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Business succession planning helps you transfer ownership, leadership and wealth with confidence.
Whether you're preparing for retirement, passing your business to the next generation or planning an exit, RSM's succession planning advisers help you create a practical, tax-effective strategy that protects your business, your family and your legacy.
Estate planning forms an important part of this process, ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes while minimising unnecessary tax and legal complications.
At the worst of times, it can create conflict that affects relationships within the family for years to come. While it’s difficult to know where to start, RSM’s experienced advisers will work with you to develop a practical roadmap. We’ll then support you and your family in carrying it out, so you can retire knowing your legacy is protected.
Whether you’re a business owner preparing for retirement, a family navigating intergenerational wealth transfer, or an individual seeking to protect your estate, our experienced advisers provide tailored guidance that aligns with your goals and values.
FAQs about succession planning for business owners
Without a clear succession and estate plan, your business, personal assets, and family relationships can be left vulnerable to conflict, confusion, or unnecessary taxation. Proper planning provides:
- Certainty around the future ownership and management of your business
- Protection of your estate from unexpected legal or tax complications
- Peace of mind knowing your family and beneficiaries are looked after
- Strategies to minimise estate tax and manage superannuation effectively
With over 100 years of experience supporting Australian businesses and families, RSM’s business advisers deliver practical, empathetic solutions across all areas of estate and succession planning, including:
- Business succession planning – Transition ownership and leadership in family-run or privately held businesses
- Family governance – Support for family decision-making, stakeholder alignment, and dispute prevention
- Estate planning strategies – Including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and superannuation advice
- Tax-effective structuring – Protect your assets and reduce tax liabilities through smart planning
- Intergenerational wealth transfer – Navigate the complexities of passing on family wealth or property
We work closely with legal and financial professionals to ensure your plan is fully integrated and aligned with current regulations.
Australian family businesses face unique challenges when it comes to succession. Our advisers offer structured solutions that consider family dynamics, business value, and future leadership needs. We help you answer critical questions, such as:
- Who will take over the business when I retire?
- How will the value of the business be shared fairly among family members?
- How do I protect both my family and the business’s long-term viability?
Business succession planning is the process of preparing for the transfer of ownership, management or leadership of a business. A well-developed succession plan helps ensure business continuity, protects business value and provides clarity for owners, employees and family members. Starting early gives you more flexibility and allows time to prepare future leaders.
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Ideally, succession planning should begin several years before you intend to retire or transition ownership. Early planning gives you time to identify successors, strengthen the business, consider tax implications and maximise the value of your business before a sale or handover.
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Succession planning focuses on transferring the ownership and management of your business, while estate planning deals with how your personal assets and wealth are managed and distributed. Together, they help protect your family, your business and your legacy.
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Preparing your business involves understanding its value, documenting key processes, reviewing ownership structures and developing a clear transition strategy. Working with experienced advisers early can help improve business value and reduce disruption during the transition.
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Family businesses often face additional challenges around ownership, fairness, governance and communication. A documented succession plan helps reduce uncertainty, manage family expectations and support a successful transition to the next generation.
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RSM provides integrated advice across business advisory, taxation, business valuation and financial planning to help you develop a succession strategy that aligns with your personal and commercial goals. We work with you throughout the planning and implementation process to support a smooth transition.
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From trusts and testamentary planning to superannuation and enduring powers of attorney, our estate planning specialists help you take control of your financial future. We ensure your intentions are documented clearly and that your beneficiaries are supported in the most tax-effective and legally sound way possible.
In most cases, yes. Understanding the current value of your business provides a solid foundation for succession planning, whether you're transferring ownership to family members, selling to a third party or implementing an employee buy-out. A professional valuation can also assist with tax planning, negotiations and ensuring a fair outcome for all parties.
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Protect your business for the next generation
Whether you're preparing for retirement, planning an ownership transition or protecting your family's wealth, our succession planning advisers can help you develop a practical strategy for the future.
Plan your business succession with confidence
Whether you're preparing for retirement, transitioning ownership or planning for the future, our advisers can help you develop a succession plan that protects your business, your family and your legacy.
Complete the form below to speak with an RSM succession planning adviser.
Plan your business succession with confidence
Whether you're preparing for retirement, transitioning ownership or planning for the future, our advisers can help you develop a succession plan that protects your business, your family and your legacy.
Complete the form below to speak with an RSM succession planning adviser.
Every business is different, so we tailor our advice to your objectives, ownership structure and future plans. Our advisers can help you:
Identify future leaders and potential successors.
Assess critical roles and key positions.
Develop a practical succession planning strategy.
Manage tax and ownership transition considerations.
Protect business continuity throughout the process.
Review and update your plan as your business evolves.
Your local adviser
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The thought of exiting your business often brings up a lot of emotion – regardless of whether you’re passing it to a family member or new owner. It may feel like an enormous weight on your shoulders, which is made worse if there are complex family dynamics at play.
However, succession planning can be hugely rewarding when it’s done right. And the earlier you start, the greater the chance of a successful outcome.
You can rely on us for:
- honest, objective advice
- a practical succession plan
- business restructuring
- minimising any tax consequences, as appropriate
- stakeholder engagement
- support through the transition
- estate planning and the dissemination of assets
We may also be able to assist you with:
WHY RSM?
Practical experience:
Helping Australian business owners transition ownership for over 100 years.
National expertise:
Local advisers backed by national specialists.
Award winning:
Client choice award winner
Integrated advice
Business advisory, taxation and financial planning specialists working together.
Tailored strategies:
Every succession plan is customised to your business and family circumstances.
Long-term partnership:
Review and evolve your succession strategy as your business grows.
