Accounting All-in-One For Dummies (+ Videos and Quizzes Online), 3rd Edition

Chapter 6

Acquiring New Business

IN THIS CHAPTER

Focusing on the value of the business

Assembling the buy/sell teams

Preparing financial disclosures and other documentation

Negotiating a price that works for both parties

As an accountant, you’re primarily involved in business operations — keeping the books, balancing the books, auditing, preparing taxes, and so forth. But you may also be called on when an owner considers selling the business and (less often) when a buyer considers purchasing it. You may be asked to provide insight into what can make the business a more attractive purchase and to prepare the financial disclosures and other accounting documentation that prospective buyers need to perform their due diligence.

In this chapter, I explain everything you need to know to fulfill your accounting duties when your employer or client calls on you for advice and assistance in managing the sale of their business.

This chapter is geared to accountants who assist sellers, because sellers often use accountants in these situations. If on the rare occasion you’re called on to assist ...