ESOP Consulting Services: Full-Scope Support for Employee Ownership Plans

An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) can transform your company’s culture and serve as a powerful succession tool—but only if it’s implemented and maintained correctly. At SSG Companies, we provide comprehensive ESOP consulting for businesses across the U.S. From feasibility studies to ongoing administration, we help companies design and sustain ESOPs that work.

WHY CHOOSE SSG FOR ESOP CONSULTING?

We’ve spent decades advising privately held companies on ownership transitions and advanced planning strategies. Our ESOP consulting process is rooted in deep technical knowledge and a commitment to aligning the plan with your company’s long-term goals.

Feasability Studies

Before you commit, we analyze whether an ESOP makes sense for your business. This includes:

• Cash flow modeling
• Valuation impact
• Employee demographics and readiness
• Long-term sustainability of the plan
  

Plan Design

We help craft a plan that reflects your objectives and complies with regulatory requirements:

• Contribution levels and vesting schedules
  
• Governance and trustee selection
• Coordination with corporate structure and financing
  

Transaction Support

Selling to an ESOP trust requires careful structuring. We assist with:

• Valuation coordination
• Financing options
• Tax and legal integration
• Employee communication and education
  

Ongoing Administration and Support

Once the plan is in place, we remain involved:

• Monitoring plan health and repurchase obligations
  
• Advising on compliance and reporting
• Helping with amendments or updates as your business evolves
  

ESOP Success Starts With the Right Team

Many companies underestimate the complexity of ESOPs. Without experienced advisors, it’s easy to:

• Overestimate what the company can afford
  
• Miss critical tax planning opportunities
  
• Create governance structures that don’t fit the company culture
  
• Neglect funding strategies for repurchase obligations
  
  

Our role is to make the process smoother and more predictable for everyone involved.

When Is an ESOP the Right Fit?

We often recommend exploring an ESOP if:

• You’re looking for a way to exit the business without selling to a competitor
  
• You want to reward and retain employees
  
• You value preserving the company’s independence and culture
  
• You want to explore potential tax advantages, including 1042 exchanges
  
  

Not every business is an ESOP candidate, but when it fits, the benefits can be remarkable.