As more business-owners head toward retirement, one often, yet misunderstood, succession strategy that should be considered is an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). ESOPs offer significant advantages to privately-held businesses, ranging from tax mitigation to creating a substantial economic benefit for the employees to creating long-term alignment amongst employees and leadership. Despite its benefits, ESOPs are traditionally misrepresented in the marketplace and are often thought of as a less attractive option than a 3rd party sale. ESOPs are a viable solution for all parties (owners, employees and the operating business) when structured properly and should be considered for all business-owners who are looking to monetize their business.

1. Understand how does an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) works (pre and post-transaction)
2. Identify the different ways to structure an ESOP (C Corp, S Corp, leveraged, etc.)
3. Define what employees can expect from working for an ESOP-owned business
4. Evaluate complex tax mitigation strategies that can eliminate all taxes due upon the transaction – Understand how leverage can be utilized to increase the net after-tax proceeds
5. Explore the idea of warrants and the ability to compensate key leaders within the business in conjunction with the ESOP