Choosing the right Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) adviser is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the succession planning process. A good adviser can guide you smoothly from initial valuation through to completion and beyond, while a poor choice can leave you with unexpected costs, delays, and stress.
Beyond technical expertise, you need someone you can trust with both the financial and human aspects of your exit. Here are the key considerations when selecting an adviser to help you make the move to employee ownership.
Why should you use an Employee Ownership Trust adviser?
Specialist EOT advisers in the UK can guide owners through valuation, tax clearance, and legal structuring. Choosing a recommended provider for your EOT transition means you:
- Reduce risk
- Have confidence the compliance is done well
- Create the best chance of financial success for all
- Build a long-term legacy
Experience and expertise
EOTs are still relatively new compared to other exit routes, so not every adviser has deep experience in this area. Look for a professional who has a proven track record of completed transactions. Ask how many EOT sales they’ve overseen, in which sectors, and what lessons they’ve learned. An adviser who has successfully guided dozens of businesses through the transition process will be better equipped to anticipate and solve problems than one trying out EOTs as a sideline.
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His advice and support has been simply indispensable. -
If you are considering the EOT route for your business and need assistance, I recommend Go EO without hesitation or qualification.
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Chris was very efficient, professional, patient and took the time to carefully explain any queries that I raised and went to great lengths to ensure all points were understood.
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Experts in the EOT field. Highly recommended.
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Chris and the team are absolutely fantastic. They made the process of making my company an EOT incredibly easy.
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I would recommend Go EO as a cost effective way to sell your company into Employee Ownership.
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What could have been a long, costly process was in fact a very simple and stress free experience.
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The process has been quick and frustration-free, and Go EO's fees are highly competitive.
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Chris and Laura transformed the whole EOT transition process from the complex, prohibitively costly experience that some solicitors described, to the smooth, straightforward process that the government website says it should be.
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Great work from Chris and Laura. Very professional and helped us achieve our goal of transitioning to an EOT.
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Chris is incredibly knowledgeable, conscientious and helpful when it comes to advising on employee ownership projects.
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Extremely pleased with the process and outcome. Chris was hugely supportive and instrumental in getting us over the line.
Why EOT experience matters
Take business brokers for example. Good ones excel at marketing your business, finding suitable buyers, and negotiating the best deal for you. These are extremely useful skills in a trade sale, but of little use in an EOT sale. Your team already know the business, and you create the buyer (no need to find one). Plus, realistically there’s negligible negotiation between buyer and seller.
Benefits of using a recommended provider for EOTs
- Independent valuations that aren’t overly inflated, and are affordable for the business to pay
- Tax clearance obtained, giving the best chance of securing the EOT tax perks
- Set up suitable trustee vehicle to legally control the company going forward
- Trust deeds and legal documents prepared by legally authorised individuals
- Hold your hand through the transaction, so you understand what’s happening and why
- Make all required filings with HMRC and Companies House
How to choose the right Employee Ownership Trust adviser
Not all EOT advisers offer the same level of expertise. Some focus narrowly on one area, such as tax or law, while others provide joined-up support. Whilst there can be reasons to go to the experts in each sector, for smaller, straight forward companies there are full service firms like Go EO that cover all the key areas in one package.
Key qualities of trusted EOT advisers
- Chartered tax, accounting, and/or legal qualifications
- Transparent fees and clear timelines for EOT transfers
- Positive client testimonials and case studies
Breadth of services
An EOT sale usually requires valuation, tax clearance, and legal documentation. Some advisers only cover one piece of the puzzle, which means you’ll need to coordinate multiple professionals. This can increase both costs and complexity.
A well-rounded adviser or firm that delivers a comprehensive service makes life easier. If you do have multiple firms involved, ensure you understand the role of each party, what’s included in their offering, and what you’ll need to source separately.
