Preparing the Business
Organize financial information, key contracts, and an account of how the business runs. Trace material figures to their sources, label estimates, and identify gaps before marketing.
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Sell a Business
The Sale Starts Before the Listing
Support from assessing a possible sale to preparing the business, finding suitable buyers, and coordinating the transaction.
Plan the SaleSupport through the sale
The Work Behind
the Sale
The sale plan sets out the work, responsibilities, and decisions ahead. The owner stays involved where business knowledge or approval is needed.
Finding Suitable Buyers
Agree buyer criteria and screen for fit, funding, and timing. Manage inquiries and staged disclosure, with confidentiality terms agreed before identifying business information is shared.
Coordinating the Sale
Track offers, open questions, specialist reviews, and responsibilities through closing. Coordinate the handover so access, records, and operating knowledge are addressed.
Questions About Selling a Business
What affects the value of a business?
Revenue alone does not establish business value. Earnings, customer concentration, operating responsibilities, assets, and the quality of the records all inform the review. We establish the information needed and the purpose of any valuation work before its scope and specialist requirements are agreed.
How long does it take to sell a business?
Preparation, the buyer search, negotiations, and diligence each affect the timeline. Incomplete records, unresolved commitments, and dependence on the owner can add work before marketing begins. We identify the preparation needed, responsibilities, and milestones at the start; a closing date depends on the transaction.
What if the business needs preparation?
Preparation needs are identified at the start. Work may include organizing records, documenting responsibilities, and addressing questions a buyer is likely to raise. Any preparation engagement is optional and scoped separately from sale representation.
What will the owner need to do?
Provide accurate business information, answer questions that require operating knowledge, and approve the decisions reserved to the owner. The sale plan sets out when that involvement is needed and which tasks the firm coordinates.
How is sensitive information handled?
Confidentiality requirements, buyer access, and the order of disclosure are agreed before sensitive business information is circulated. Financial records and identifying transaction details should stay out of an initial inquiry.
How are fees agreed?
The written proposal identifies the work covered, the fee basis, and when payment is due. Preparation, sale representation, and outside specialist work may have separate scopes. Expected legal, accounting, and other transaction costs are identified with the relevant advisers before commitments are made.
Planning the Sale
The business type, location, and intended timing give the first discussion its focus: preparation, buyer criteria, and the work required for a sale.