Thinking about selling your business? Before you even start the process, there’s one thing that can make or break the entire deal: your financials.
At Murphy Business Sales Tampa, we talk to business owners every day who are ready to move on—but haven’t taken a hard look at their books in years. And we get it. When you’re running a company, bookkeeping isn’t always at the top of your list. But if you’re entering the mergers and acquisitions market, your numbers matter more than ever.
Buyers Look at Your Books First—Not Your Brand
You might have a strong customer base, great staff, and years of experience. But buyers will always start with the numbers. If your profit and loss statements don’t make sense, if personal expenses are mixed into business accounts, or if things just look messy, it sends the wrong message.
Clean financials show buyers that you run a serious business—and that gives them confidence to move forward.
Due Diligence Is No Joke
Once you accept an offer, the buyer is going to dig into everything. They’ll bring in accountants, attorneys, and advisors to comb through your financials, line by line. If they find errors, inconsistencies, or surprises, it can lead to delays, price drops, or even a failed deal.
That’s why we always tell sellers: get ahead of it. The cleaner your books are, the smoother the due diligence process will be.
We help owners like you get ready for M&A deals every day—so you’re not caught off guard when the questions start rolling in.
Messy Books = Lower Offers
Buyers don’t want to inherit a financial mess. If they can’t clearly see your revenue, expenses, margins, or growth trends, they’ll assume the worst and adjust their offer accordingly. On the other hand, when everything is clear and organized, your asking price feels justified—and that can mean a better deal.
Bottom line: clean books make your business look stronger and more valuable.
It’s Not Just About the Deal—It’s About Protection
Selling your business means signing off on statements about your financials. If something turns out to be inaccurate or misleading, you could be legally responsible after the sale. Cleaning things up before you go to market isn’t just smart—it’s protection.
You don’t need perfect books. But you do need numbers that are accurate, consistent, and well-documented.
What Buyers Want to See
Here’s a quick checklist of what most buyers expect:
- At least three years of financials (P&L, balance sheets, tax returns)
- No personal spending mixed in with business expenses
- Updated accounting software or systems
- A clear understanding of how your business makes money and where it spends
If that’s not where things stand right now, don’t worry—it’s fixable. Start working with your CPA or bookkeeper now, and you’ll be in a much better place when it’s time to list.
It’s Worth the Effort
Cleaning up your books might feel like one more chore, but it could be the difference between a deal that drags out for months—or one that closes smoothly and at full value. Even if you’re not selling tomorrow, this is the kind of prep that pays off later.
At Murphy Business Sales Tampa, we’ll walk you through everything you need to get ready for the M&A process. If you’re thinking about selling—or even just exploring your options—let’s talk. We’re here to help you put your best numbers forward.