Areas of Practice

Transactional

In stock sale transactions, Alcyone acts on behalf of ESOP Trust participants representing their interest. This includes:

  • Serving as the purchaser in ESOP deals, diligently assessing the viability of acquiring employer shares for both new and established ESOPs.

  • Completing acquisitions of companies, as well as partial and subsequent-stage transactions.

  • Retaining an independent, certified appraiser to determine the transaction's value.

  • Supervising the valuation advisor.

  • Conducting comprehensive due diligence.

  • Reviewing financial statements and critically evaluating the validity of forecasts.

  • Thorough documentation of the analysis of the final valuation report.

  • Negotiation of stock sale conditions and pricing on behalf of the ESOP Trust and its participants.

  • Ensuring adherence to all ERISA fiduciary responsibilities and avoidance of forbidden transactions.

  • Meticulously documenting every step of the process.

Ongoing Fiduciary

For already existing ESOPs, Alcyone provides continuous annual Trustee services. This includes:

  • Engaging independent, certified advisors, such as an independent qualified appraiser.

  • Overseeing the independent qualified appraiser, who reports directly to the Trustee, ensuring they meet necessary qualifications and are free from conflicts of interest.

  • Setting the annual ESOP share price, with the responsibility to scrutinize the valuation report thoroughly, pose questions, and confirm underlying assumptions.

  • Functioning in the capacity of a shareholder by staying informed, voting on shares, and assessing offers.

  • Adhering to the ESOP Plan's documentation.

  • Selecting and overseeing the Board of Directors.

  • Verifying that the ESOP adheres to all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines.

  • Managing the distribution of benefits to participants as specified by the Plan Administrator.

Strategic Advisory

Independent SMBs face unique challenges. To help, Alcyone offers strategic consulting services, third-party financial advisory, and board representation services. This includes:

  • Financial Performance Analysis: Evaluate the company's financial health, identifying areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. Provide insights into cost management, revenue growth strategies, and profitability enhancement.

  • Capital Structure Optimization: Advise on the most efficient capital structure for the business, including debt and equity mix, to support sustainable growth and minimize costs of capital. Offer strategies for accessing new funding sources and refinancing existing obligations.

  • Mergers and Acquisitions Guidance: Offer expertise in identifying potential acquisition targets or merger partners, conducting due diligence, evaluating deal synergies, and navigating the complexities of negotiations to ensure strategic alignment and value creation.

  • Risk Management Framework: Develop and implement comprehensive risk management strategies to identify, assess, and mitigate financial, operational, and market risks, ensuring the company's resilience against unforeseen challenges.

  • Strategic Planning and Implementation: Assist in formulating a clear, actionable strategic plan that aligns with the company's long-term goals and objectives. Provide guidance on implementation, monitoring progress, and making adjustments as necessary.

  • Corporate Governance Enhancement: Strengthen corporate governance practices to ensure effective oversight, ethical decision-making, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Advise on board composition, roles, and responsibilities to foster a culture of accountability.

  • Exit Strategy Planning: Advise on developing and executing exit strategies that maximize shareholder value, whether through a sale, merger, public offering, or succession planning. Provide insights on timing, market conditions, and potential buyers or successors.