Online News-ESOPs on the Rise in the Design and Environmental Industry
Employee stock ownership plans are becoming increasingly popular among architecture, engineering, planning and environmental consulting firms.
Employee stock ownership plans, or ESOPs, are becoming increasingly popular among architecture, engineering, planning and environmental consulting firms. The percentage of ESOP firms participating in ZweigWhite's annual "Valuation Survey of A/E/P & Environmental Consulting Firms" has increased from 17% in 2002 to 22% in 2003 and 26% in 2004.
"ESOPs have been around for more than 30 years, but seem to be gaining in popularity in the industry in recent years. One reason may be the legislative changes effective in 1998, which made S-corporations eligible to sponsor ESOPs," said Ian Rusk, ASA, a principal who specializes in financial advisory consulting for ZweigWhite.