Positioning a business for sale involves knowing – and demonstrating – the business is financially viable today and will be in the future. Financial health, historical performance, quality of the product or service, regulatory and environmental challenges, and current economic realities all play a part in business valuation.

Our clients understand their company’s value as a tool for reinvention, development, and future planning. Because valuation isn’t just plugging numbers into a formula. And just because you think your business is worth a ton – or very little – doesn’t mean anyone else does.

When you need to understand your business’s value and want to position your company for the best sale possible, Dakin Business Group can help.

Valuation/Consultation

  • Expert valuation and financial recommendations for sales to known and/or inside buyers
  • Shepherd the sales process from valuation to close
  • Partner with other professionals to help you navigate the buying/selling process

Selling

  • Position your business for the best sale possible
  • Assist owners who have an identified buyer, and who need guidance during the sale process, including vetting the offer
  • Refer and partner with trusted brokers for outside listing and sale

Buying

  • Act as an independent representative to safeguard your interests – we ethically support you through the process, including due diligence (the methodical, open, and respectful investigation by the buyer)
  • Coordinate with other business intermediaries, attorneys and financial advisors to protect buyers

Collaboration

  • Refer and partner with trusted professionals – real estate agents, attorneys, escrow agents, accountants and CPAs
  • We love working with brokers for listings and referrals – let’s discuss how we might collaborate

Thinking of buying or selling a business? Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation.

Tips for Maximizing Business Value

Tip #7
Understating Inventory

Reporting a lower inventory to their accountant is something many business owners have been doing for a long time. And many accountants just accept the number. In addition to the obvious concerns, when it comes to selling the business, big problems can arise. How will the inventory be valued in the Purchase Allocations? And who is going to have to pay the various taxes on the larger amount? Business owners should give their accountants an accurate inventory value each year to avoid troubles at the closing table!

Tip #5
Business Owners Who Do It All!

Some businesses can’t survive without the owners trying to do everything themselves. And there are no key employees in place to help manage the operations. Buyers for businesses like these may be concerned if they themselves can’t replace the skills and experience of the owner. As a result, these businesses may have very little value to anyone else. Business owners who don’t delegate need to make a strong effort to have experienced key people in place before they ever try to sell their companies.

Tip #4
Burying Personal Expenses and Assets in the Business Financials

Minimizing tax liability is a strategy all business owners think about. But when it comes time to obtain financing or sell the business, buried personal expenses and assets can create a problem in determining the true cash flow. Buyers and bankers won’t always give credit to many of these items. As a result, the cash flow can be suspect. And when you apply a multiplier to determine the value of the business, the results can be disappointing. It is in the best interest of a business owner to show a healthy bottom line in the years preceding the sale of their business to get the highest price possible.