THE HIDDEN RISKS (AND OPPORTUNITIES) IN CERTIFIED AND CONTRACT DEPENDENT BUSINESS EXITS
Certified-owned and contract-dependent companies face challenges that most exit plans overlook. Certification requirements, revenue concentration in a few large contracts, and shifting supplier diversity and DEI policies can all distort value and complicate a future sale. In this session, Meredith Moore, CEPA, Founder and CEO of Artisan Financial Strategies, explores the hidden risks and opportunities that determine whether these businesses build or lose transferable value. She will highlight how certification rules, contract structures, and owner readiness intersect and why early coordination among advisors, lenders, and the owner’s personal wealth strategy is essential. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of the factors that drive valuation and how to position for a stronger, more transferable exit.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the unique valuation challenges that certified and contract-dependent businesses face when preparing for an exit.
- Identify where ownership rules, contract structures, and policy shifts can create hidden risks or untapped opportunities.
- Learn how proactive coordination among financial, legal, and banking professionals protects enterprise value.
- Recognize why early preparation and diversification increase transferability and long-term wealth for the owner.
- Gain insights to better advise or support certified and contract-driven companies as they plan for future transitions.
Event Details
Who Should Attend?
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Attorneys
You have close relationships with clients, and can benefit from being the first advisor to introduce the idea of exit planning.
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CPAs/Accountants
Owners participating in the State of Owner Readiness research continue to indicate that you are the No. 1 "Most Trusted Advisor." You are a natural fit to lead the exit planning team and deepen your relationship (and retention) of next generation owners.
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Wealth Managers
You’re a skilled relationship person. Being entangled into your clients’ professional lives matters as you build a strategy to manage their wealth upon them harvesting it from their business. Exit planning allows you to build a deeper relationship with your client, expands your COI network, while giving you an early seat at table well before the liquidity event.
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Financial Advisors
One of the critical ‘legs of the stool’ is personal financing planning. An owner must have a strong financial plan & contingency plan post-transition to enable them to thrive in the next act of the lives personally and financially. Exit planning brings this future mindset into the present. Exit is now.
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Valuation Analysts
Valuation is both a billable engagement AND an opportunity to provide owners some perspective on how to accelerate value drivers (and deal with value killers). Use exit planning to make that valuation into a longer term value acceleration engagement.
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Investment Bankers
Only 2 of every 10 businesses that come to market actually sell. Learn how exit planning can bring attractive AND ready business to your purview.
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Estate Planners
Exit planning is a natural fit for estate planners who want to operate more holistically with their owner clients.
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Strategic Consultants
One of the most critical roles in exit planning is building transferable value. Strategic consultants have the ability to expand options and drive rapid business value that affect performance today.
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Insurance Professionals
Exit planning addresses the 5 D's. So do you. Approach the risk conversation differently with exit planning.
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Mergers & Acquisition Advisors
Proper exit planning causes less deals to fall through at the last minute. Connect with CEPAs to build your healthy deal flow network.
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Commercial Lenders
One of the best relationships a business owner makes is with their banker. How can you help your corporate clients think about the future and ensure financial continuity? Answer: exit planning.
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Family Business Advisors
More than 50% of lower middle market business owners would prefer to transition to the next generation. Help them succeed with exit planning strategies.
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Other Professional Advisors
Regardless of your unique specialty, there is seat at the exit planning table for you. Learn more at www.EarnCEPA.com.
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Private Business Owners
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Members of Family Business Boards
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Professional Advisors
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Business Consultants
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Other Business Professionals
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Business Owners
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Business Owners & Their Trusted Advisors
EXIT PLANNING IS GOOD BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Exit Planning Institute, provides Financial Advisors, Accountants, Consultants, and other advisors of business owners with the critical education to differentiate themselves and add value to their existing client relationships through a credential, conference, courses, and content. Download the CEPA brochure for more information.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Meredith Moore, CEPA, CLTC, is Founder and CEO of Artisan Financial Strategies, a certified woman-owned wealth management firm in Atlanta. A Georgia Tech graduate with 26 years in the industry and a Forbes contributor, she helps business owners protect value, coordinate advisors, and prepare for exit. Meredith delivered the TED Talk “The Right Way for Couples to Talk About Money.”