The Role of the CPA in the Creation of a Successful Exit Plan

As a CPA and member of the owner's Exit Planning team, you have three primary responsibilities and opportunities:

• To inform and educate the owner about your role in the Exit Planning process.
• To facilitate the Exit Planning process by coordinating your activities with those of the owner and his/her other advisors.
• To provide services necessary to ensure the owner's successful transition from the business.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Because comprehensive Exit Planning requires: financial analysis, modeling, valuation, estate tax analysis, tax planning and counseling regarding the best way to promote business value and to exit one's business, your role can be very significant. Listed below are tools and techniques frequently used by CPAs in their role as a member of the Exit Planning Advisor Team.