Certified Exit Planning Advisor — Plan your profitable, confident exit
Sell on your terms. Maximize value. Protect your legacy.
Work with a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) to turn the single biggest event in a business owner’s life — the exit — into a predictable, repeatable, and profitable outcome.
Why work with a Certified Exit Planning Advisor?
Exiting a business is more than a transaction — it’s a life-changing transition. A Certified Exit Planning Advisor brings specialized training, proven frameworks, and cross-disciplinary coordination (tax, legal, financial, operations, people) to deliver:
Higher sale value — structured strategies to improve EBITDA, reduce buyer concerns, and create more attractive cash flows.
Fewer surprises — anticipate tax, legal, and operational pitfalls before they erode value.
Faster, cleaner sales — streamline diligence and negotiation by fixing common deal blockers in advance.
Personal outcomes aligned with business outcomes — map the business sale to your retirement, estate, and lifestyle goals.
A repeatable process — a documented exit playbook that protects value whether you sell, transfer to family, or transition to management.
Our approach — practical, measurable, and owner-centered
Discovery & Goals
We begin by understanding your personal goals, family considerations, and financial targets — not just a valuation.
Value Assessment
A focused diagnostic identifies value gaps (people, processes, financial reporting, customer concentration) and ranks them by ROI.Action Roadmap
We create a time-bound plan — operational fixes, financial restructuring, tax planning, and deal-readiness items — prioritized for value impact.Implementation & Coordination
We coordinate specialists (tax, legal, M&A advisors, HR) and help you implement changes while keeping the business running.Deal Preparation & Execution
When you’re ready, we prepare marketing materials, manage buyer diligence, and support negotiations to secure the best terms.Transition & Aftercare
Post-close transition planning — retained earnings, earnouts, ownership transfers, and personal financial planning — so the exit sustains your life goals.
Who benefits most?
Owners planning an exit 1–7 years out who want to increase sale value and reduce deal risk
Family business owners seeking an orderly, equitable succession
Founders who want to preserve culture while realizing liquidity
Business owners who’ve been approached by buyers and want to benchmark offers and negotiate smarter
FAQ
Q: What is a CEPA and how is it different from a broker?
A: A Certified Exit Planning Advisor is trained to optimize both the business and owner outcomes over time — improving value, aligning personal goals, coordinating advisors, and preparing the company for sale. A broker focuses primarily on marketing and selling the business when it’s already transaction-ready.
Q: When should I start exit planning?
A: The earlier the better. Starting 3–5 years ahead gives the greatest opportunity to increase value and choose your preferred exit timeline. That said, we also help owners who need to accelerate readiness faster.
Q: How do you work with our existing advisors?
A: We collaborate with your CPA, attorney, banker, and broker — acting as the integrator to ensure every move boosts value and advances your personal objectives.