Category Archives: Exit Planning

Manufacturer Stuck in the “Neutral Zone”

Here is how exit planning helped a business owner out of the Neutral Zone. This manufacturer reached out to an exit planning consultant after receiving a book on planning as a gift from a local professional. He was in no … Continue reading

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NQDCs – Funding and Forfeiture

In our last article, we discussed Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation (NQDC) plans as a tool to compensate key employees for achieving long-term goals. One component of such plans is the fact that they are frequently unfunded and legally considered an unsecured promise to pay.

Nonetheless, both plan sponsors and recipients often want a funding mechanism to set aside assets, manage cash flow, or hedge the liability. In addition, employers typically want conditions under which they can rescind the plan for cause, including failure to achieve the objectives the plan was designed to incentivize. Continue reading

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Quality of Earnings and Technology Costs

When a Quality of Earnings audit identifies deferred technology, the price can be magnified many times.  Are you deferring technology costs? A few months ago, a subscriber to our planning tools called with a tech support question. “Your software doesn’t … Continue reading

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The Inexperienced Advisor – An Exit Planning Horror Story for Business Owners

This is a cautionary tale for business owners—one that’s “based on a true story.” The facts are real, although the exact sequence of events might raise questions if the IRS were to take a closer look. A small business owner … Continue reading

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What Business Owners Should Know from the 5th Annual Exit Planners Survey

Between February 1 and March 2, 2025, ExitMap conducted its 5th annual survey of professionals who help business owners plan successful exits. This is the only survey that gathers insight across multiple advisory specialties—offering a wide-angle view of the professionals … Continue reading

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