This is not always the most pleasant topic to discuss, but it is crucial for the continuation of your firm. You have employees and clients who count on the firm being there in the future. Do you know who is going to continue the work you have started should something unexpected happen to you? What about your clients who rely on you, who is going to help them?

The NCACPA Practice Management Committee has developed a "Practice Continuation Program" to aid smaller firms, sole practitioners, and small partnerships prepare a contingency plan for business continuation in case the owner or primary partner is disabled or passes away. The Practice Continuation Program can help to ensure the vitality of your practice should something unforeseen happen to you.

The program was established to provide assistance for the owners of smaller firms to protect their largest asset - the firm itself. What happens to a firm if the owner or primary partner is disabled or worst of all dies? In most cases within 30 to 45 days, if nothing is done, the business will fade into non-existence. Thus, the most important asset we have is gone. We put our blood, sweat, and time into building a practice only to watch it disappear should something happen to us.

That is where the Practice Continuation Program can help. The Practice Management Committee developed this program as a member benefit for NCACPA members. It's a free service available to all NCACPA members.

Forms and checklists that will assist you in setting up your own Practice Continuation Program: