Whether you’re decades away from retirement or hoping to retire in the next few years, there are always steps you can take to ensure that you, your family, and your tax practice are taken care of. Here are some practical steps to consider years before you’re ready to wrap up your career.
Selling your tax practice
Most tax preparers sell their business when they retire, and this process can vary significantly from one practice to the next. How you decide to sell your business is ultimately your decision. Here are a few of the methods for making the sale:
Collection pricing
When you sell your business with a collection pricing model, you’ll usually receive a down payment of around 20% of the value of your business and then an additional 20% of the business’ earnings each year for the next four years. This model is popular with buyers, as it motivates the seller to help with client retention and keep revenue high for the first several years after the sale.
Seller-financed
Some small business owners choose to finance the sale of their business themselves, typically giving the buyer 3-5 years to repay the loan.
Cash pricing
Cash buyouts are less common as they require the buyer to have a large amount of capital. Because the seller is paid in full, this option is less attractive to many buyers who want the seller to have the motivation to retain clients and keep revenue up after the sale.
However, some buyers do prefer this model to a seller-financed sale as they typically have ten years (as opposed to 3-5 years) to pay off a loan from their lender.
Merging your tax practice
To create continuity for their clients, some tax practice owners choose to merge with another tax business several years before they plan to retire. This allows them to continue serving their clients after the buyout and is thought to increase client retention after you retire. This method can also make the months leading up to retirement less stressful since clients are well-prepared for the transition, and your business is already sold.
How to hand off clients
Whether you’re selling via collection pricing, getting cash value for your business, or merging with another practice, both you and your buyer benefit when clients are happy and prepared for the transition.
Introduce the buyer
When it’s time to retire, take every opportunity to introduce the new owner to the practice of utilizing company newsletters, emails, in-person meetings, and social media channels. Highlight their credentials, how long they’ve worked as a tax preparer, and why your clients will be in good hands.
Follow up
Depending on how your business was sold, you may feel some responsibility to help retain clients after the sale. For example, if you used collection pricing, increasing client revenue in the four years after the sale increases your payments. It may be wise to contact clients who are unsure if they will return to the tax practice.
The Tax Preparer Retirement Timeline
As soon as possible
- Begin contributing to retirement accounts.
- Consider working with a financial planner.
5-7 years before retirement
- Consider options for selling your practice.
- If you may sell to a trusted employee, begin preliminary conversations to gauge their interest in acquiring the practice.
- Consider working with an exit planner to learn how to increase the value of your business before selling.
- Create a written exit plan.
3 years before retirement
- Possibly begin merging if you plan to merge with another practice before retirement.
- If you plan to sell to a trusted employee, begin introducing that employee to clients and build trust in their capabilities.
1-2 years before retirement
- Consult a broker who specializes in selling accounting and tax practices.
1 year or less before retirement
- Continue working with your broker as you find a buyer or finalize the sale.
- Begin preparing clients for the change. Introduce and celebrate the new owner using in-person meetings, newsletters, emails, etc.
- Talk with your financial planner about drawing from your investment accounts.
After retirement
- Depending on the terms of your sale, begin helping to ease the transition and increase client retention.
Consider an exit planner
Working with a professional exit planner can make selling your business easier and more profitable. They can help you:
- Identify ways to increase profits in the years before you retire, potentially increasing the valuation of your business.
- Create a thorough written exit plan, reducing stress and uncertainty leading up to retirement.
- Prepare clients for the transition, helping your practice continue to thrive after you retire.
- Create a succession plan if you plan to pass your business down to a family member.
This article was last updated on 10/24/2022.
