Building Wealth and having a Succession Plan

It seems every culture has a variation on this old proverb about the rise and fall of family wealth. And the fact it rarely transfers beyond the third generation.

In Australia and across cultural boundaries, it is a challenge facing many families – especially as the Baby Boomers retire. One of the reasons family businesses don’t flourish beyond second or third generations is because they don’t have a strong succession plan in place.

So, how do we preserve business wealth through generations?

To create a legacy, we explore two real-life scenarios and how to build and protect family wealth now and for the future.

 

External Business Sale

Scenario 1:

A client is selling their successful business through a business broker. They have engaged a broker with the right experience and communication skills to help them protect their family wealth.

The aim here is to think long term and build a business with maximum assets and value. So, when the owners are ready to sell or step aside (out of choice or as an exit strategy should unforeseen circumstances arise), a profit can be made from the sale of the business.

This ideally funds retirement and future financial plans. Or potentially passes on to nominated beneficiaries as a family legacy.

 

Internal Family Business Succession

Scenario 2:

Another client is looking to progressively establish his children in various businesses to create a family business legacy.

He will act as a mentor to the next generation as they start their commercial life. Many years of industry and business experience will be taught and passed on to ensure skills and knowledge are part of this generational wealth transfer.

Funding for any additional businesses will be from internal family wealth and from external funding (banks). Any businesses reviewed, through a process of due diligence, are those that have plenty of upside for extra development and profit. They also complement the qualifications and skills of each family member.

The right structure, communication and commitment to larger business accountability is important to building ongoing value and sustainable growth in the business.

Here are some areas of discussion for either of the above scenarios.

• Capital Gains Tax concessions on the sale of a business. There is a very generous concession that applies for businesses operating 15 + years.
• Tax and accounting treatment of a business sale  
  
• Sale of inventory, equipment and more. This includes the transfer of business name/s, employee entitlements, treatment of debtors and work in progress.
• Plans for a good retirement and strong financial future. This includes the role of superannuation, passive investments and building sustained business value for delivering a return now and in the future.