Our Wealth Management team strengthens exit planning services for business owners

Congratulations to John Woolley (left), Managing Director, Wealth Management, and John Cahill (right), Executive Benefits Specialist, Wealth Management, for earning their Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) credentials. As two of only 40 CEPAs in the state of Oregon, this is a significant enhancement to The Partners Group’s wealth management and executive benefits suite of services.

The CEPA program was designed by the Exit Planning Institute to train business advisors how to advise owners of privately held companies on “what comes next” in their business’s succession plan. According to the Institute, exit planning combines the plan, concept, effort, and process of transferring a business into a clear strategy through human, structural, customer, and social capital.

Sound a little complicated? That’s where Woolley and Cahill can help. They assist business owners in understanding the value of their business; determining how ready and attractive their company is now; identifying gaps in wealth, profit, and value; and perhaps most importantly, identifying the range of value of the company – what is it worth today, but what it is it potentially worth tomorrow?

“Studies show that 83% of business owners either do not have an exit strategy or have not documented and communicated one. If you want to retire, pass the business to the next generation, or sell, it’s essential to have a plan in place well before you need it,” says Woolley. “Process and planning are key. Start early with intentional goals, so that the value of your business and your hard work is maximized. As CEPAs, we can help with that. It’s a significant value-add to our business-owner clients.”

After completing a rigorous four-day program that involved approximately 100 hours of pre-course study, 30 hours of classroom instruction, and the successful completion of a three-hour proctored exam, Woolley and Cahill are trained to help business owners understand not only their exit options and how they apply to their company and exit goals, but how owners’ personal vision and financial needs align.

“It’s vital to have alignment of your business, personal, financial, and business goals,” says Cahill. “These really are the three legs of the exit-planning stool. Through our various tools, assessments, and collaboration with other service providers such as estate planners, CPAs, and M&A experts, our role as a CEPA is to act as a business owner’s quarterback, seeing the entire field and choosing the best plays as they consider their exit strategy, whether it be five or 30 years away.”

For a conversation with CEPAs John Woolley or John Cahill about your exit planning strategy, wealth management needs, or executive benefits, contact us using the form below or call (800) 722-6339.

CONTACT THE WEALTH MANAGEMENT TEAM