Business Succession Assessment
Not just what your business is worth—but whether it can actually sell, who would buy it, and how
Beyond Simple Valuation
Any accountant can give you an EBITDA multiple. That's a two-minute job. But that number alone doesn't tell you whether your business can actually sell, who could buy it, how they'd finance it, or what's standing in the way.
A business "worth" $2 million on paper might be effectively unsellable if it depends entirely on the owner, has one customer at 60% of revenue, and no bank would finance the acquisition. Meanwhile, a $1.2 million business with recurring revenue, documented processes, and a capable management team might sell in 90 days with clean terms.
Our Succession Assessment answers the questions that actually matter when you're thinking about exiting your business.
Understand the Framework
Beyond Valuation: What Makes a Business Actually Sellable → Why valuation alone isn't enough, how buyers actually pay, and what makes a business transactable Business Valuation: Beyond the Numbers → What drives business value, quality of earnings, and how multiples are really determinedWhat We Assess
A comprehensive framework that goes beyond numbers to understand true transaction readiness
Financial Health Analysis
Normalised earnings, margin analysis, revenue quality, working capital, debt position. What a buyer would actually earn, not what you report for tax purposes.
Transferability Assessment
Owner dependency, key person risk, customer relationships, documented processes, management capability, contract assignability. Can this business actually transfer?
Deal Structure Feasibility
What financing structures are realistic? Bank debt capacity, seller financing requirements, earnout likelihood, buyer equity expectations.
Buyer Profile Analysis
Who could realistically buy this business? Individual buyers, strategic acquirers, private equity, management buyout. Each has different capabilities and requirements.
Risk Register
Customer concentration, key person risk, operational vulnerabilities, financial risks, legal gaps. What buyers will find in due diligence—and how to address it.
Value Enhancement Roadmap
If not selling immediately, what changes would most improve saleability and value? Prioritised actions with realistic effort and impact assessment.
What Most Valuations Tell You vs What We Tell You
(normalised, defensible)
(buyer profiles)
(financing structure)
(risks and blockers)
(enhancement roadmap)
The work isn't the multiple—it's making the business actually transactable.
Service Options
Three levels of engagement depending on your timeline and needs
- Financial normalisation and earnings analysis
- Transferability score across six dimensions
- Top five risks with severity ratings
- Indicative valuation range
- Initial buyer profile assessment
- Priority recommendations
10-page assessment report plus one-hour review session via video call
- Everything in Tier 1, plus:
- Complete financial analysis with detailed normalisation
- Deal structure feasibility modelling
- Financing scenarios and requirements
- Detailed buyer profile matrix
- Complete risk register with mitigation strategies
- Value enhancement roadmap with prioritisation
- Comparable transaction analysis
Comprehensive 25-30 page report package, plus two working sessions via video call
- Everything in Tier 2, plus:
- Value enhancement implementation support
- Quarterly progress reviews and plan updates
- Owner extraction planning and support
- Management development guidance
- Transaction preparation when ready
- Buyer introduction and deal support
- Coordination with legal and accounting advisors
Living assessment document with quarterly updates, ongoing advisory relationship through to transaction completion
What We Need From You
A thorough assessment requires comprehensive information. We've developed a structured data collection process that covers financial history, operational details, and strategic context.
The depth of analysis is only as good as the information it's built on. Our checklist ensures we have what we need to give you accurate, actionable insights.
Remote Advisory
Succession planning is well-suited to remote delivery
Unlike operational projects requiring on-site presence, succession assessment and planning is strategic work. Document review, financial analysis, and advisory sessions work effectively via secure file sharing and video calls.
This means lower costs, easier scheduling around your business commitments, and access to experienced advisors regardless of your location. For Tier 3 engagements, we can include site visits where valuable, but most of the work happens remotely.
Discretion is absolute. Your succession planning remains confidential until you're ready to disclose it. We work outside your existing professional network to maintain privacy.
Related Services
Business Valuation
Standalone valuation service for businesses not planning immediate exit but needing to understand current value.
Learn More →Long-Term Succession Planning
For business owners 5-10 years from exit. Strategic planning without immediate transaction focus.
Learn More →Growth Strategy
Build business value before transition. Strategic growth initiatives to improve your position.
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