What Are Add-Backs When Selling a Business?
By Troy Frank, Owner — Indiana Equity Brokers Estimated read time: 8 min The short answer: Add-backs when selling a business are expenses on your P&L that a buyer would not incur after buying your business, so they get added back to the profit figure to show what the business actually earns. Common examples include one-time legal costs, the owner’s salary at an above-market rate,...Read More
Do You Have an Exit Plan?
“Exit strategies may allow you to get out before the bottom falls out of your industry. Well-planned exits allow you to get a better price for your business.” From: Selling Your Business by Russ Robb, published by Adams Media Corporation Whether you plan to sell out in one year, five years, or never, you need an exit strategy. As the term suggests, an exit strategy is a plan for...Read More
The Devil May Be in the Details
When the sale of a business falls apart, everyone involved in the transaction is disappointed – usually. Sometimes the reasons are insurmountable, and other times they are minuscule – even personal. Some intermediaries report a closure rate of 80 percent; others say it is even lower. Still other intermediaries claim to close 80 percent or higher. When asked how, this last group responded that...Read More
Family Businesses
How to Successfully Sell a Family Business Introduction Selling a family business can be a complex and emotional process. Whether you’re planning to retire, pursue other ventures, or simply feel it’s time to move on, understanding the steps involved is crucial for a successful sale. This guide will walk you through the essential aspects of selling a family business, ensuring you...Read More
Two Similar Companies ~ Big Difference in Value
Consider two different companies in virtually the same industry. Both companies have an EBITDA of $6 million – but, they have very different valuations. One is valued at five times EBITDA, pricing it at $30 million. The other is valued at seven times EBITDA, making it $42 million. What’s the difference? One can look at the usual checklist for the answer, such as: The Market...Read More
What Are Buyers Looking for in a Company?
It has often been said that valuing companies is an art, not a science. When a buyer considers the purchase of a company, three main things are almost always considered when arriving at an offering price. Quality of the Earnings Some accountants and intermediaries are very aggressive when adding back, for example, what might be considered one-time or non-recurring expenses. A non-recurring...Read More
A Reasonable Price for Private Companies
Putting a price on privately-held companies is more complicated than placing a value or price on a publicly-held one. For one thing, many privately-held businesses do not have audited financial statements; these statements are very expensive and not required. Public companies also have to reveal a lot more about their financial issues and other information than the privately-held ones. This...Read More
