Equity Plan & Process Design Services
Design and optimize your equity compensation program for maximum effectiveness. Strategic guidance from plan design through operational excellence.
Strategic Equity Program Design & Optimization
Effective equity compensation programs don't happen by accident. They require thoughtful design, efficient processes, strong controls, and continuous refinement. Whether you're establishing a new equity program, optimizing an existing one, or preparing for a major transition, strategic planning and smart process design create the foundation for success.
At AEP, we help both private and public companies design equity programs that align with business objectives, attract and retain talent, and operate efficiently. Our consulting approach combines strategic thinking with operational practicality. We don't just recommend what sounds good in theory—we design solutions that actually work in your environment with your constraints.
Our team brings deep expertise in equity plan design, regulatory compliance, operational best practices, and industry trends. We've worked with hundreds of companies across industries and stages, giving us perspective on what works, what doesn't, and how to avoid common pitfalls. We partner with you to build programs and processes that deliver results while managing risk and controlling costs.
Our Plan & Process Design Services
Streamlined & Optimized Equity Management
Transform your equity program through comprehensive review and optimization. We analyze your current processes, identify inefficiencies and risks, document workflows, and implement best practices that enhance efficiency while minimizing compliance risk. The result is a streamlined program that runs smoothly and supports your business objectives.
Expert Administrator Training & Support
Empower your team with the knowledge and skills they need for success. We provide comprehensive training on equity administration fundamentals, platform-specific system training, process documentation, and ongoing coaching. Your administrators gain confidence and competence to manage your program effectively.
Data-Driven Decision Making
Make informed decisions about your equity compensation strategy with industry intelligence and competitive insights. We provide ongoing trend analysis, peer benchmarking, regulatory updates, and strategic recommendations to keep your Long-Term Incentive plans competitive and effective.
Risk Mitigation Through Best Practices
Protect your organization by incorporating proven best practices into your equity program. We help you establish strong controls, implement proper governance, ensure regulatory compliance, and create audit trails that stand up to scrutiny. Reduce risk while maintaining operational efficiency.
Comprehensive Design & Consulting Services
From initial plan design to ongoing optimization, we provide expert guidance across all aspects of your equity program
Equity Plan Design & Strategy
Design equity compensation programs aligned with your business strategy and talent objectives. We help you select appropriate grant types, structure vesting schedules, set grant levels, and create plan documents that provide flexibility while ensuring compliance.
Process Assessment & Optimization
Comprehensive review of your current equity administration processes to identify improvement opportunities. We document workflows, highlight inefficiencies, recommend optimizations, and help you implement streamlined processes that reduce manual work and risk.
Governance & Controls
Establish strong governance frameworks for your equity program. We help you design approval workflows, implement segregation of duties, create control documentation, and establish monitoring procedures that ensure proper oversight and compliance.
Compliance Program Development
Build comprehensive compliance programs tailored to your requirements. Whether you need Section 16 programs for public companies, insider trading policies, 409A compliance for private companies, or international regulatory compliance, we provide expert guidance and implementation support.
Plan Document Services
Expert review and drafting of equity plan documents, grant agreements, policies, and procedures. We ensure your documents are legally sound, operationally practical, and aligned with your program objectives while providing the flexibility you need.
Change Management
Successfully navigate changes to your equity program through structured change management. We help you communicate changes effectively, train stakeholders, manage resistance, and ensure smooth adoption of new processes, systems, or plan designs.
The Value of Expert Design & Optimization
Strategic Alignment
Your equity program should support your broader business and talent strategies, not exist in isolation. We ensure your plan design, grant practices, and operational processes align with and reinforce your organizational objectives.
Operational Excellence
Well-designed processes run smoothly, require less manual effort, and produce better outcomes. Our process optimization approach eliminates waste, reduces errors, and frees your team to focus on strategic initiatives rather than firefighting.
Risk Management
Equity administration carries regulatory, financial, and reputational risks. Our best practice approach helps you identify and mitigate these risks through proper controls, clear documentation, and compliance programs that protect your organization.
Knowledge & Capability Building
Our consulting engagements build internal capability, not dependency. Through training, documentation, and knowledge transfer, we ensure your team has the skills and confidence to sustain excellence after our engagement concludes.
Our Consulting Approach
1. Understand Your Context
We begin by deeply understanding your business, culture, objectives, and constraints. This context is essential for designing solutions that fit your organization rather than forcing you into generic frameworks.
2. Analyze Current State
Through document review, process observation, stakeholder interviews, and data analysis, we gain a complete picture of your current program, processes, and challenges. This assessment forms the foundation for our recommendations.
3. Design Optimal Solutions
We develop recommendations grounded in best practices but tailored to your specific needs. Our designs balance competing objectives—effectiveness vs. simplicity, automation vs. control, flexibility vs. governance—to create practical solutions.
4. Support Implementation
Good ideas only create value when successfully implemented. We provide hands-on support to help you execute changes, including project management, change management, training, documentation, and ongoing coaching until new processes are fully adopted.
5. Enable Continuous Improvement
We equip your team with frameworks, tools, and knowledge to sustain improvements and continue optimizing over time. Our goal is building internal capability, not creating dependency on external consultants.
Who Benefits from Our Consulting Services
Companies Establishing New Equity Programs
Getting it right from the start prevents costly mistakes and rework. We help you design plans, select platforms, establish processes, and build internal capability to manage your program effectively from day one.
Organizations with Underperforming Programs
If your equity program feels inefficient, risky, or misaligned with objectives, we can help. Through comprehensive assessment and redesign, we transform struggling programs into well-oiled operations that support your business.
Companies Preparing for Major Transitions
IPOs, significant growth, M&A, and other transitions often require program redesign. We help you proactively adapt your equity program to meet new requirements and scale with your evolving business.
Teams Needing Knowledge & Skill Development
Build internal expertise through our training and coaching services. We transfer knowledge that empowers your team to manage your program confidently and competently without continuous external support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our Plan & Process Design services