Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP) can be an advantageous option for succession planning.

As a business owner, you have several options to consider when planning for exit. In an ESOP, participants are beneficiaries of the stock, and the ownership and management teams continue to run the day-to-day of the business. When it comes time to sell, an ESOP allows employees to benefit from the sale of a business. 

While there are several advantages to ESOPs, they are also very complex to navigate. Whether it is communication with employees, coordination of the service providers involved, help with structuring the plan, or managing the repurchase liability, it's important to understand the accounting and tax requirements that accompany this unique ownership structure.

ESOP Capabilities

We help businesses make sense of the ins and outs of ESOPs through the following services:

  • ESOP Feasibility/Transaction Structuring
  • ESOP Company Corporate Audits, Tax Compliance, and Accounting Consulting
  • Repurchase Obligation Studies
  • ESOP Plan Audits
  • ESOP Valuations/Fairness Opinions

2024 ESOP Annual Conference Debrief

coworkers in meeting
The end-of-year ESOP conference offers an opportunity to review the information collected throughout the year, summarize the current year, and prepare for the next.
View the Recording
We’ll help you navigate the complexities of ESOPs.

Clients We’ve Impacted with Our ESOP Services

          • Plains Ag
            • Climate Systems
                    • RHI Supply
                      • Sands Logo
                        • Mid-America Steel

                          We're here to help your employee-owned company succeed.

                          Our team has been serving ESOPs for over 25 years. We currently work alongside employee-owned companies ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies.

                          ESOP Leadership

                          Kirk Lindemann

                          Kirk R. LindemannCPA

                          Partner/National ESOP Services Leader

                          Kirk specializes in employee-owned companies, focusing on ESOP formation and feasibility consulting along with corporate audit compliance services across several industries, including manufacturing, professional services, construction and dealerships. A firmwide resource on employee-owned companies, Kirk has spoken at several conferences including MidWest ESOP Association, National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) and several local chapter events regarding feasibility studies, accounting issues and mergers and acquisitions.
                          Travis Lance

                          Travis R LanceASA

                          Principal

                          Travis provides business valuation and transaction advisory services to a wide variety of industries. He specializes in employee-owned companies and acts as an adviser in ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) transactions and related compliance consulting. He also provides litigation support through business valuation and other financial and economic analyses. Key industries served by Travis include agriculture, energy, and manufacturing.