The sooner you start planning your business exit strategy, the smoother the transition will be.
A well-considered Exit Plan provides clarity, protects your financial future, and ensures you leave your business on your terms.
With time and planning, an exit strategy can take many forms, such as a sale, merger, family succession or handing operations over to management. In every case, preparation is the key to success.
Why Have an Exit Plan?
Even if you don’t intend to leave your business soon, an Exit Plan creates valuable clarity about your long-term goals. It helps you consider:
- What you want to achieve personally and professionally
- When do you want to retire?
- What level of financial security will give you confidence to step away?
Addressing these questions early ensures your business is structured to support both your lifestyle and your financial future.
A structured Exit Plan also strengthens your position with potential buyers or investors. Having accurate information ready for negotiations and due diligence builds trust and reduces risk. Planning in advance minimises disruption, maximises valuation, and provides stability even during periods of economic uncertainty.
Whether you are launching a start-up or running an established enterprise, exit planning should be part of your business strategy. Reviewing your plan regularly ensures it remains relevant as your circumstances and market conditions evolve.
The Benefits of an Exit Plan
Business succession planning is one of the most critical yet overlooked aspects of entrepreneurial success. Planning gives you control over how and when you leave. By having your “ducks in a row,” you avoid being forced into quick decisions and instead set the terms that work for you.
Having a structured Exit Plan can help you:
- Minimise Capital Gains Tax obligations
- Reduce stress during the transition process
- Secure income for retirement or reinvestment
- Strengthen financial stability within the business
- Smooth the transition for staff and clients
- Protect the legacy you’ve worked hard to build
The Different Types of Exit Plans
Exit strategies vary depending on business goals, ownership structure, and industry. Common options include:
- Mergers and acquisitions (M&A)
- Selling your stake to a partner or investor
- Family succession
- Acqui-hires (where a business is acquired for its team)
- Management or employee buyouts (MEBO)
- Initial Public Offering (IPO)
- Liquidation
- Bankruptcy (as a last resort)
Understanding these pathways helps business owners choose the most suitable approach and prepare accordingly.
How Matthews Steer Can Support Your Exit Plan
Creating and implementing an Exit Plan requires a balance of strategic foresight and financial expertise. At Matthews Steer, we understand that no two businesses are alike, which is why our team of accountants and advisors take the time to understand your goals and future vision. We then work with you to design a tailored plan that supports both the business and your personal objectives.
Our Business Advisory team helps you define the overall strategy, timing and structure of your exit. We identify the most suitable exit options, such as a trade sale, merger, family succession or preparing for an IPO, and guide you through each stage of the process. By combining deep industry knowledge with proven planning frameworks, we ensure your exit strategy aligns with both your financial goals and long-term vision.
Our Accounting and Tax specialists provide the technical expertise to make your exit as seamless and efficient as possible. This includes business valuations, analysing the tax implications of different exit options, and structuring deals to optimise outcomes. We also manage cash flow considerations, so you have the financial security needed during and after the transition.
Secure Your Future with Expert Guidance from Matthews Steer
An Exit Plan is more than a pathway out of your business; it’s a strategy to protect your wealth, minimise risk, and create opportunities for the next stage of life. Planning early gives you control, certainty, and peace of mind.
Our Essendon Business Advisors, led by Partners Adrian Misiano, Damian James, Charith Mandadige and Nidal Mazloum, work with business owners to design Exit Plans tailored to their goals and personal circumstances. With extensive experience across accounting, tax and business advisory, our team helps you structure your exit strategically to ensure financial efficiency, smooth succession and long-term security.
Take the first step today. Contact Matthews Steer on (03) 9325 6300 to make an appointment with our team.