As a business owner, successfully exiting your company can feel like a daunting task – how do you ensure your business will thrive after your exit? How do you plan to reach your financial and personal goals once you leave the company?
Working with a Certified Exit Planning Advisor can help ease your transition by maximizing business value, assisting with personal financial planning, and helping you plan for life after your exit.
Table of Contents
- What is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA)?
- What are the benefits of working with a CEPA?
- How do I find a qualified Certified Exit Planning Advisor near me?
- What should I expect once I hire a CEPA?
What is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA)?
A Certified Exit Planning Advisor® is a financial professional who advises business owners on successfully transitioning out of their business. Exit planning allows business owners to increase company value and plan for their personal future, so they can confidently transition out of their business.
There are a few different exit planning certification programs – here at exitfour, our advisors are certified through the Exit Planning Institute. The Exit Planning Institute created the CEPA® program in 2007, which requires five-plus years of experience and a five-day in-person course followed by an exam.
What are the benefits of working with a CEPA?
Business owners will see many benefits when working with a CEPA, including:
- A strategy to increase business value before your exit
- Clarity on your personal goals after your exit
- The knowledge and expertise of a professional
- Accountability to reach your short- and long-term goals for your business and personal life
- A plan for how your business will move forward after your exit
The Exit Planning Institute states, “Through the process of Exit Planning (the Value Acceleration Methodology), owners can build more valuable companies, have stronger personal financial plans, and align their personal goals.”
How do I find a qualified Certified Exit Planning Advisor near me?
When researching Certified Exit Planning Advisors, we recommend starting with Exit Planning Institute’s public directory. Enter your location and desired services (such as ‘Certified in Financial Planning’), and EPI will provide a list of professionals.
Certified Exit Planning Advisors are often financial advisors, bankers, accountants, or legal professionals. We recommend keeping your overarching needs and goals in mind as you seek out a CEPA professional. Here at exitfour, our CEPA professionals are also Certified Financial Planners®, who can help ensure you’re on track to reaching your future goals and provide accountability for the long term.
RELATED: What Is A Certified Financial Planner (CFP)?
What should I expect once I hire a CEPA?
Once you’ve hired a qualified CEPA, they’ll start by better understanding your business’ finances, your personal finances, your timeline for exiting the company, and any personal goals or plans you hope to achieve after your exit.
A CEPA who is also a Certified Financial Planner can provide recommendations and advice on reaching your long-term financial goals, developing an investment plan, paying off debt, and more.
Want to get to know exitfour’s CEPA® professionals? Meet our team here and contact us today to start your journey!