How you structure your business can impact taxes, fundraising and what you’re responsible for if things go wrong.

After all the work you’ve put into building up your business, you deserve to get the maximum value when it’s time to exit. Because the business is often an owner’s most valuable asset, it’s important to work well in advance of a sale to understand the value of your business, identify the most likely buyers, and provide enough time to improve operations to maximize the eventual sales price. 

Transitioning a business to the next generation is a reality that all business owners must face. Whether to a family member, financial partner, or another company, this transition can be a complex process and take many forms. Successful transition begins with understanding your options, identifying your goals, and knowing the right steps to ensure a great outcome.

There are a number of different retirement plan options available for business owners, and finding the right one for your small business can depend on a number of factors, including how your business is structured and how many employees you have. For many small businesses owners, the costs associated with setting up and administering a traditional 401(k) plan, plus the fiduciary responsibilities involved, make that a less appealing solution. So this article will focus on the most commonly considered retirement plans for businesses with 100 employees or fewer.

Anyone who owns a business will sooner or later have reason to know what that business is worth. Maybe you’re interested in selling, or taking on new partners, or taking out a loan to expand. Or maybe you just want to make sure the value of the business will be enough to give you the quality of retirement you’re seeking. If you’ve been thinking about getting a professional valuation of your business, here are a few things to keep in mind