Use this checklist before you talk seriously with buyers or send sensitive information. The goal is not perfection. The goal is to avoid guessing when buyer questions start.
Financial readiness
Prepare:
- trailing 12-month profit and loss statement;
- two or three years of financials or tax returns if appropriate;
- revenue by service line;
- recurring monthly revenue versus project or cleanup work;
- payroll and contractor costs;
- owner compensation and possible add-backs;
- accounts receivable and work-in-process notes;
- top-client concentration by percentage.
Operating readiness
Prepare:
- client count by service type;
- engagement-letter status;
- pricing model and underpriced legacy-client notes;
- staff or contractor roles;
- review and quality-control process;
- software stack;
- workflow documentation;
- client onboarding process;
- owner role map.
Transition readiness
Think through:
- whether you would stay for a transition period;
- which client relationships need personal handoff;
- which employees or contractors are essential;
- what you want beyond price;
- timing around tax season or monthly close cycles;
- what information must stay confidential until a buyer is vetted.
If several checklist items are unclear, the next step may be preparation before a sale process. Start with a confidential readiness conversation.
References
- U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) loans
- Journal of Accountancy: Client retention tips after an accounting firm sale
- Google Search Central SEO Starter Guide
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