Before you buy or sell a business, you need to know what it really earns, what itโ€™s worth and what tax and structure issues come with the deal. We review the financials, test the price against actual profit, flag risks and plan the structure, so you go into negotiations with clear numbers.

Before you buy or sell a business, you need to know what it really earns, what itโ€™s worth and what tax and structure issues come with the deal. We review the financials, test the price against actual profit, flag risks and plan the structure, so you go into negotiations with clear numbers.

Buying or selling a business, with the numbers checked first.
Elephant Advisory Virtual Cfo services
Elephant Advisory Virtual Cfo services

Who itโ€™s for

Who itโ€™s for

Buyers looking at an existing business, and owners planning a sale, succession or exit in the next few years.

Who itโ€™s for

Buyers looking at an existing business, and owners planning a sale, succession or exit in the next few years.

What's included

Whatโ€™s included

Financial due diligence

Checking that reported profit, cash flow and assets match the records.

Price and value check

Testing the asking price against normalised earnings and the deal terms.

Structure and tax planning

Which entity should buy or sell, and the CGT and GST implications.

Funding the purchase

How the deal will be paid for and whether the cash flow supports it.

Preparing to sell

Cleaning up the books and reporting before you go to market, and planning succession or exit timing.

What's included

Whatโ€™s included

Financial due diligence

Checking that reported profit, cash flow and assets match the records.

Price and value check

Testing the asking price against normalised earnings and the deal terms.

Structure and tax planning

Which entity should buy or sell, and the CGT and GST implications.

Funding the purchase

How the deal will be paid for and whether the cash flow supports it.

Preparing to sell

Cleaning up the books and reporting before you go to market, and planning succession or exit timing.

Our crew, is yours too.

Shehan Wijayasinghe, Managing Director
Shehan Wijayasinghe
Managing Director
Oz Karabadjak, Director of Accounting
Oz Karabadjak
Director of Accounting
Mia Burgess, Director of Digital
Mia Burgess
Director of Digital
Marissa Moro, Director of Bookkeeping
Marissa Moro
Director of Bookkeeping
Sam Draper, Director of Accounting
Sam Draper
Director of Accounting
Gavin Hepponstall, Director of Finance
Gavin Hepponstall
Director of Finance
Georgia Upperton, Operations Manager
Georgia Upperton
Operations Manager

FAQ

Let's clear a few things up.

No jargon, no runaround - just honest answers.

FAQ

Let's clear a few things up.

No jargon, no runaround - just honest answers.

What should I check before buying a business?

At least three years of financials and tax returns, recent BAS, key customer and supplier contracts, staff entitlements and any debts or disputes.

How is a small business valued?

Commonly as a multiple of its sustainable profit, adjusted for the owner's wage and one-off items. The right multiple depends on the industry, risk and how much the business relies on the owner.

Does structure matter when buying?

Yes. The buying entity affects tax, asset protection and future sale options, so decide before you sign.

When should I start preparing to sell?

Ideally two to three years ahead, so the books are clean and the business doesn't rely on you.

Do you act as a business broker?

No. We advise on the numbers, structure and tax, and work alongside your broker and lawyer.