ESOP-Owned Businesses

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Vrakas has considerable experience working with employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)-owned companies and is well versed with the different challenges that can arise throughout an ESOP’s lifecycle.

We have assisted clients with establishing ESOPs, liquidating ESOPs, planning for leveraged ESOPs (and re-leveraged ESOPs), and addressing future repurchase obligations, among other matters. We strive to create a working relationship with the company’s ESOP attorneys, administrators, and valuation firm to assure all professionals are in sync, which we feel maximizes our ability to service our clients.

Vrakas is a proud member of both The ESOP Association – Wisconsin Chapter and National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO). 

ESOPs are tax-qualified retirement plans that invest primarily in the sponsoring company’s stock. Oftentimes ESOPs are used as a financing tool to buy out the company’s founders and other majority shareholders. Utilizing an ESOP can be an attractive option to the sponsoring company due to a number of specific tax incentives that benefit both the company and the selling shareholder(s). 

Our Team of ESOP Professionals 

Brad Weckwerth

Brad Weckwerth

CPA, President and Managing Shareholder

Mike Hall CPA, Shareholder

Mike Hall

CPA, Shareholder

Nicole_Gabriel Audit

Nicole Gabriel

CPA, Manager

Similar to all other tax-qualified retirement plans, ESOPs operate within the legal framework under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and the Department of Labor’s (DOL) rules and regulations under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Vrakas has a deep understanding of this legal framework allowing us to help our clients navigate through the ongoing compliance challenges of operating as an ESOP.

Our expertise in this area also allows us to act as a resource to you as questions and/or concerns come up during the year regarding ESOP matters (such as understanding the intricacies of ESOP accounting rules, financial statement presentation questions, accounting journal entry questions, cash flow implications, etc.).

 

We recently became an ESOP, so adding Vrakas CPAs + Advisors to our professional team, which included attorneys, trustees, a valuation firm and ESOP administrator, made the whole process a very smooth transition. Brad Weckwerth and all of the people at Vrakas have become integral members of our team. I can’t thank them enough!Charleston | Orwig

Our services to ESOP-owned businesses include:

  • Audits, reviews and compilations of sponsoring company’s financial statements
  • ESOP employee benefit plan audit services
  • Tax planning, tax elections, compliance and entity structure analysis
  • Transaction structure options analysis
  • Consulting and advisory in applying ESOP accounting rules

 

“Vrakas is one of our most valued business advisors. Their responsiveness is outstanding. As an ESOP, we need strong partners who understand the dynamics of employee ownership and the accounting complexities that come with it. Vrakas has helped educate our company on how to maximize the benefits of being an ESOP to help the company grow.”

 

John Hooyman
CFO, Kesslers Diamonds

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