How Rayner Essex can support you when selling your business

There are several considerations in the sale process, so it is a good idea to appoint experienced practitioners to guide you through, enabling you to concentrate on the day–to–day running of your business without the administrative burden. 

The Rayner Essex Corporate Finance Team have many years of experience in this field and, with their wide network, we can introduce you to useful contacts who can add value to the sales process. We can handle the financial due diligence process, advise you on the structure of the sale and liaise with legal and financial advisors, contributing to an efficient sales process.

Trust Rayner Essex to navigate the intricacies of selling your business, allowing you to focus on what you do best while maximising value and minimising hassle.

Things to consider when selling your business

Navigating the sale of your business demands careful planning and expertise. Rayner Essex offers seasoned corporate finance guidance, providing a smooth journey from initial considerations to final sale. With meticulous attention to detail, we empower you to make strategic decisions and unlock the full potential of your business, alleviating the selling process’s daunting complexities.

There are many considerations to bear in mind prior to deciding to sell your business. Whether you’re planning your retirement, exit or next new venture, careful planning is crucial.

Rayner Essex has years of expertise in corporate finance, paying attention to detail and can help you better understand the key considerations below and the process involved,  guiding you through strategic decision-making and ensuring that you maximise the potential of your business throughout your selling journey.

Business valuation

Before we dive head-first into the sale process, it’s vital that we assess your business’s market value. We will look closely at your business to establish its market value to give you an understanding of an achievable price. 

Tax

A critical part of the process, which is often overlooked, is the tax implications on the sale of your business. We will advise you on the most tax efficient method of selling your business in order to maximise the amount you ultimately receive. 

Identify and target potential buyer

Next, you’ll need to identify a target buyer. To do this, you can utilise the skills of experienced brokers to maximise exposure and attract potential buyers, or, sometimes, our team can introduce our clients to trusted contacts who can help. 

To do this, you should prepare a detailed information memorandum that outlines your key strengths, growth potential, financial data, customer base, and successes. Keep in mind that some buyers may not be genuine, which can lead to wasted time and potentially costly abortive fees. To avoid this, it is wise to implement a thorough screening process to ensure discussions are productive and worthwhile.

Also, make sure to keep this step confidential until you’re ready to inform your team. We strongly recommend that you have confidentiality agreements in place to protect your sale from being jeopardised.

Negotiation

After you have identified some potential buyers from your marketing efforts, it’s likely that prospective buyers will want to negotiate for a favourable deal, typically seeking a lower price. It is recommended that your business representative or company owner negotiate with multiple potential buyers. This is advisable to maintain flexibility and capitalise on heightened competition. This approach encourages buyers to outbid each other, potentially leading to the highest sale price. It’s also essential to enter negotiations with clear objectives and a predetermined minimum acceptable price to prevent hasty decisions. 

Sale preparation

Once you are happy with the potential offers from prospective buyers, we remain your closest ally right until the sale is completed. We can support you in preparing your business for sale and ensuring all mandatory documentation is in place to proceed. 

Due diligence

As we move forward in the selling process, it’s crucial to acknowledge the significance of due diligence for both you as the seller and your potential buyer. In fact, it is highly likely that your buyer will want to carry out their due diligence in preparation to purchase. We can oversee this process on your behalf with minimal disruption to your business. 

Buyers want to ensure that they’re getting the best deal when purchasing a business. After all, it’s a big decision! So, be prepared for them to carry out due diligence by having everything in order and this will need to be verified prior to the sale being finalised:

• Get financial documents in order, including copies of accounts, corporation tax and VAT returns.
• Make sure your accounting records and systems are accurate and up to date.
• Ensure your Companies House filings are up to date.
• Be clear about what properties and assets are included in the sale.
• Be transparent about all liabilities.
• Make sure employee and client contracts are up to date. 

Planning your exit

The support from Rayner Essex does not end there. Making sure you exit your business with the least amount of stress and best financial gain is imperative. We will also advise on the most tax efficient way to do so. 

Why you should choose Rayner Essex when selling your business

As your Corporate Finance Advisers, we will take the time to understand your objectives and manage the entire process ensuring your sale progresses in line with set timescales whilst achieving the best deal and safeguarding future business. 

If you would like to know more about selling your business, please get in touch with one of our experts on the right. Alternatively fill out the form below and we will be in touch.