Resource Search

“You only sell your company once” is a phrase founder/family-owned business leaders often hear before embarking on a major liquidity event. It demonstrates the enormity of the undertaking to effectively sell a business. Ensuring your company is prepared for a sale is crucial to any exit strategy, and should be considered long before beginning a sale process. This article outlines key questions that business owners should expect and aspire to have answers to leading up to a liquidity, followed by four critical focus areas that are important for them to consider.

For many business owners, their tax accountant has been with them for years, and therefore understands the business, along with some aspects of the industry, key employee roles, and family dynamics at play. In addition, a tax accountant who is viewed as a trusted advisor is in a key position to help a family-owned enterprise think through some of the most pertinent questions when it comes to succession planning.

Individuals with substantial business holdings often face complicated estate tax issues. Failing to recognize and plan for these issues may adversely impact the ability of the estate to timely pay any estate tax it owes. What is more, a lack of planning can affect the ability of the business to continue operating in the manner envisioned by the current and succeeding owners.

By exploring the essence of legacy and its impact on business performance, this report brings together the detailed analysis, academic insights, and the firsthand experiences of family business CEOS to contribute to a deeper understanding of the importance of balancing tradition and innovation for long-term success in family businesses. From this report, you can learn more about the steps you and your family can take to uncover the strengths of your legacy.

The concept of transferring ownership of a private business to a purpose trust was first popularized when the Patagonia transaction was announced—instead of “going public,” they were “going purpose” to allow the owner to monetize his stake in the business while at the same time ensure that the values of the business are preserved for future generations. This guidebook by Northern Trust offers insights for business owners who may be interested in exploring a purpose trust transaction structure for their own business.

With more business families going global, it’s imperative that family businesses consider the tax implications as well as the business and personal factors when planning a family business transfer. In this report, KPMG offers two case studies on taxing family business transfers and the significant disparities between tax regimes. The report also compares the vastly different tax implications of transferring the family business through gifting during the owner’s lifetime (including on retirement) and through inheritance across 57 countries, territories, and jurisdictions worldwide.

There is an evolution taking place in the world of succession that is aligning the overall purpose of the family business with the motivation and beliefs of NextGen leaders. This report—the first in a series of four on family business succession—explores the courage to choose the right successor at the right time and provides the six key considerations family business leaders proposed that influenced their decision. For more key insights from the series, check out the other three reports:

Emerging from the shadows is the increasing number of women in the workforce, and it marks one of the most significant changes in economies throughout the world in the last 40 years. This report—the second in a series of four on family business succession—takes an up-close look at the demographic shifts that are changing the role of women in family businesses and the unique competitive advantages they can deliver. For more key insights from the series, check out the other three reports: