Many business owners believe that selling their company will be straightforward—after all, they have built a valuable business, attracted buyer interest, and are ready to transition. However, without a well-structured exit plan, they risk significant financial losses due to diminished business value, unexpected tax liabilities, and unfavorable deal terms.
In fact, 81% of business owners who recently sold their company wish they had spent more time preparing for the sale. The proper guidance could have helped them secure a more substantial deal and avoid costly regrets.
As Baby Boomers retire at record rates, demand for qualified Exit Planners is increasing. Exit Planning certification provides the resources and expertise to help business owners transition on their terms, ensuring they don’t just sell their business but exit successfully. For advisors, mastering this process offers a competitive advantage in a rapidly growing field.
What is Exit Planning, and Why Does It Matter?
Exit Planning is the strategic process of preparing a business for a successful transition, whether through a sale, merger, succession, or other exit strategies. A well-executed exit plan ensures business continuity and protects the owner’s financial interests.
Despite its importance, 65% of business owners are unaware of their Exit Planning options. Many entrepreneurs focus on daily operations and growth but fail to plan for their eventual transition. This gap in awareness presents a significant opportunity for financial advisors, CPAs, consultants, and CFOs to provide much-needed guidance.
An Exit Planner helps business owners navigate this complex process. They align the owner’s personal and financial goals with market realities. Additionally, over two-thirds of advisors report that 50% or more of their Exit Planning business comes from Main Street companies, showcasing substantial engagement with this market segment.
With Baby Boomers owning nearly half of all privately held businesses in the U.S., the demand for qualified Exit Planners is growing rapidly. In 2024, 44% of CBEC® holders work with fewer than five exit planning clients annually, with an equal 44% managing between 6 and 10 engagements, clearly indicating strong, targeted market engagement.
Earning an Exit Planning professional certification enhances credibility for professionals looking to expand their expertise. Advanced Exit Planning strategies open new opportunities to offer high-value advisory services. Notably, CBEC®-certified advisors incorporate Exit Planning in two distinct ways: 26% are focused on preparing businesses for market entry, while 19% introduce Exit Planning as an integral part of broader advisory services.
Let’s understand how a well-structured Exit Plan can determine the success or failure of a business transition.
What Is an Exit Planning Certification?
It provides a structured framework for maximizing business value, ensuring financial readiness, and navigating the complexities of selling, transferring, or passing down a company.
This succession planning certification integrates valuation strategies, tax and legal considerations, succession planning, and owner transition readiness to ensure a smooth and profitable exit. Advisors who earn this certification gain the skills and credibility needed to guide business owners through one of their life’s most critical financial decisions.
Benefits of Our Certification Course
Our Certification Course is essential for professionals who want to help business owners transition successfully while also expanding their expertise. This specialized training goes beyond essential financial planning and dives deep into the complexities of business succession planning. Here’s how professionals benefit from enrolling in a structured exit strategy program:
Master Complex Exit Scenarios
Every business owner’s exit is unique, requiring a deep understanding of multiple pathways, including selling to third parties, internal buyouts, and family successions. A training course equips advisors with the strategies to tailor exit plans to different business models and owner goals.
Enhance Client Relationships
Business owners seek advisors who can provide clarity and actionable steps. With the proper training, professionals can offer strategic guidance that builds trust and strengthens long-term client relationships.
Increase Earning Potential
Exit Planning is a high-value advisory service. Professionals who add this expertise to their practice can differentiate themselves and command higher fees by offering specialized, results-driven solutions for business owners navigating their exit.[3] [4] [5]
Moreover, many CBEC®-certified advisors secure premium fees: 33% charge between $10,000 and $15,000, and 26% charge between $15,000 and $25,000 for their initial or Phase One planning engagements.
In 2024, 22% of CBEC® advisors project earnings of over $250,000 from Exit Planning services, highlighting the significant revenue opportunities in this field.
Stay Ahead of Market Trends
A strong training course includes insights into economic conditions, industry trends, and regulatory factors that impact business exits. This knowledge helps advisors provide timely, market-driven advice that positions owners for the best possible outcomes.
Expand Professional Opportunities
Earning a certification in exit strategy planning opens doors to collaborations with legal experts, M&A professionals, investment bankers, and tax specialists. This expanded network strengthens an advisor’s ability to deliver comprehensive exit solutions.
The Certification Process: How to Become a Certified Business Exit [6] [7] Consultant®
To become an exit planner, you need to apply for a certified course. The process involves completing coursework, passing a certification exam, and demonstrating real-world application by developing an exit plan.