Understanding total costs
Think of a property sale. Between buyer and seller, as a minimum you’ll typically have the following costs:
- Estate agent
- Conveyancer
- Surveyor
- Stamp duty land tax
Similar logic applies in a business sale to an EOT. Plus, the costs relating to “buyer” and “seller” need to be considered together, as realistically your company will need to pay all costs. If your adviser only helps with one part of the picture, ensure you understand what you’ll need in addition, and also have a rough idea of these extra costs.
Understanding your business
No adviser can be an expert in every industry, but they should be quick to understand the fundamentals of how your company works. If you run a creative agency, they need to understand issues like client retention and intellectual property. If you run a manufacturer, they should be comfortable discussing assets and supply chains. The best advisers know the right questions to ask and can translate your business model into an EOT structure that makes sense.
Independence and regulation
Employee ownership is a specialist area, and not all advisers are equally accountable. Ideally, you should choose someone regulated by a professional body. This adds a layer of accountability and reassurance. Independence is also important, you want an adviser who is working in the best interests of the company, not steering you towards an outcome that benefits them more than you.
Go EO are a firm of Chartered Tax Advisers, click here to find out more about our qualified team.
Communication and rapport
Technical skill is important, but so is the ability to communicate clearly. The EOT process involves complex tax and legal structures, and you need someone who can explain them in plain English.
Pay attention to how promptly and openly potential advisers respond in the early stages. Do they answer your questions without jargon? Do they give you a realistic sense of timescales? Beyond that, consider whether you feel comfortable with them personally – you’ll be liaising a lot over the coming months.
Theoretical knowledge vs lived experience
Plenty of EOT advisers have learned what they know from textbooks. That’s great, and can help them confidently advise you on the technical aspects of a transaction. Lived experience is different though. Founders often like speaking to other founders who have been through the EOT transition process. So it’s even better if your adviser has both technical expertise and lived experience.
Go EO’s Chris Maslin is a Chartered Tax Adviser who has helped dozens of other companies make the legal transition.
In 2021 he sold what was “his” company to an EOT. He’s experienced the highs and lows that came with that, and earned a few scars along the way from mistakes made. This experience can really help ensure a smooth transition for you.
Alignment with your goals
Not every founder pursues an EOT for the same reasons. Your adviser should take the time to understand what matters most to you and shape their advice accordingly. If they only seem interested in ticking boxes or pushing you towards the fastest deal, they may not be the right fit.
Testimonials and case studies
A good adviser should be able to point to examples of successful transitions they’ve supported. Testimonials, case studies, or independent press coverage can give you confidence they deliver what they promise. Don’t be afraid to ask for references from businesses similar to yours. The more concrete the evidence (separate from the firm’s own website and marketing), the better.
Post-completion support
The work doesn’t end on completion day. Running an EOT involves ongoing governance, trustee meetings, and employee communications. Some advisers provide ongoing support for these areas, while others step away once the sale is complete. If you think you’ll need help in the years after your exit, make sure your adviser offers post-completion services.
Trust your instincts
Finally, don’t ignore gut feeling. You’ll be working closely with your adviser on a highly personal milestone. If they seem evasive, pushy, or simply not aligned with your values, it’s better to walk away early. The right adviser should leave you feeling confident, supported, and in control of the process.
Why Go EO is a recommended Employee Ownership Trust provider in the UK
Go EO specialises in EOT transitions. It’s the main thing we do. Plus our own founder, Chris Maslin, has been through the process himself before, selling what was his company to an EOT in 2021. This helps us understand not just the technical aspects like other accountants/lawyers, but also the emotional side too.
Go EO combine independent valuation, tax clearance expertise, and all required legal documents. Recognised by accountants, trade associations, and sector-specific publications , we’re a trusted EOT specialist firm in the UK. We’ve assisted with EOT sales across a broad range of industries, so there’s a good chance we’ve supported a business like yours.
Get in touch, see if you gel with us
How do I tell if an EOT is right for my situation?
Before you incur any significant costs, it’s worth establishing if an EOT can fit your goals. If you’re unsure, why not work through our EOT Explorer tool. Potentially on your own, with your accountant, or with one of our expert guides.