Business Purchase, Sale & Exit Planning
Whether you're buying your next opportunity or selling what you've built, the structure of the deal determines the outcome.
The Cost of Getting a Business Transaction Wrong
Buying a business without proper due diligence is one of the most expensive mistakes an entrepreneur can make. Hidden liabilities, overstated earnings, undisclosed debts, customer concentration risk, these issues only surface after settlement when it's too late to renegotiate.
Selling is equally risky without proper planning. Business owners who don't prepare for exit often leave hundreds of thousands on the table through poor timing, inefficient structures, or failure to present the business in its best light. A business that could sell for $2M with preparation might only attract $1.2M without it.
In both cases, the common thread is lack of specialist accounting advice at the right time. Your regular accountant might handle your tax returns competently, but buying, selling, or exiting a business requires specific expertise in transaction structuring, tax implications, and risk assessment.
Structured Transactions That Protect Your Interests
BVM provides end-to-end support for business purchases, sales, and exit planning. For buyers, we conduct financial due diligence, assess the true earning capacity of the target, identify hidden risks, and structure the acquisition to minimise tax and protect your downside.
For sellers, we start planning 12–24 months before the intended sale. We help you clean up the financials, optimise the structure for CGT concessions, build a compelling information memorandum, and negotiate from a position of strength. Our clients in South West Sydney have achieved significantly better outcomes by preparing properly rather than rushing to market.
For business owners planning a longer-term exit, whether that's succession to family, management buyout, or eventual sale, we build a roadmap that maximises the value you extract when the time comes. Every decision between now and exit should be building toward that outcome.
What's Included
- ✓Financial due diligence for business acquisitions
- ✓Normalised earnings analysis and business valuation guidance
- ✓Transaction structure advice (asset sale vs share sale)
- ✓CGT small business concession planning and eligibility assessment
- ✓Tax modelling for purchase and sale scenarios
- ✓Exit readiness assessment and 12–24 month preparation plan
- ✓Information memorandum preparation support
- ✓Post-acquisition integration and restructuring advice
Who Is This For?
This is for business owners who are buying, selling, or planning to exit within the next one to five years. Whether you are acquiring your first business, selling a business you have built over decades, or planning succession, you need specialist accounting advice to protect your interests and maximise your outcome. If the transaction value is $500K or more, professional guidance pays for itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for when buying a small business in Australia?+
Beyond the obvious financials, look at customer concentration, staff dependency on the owner, quality of financial records, outstanding tax liabilities, lease terms, and the trend in earnings (not just the latest year). We conduct structured due diligence that covers all these areas and flags risks before you commit.
How do I prepare my business for sale to get the best price?+
Start 12–24 months before you want to sell. Clean up your financials, reduce owner dependency, lock in key staff and customers, resolve any outstanding disputes or liabilities, and ensure your structure is optimised for CGT concessions. A well-prepared business sells faster and for a higher multiple.
What are the CGT small business concessions and do I qualify?+
The small business CGT concessions can reduce or eliminate capital gains tax on the sale of a business. They include the 15-year exemption, 50% active asset reduction, retirement exemption, and rollover relief. Eligibility depends on turnover, asset values, and how long you have owned the business. We assess eligibility early so you can structure accordingly.
Should I sell my business as an asset sale or a share sale?+
Each has different tax implications and risk profiles. Asset sales give buyers more flexibility and cleaner risk separation but may trigger higher tax for sellers. Share sales can access CGT concessions more easily but transfer all liabilities to the buyer. The right choice depends on your specific circumstances, we model both scenarios to find the optimal structure.
How long does it take to sell a small business in Australia?+
From listing to settlement, typically 6–12 months for businesses in the $500K–$5M range. However, preparation should start 12–24 months earlier. Businesses that are well-prepared with clean financials, documented processes, and strong earnings trends sell faster and attract better offers than those rushed to market.
Let's See If We're The Right Fit
We will take the time to understand your business, what support you need and whether BVM is the right partner moving forward.
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