If you are looking to dive into entrepreneurship and run your own business, you have two choices before you – one, to start the business from scratch – which is the more traditional approach, and two, to buy an existing business – which is the new age mantra for starting a business quickly and easily.
Did you know? Buying an existing business can lead to a better visibility of immediate cash flow, proven financial history which makes it easier to secure loan and investment, established network of customers and suppliers, well-defined market for products and/or services, and an experienced team to rely on.
As a prospective buyer, you may believe that all months of the year are equally important when buying a business, but the truth is that some months of the year are more favorable than others. The last couple of months in a financial year are often believed to be the most favorable months for buying a business.
Let us tell you why?
- Visibility of Last Year’s Performance – The potential buyer gets a very good idea about annual sales, operating profit and net profit of the small business being sold. More than three quarters of performance available makes it easy to extrapolate annual financial performance. This also makes it easier to perform due diligence of assets, liabilities and other financial accounts.
- Cashflow Overview – Potential buyer has reasonably a good idea about the surplus cash flow that his existing business or profession is likely to generate during the year. Payments related to buying a business can synchronize the timings of cash flow generation and utilization.
- Tax Benefits – There are possible tax saving opportunities if a loss-making business is acquired and merged with a profitable business. It becomes easy to quantify possible reduction in tax liability if the loss-making business is acquired towards the end of the financial year.
- Motivation of Business Sellers – Business sellers are likely to be more motivated to make a transaction around this time of the year and make a fresh start in the new financial year.
As we draw the curtains on Financial Year 2017-18, it is an excellent opportunity to close a business transaction (Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Exit, Raise funds, Investment Opportunities) that you have been waiting for or to start preparing for a great deal in the next year. Remember, it’s never too late or too early to seize a business opportunity – make the best of your time and resources!