Business Succession Planning

Owning a business can be a very rewarding experience. But what happens if a business owner dies or falls seriously ill? Much will depend on the type of business – sole trader, partnership or limited company – but unless there has been some advance planning, the chances are that what remains may end up in the wrong hands.

So if you are a business owner, business insurance is important – it is simply the process of planning for what you want to happen if you (or your co-owner if you have one) die or fall seriously ill. For further information please click here to read our Key Guides 

How we can help?

When we advise clients about business insurance and succession planning, we start by finding out the most important issues in each specific case. Once these have been identified and prioritised, we can then recommend a suitable way forward. In doing so, we will advise on:

The options available and their costs.

Tax implications.

Methods of valuing the business

Tax planning

We frequently work alongside accountants to establish the most efficient form of remuneration strategies for business owners. For example should monies be retained within the business or should you look to pay into a pension, pay a dividend or increase salary. 

Pensions

Pension contributions have long been the most tax efficient form of releasing profits from a business; however pension’s legislation is forever changing. We can advise on the optimum level of pension contributions that should be considered, as well as advise on the different types of pension vehicle available. These include Personal Pensions, Executive Pensions, Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPP) and Small Self-Administered Schemes (SSAS).

Methods of valuing the business

Auto enrolment

On 1 October 2012 the first phase of a radical set of pension reforms got underway. Whether you are an employer or an employee – or both – you cannot afford to ignore these major changes. For once they are not concentrated on the arcane world of pension taxation. Instead their focus is firmly on what pensions are all about: the provision of retirement income.

We can help you understand the options which best suit your business requirements.

For further information please click here to read our Key Guides.

Employee benefits

Once you have great employees on board, how do you stop them from jumping ship?

One method is by offering an employee benefits package.

We have extensive experience in assisting businesses with educating employees and in providing guidance on employee benefits such as;

Pensions

Private Medical Insurance

Group Life Cover (Death in Service)

Group Critical Illness Cover

Group Income Protection