The 2026 National Exit Planners Survey – Overview
Industry Activities: 2025
Statement of Purpose:
According to the Small Business Administration and the US Census Bureau, approximately 50% of the six million private employers in the United States are owned by persons 61 years old or older. Exit planning has quickly emerged as a fast-growing advisory specialty in response to this generational wave of ownership change. It now includes a wide range of professionals — accountants, attorneys, consultants, coaches, financial planners, and others — who are helping business owners navigate the process. This Exit Planners Survey is the sixth annual comprehensive look at both the industry and its practitioners.
What did we learn?
Survey invitations were sent to 8,466 professionals between February 1 and March 2, 2026, continuing the tradition of annual research into the exit planning profession.
Recipients:
- Advisors certified in business exit planning
- Professionals who advertise themselves as business exit
planning specialists, or - Members of an association for exit planning professionals
that practice in a planning-related field.
A total of 405 responses were submitted representing practitioners in multiple specialties from six countries. There were advisory responses from Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and 47 U.S. states.
Based on an estimated professional population and a sample of 405 respondents, this survey carries a margin of error of approximately ±4.8% at a 95% confidence level. Given the breadth of representation across specialties, credential groups, and geographies, the data in this report is reasonably representative of the exit planning profession as a whole.