Business Exit Planning in Virginia

Proper exit planning can both minimize your tax bill and increase the value of your business.

Certified Exit Planning Expertise

CEPA-Certified Exit Planning for Business Owners

Exit planning is a specialized discipline. As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) from the Exit Planning Institute, Micah brings the credentials and frameworks needed to help business owners maximize value and plan a successful transition.

Micah Fraim

Partner, CPA

CPA · CVA · CEPA · CFE

Why Start Early

Too often, owners only think about exit planning once they’ve already decided to sell – sometimes after engaging with a buyer. By then, opportunities have been lost and money is left on the table.

If your sale is already imminent, we can still help structure it in the most tax-efficient way possible. There are proven strategies to reduce your tax burden and keep more of the proceeds in your pocket rather than sending them to the IRS.

But the best results come when exit planning is viewed as a process, not an event. Starting early gives you time to strengthen profitability, reduce risk factors, and position your business for a higher sale price.

What Exit Planning Includes

Micah Fraim is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA). CEPAs work with business owners to:

Identify and reduce risks within the business
Increase attractiveness for buyers
Minimize the tax burden on the sale
Prepare owners for life after exit

Most Business Owners are Unprepared for An Exit

The Exit Planning Institute 2023 State of Owner Readiness Survey highlights the gap:

75% would like to exit their business in the next 10 years
Only 34% have a formal advisory team in place
Only 41% had a written plan in place for what to do after they exited
68% had sought outside advice on their exit
70% felt they understood all of their exit options
75% profoundly regret selling their company within just one year after selling it

Exit Planning Is Good Business Strategy

As worrying as some of those figures are, they still represent significant improvements from the original 2013 survey. In 2013, 83% did not have a formal exit plan, 34% understood all of their exit options, 79% had no written plan in place. This shows the increased importance business owners are placing on exit planning and the value it can provide to them.

Exit planning is simply good business strategy. By starting years in advance, you can increase profitability, lower your tax burden, and often significantly increase the ultimate sale price.

Exit planning across Virginia

While our firm is based in the Star City, we work with owners throughout the region to ensure their life’s work is rewarded with a successful transition. We provide comprehensive exit planning in Roanoke for established local enterprises, offer specialized Blacksburg exit planning for tech-sector founders and New River Valley entrepreneurs, and assist business owners with strategic exit planning in Lynchburg to maximize value and minimize the tax impact of a sale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you taking new clients?

Yes, with capacity caveats during peak tax season (mid-February through April 15). For business advisory and valuation work we onboard year-round.

Do I have to be in Roanoke to work with you?

No. Most of our clients are in Virginia, but we serve businesses and individuals across the country. Initial consultation, document exchange, and ongoing communication all work remotely.

How do you charge?

Tax preparation is flat-fee based on return complexity. Bookkeeping is a monthly retainer. Advisory and valuation work can be flat-fee or hourly depending on scope. We quote in writing before work begins.