ESOP Transaction Consultant, CPA

JOB TITLE: ESOP Transaction Consultant DEPARTMENT: ESOP Consulting REPORTS TO: Director of ESOP Consulting About ESOP Partners, Inc. ESOP Partners, Inc. is a third-party administration and consulting firm dedicated to providing a liquid business transition solution for owners of closely held businesses through the establishment, maintenance, and sustainability of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs).

Our mission is to maximize the financial and cultural benefits of employee ownership by helping ESOP companies build strong, informed, and engaged employee ownership cultures. We aspire to be nationally recognized as the leading ESOP firm in the country. We pursue this vision through our Core Values: Seek to Understand – We identify the underlying reasons behind questions and actions and take ownership of continuous learning and improvement.

Manage Expectations – We proactively communicate clear, specific, and achievable objectives to create alignment and accountability. Collaborate – We work together through constructive discussion and teamwork to achieve win-win outcomes. Get Things Done – We prioritize, organize, and execute efficiently to deliver accurate and timely results.

Practice Professional Skepticism – We apply a questioning mindset to objectively analyze information for quality and accuracy. Exhibit Mental Strength – We manage challenges with professionalism, resilience, and a solutions-oriented attitude.

Position Summary

The ESOP Transaction Consultant is a senior, client-facing role on the ESOP Consulting team responsible for converting completed ESOP feasibility studies into executed ESOP transactions. This role assumes ownership of the client experience during the ESOP Partners Comprehensive ESOP Feasibility Study. Through this ESOP Partners’ proprietary process, the ESOP Transaction Consultant creates and presents financial modeling, advises on transaction structure, drives client commitment to proceed with an ESOP transaction and acts as the lead sell-side advisor once the commitment is obtained.

Position Details Location: In-office position based in Appleton, Wisconsin Position Type: Full-time | Exempt Work Schedule: Average of 45 hours per week Travel: Occasional travel may be warranted for clients desiring in-person presentations. Key Accountabilities Essential Duties and Responsibilities Lead ESOP Feasibility Engagements: Analyze a client company’s financial position, cash flow, capital structure, and transaction objectives to develop comprehensive ESOP feasibility analyses.

Evaluate transaction scenarios, identify key risks and constraints, and develop clear, decision-oriented recommendations for business owners. Present and Advise: Present complex financial analyses and ESOP concepts to business owners, management teams, boards, and their trusted advisors. Translate financial and transaction concepts into clear, practical guidance that enables clients to understand their options and make informed decisions.

Convert Feasibility to Transaction: Build trusted client relationships throughout the feasibility process and lead clients from feasibility through the decision to pursue an ESOP transaction. Address questions and objections, maintain engagement momentum, and coordinate the scope and transition into transaction services.

Serve as Sell-Side Advisor: Lead and advise clients and their advisors throughout the ESOP transaction process, including transaction strategy, negotiations, financial preparation, and coordination with the company’s legal, valuation, tax, lending, and other professional advisors. Manage client expectations and ensure the transaction progresses in accordance with agreed objectives and terms.

Develop Client and Professional Relationships: Establish and maintain strong relationships with business owners and professional advisors. Serve as an ESOP subject matter expert in business development activities, presentations, and professional partner relationships, while consistently representing ESOP Partners’ values and commitment to client service.

Qualifications

Required 7+ years of professional experience in public accounting, transaction advisory, financial consulting, investment banking, or a related field serving small and middle-market businesses. Demonstrated experience advising small and middle-market businesses, ideally those with annual revenues ranging from $1 million to $500 million.

Demonstrated financial modeling proficiency, including the ability to independently develop and interpret: Cash flow projections Valuation analyses Capital structure models Other financial analyses used to evaluate business transactions or strategic alternatives Demonstrated consultative selling experience, including the ability to: Assess prospective clients' business needs and financial objectives Guide decision-makers through complex financial or strategic decisions Develop and communicate solutions based on client needs Convert qualified opportunities into signed engagements Ability to communicate complex financial concepts effectively to business owners, executives, and other non-financial stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

CPA, ABV, or other relevant professional certification. Experience in transaction advisory, mergers and acquisitions, business valuation, corporate finance, or ESOP-related transactions. Core Competencies Financial & Analytical Acumen — Strong understanding of financial statements, cash flow, financial modeling, and business economics; able to analyze complex information and identify key risks and opportunities.

Consultative Problem Solving — Applies sound judgment and a solution-oriented approach to complex client situations and transaction challenges. Client Advisory & Decision Facilitation — Builds trust with business owners and guides clients through complex financial and strategic decisions. Executive Communication & Presentation — Communicates complex financial and transaction concepts clearly and confidently to business owners, executives, boards, and professional advisors.

Relationship Management — Establishes and maintains trusted relationships with clients and professional partners through credibility, responsiveness, and consistent follow-through. Transaction Leadership — Effectively coordinates clients and multiple professional advisors while maintaining momentum and accountability throughout a transaction.

Strategic & Entrepreneurial Thinking — Understands business objectives and considers the broader financial, operational, and strategic implications of recommendations. Organization & Execution — Manages multiple priorities, deadlines, and complex engagements with strong attention to detail and accountability. Physical and Cognitive Requirements Ability to sit for extended periods and work at a computer Ability to analyze complex information and exercise sound judgment Ability to maintain focus and accuracy in a deadline-driven environment Performance Expectations Performance in this role will be evaluated based on: Adherence to ESOP Partners’ Core Values High conversion rates from completed feasibility studies to executed ESOP transactions.

Clients who clearly understand their ESOP options and confidently commit to next steps. Client satisfaction rate for both feasibility and transaction consulting, as measured by NPS. Provide a streamlined and smooth process for all feasibility and transaction clientele. Strong collaboration across consulting, sales, and execution teams.

Accountability and ownership of assigned responsibilities