For Owners & Executives
Business & executive services
Specialized financial planning for business owners and executives. From stock option strategies to business succession planning, we provide sophisticated solutions for complex financial situations and high-value transactions.
$847K
Avg Tax Savings
127
Business Transitions
$2.3B
Stock Options Managed
$18.7M
Avg Business Value
What We Deliver
Executive financial services
Specialized financial planning services designed for business owners, executives, and high-net-worth professionals.
C-Suite Executives · High complexity
Executive Compensation Planning
Optimize executive compensation packages including salary, bonuses, equity, and deferred compensation strategies.
- Compensation analysis
- Tax optimization
- Timing strategies
- Risk management
All equity holders · Very High complexity
Stock Options & Equity Planning
Strategic planning for stock options, restricted stock, RSUs, and other equity compensation instruments.
- Exercise timing
- Tax strategies
- Diversification planning
- Risk hedging
Business Owners · Very High complexity
Business Succession Planning
Comprehensive succession strategies for business owners including valuation, transfer methods, and tax optimization.
- Business valuation
- Transfer strategies
- Tax planning
- Family coordination
Senior Executives · High complexity
Deferred Compensation & Benefits
Design and optimize non-qualified deferred compensation plans and executive benefit packages.
- NQDC design
- Benefit optimization
- Distribution planning
- Risk mitigation
Equity Compensation
Stock option exercise strategies
Strategic approaches to stock option exercises that optimize tax efficiency and manage concentration risk.
Early Exercise
Exercise options early to start the capital gains holding period and minimize future tax liability.
Tax Treatment
Ordinary income on spread
Best Timing
Early in option term
Risk Level
High
Key Considerations
- 83(b) election
- AMT implications
- Cash flow needs
- Stock price risk
Cashless Exercise
Exercise and immediately sell options to fund the exercise price and tax obligations.
Tax Treatment
Ordinary income on spread
Best Timing
At any time
Risk Level
Low
Key Considerations
- Immediate taxation
- No ongoing exposure
- Transaction costs
- Timing flexibility
Exercise and Hold
Exercise options and hold shares for long-term capital gains treatment on future appreciation.
Tax Treatment
Ordinary income + capital gains
Best Timing
Before expiration
Risk Level
Medium
Key Considerations
- Capital gains treatment
- Concentration risk
- Holding period
- Stock volatility
Diversification Strategy
Systematic exercise and sale program to diversify concentrated equity positions over time.
Tax Treatment
Mixed ordinary/capital gains
Best Timing
Systematic approach
Risk Level
Medium
Key Considerations
- Risk reduction
- Tax smoothing
- Liquidity planning
- Market timing
Transition Planning
Business succession strategies
Comprehensive succession planning options to maximize business value and achieve your transition goals.
High tax efficiency · Variable control · High complexity
Family Transfer
Transfer business ownership to family members through gifting, sales, or estate planning strategies.
Common Strategies
- Grantor trusts
- Family limited partnerships
- Installment sales
- Charitable strategies
Medium tax efficiency · Low control · Medium complexity
Management Buyout
Sell business to existing management team through structured buyout arrangements.
Common Strategies
- Seller financing
- Earn-out provisions
- Employment agreements
- Consulting arrangements
Medium tax efficiency · None control · Medium complexity
Third-Party Sale
Strategic sale to external buyers including competitors, private equity, or strategic acquirers.
Common Strategies
- Representations & warranties
- Escrow arrangements
- Tax planning
- Liquidity optimization
Very High tax efficiency · Medium control · Very High complexity
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Sell business to employees through an ESOP structure providing tax benefits and employee ownership.
Common Strategies
- Tax deferral
- Estate planning
- Employee motivation
- Succession flexibility
Benefit Structures
Executive benefits planning
Sophisticated benefit strategies to maximize executive compensation and provide additional security.
Benefit Type
Tax Benefit
Risk Level
Key Features
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
Defer current compensation to future years for tax optimization and retirement planning.
Current deduction, future income
Medium
Tax deferral · Investment options · Distribution flexibility · Employer credit risk
Split-Dollar Life Insurance
Employer-assisted life insurance arrangements providing death benefits and cash value growth.
Tax-advantaged wealth transfer
Low
Death benefit protection · Cash value accumulation · Tax efficiency · Estate planning benefits
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans
Additional retirement benefits beyond qualified plan limits for key executives.
