market and economic conditions.

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Our advanced estate planning and wealth preservation solutions help you achieve your goals while mitigating tax liabilities. Recommendations are tailored to your unique situation and reflect our expansive knowledge of estate, trust, gift, and tax laws.

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Successfully navigating the financial challenges that come with wealth involves planning, relevant advice, and an advisor who’s not afraid to say "no" when you ask, “can I afford this?” Cerity Partners does all three.

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Protect the life you and your family have worked so hard to build. We help you understand your current level of risk exposure and offer personalized solutions that seek to protect the vulnerable areas of your financial life.

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We design and implement tax optimization strategies including the creation of detailed tax projections and the preparation of personal, trust, and business tax returns.

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Our family office services span the spectrum from full financial management to helping you establish and coordinate your own family office. Whatever level of support you need, we can help.

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We work with owners of privately-held businesses to help them create and execute transition plans that provide a seamless and successful exit for themselves, their families and other stakeholders.

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We’re here to help you create a comprehensive financial plan that reflects your shared vision. In the unfortunate event your marriage dissolves, we also provide divorce financial consulting.

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Just because your professional life is spread across different regions of the world doesn’t mean your financial life has to be complicated. Cerity Partners has extensive knowledge of U.S. and global tax laws and regulations, and we will work with you to preserve and grow your wealth here and abroad.

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Curious about learning more? Let’s talk.

Tell us about yourself and your current financial situation without cost or obligation. Receive an introduction to a wealth management colleague, have a personal conversation, and get your questions answered.

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