Serving the san francisco bay area + beyond since 1976
Serving the san francisco bay area + beyond since 1976
CLOSELY HELD BUSINESSES
Build a Stronger Business + Create More Options for What Comes Next
Running a business means making decisions every day about people, cash flow, taxes, investments, growth, and the future. And when you own a closely held business, those decisions can affect your personal financial life too.
A closely held business is a privately owned company with ownership concentrated among a small number of people—often founders, family members, or a small group of partners. While all closely held businesses are privately owned, not every privately owned company is closely held.
We help you understand the financial and tax implications of important decisions before they’re made—whether you’re trying to improve profitability, manage cash flow, reduce tax exposure, invest in growth, bring in the next generation, or prepare for an eventual sale.
50
years
EST. 1976
50
years
EST. 1976
CLOSELY HELD BUSINESSES
Closely Held Businesses
Build a Stronger Business + Create More Options for What Comes Next
Running a business means making decisions every day about people, cash flow, taxes, investments, growth, and the future. And when you own a closely held business, those decisions can affect your personal financial life too.
A closely held business is a privately owned company with ownership concentrated among a small number of people—often founders, family members, or a small group of partners.While all closely held businesses are privately owned, not every privately owned company is closely held.
We help you understand the financial and tax implications of important decisions before they’re made—whether you’re trying to improve profitability, manage cash flow, reduce tax exposure, invest in growth, bring in the next generation, or prepare for an eventual sale.
The goal: A healthier business + better decisions + more options for whatever comes next.
As your business changes, we help you look ahead so you can identify risks and opportunities, plan for major transitions, and make decisions with both the business and your personal financial goals in mind.
The goal:
A Healthier Business
Better Decisions
More Options
For Whatever Comes Next.
For 50 years, we have helped families make informed decisions through life’s important financial milestones. We take the time to understand each client’s unique goals and work closely with attorneys, wealth advisors, bankers, and other trusted professionals to create coordinated strategies that support wealth preservation, family legacy, and future generations.
Let’s Talk About
Your Business
How We Help Closely Held Businesses
Tax Planning + Compliance
Look beyond the return to understand how business decisions, owner compensation, investments, entity structure, and changing tax laws may affect both the company and its owners.
Profitability + Cash Flow
Get a clearer picture of where your business is making money, where resources are being used, and what may need attention to strengthen financial performance.
Growth + Investment Decisions
Evaluate the financial impact of hiring, expansion, financing, equipment purchases, new locations, acquisitions, and other investments before committing resources.
Business + Personal Financial Planning
Consider how decisions inside the business may affect your personal income, taxes, retirement, investments, and longer-term financial goals.
Succession + Ownership Transitions
Prepare for bringing in new owners, transferring the business to family or the next generation, buying out a partner, or transitioning leadership.
Preparing for an Exit
Plan ahead for an eventual sale by understanding business value, improving financial readiness, considering tax implications, and addressing issues that could limit your options.
Services for Closely Held Businesses
Advisory
When you’re running a business or managing significant financial decisions, it can be difficult to know which move to make next. We help you understand your options, improve profitability, plan for growth, and prepare for major transitions—so you can make decisions today that support where you want to be tomorrow.
Tax Planning & Compliance
Tax decisions made throughout the year can affect how much you ultimately owe. We help you plan ahead, stay current with changing tax rules, and identify opportunities to reduce your tax burden—so you can avoid surprises and keep more of what you’ve earned.
Assurance
When others rely on your financial statements, you need to know the information is reliable and meets their requirements. We help you get the right level of assurance, meet reporting obligations, and identify issues that may need attention—so you can reduce risk and move forward with greater confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a closely held business?
A closely held business is a privately owned company whose ownership is concentrated among a small number of people, such as an individual owner, family members, or a small group of partners. Closely held businesses can include corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and other business structures.
What is the difference between a closely held business and a privately owned business?
A privately owned business is any company whose shares are not publicly traded. A closely held business is a type of privately owned business where ownership is concentrated among relatively few owners. Many family-owned and owner-operated businesses are closely held.
How can a CPA help me make better business decisions?
A CPA can help you understand how decisions involving profitability, cash flow, taxes, compensation, investments, financing, ownership, and growth may affect your business. Looking at the financial and tax implications before making a major decision can help you identify risks and opportunities while you still have options.
How can I reduce taxes for my closely held business?
Effective tax planning often involves coordinating business and personal strategies. Opportunities may include optimizing owner compensation, maximizing the Section 199A Qualified Business Income deduction, implementing retirement plans such as Cash Balance or 401(k) plans, accelerating depreciation through Section 179 and bonus depreciation, managing state tax exposure, and structuring transactions to improve tax efficiency. Planning before major business decisions often creates the greatest opportunities for tax savings
What is the best entity structure my business?
The optimal entity structure depends on factors such as profitability, ownership composition, industry, growth plans, and exit objectives. Common structures include S corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and C corporations, each with different implications for self-employment taxes, qualified business income (QBI) deductions under Section 199A, state taxes, fringe benefits, and future succession planning. Periodic reviews can help ensure the business structure remains aligned with changing circumstances and tax laws
How can advisory services help business owners?
Advisory services help owners understand the financial drivers of their business and make more informed decisions. This may include profitability analysis by service line or customer, cash flow forecasting, budgeting, strategic planning, KPI development, compensation planning, succession planning, and business valuation consulting. The goal is to provide business owners with actionable information that supports growth, improves profitability, and increases long-term business value.