WEBINAR

ESOP Essentials for Business Leaders

The Building Blocks of any Employee Ownership Strategy

Employee stock ownership plans are powerful yet oft-overlooked business transition tools. Why? Compared to other M&A options, these strategies are fairly nuanced. Most business owners and executives need to get up to speed before considering an ESOP-led succession plan or liquidity event. But who has the time for that?

So, we've teamed with colleagues at Fifth Third Bank and Windham Brannon CPAs to deliver an essential, interactive ESOP lesson in just one hour. Our diverse panel of employee ownership and business advisory experts explains the four critical "Fs" of ESOPs: Function, Fit, Feasibility, and Financing.

 

Featuring

 
Michael Bannon (webinar)

Michael Bannon

CSG PARTNERS

An employee ownership expert with a private equity background, Michael now works directly with business owners and their companies to build goal-oriented exit and transition strategies. A Managing Director with CSG Partners, he quarterbacks leveraged ESOP transactions for middle-market clients

Donna Caruso

Donna Caruso, CPA

WINDHAM BRANNON

Donna has expertise in various types of benefit plan audits and leads the Windham Brannon ESOP practice. She manages all aspects of audits and reviews across diverse industries, including construction, real estate, telecom, manufacturing and distribution, restaurants, franchisors, investment management, and professional services firms.

Nick Jevic

Nick Jevic

FIFTH THIRD BANK

Nick is the Managing Director for Fifth Third’s ESOP Finance Group. Nick’s career spans 40 years and includes commercial real estate, leveraged finance, mezzanine finance and private equity.

Bobby Vercoe

Bobby Vercoe, CPA, CCIFP

WINDHAM BRANNON

Bobby specializes in assurance services and employee benefit plans. He works closely with clients across industries—including construction, manufacturing and distribution, real estate and healthcare—to deliver timely, high-quality audits and guide them through new accounting standards and complex transactions.

 Presented By

Windham Brannon Logo

Windham Brannon is nationally ranked in the U.S. as one of Inside Public Accounting’s Top 200 firms and Accounting Today’s Top Southeast Firms. We remain actively involved in local and industry organizations and associations to increase our depth of resources and expertise, providing industry research and best practices for our clients.

Fifth Thrid Logo - Color-cropped (1)

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact.

CSG Logo (color with transparency)

CSG Partners has helped hundreds of closely-held companies nationwide realize the unique benefits of employee ownership. Recognized as the nation’s leading leveraged ESOP investment banking practice, CSG guides private and family-owned companies through the ESOP transaction and financing process.

ESOP Questions? We Can Help.


When CSG was founded in 2000, we made education a priority. That remains central to everything we do. So, if you have questions about forming an ESOP or operating an employee-owned company, you've come to the right place.

Look below for answers to frequently asked questions.


Employee stock ownership plans are powerful yet oft-overlooked business transition tools. Why? Compared to other M&A options, these strategies are fairly nuanced. Most business owners and executives need to get up to speed before considering an ESOP-led succession plan or liquidity event. But who has the time for that?

So, we've teamed with colleagues at Fifth Third Bank and Windham Brannon CPAs to deliver an essential, interactive ESOP lesson in just one hour. Learn the building blocks of any employee ownership strategy. 

Join our diverse panel of employee ownership and business advisory experts as we explain the four critical "Fs" of ESOPs: Function, Fit, Feasibility, and Financing. This live webinar will include an extensive Q&A, so bring your toughest questions and get ready to learn about the unique benefits of employee stock ownership plans. 

EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP BASICS

Are there different types of ESOPs?

Yes. The two most common types are contributory and leveraged ESOPs. Contributory plan sponsors periodically issue new shares to an employee trust. Cash can also be contributed to a trust so that it may purchase company stock. In a leveraged plan, an employee trust borrows money to purchase an equity stake from a company sponsor.


Are partial sales permitted?

Yes. Also known as minority ESOP transactions, these strategies enable targeted shareholder exits and partial liquidity events. Sponsor companies maintain the freedom to entertain various transaction options while individual shareholders retain equity. Additional shares can be sold to a company's employee stock ownership trust at a later date. 


What laws govern employee stock ownership plans?

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) codified the modern ESOP, set plan standards, and gave the Department of Labor oversight jurisdiction. Subsequent, bipartisan legislation has both clarified regulations and expanded the set of tax incentives available to ESOP stakeholders.


Learn the History of ESOPs
HOW ESOPs WORK

How do employee stock ownership trusts buy company stock?

An employee trust acquires shares on behalf of ESOP participants. A trustee negotiates the purchase price based on an independent valuation. Employees do not pay out-of-pocket for stock. Instead, the sponsor company secures financing and repays those loans on the trust's behalf.


How are employee-owned shares allocated?

Eligible employees receive share allocations proportional to their annual W-2 wages. In a leveraged ESOP, stock is usually parceled-out over multiple years. Similar to 401(k) plans, there’s generally a three-to-six-year vesting period for allocated stock. The details are determined before the plan is formed and outlined in the ESOP plan document.


When and how can employee owners sell shares?

In general, when an ESOP participant retires or departs a sponsoring company, all their shares are sold back to the plan sponsor. Shares are priced at a current valuation, and the sale is orchestrated by the employee stock ownership trust. Plan participants can roll their proceeds into another qualified retirement plan.


Understand How ESOPs Function
ESOPs AS M&A ALTERNATIVES

How do ESOP sales differ from other transactions?

ESOPs offer privately-held companies continued independence, unique tax advantages, and employee benefits. Post-transaction oversight of an employee-owned business rests with the firm’s board of directors, and selling shareholders often maintain meaningful roles.


Are certain companies better suited for leveraged ESOPs?

Leveraged ESOPs are industry-agnostic, but private companies with taxable income and at least 10 employees are generally better candidates. Common use cases include family business ownership transitions, management buyouts, partner exits, and partial liquidity events for owners who want to stay with their companies.


How do selling shareholders receive cash at close?

Many third-party lenders, including major banks and funds, help finance leveraged ESOPs. These loans are secured by plan sponsors on behalf of their employee trusts. Senior debt, without personal guarantees, is commonly used to provide up-front cash to sellers. Seller notes are also a standard ESOP financing component.


Compare ESOPs & Other Transactions
TAX ADVANTAGES

What is a 1042 Rollover?

An ESOP-exclusive benefit, this tax-deferral strategy enables selling shareholders to defer and potentially eliminate capital gains burdens on their sale proceeds. To earn the benefit, a seller must reinvest their proceeds in Qualified Replacement Property within 12 months of their ESOP transaction date.


Can employee-owned companies earn tax incentives? 

Yes. When shares are transferred to an employee stock ownership trust, sponsor companies may earn state and federal income tax deductions equal to the fair market value of that stock. In addition, 100% ESOP-owned S corporations can become income tax-free in perpetuity.


Are employee owners entitled to tax benefits?

ESOP participants can roll plan benefits into other tax-deferred retirement accounts, including 401(k)s and IRAs. Rollovers must be completed within 60 days of a plan distribution. Otherwise, distributions and dividends are subject to standard taxes and early withdrawal penalties.


Review Corporate ESOP Tax Incentives