Your firm is more than a business—it’s your legacy. Even if you plan to stay involved indefinitely, having a formal exit plan is essential to preserve that legacy and secure your financial future.
With the Step-Up Legacy Plan™, architecture, engineering, and land surveying owners can design a succession roadmap that empowers trusted employees, preserves firm culture, and ensures you receive near 100% cash at closing when you decide to transition.
In today’s evolving financing landscape—with SBA 7(a) loans offering up to 90% financing with modest down payments—long-term owners can build a practical 5 to 7 year plan that balances staying engaged while planning for an eventual, secure exit.
Even owners who plan to never leave need a disciplined succession plan that protects legacy and delivers cash at closing.
Most A/E/LS firm owners envision a future where they stay involved in their firms for years or even decades. But without a clear 'stay' exit plan, unexpected events or lack of preparation can put your legacy—and retirement security—at risk.
A well-crafted succession roadmap not only prepares your firm for eventual ownership change but also strengthens leadership, financial performance, and client retention today.
Why Every Owner Needs a Plan
Step-Up Legacy Plan™ Features
Building a 5 to 7 Year Roadmap
This timeline aligns leadership development, financial transparency, and strategic lender engagement to enable your employees to qualify for SBA financing confidently. Key steps include:
This disciplined approach protects your legacy while providing a path to liquidity—you get paid upfront without carrying creditor risk or seller financing.
Market data shows valuation multiples between 3.0x and 4.0x revenue are typical for well-prepared A/E firms, while SBA lenders emphasize clean financials and leadership readiness in their underwriting.
Long-term owners benefit from this strategy by retaining influence initially and gaining confidence that succession will honor their firm’s culture and deliver financial security when the time is right.
Planning years ahead lets you stay involved while securing full payment and a lasting legacy.
Executing a 'stay' succession plan requires addressing leadership transition and retention challenges head on. Research shows that firms with clear succession plans experience higher employee retention, smoother ownership transfers, and less operational disruption.
Key implementation tips include:
In today’s environment, SBA-approved lenders are more willing to finance A/E/LS firm internal buyouts when these conditions are met. This means your employees can secure loans that pay you upfront, avoiding seller financing or personal guarantees.
Remember, the rise in SBA 7(a) interest rates to approximately 10%–13.75% is balanced by reduced guarantee fees and improved lender familiarity with A/E firm models. Thoughtful advance planning mitigates financing hurdles and maximizes valuation.
Ultimately, the Step-Up Legacy Plan™ empowers owners to plan for a smooth succession on their terms—whether or not they intend to leave soon—by securing their legacy and retirement finances while enabling trusted employees to step up as full owners.
Planning to never leave your A/E/LS firm? Even so, a formal, multi-year succession plan protects your legacy and prepares for the unexpected.
The Step-Up Legacy Plan™ offers a proven path to preserve your firm’s culture while enabling you to receive near 100% cash at closing when you do exit.
Begin your 5 to 7 year planning roadmap with Allen Business Advisors today and secure both your financial future and your firm’s long-term success.
