A Checklist for Preparing Your Documents & Financials

Buyers will expect to see the documents that back up the claims made in your business for sale advertisement.

Prospective buyers will want to see your up to date accounts, cash flow statements and relevant legal documents before deciding to part with their money for your business.

You should prepare all your documents as early in the process as possible to avoid losing buyer interest while you scramble to put documents together.

Once you starting receiving requests for further information within your Bizdaq Seller Dashboard you can choose which of your documents that you would like to share. It might be that you feel more comfortable meeting a potential buyer before sending your documents. You are in full control with Bizdaq.

Preparing for Due Diligence

Buyers will investigate your business once you have accepted an offer and a signed letter of intent. This process is known as due diligence.

Even though a seller will have already have seen top-line financials and other documents during the pre-offer process, in-depth due diligence is the best way for a buyer to get a full picture of your business. They will be looking to understand the risks involved with running your business and assess the value of your business.

Buyers will be interested in your financials, business operations, relevant contracts, assets and legal documents.

Document Checklist

Below we have highlighted an overview of the documents you may need to prepare for the buyer depending on your business and the buyer's requirements.

Financials

Your accountant will be able to help you prepare the following documents:

• Current balance sheet
• Profit & loss statements for ideally the past three years
• Details of any bank loans
• Overview of outgoing costs

Legal Documents

• Employee contracts
• Customer contracts and agreements
• Lease if you are renting your premises
• Supplier contracts

Business Operations

The majority of the following will depend on the type of business that you intend to sell:

• Stock inventory
• Asset list
• Utility accounts
• Supplier accounts
• Insurance details