Building Your Team
Selling your business is a financially significant and life-changing event. It is extremely important that a Business Owner has a team of professionals that can assist them through the process. A strong team should include the business broker, legal adviser and financial advisers.
Business Intermediary/Broker
A great Business Intermediary or Business Broker is your right hand person throughout the business selling process. Essentially, the Broker’s job is to lead you through the Selling Process and keep all parties on track towards a quick and successful transaction. Your Broker will do this by coordinating with your team to work out any issues that may arise. Additionally, your Broker will coordinate with the Buyer’s team. Having a great Business Broker allows you to devote your time to your business, making sure it looks its best throughout the Selling Process.
Attorneys
Building a successful team requires a legal professional. Your legal advice should be coming from a transaction attorney and a real estate attorney, if real estate is included in the sale. While both transaction and real estate attorneys are most often involved in Business Sales transactions, their focus is slightly different. Transaction attorneys specialize in financial, tax planning, and procedural matters associated with the sale of a business and are not typically used in everyday business matters. Real estate attorneys focus on the negotiation real estate contracts, leases, and the like. Real estate attorneys are very useful in avoiding tricky pitfalls that can come up during the sale or transfer of real estate. If you are considering selling your real estate along with your business, you should highly consider consulting with a real estate attorney.
In addition to a transaction attorney and real estate attorney, your transaction may also require additional legal counsel. Other attorneys that could be included during your transaction are: employment attorney, immigration attorney, licensing attorney or an industry specialized attorney.
CPAs and Accountants
As many Business Owners know, there is just no replacing a great CPA or Accountant. This rule of thumb also applies to the Business Selling Process. If you already have an accountant, you should use their expertise to assist you through your financial housekeeping. In order to get the highest asking price for your business, you need to maintain the most accurate books, records, and financials possible.
Your Business Broker/Intermediary is likely to recommend utilizing the services of a Transaction CPA firm. This type firm specialize in all financial and tax matters associated with Buying and Selling a Business. Additionally, a transaction CPA has the skills to structure a purchase agreement that balances all interested parties and maximize the after-tax cash, allowing you to capitalize on your years of hard work.
Other Advisers to Consider
Depending on your situation, you may want to consult:
- Investment Advisers
- Wealth Managers
- Insurance Advisers
- Business Bankers
Because each transaction is different, ask your Business Broker/Intermediary about professional advisers specific to your transaction.
contact us
Gateway’s brokers are always willing to assist business owners and prospective business buyers with education, resources, and guidance through the process of buying and selling businesses. We are here to answer any questions to make the selling & buying process a smooth transition. Call or Email for a free consultation.