About Us

Our Story

Our dynamic society, steadily expanding with new communication techniques and sophisticated technology has the job of maintaining rational contact between man, machine and environment. Realizing this, the firm of Cunnigham, Short, Berryman and Associates Inc. came into being in the autumn of 1968 with the express purpose of establishing opportunities for small and middle market companies.

Since this time, our firm has counseled national and local government agencies, educational institutions, community organizations, and a wealth of private companies throughout the United States.

Today as an offshoot of CSB, Berryman and Company's philosophy embraces the concept of efficient and ethical business practice and social consciousness by having a broad comprehension of the dynamics of each client engagement.

Each Berryman and Company client is assured that their problem will be approached in such a manner that will maximize profits in the economic sphere and enhance its opportunities for growth. This is no mean task, but through the application of the varied experience of its principals and technical virtuosity of its multi-disciplined staff the firm has consistently satisfied its clients--large and small.

We hope that when browsing our site, you will discover the unique range of services and the wide spectrum of capabilities we offer so that you may judge our fitness to serve you as management consultants.

Recently our firm has focused on its Exit Business planning practice. We help define the benefits of Exit Planning for business owners. An Exit plan asks and answers all the business, personal, financial, legal and tax questions involved in selling a privately owned business. It includes contingencies for illness, burnout, divorce and even the owners death.

Berryman and Company seeks to maximize the value of the business at the time of exit. We help to minimize the amount of taxes paid and ensure that the business owner is able to accomplish all his or her personal and financial goals in the process.

A well designed and implemented exit plan enables business owners to:

• Control how and when they exit
• Maximize company value in good times and bad
• Minimize, defer, or eliminate capital gains taxes
• Retain control by generating a number of strategic exit options
• Ensure they achieve all their business and personal goals
• Reduce their stress and that of their employees and families
• Ensure continuity of the business

Berryman and Company can assist the client in the following areas:

• Identify Owner’s Personal Objectives
• Evaluate Business/Determine Current Value
• Develop Personal Financial Plan and Retirement Needs Analysis
• Develop Exit Strategy and Plan
• Improve Business Performance
• Review Estate Plan
• Develop Capital Gains and Estate Tax Minimization Plans
• Review Insurance Plan for Sale Proceeds
• Execute Exit Strategy
• Assist Owner with Post-Exit Issues

Our multidisciplinary process presents business owners with a comprehensive and strategic approach to the orderly transition of the management and ownership of their companies. Berryman and Company often takes the role of Lead Advisor or Client Relationship Manager. Our function as Lead Advisor will help the business owner assemble a team of “specialists” when the specific need arises. In this regard we often work with Attorneys, Financial Planners, Investment Bankers, or Business Brokers, Insurance Professionals and CPA’s.

In the exit planning context, the investment banker prepares a detailed business valuation for the company, provides the exit planning team with a real-world assessment of the owner’s exit options, and provides an assessment of overall market conditions. During the implementation phase, the investment banker also handles the sale of the company to a family member, key employee, or third party.

The Lead Advisor is in essence the Team Captain who is responsible for assembling the Client deliverable product. This deliverable is a comprehensive, integrated report that contains all the recommendations and planning tools of the exit planning team.

Berryman and Company will provide exit solutions for your business focusing on the above components.