Only Controller Knows "Macola" Software

This begs to be asked........Have you asked the Controller what he/she wants or what his/her plans are?

I thought it was presumptous to assume (the way you worded your post) that we can force someone to work for someone. What if the Controller wants to work for the current owner and not the new owners (even with a guaranteed 1-2 yr contract)?

Emerson is right..... that being said...

Years ago (and I mean years) Macola was to go-to program. It had the only real MRP system in the PC based landscape.

Now, one hardly hears of the program. That doesn't mean that its bad, just not as popular.

If you find a new controller, they should be able to pick up the software in short order.

As for having only one person on staff who is knowledgeable about a mission critical system such as the accounting system is a dangerous COOP issue.

Emerson, I'm simply developing a contingency for a challenging scenario; that the buyer won't buy without the Controller in place, and that we'll be left without a key person. That's not just a possibility, it's highly likely in my opinion. Whatever the case, we'd like to be prepared. Wayne, I agree about the concentration risk. But as with many small companies (24M), the CEO rarely senses the "right time" to spend the money to hire a degreed backup to the Controller until the need is tangible and upon them. There's still probably time to hire an "assistant controller" and get him/her trained, but we're not ready to reveal the possible sale of the company to the staff just yet.
My question now is how many potential candidates are out there who might know Macola? Based on Wayne's response, it sounds like not many. Thanks.

My point was (and as you have reiterated), there won't be any deal if the Controller says NO. Where the Controller will work (or wants to work) is NOT your decision to make. If your deal is highly dependent on something that is NOT your decision to make, then I would first make the determination what the Controller wants/plans. They are not fixed assets that you can throw in with a deal. I was focusing on the deal first...and not you being left without a key person AFTER a deal.

Dont tell the Controller he/she has a ton of leverage.

As far as Macola, I have read reviews and looks like it is the same as other "legacy" systems in the sense that it is easy to learn. Having a "customized" version might water down your need to be looking for "macola" experience.

Having said that, I would make use of the opportunity to pick a more "21st century" system as reviews (I have read) were on the feature scarce, simpleton nature.