Buying Out Your Partner
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MMS, Inc., a computer service business, had survived recent industry turbulence through the persistent efforts of its owners, Ralph McMillan and Janet Shaw. In fact, MMS had enjoyed good cash flow for the past three years and its future looked rosy. Successfully meeting these challenges made Ralph (age 59) more anxious than ever to leave the business and Janet (age 48) more than ready for Ralph to leave. But neither owner had a clear idea of how to proceed, who to ask for guidance or even how to take the first step.
Janet and Ralph had to find the starting line before they could run the course to the successful dissolution of their partnership.
Ralph’s Tasks
First, Ralph must assess his income needs and timing of his exit. He must determine how much of the purchase price he needs (or wants) on the day he leaves and how much he is willing to receive after he leaves (a Retirement Needs analysis). This is a very different question from how much his interest is worth yet the questions are related because the cash Ralph needs must be attainable from the sale of his interest.
Second, Ralph must obtain an independent valuation of his ownership interest.
Note: Ralph is unwilling to leave unless he exits with full value for his ownership interest (hence the need for the valuation) and unless that value is enough to meet his retirement needs (hence the need for a retirement income needs analysis).
Janet’s Tasks
Janet wants to balance the risk/liability she and the business will assume in Ralph’s buy-out with the opportunity for continued growth in the value of business interest. Since Janet is likely to be unwilling to buy Ralph’s interest—if doing so puts her (or the business) at too great a financial risk—she must secure a professional’s projection of the company’s future cash flow.
This cash flow projection will enable Janet to determine if the business will likely have enough cash flow (after Ralph leaves) to finance the purchase of Ralph’s interest without stifling the growth and prosperity of the business.
Ralph’s Exit Plan Design
Ralph’s Exit Plan should be designed to:
- Use the available cash flow in the most tax-efficient manner possible.
- Plan the long-term ownership structure of the company.
For example, after Ralph is gone, what does Janet (the remaining owner) intend to do with the business? Does it not make sense to consider her future exit when Ralph’s exit is being designed and implemented?
Ralph’s Alternatives
As Ralph contemplates his exit, perhaps Janet should consider:
- Selling all of the ownership to an outside party. To do so, the business must be marketable and Janet (and perhaps even Ralph) may need to remain for a year or more after the sale. In this scenario, Ralph has a better chance of receiving at least the bulk of the purchase price.
- Selling Ralph’s interest to key (or all) employees. This strategy depends on the existence of motivated management willing to assume ownership. Often, a partial sale to a younger management group (keeping control firmly in the hands of the remaining principal owner) makes great sense. This strategy starts to pave the way for the eventual sale of the remaining owner’s interest to this group, can be a great motivation tool and handcuffs this management team to business.
- Selling all (or just Ralph’s interest) to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This design can potentially offer tax and cash flow savings for both Ralph and the buyers.
These are just a few of the many ways to design the exit of a co-owner.
Before any group of co-owners can create a successful Exit Plan they must employ professionals to:
- Assess the departing owner’s needs (a retirement income needs analysis);
- Secure an independent valuation of ownership interests; and
- Assess the remaining owner’s risk tolerance (dependent on a cash flow projection).
If you are a co-owner and are thinking about how to maximize the chances for a successful exit of either you or your co-owner, please give us a call. We can help you to create a buy-out plan that helps you to achieve your buy-out goals.
The information contained in this article is general in nature and is not legal, tax or financial advice. For information regarding your particular situation, contact an attorney or a tax or financial advisor. The information in this newsletter is provided with the understanding that it does not render legal, accounting, tax or financial advice. In specific cases, clients should consult their legal, accounting, tax or financial advisor. This article is not intended to give advice or to represent our firm as being qualified to give advice in all areas of professional services. Exit Planning is a discipline that typically requires the collaboration of multiple professional advisors. To the extent that our firm does not have the expertise required on a particular matter, we will always work closely with you to help you gain
access to the resources and professional advice that you need.
This is an opt-in newsletter published by Business Enterprise Institute, Inc., and presented to you by our firm. We appreciate your interest.
The example provided is hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. It includes fictitious names and does not represent any particular person or entity.
- The Dangers of Transferring to Children without Planning - August 29, 2018
- Creating Value in Your Business to Get Top Dollar When You Leave It - June 7, 2016
- What Does Your Business Value Tell You? - May 10, 2016
Posted In: Management, Money
