Before you consider buying a business, there are some key steps to take in order to know exactly what you’re getting into.

Buying an existing business can be an effective way to skip the start-up stage and hit the ground running as your own boss.

Once you’ve found a business you’re interested in, it’s important to check its financial health thoroughly. Completing this checklist can help you get a clearer picture of your potential business’ prospects.

  1. Financial statements
  • Review balance sheets, profit and loss statements, annual reports and any cash-flow statements for at least the past two years. You can do this with your accountant.
  • Verify the numbers against independent evidence, such as sales records, invoices, bank statements and loan documents.

Questions to ask

  • Are there new or increased costs you should anticipate?
  • Are there any cash flow or debtor problems?

If the current owner isn’t willing to provide these details, it’s important to know why. 

  1. Tax records
  • Check business activity statements (BAS) and reconcile the taxable income and profits with the business’ financial statements
  • Check payroll tax records (if applicable). The PAYG (pay-as-you-go income tax), GST and other tax obligations, such as payroll tax, should all be up to date.
  • Check stamp duty records (if applicable). Will the purchase of the business be GST-free and approximately how much stamp duty will you have to pay?

No matter how good you are at numbers, you’ll probably want an accountant to go over these details with you, so you can be sure nothing is missing.

  1. Assets

It’s essential to make sure that the assets listed in the books match what exists within the business and that value isn’t being overestimated.

  • Ask for an asset list and check off physical items against it
  • Do a stocktake to assess the inventory on hand and its value
  • Inspect and verify that all plant, equipment, fixtures and fittings are in good working order
  • Check assets are insured until settlement of purchase
  • If assets are leased, get copies of the leases
  • If inventory has been sitting in the business for a long time, ask why. It could prove difficult to shift down the line if customers aren’t interested.
  • If you don’t understand how an asset works, ask the owner or someone else who may have experience with it.
  1. Customers and suppliers
  • Get a list or database of key customers
  • Check sales contracts to see what future business is guaranteed
  • Check if any major contracts are about to expire
  • Get details of suppliers and find out what the conditions of trade may be
  • If possible, get feedback from customers and suppliers on the business.
  1. Reason behind sale

Investigate the reasons for the sale and try to understand what the current owner’s motives may be by asking:

  • How long has the owner operated the business?
  • How long has it been on the market?
  • How many offers have been made?
  • What’s the owner planning to do next?
  1. Legal rights and obligations
  • Review government regulations that apply to the business to ensure it has the relevant permits and licences it needs to operate
  • Check if any worker entitlements need to be made, including leave entitlements or compulsory superannuation
  • Check whether workers’ compensation premiums are up to date
  • Check if intellectual property is protected through licences, patents, trademarks and registrations and if these rights will be passed on with the sale
  • Check the lease and any agreements binding the business and ask for copies. Questions to ask about the lease: Is there a right to renew on the lease and can you exercise that option? If there isn’t a right to renew, could you find another suitable location?
  • Check the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) website for company details
  • Contact your state or territory consumer affairs agency for a record of any unscrupulous trading
  • Check the Australasian Legal Information Institute website to see if the current business owner has ever been taken to court
  • Ensure the vendor puts all agreements in writing and keep your copies of correspondence and statements.  
  1. Competitors

You can get some of this information from industry associations, government departments and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, or seek specialist advice from industry bodies, consultants and business brokers.

  • Investigate your prospective competitors. Look at their growth, strengths, weaknesses and threat to you. If you can, get the data to compare their profitability, earnings, prices and costs.
  • List any potential threats. You can check with the local council to see if new competitors are planning to start up.
  • Research industry trends. Is the sector growing or slowing? What are the profit margins?
  • Consider economic factors. If the economy slows down, how will this affect your business?

Are you buying a business in Perth? Do you have a Perth business for sale? For more information on how you can get the best results, contact Angela at Advance Business Brokers today.