Preparing for exit

When it’s time for a change – whether you want to be free to start a new venture or to retire – a well-planned business exit strategy will secure the best value for you on the sale of your business.

Beginning two or more years ahead of your target exit date gives you time to make the business attractive to buyers and maximise valuable tax saving opportunities such as entrepreneurs’ relief. Advance planning also allows you to consider the impact of your exit on your inheritance tax planning.

Our team will help you prepare your business for sale so you can stay on track with the day-to-day trading. We will work with you on the vital task of turning it into a marketable company that appeals to your target buyers.

We can help you address these key areas, so your business and your personal financial circumstances are in the best possible shape at exit:

Provide a detailed independent view of your business – highlighting its strengths and any issues that may discourage buyers;

Build a strong exit plan – which is supported with detailed forecasts;

Recommend an exit option – such as a sale to a trade purchaser, cash out to shareholders, management buyout or a company flotation.

Prepare a statutory or voluntary audit – external verification of the business’s finances can be reassuring to potential buyers or funders and demonstrate transparency.

Retain staff in the business – taking care of your key people during the sale process is important. You want them to stay with the business and help keep your trading performance at optimum level. Share schemes can be a valuable way of rewarding employees that help you maximise the value of the business before and after the sale.

Get your business information organised – we can work with you to pull together information on your taxes, insurances, accounts, business plans, forecasts, intellectual property, staff and customer contracts and store them in a virtual data room. This will secure confidential information on your exit plan away from your day-to-day business activities.

To realise the best outcome for your exit strategy, it’s vital to plan well ahead. Our specialist advice will help you identify the best exit option, prepare your business for the sale and help acquire the highest value deal with the right kind of buyer.

Get in touch to find out how we can help you with planning and implementing your exit.