
Why Exit Planning Starts 2-5 Years Before You Exit
Exit planning works best when it starts well before an actual sale. This 2-5 year timeline provides just enough room to grow value, patch gaps,

Exit planning works best when it starts well before an actual sale. This 2-5 year timeline provides just enough room to grow value, patch gaps,

What buyers look for in a business and how to prepare comes down to transparent figures, consistent growth, and seamless daily operation. Buyers care about

How to increase your business valuation before exit is about identifying opportunities to demonstrate stronger growth, more stable earnings, and clear market fit to buyers

Thinking of selling your business someday? Begin here by understanding the first steps that count. Most entrepreneurs start with simple business planning, but not many

Key Takeaways You should thoroughly verify the qualifications, certifications, and relevant experience of any exit planning service provider to ensure they are equipped to handle

Key Takeaways You need a more active, dynamic style of exit planning that begins from your business’s inception and evolves along with your company and

Key Takeaways You can achieve a smooth business exit by shifting your mindset from founder to seller, preparing emotionally and strategically for the transition, and

Key Takeaways You can significantly reduce your tax burden during a business exit by understanding the distinctions between capital gains, ordinary income, and state taxes,

Key Takeaways They are not the same, and you should treat succession planning and exit planning as two separate but equally important endeavors in preserving

Key Takeaways Consider your financial preparedness, your business valuation, your succession plan, and your timeline control in order to establish a solid exit strategy foundation.
With 27 years of experience, Joel S. Smith, CPA helps business owners make sense of their finances and drive profitability. A UC Berkeley grad with a Master’s in Taxation, he’s a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
Joel has worked across industries like real estate, construction, and professional services. As a member of the CFO Project, he provides business owners with the clarity and strategy they need to grow.


