Business Succession

Planning the future of your business

Every business owner will eventually leave their business — by choice or by circumstance. Whether you're planning a sale, a handover to family, or preparing for the unexpected, a succession plan protects what you've built and ensures it passes on your terms.

Succession is the most overlooked part of business ownership

Business owners are typically excellent at building value in their businesses — but succession planning is one of the things most commonly deferred until too late. Most have a vague idea of what they want to happen when they exit, but no formal plan in place.

The consequences of poor succession planning can be severe — disputes between co-owners, forced sales at the wrong time, significant tax liabilities, and family conflict that outlasts the business itself.

What succession planning covers

  • Understanding the value of your business and what drives it
  • Buy-sell agreements between business partners — what happens if one partner dies, becomes disabled, or wants to exit
  • Key person insurance — protecting the business from the financial impact of losing a critical individual
  • Tax-effective exit strategies — small business CGT concessions and rollover provisions
  • Structuring ownership to facilitate a smooth transfer of control
  • Family succession — passing the business to children or other family members fairly and effectively
  • Planning your personal financial position post-exit — what life looks like after the business

Co-owner risk is often underestimated

If you have a business partner, ask yourself: what happens if they die suddenly? Without a funded buy-sell agreement in place, you could find yourself in business with your partner's spouse, their estate, or a liquidator. We help co-owners put appropriate agreements and insurance structures in place to protect each other and the business.

Small business CGT concessions

The Australian tax system provides significant capital gains tax concessions for eligible small business owners exiting their business. These concessions can dramatically reduce or eliminate the tax on the sale of a business — but they have specific eligibility requirements and must be planned for well in advance.

We help you understand your eligibility and structure your affairs accordingly — before any exit occurs, not after.

Plan Your Business Exit
Take the First Step

Ready to get your finances working for you?

A straightforward conversation with Geoff could give you more clarity than years of going it alone. There's no obligation — just honest, practical advice from someone who's been doing this for over two decades.