Compass
your succession guide

- In Switzerland -

Your partner for Company sales and purchases

Corporate sales and acquisitions

We specialise in supporting succession planning and in finding, and negotiating with, suitably qualified buyers.

We act as a general contractor who, thanks to its network, is your competent partner for all issues that arise in the context of such a process. Compass has interdisciplinary knowledge of corporate succession in all central areas.

Thus we are able to address your succession planning issues, from company evaluation to tax and legal questions. Our network of tax advisors, lawyers and corporate finance experts provides bespoke support as required. A typical consultancy period lasts around 12-18 months.

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Navigate the M&A Process with Compass

We provide support for all M&A related issues, from dossier preparation to finding potential partners, from establishing contact to conducting due diligence, from negotiation through to final signature.

01. Preparation

• Kick-Off-Meeting
• Information gathering

02. Company analysis

• Sale Ability assessment
• Creating a blind profile
• Creating an Information Memorandum (CIM)
• Company evaluation
• Internal price setting

03. Addressing the Market

• Addressing shortlisted contacts
• Securing confidentiality agreements
• Setting up initial meetings
• Disclosing Information Memorandum
• Obtaining Letter of intent

04. Negotiations

• Setting negotiating strategy
• Negotiation meetings
• Negotiating key points and including them in the terms sheet

05. Structuring

• Due diligence coordination
• Structuring of transaction from legal and tax point of view
• Further negotiations
• Editing of purchase agreement
• Signing / Closing

Your partner for a succesion within the family and Management-buyout (MBO)

Succession planning

Succession planning can cause many business owners sleepless nights. Family, stakeholders and potential conflicts of interest can all have an influence on this crucial but sensitive issue.

How can I preserve my legacy , treat descendants equally and not leave the Spouse or partner in the lurch?

Taking an interdisciplinary approach, Compass can help you deal with the various aspects of tax, inheritance and company law. We help you answer questions such as:

  • Will everything remain in the hands of the family or should different arrangements be made ?
  • How can the succession be a win-win for all parties involved ?
  • Can I sell my company at all ?
  • Can I actually afford it ?
  • What's the value of my company ?
  • How do I figure out the right price ?
  • What do I have to consider from a tax point of view ?
  • Am I ready to let go ?
  • Will my life's work be continued as I'd like ?
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Navigate the succession process with Compass.

Phase 1

Assessment and familiarisation

Phase 2

• Detailed analysis
• Checking and drawing up succession options
• Decision in principal

Phase 3

• Succession planning
• Implementing Capability for succession

Phase 4

Implementing succession Planning (operational and ownership)

Company valuations

A company valuation is a vital prerequisite for making an investment decision.

As a business owner, you expect to be able to base your decisions on reliable evidence. A reliable company evaluation should meet the following criteria:


  • Correct evaluation methodology and transparent calculations
  • Disclosure of parameters used (e.g. capitalisation interest rate) and justification of assumptions made.

Nonetheless, a company valuation should not be based solely on facts, figures and mathematical calculations, but also on an assessment of hypotheses and subjective assessments derived from future-focused financial and market data.

Particularly important is deciding which factors and parameters are variable in the light of specific interests, and what effect these variables will have on the company's value.

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Succession as a long-term mission

DSuccession planning is an investment in the future. That's why it needs to be commenced as early as possible.
Being supported by industry experts, and having a sufficiently wide planning horizon, will increase your chances of planning a successful succession. We recommend getting to grips with your succession plan at least seven years in advance.
You are warmly invited to join one of our succession workshops to discuss the issues involved and to analyse your personal IST situation.

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