Deferred taxation on benefits
Medium
Retirement income · Golden handcuffs · Succession planning · Tax optimization
Executive Disability Insurance
Enhanced disability coverage for high-income executives beyond standard group coverage.
Tax-free benefits if personally paid
Low
High benefit limits · Own occupation coverage · Bonus protection · Business overhead coverage
Knowing Your Worth
Business valuation approaches
Professional business valuation methods to determine fair market value for succession and transaction planning.
Asset-heavy businesses · Good for liquidation
Asset-Based Approach
Value based on company's tangible and intangible assets minus liabilities.
Key Considerations
- Book vs market value
- Intangible assets
- Liability assessment
- Going concern vs liquidation
Businesses with comparables · Market-based pricing
Market Approach
Comparison to similar businesses that have been sold or publicly traded companies.
Key Considerations
- Comparable selection
- Market conditions
- Size adjustments
- Control premiums
Profitable, stable businesses · Future-focused
Income Approach
Present value of expected future cash flows or earnings of the business.
Key Considerations
- Cash flow projections
- Discount rate
- Growth assumptions
- Risk assessment
Complex businesses · Most comprehensive
Hybrid Approaches
Combination of multiple valuation methods to arrive at a comprehensive business value.
Key Considerations
- Method weighting
- Professional valuation
- Purpose of valuation
- Update frequency
Our Process
Our business planning process
Systematic approach to business and executive financial planning with comprehensive coordination.
Schedule executive consultationAssessment & Goal Setting
2-4 weeks
Comprehensive analysis of business structure, executive compensation, and succession objectives.
Executive compensation analysis · Business valuation · Goal identification · Risk assessment
Strategy Development
4-6 weeks
Design customized strategies for compensation optimization, equity planning, and succession planning.
Compensation strategy · Equity exercise plan · Succession roadmap · Tax optimization plan
Implementation Coordination
6-12 weeks
Coordinate with legal, tax, and business advisors to implement recommended strategies.
Plan documentation · Legal structure · Tax filings · Implementation timeline
Ongoing Management
Quarterly reviews
Regular monitoring and updates to ensure strategies remain optimal as circumstances change.
Performance monitoring · Strategy adjustments · Tax planning updates · Succession progress
Client Perspectives
Client success stories
“The stock option strategy saved me over $3M in taxes while systematically diversifying my concentrated position. The coordination with my company's equity team was seamless.”
David Chen
CEO, Technology Company · $24M in stock options
“Business succession planning was crucial for our family transition. The tax-efficient sale structure and estate planning coordination ensured maximum value transfer to the next generation.”
Sarah Martinez
Business Owner · $45M business sale
“Executive compensation planning optimized my entire package including deferred comp, equity, and benefits. The tax strategies have enhanced my after-tax wealth accumulation significantly.”
Michael Thompson
CFO, Fortune 500 · $2.8M annual package
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about business and executive financial planning strategies.
When should I exercise my stock options?
Stock option timing depends on multiple factors including stock price, tax situation, diversification needs, and option expiration. Generally, consider exercising when you have high conviction in the stock, need diversification, or face option expiration.
How do I plan for Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) with ISOs?
ISO exercises can trigger AMT on the spread between exercise price and fair market value. We model AMT implications and may recommend timing strategies, early exercises, or disqualifying dispositions to manage the tax impact.
What's the best business succession strategy for my company?
The optimal succession strategy depends on your goals (family transfer vs. sale), tax situation, business value, and family dynamics. Options include family transfers, management buyouts, third-party sales, or ESOPs, each with different tax and control implications.
How do I optimize my executive compensation package?
Executive compensation optimization involves balancing current vs. deferred compensation, cash vs. equity, and understanding the tax implications of each component. We analyze your total package and recommend strategies to maximize after-tax value.
What are the risks of concentrated equity positions?
Concentrated positions create significant risk from individual stock volatility, company-specific events, and lack of diversification. We develop systematic diversification strategies that balance risk reduction with tax efficiency and growth potential.
How do I coordinate business and personal financial planning?
Business and personal planning are interconnected, especially for business owners. We coordinate cash flow timing, tax planning, estate planning, and investment strategies across both personal and business entities for optimal outcomes.
Private Advisory
Optimize your executive financial strategy
Schedule a consultation to explore how our specialized business and executive services can optimize your compensation, manage your equity, and plan your business succession strategy.