WHAT IS A CEPA?
A Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) is a professional designation awarded by the Exit Planning Institute® (EPI).
“An exit planning advisor is an advisor to a business owner who is skilled at aligning business, personal, and financial goals to grow a company of significance,ensure a successful transition at the point of exit, and create a more profitable and better company for the owner today.”
-Scott Snider, President, Exit Planning Institute®
The Certified Exit Planning Advisor
Exit planning is a critical process for business owners looking to transition out of their companies smoothly and profitably. As the complexities of exit planning grow, the importance of professional guidance becomes increasingly evident. A Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) is a professional that can help take your successful company to a significant one.
A Certified Exit Planning Advisor is a professional designation awarded by the Exit Planning Institute® (EPI). According to Scott Snider, President of EPI, "An exit planning advisor is an advisor to a business owner that is skilled at aligning business, personal, and financial goals to grow company of significance, ensure a successful transition at the point of exit, and more profitable and better company for the owner today."
The CEPA designation was created to provide a structured and comprehensive framework for exit planning. This exit planning certification equips advisors with the knowledge and tools needed to guide business owners through the complexities of exiting their businesses, making it highly relevant in today's business landscape.
What Does a CEPA Do?
CEPAs play a multifaceted role in the exit planning process, leveraging their unique professional background to guide business owners through successful transitions. While all CEPAs are trained in the core principles of exit planning, their practice can vary widely depending on their primary profession.
It’s important to note that while CEPAs are trained within the Value Acceleration MethodologyTM and can handle various aspects of exit planning, they often focus on the areas aligned with their professional expertise.
For example, a CEPA who is also an attorney might provide critical legal insights from a business or estate planning perspective, while a CEPA financial advisor would focus on optimizing personal financial strategies and investment planning. This flexible and specialized approach allows business owners to benefit from the comprehensive knowledge of exit planning while receiving focused expertise tailored to their specific needs.
Core Responsibilities Can Include:
ASSESSING BUSINESS READINESS FOR EXIT: Evaluating a company's preparedness for a transition and identifying areas that need improvement.
CREATING STRATEGIC EXIT PLANS: Developing tailored exit strategies that align with the business owner's personal and financial goals.
COORDINATING WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS: Working with accountants, lawyers, financial planners, and other experts to ensure a holistic approach to exit planning.
QUARTERBACKING: Acting as the central coordinator, or "quarterback," of the entire exit planning team, ensuring all aspects of the plan are integrated and executed effectively.
