This 8-part series, offered in partnership with Project Equity, equips CPAs and financial professionals with the expertise to advise clients on employee ownership as a strategic tool for succession, retention, and growth. This program provides a comprehensive understanding of employee ownership structures, including Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), Worker Cooperatives, and Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs). You’ll explore the financial, tax, valuation, and legal dimensions of each model’learning how to assess feasibility, structure transactions, and ensure ongoing compliance. Explicitly designed for CPAs, the program bridges technical accounting and advisory practice, enabling professionals to guide clients through ownership transitions that align financial performance with long-term business goals. You’ll gain practical insights into financing mechanisms, governance frameworks, and implementation strategies that support sustainable, employee-owned enterprises. Whether advising business owners on exit planning or supporting clients exploring alternative ownership models, CPAs completing this program will be prepared to deliver informed, strategic guidance that enhances both client outcomes and community impact.
Major Topics
• Overview of employee ownership models, including ESOPs, Worker Cooperatives, and Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs)
• Benefits, challenges, and advisory roles in employee ownership transitions
• ESOP structure, taxation, governance, and compliance fundamentals
• Financial analysis and feasibility assessment for ownership conversions
• Financing strategies and funding sources for employee-owned businesses
• Legal and regulatory frameworks for employee ownership structures
• Implementation planning, communication, and ongoing support for sustainable employee ownership