You’ve built something great—and now you’re ready to think about what’s next. But the idea of selling your business to a private equity firm or a competitor? Not exactly your dream ending. You want to cash out without selling out.
That’s where an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) comes in. More than just an exit strategy, it’s a way to protect what you’ve built, reward your team and walk into retirement knowing your legacy—and your people—are in good hands.
At SSC CPAs + Advisors, we’ve been there. As an employee-owned firm, we’ve lived the ESOP model ourselves. We’ve also guided other closely held businesses through smart, people-first exits rooted in succession planning, asset protection for business owners and retirement plans for small business owners.
Here’s five reasons why we think ESOPs aren’t just an option—they’re the smartest move you can make.
Selling to outsiders often means sacrificing everything you’ve worked for—your team, your culture, even your name. ESOPs flip the script. Instead of outsiders calling the shots, your team becomes the future of the company.
“With an ESOP, we’re not just employees—we’re co-owners who can make an impact and influence the decision-making process of our company.”
— Nicholas Moore, Client Accounting Services Associate
And from a business continuity perspective, that’s huge. You maintain stability, preserve your reputation and ensure your values live on well beyond your final day in the office.
At SSC, our ESOP keeps decision-making aligned with our values and our people. It’s continuity you can count on—and a cornerstone of smart succession planning.
Unlike a private sale or merger, an ESOP doesn’t force you to disappear overnight. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure kind of exit, letting you phase out on your terms while staying involved where it matters most.
This is a dream for business owners who don’t want to slam the brakes. Want to hand off some responsibilities now and keep a foot in the door? Done. Want to stay on in a consulting role for a few years? Totally doable.
SSC clients love that ESOPs offer control, flexibility and a more human pace of transition. It’s succession planning with heart and strategy.
Let’s go ahead and bust a myth: you don’t have to sell to a big buyer to fund your retirement. ESOPs provide a fair market for your shares, giving you real liquidity—with some major tax perks to boot.
Depending on how it’s structured, you could defer capital gains taxes on the sale of your stock. That’s more money in your pocket, and more flexibility for what comes next.
Pair your ESOP with smart retirement plans for small business owners (think IRAs, 401(k)s, or defined benefit plans), and you’ve got a solid post-exit game plan.
Your business is your biggest asset. We help you unlock that value without compromise—through ESOPs and retirement plans for small business owners that make the most of your legacy.
If your people helped build your business, shouldn’t they have a stake in it? ESOPs make that happen—giving employees meaningful ownership, not just a thank-you card.
“The ESOP allows you to feel as if you aren’t just another numbered employee, but someone who has a vested interest in the company.”
— Anders Mikkelson, Associate
And when employees become owners, everything changes. Engagement skyrockets. Accountability deepens. Performance improves. They don’t just care about the work—they care about the future.
“Being part of the ESOP gives me a great sense of ownership. This unique retirement benefit drives me to work at a higher productivity level.”
— Joy Harbaugh, Associate
This is where asset protection for business owners really shines. You’re not handing over your life’s work to strangers—you’re putting it in the hands of people who already care.
At SSC, we’ve seen firsthand how ESOPs energize teams. Ownership isn’t just a title—it’s a mindset shift that transforms the entire business.
Let’s be real: when private equity buys in, the clock starts ticking. Layoffs. Rebrands. Restructuring. You lose control, and your company becomes just another asset on someone else’s balance sheet.
With an ESOP, you sidestep all of that. Your business stays grounded, local and intact—without being gutted for short-term gain.
ESOPs are one of the smartest forms of asset protection for business owners because they preserve not just the company’s value, but its identity. No one’s flipping it. No one’s gutting it. No one’s selling it off to the highest bidder.
Our independence is our advantage. And with an ESOP, it’s a legacy that lasts.
Let’s be honest: setting up an ESOP isn’t a DIY project. It’s complex. It’s detailed. And it has to be done right.
At SSC, we’ve walked the talk. We’re not just consultants—we’re owners. We’ve designed our own ESOP and helped others do the same.
We specialize in succession planning, bringing together:
We don’t just advise—we co-create your roadmap with the precision and empathy only insiders can offer.
Whether you’re five years from retirement or ready to hand over the reins tomorrow, it’s never too early to explore your options. An ESOP could be the smartest, most future-proof path you haven’t considered yet.
We’ll help you navigate every step—from succession planning to asset protection for business owners to building sustainable retirement plans for small business owners.
Let’s build a legacy that lasts—and a future you can actually look forward to.
“SSC CPAs + Advisors” and “SSC” are the brand names under which SSC Advisors, Inc. and SSC CPAs, PA provide professional services. SSC Advisors, Inc. and SSC CPAs, PA practice as an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable law, regulations, and professional standards. SSC CPAs, PA is a licensed independent CPA firm that provides attest services to its clients, and SSC Advisors, Inc. entities provide tax, advisory, and business consulting services to their clients. SSC Advisors, Inc. is not a licensed CPA firm. Our use of the terms “our firm” and “we” and “us” and terms of similar import, denote the alternative practice structure conducted by SSC Advisors, Inc. and SSC CPAs, PA. Advisory services provided through Wealthcare Advisory Partners, LLC doing business as SSC Wealth, LLC. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC is a registered investment advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.