We help business owners evaluate, structure, and execute Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) transactions that create liquidity, reward employees, and preserve company culture while keeping control of the outcome.
When an ESOP Makes Sense
For many founders, the hardest part of selling is not the valuation but finding a path that protects both people and purpose. An ESOP can provide that path. It allows owners to turn company value into personal liquidity while keeping the business independent and employee-driven.
This service is built for privately held companies with consistent earnings, a stable leadership team, and a culture worth preserving. If you are considering succession, planning partial liquidity, or weighing an outside sale against an internal transition, our team helps you evaluate every option and confirm whether an ESOP is the right fit.
How We Help Owners Navigate the ESOP
WealthPoint leads owners through each step of the ESOP process. We help assess fit, design a structure that protects what you’ve built, and manage the transition from initial planning through post-closing support.
Our work typically includes:
Feasibility Review
Assess whether an ESOP fits your company’s financial, cultural, and leadership profile.
Deal Structure
Design a transaction that balances liquidity goals with business continuity.
Tax and Financial Strategy
Coordinate with your existing advisors to optimize cash flow and tax outcomes.
Post-Transaction Support
Strengthen governance, reporting, and employee engagement after closing.
This mix of analysis, structure, and continuity ensures that each decision connects to the next, with no surprises and no missed details.
What a Well-Structured ESOP Delivers
An ESOP done right creates meaningful value for owners, employees, and the business as a whole. Our advisory work focuses
on outcomes that last, giving owners confidence that the company and the people behind it will continue to thrive.
You can expect:
Liquidity with Direction
Convert equity to cash while maintaining influence over timing, terms, and company direction.
Employee Ownership Mindset
Build long-term retention and engagement by aligning company growth with employee benefit.
Tax Leverage
Capture advantages that can significantly increase after-tax proceeds and improve cash flow.
Continuity of Culture
Protect what made the company successful, including its values, leadership, and legacy.
Sustained Health
Position the business for stability and growth under an employee-owned structure.
See How ESOPs Work in Real Life
Nine short videos walk through every stage of an ESOP — how the structure creates liquidity, reduces taxes, and strengthens company culture. Each one breaks down real examples and lessons from successful transitions.
Our Process for a Smooth Transition
Every transition starts with clarity. Our process helps owners see the complete picture before making any commitment. From initial analysis through the first year of employee ownership, we guide each step with precision and care.
1. Feasibility and Fit
We confirm whether an ESOP makes sense for your company. That includes valuation, cash flow strength, leadership readiness, and compliance testing.
2. Structure and Design
Once feasibility is established, we model the transaction. This covers deal size, financing mix, share allocation, and alignment with your personal and business goals.
3. Execution and Closing
We coordinate valuation firms, trustees, lenders, and legal teams through the entire transaction. Every document, meeting, and decision moves toward a clean and confident close.
4. First-Year Support
After the sale, we stay engaged. We help set up governance, reporting, and board practices, and coach leadership through communication and employee education.
Talk to an ESOP Advisor
Whether you’re exploring options or ready to act, a short discussion can clarify what an ESOP would mean for you, your people, and your company’s future. Every conversation is confidential and focused entirely on your goals.
What You’ll Walk Away With
Every stage of an ESOP engagement produces clear deliverables. These aren’t theoretical documents; they’re working tools that guide decisions, support compliance, and keep the transaction on track.
Typical Deliverables Include:
Feasibility Summary
Defines valuation range, debt capacity, and ownership options.
Transaction Term Sheet
Outlines pricing, structure, and cash flow mechanics before deal execution.
Financing Package
Prepares materials for lender review and funding discussions.
Trustee and Valuation Coordination
Ensures independent analysis and fairness opinions are documented.
Closing Documentation
Organizes legal filings and communication materials for employees and stakeholders.
Governance and Reporting Templates
Establishes the first-year framework for board, committee, and plan oversight.
Related Strategies and Services
Many founders evaluate an ESOP alongside other transition or liquidity paths. WealthPoint’s integrated advisory model allows
owners to compare strategies, see tradeoffs, and choose the approach that best aligns with their goals.
Succession and Exit Planning
Evaluate all transition paths including family succession, key employee sales, ESOPs, and third-party transactions, with a plan aligned to your goals and timeline.
M&A Advisory
Prepare for and complete third-party sales with full sell-side guidance and strategies to maximize value.
Executive Compensation Consulting
Design leadership incentives that align performance with company growth, using tools like phantom equity or deferred compensation.
Wealth Transfer Planning
Structure liquidity events to protect personal wealth and sustain your family’s long-term financial strategy.
What Clients Say About Our Work
Founders choose WealthPoint because our work delivers both clarity and results. Each engagement is handled with precision,
collaboration, and care for the people behind the business.
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100+ combined years
of ESOP-specific experience
Transactions ranging from
$10 million to $300 million
Success across industries
including construction, distribution, and professional services
WealthPoint works alongside trusted fiduciary, valuation, and lending partners, bringing independence and integrity to every transaction.
ESOP Education and Insights
Explore resources designed to help you understand how ESOPs work and what a successful transition looks like.
Talk to an ESOP Advisor
Whether you’re exploring options or ready to act, a short discussion can clarify what an ESOP would mean for you, your people, and your company’s future. Every conversation is confidential and focused entirely on your goals.