Becoming a Certified Business Exit Consultant® through the International Exit Planning Association (IEPA) ensures that advisors are fully equipped to implement real-world exit strategies.
IEPA delivers practical, hands-on training for professionals. The faculty consists of active practitioners who have guided countless business owners through successful exits.
An IEPA certification for Exit Planners will help:
- Develop a capital markets perspective to align exit timing with market conditions.
- Gain expertise in valuing businesses and identifying methods to increase transferable value.
- Learn external and internal transfer strategies from third-party sales to management buyouts.
- Build a thriving Exit Planning practice with practical approaches for client engagement and execution.
- Join a collaborative network of experienced professionals committed to excellence.
What Is Included in An Exit Strategy Planning Course Provided by IEPA?
The Certified Business Exit Consultant® designation is an advanced certification program for experienced business advisors. The program includes:
- Comprehensive Curriculum: A structured nine-week virtual training series covering every critical aspect of Exit Planning.
- Real-World Application: Candidates must write and submit a complete exit plan to demonstrate their expertise.
- Live Proctored Exam: A rigorous test ensuring advanced Exit Planning strategies mastery.
It is important to note that 66% of CEBC-certified advisors structure their Exit Planning engagements in multiple, distinct phases to ensure a comprehensive service delivery.
Course Breakdown
| Week | Topic | Primary Focus |
| Orientation | Understanding the Exit Planning market | Setting expectations and goals after certification |
| Week 1 | Capital Markets Perspective | Examining how private market conditions affect exit timing |
| Week 2 | Owner Engagement | Assessing exit readiness and identifying value gaps in the business |
| Week 3 | Business Valuation & Value Growth | Implementing strategies to increase business transferability |
| Week 4 | External Transfers | Navigating business sales and third-party transactions |
| Week 5 | Internal Transfers | Structuring ownership transitions within the company |
| Week 6 | Building Your Practice | Delivering actionable exit plans and engaging clients |
| Exam Review & Proctored Exam | Certification Assessment | Ensuring expertise meets IEPA’s high-quality standards |
This Exit Planning professional certification goes beyond conventional certification. It opens you up to a community of “Exit Doers” that promotes continuous learning and collaboration. Graduates receive ongoing support, tools, and access to industry-leading expertise, ensuring they remain at the top of their field.
If you’re an experienced advisor looking to improve your practice and add significant value to business owners, IEPA’s CBEC® certification is the next step toward becoming a trusted Exit Planning expert.
Transform Business Exits into Success Stories with IEPA
Exit Planning is a big responsibility. Business owners invest their lives into building successful companies, yet too many approach their transition unprepared. As a trusted advisor, you can bridge that gap, guiding them toward a well-structured, value-maximizing exit.
At the International Exit Planning Association (IEPA), we don’t just teach Exit Planning—we do it. Our practitioner-led approach ensures advisors receive real-world insights, practical resources, and a proven methodology to deliver meaningful client results.
Our certification course can do the following:
- Protect Business Value: Help owners avoid costly missteps that reduce enterprise value.
- Ensure Financial Readiness: Align exit strategies with personal and financial goals.
- Navigate Complex Transitions: Every exit requires careful planning, from internal successions to third-party sales.
- Enhance Professional Credibility: Stand out as a qualified, results-driven Exit Planning expert.
- Expand Your Practice: Advisors with deep Exit Planning expertise command higher-value engagements.
Join a network of “Exit Doers”—not just exit talkers. Take the next step in advancing your advisory practice and ensuring that business owners don’t just exit but exit successfully.
FAQs
1. Who should pursue an Exit Planning certification?
Exit Planning certification is ideal for financial advisors, CPAs, consultants, M&A professionals, and CFOs who want to expand their expertise and provide strategic exit solutions to business owners.
2. How long does it take to complete an Exit Planning certification?
The time frame varies by program. For example, IEPA’s Certified Business Exit Consultant® (CBEC®) certification is a structured 6-week virtual training course, followed by an exam and real-world Exit Planning application.
3. How does Exit Planning differ from general financial planning?
Exit Planning focuses on preparing business owners for a successful transition. It covers business valuation, tax strategies, succession planning, and deal structuring—areas not covered in standard financial planning.
4. What industries benefit the most from Exit Planning?
Exit Planning is relevant across all industries but is especially critical in industries with high M&A activity, such as professional services, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and construction.
5. Can I offer Exit Planning services without certification?
While certification is not legally required, it significantly enhances credibility, ensures a structured approach, and provides practical strategies that advisors wouldn’t learn through experience alone.