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Frequently Asked Questions

Selling your business is a major decision, and there are several steps you can take to ensure a smooth and successful sale:

  1. Get Your Financials in Order – Ensure your financial statements, tax returns, and records are accurate and up to date. Buyers want transparency and a clear picture of profitability.
  2. Increase Business Value – Strengthen operations, streamline processes, and reduce unnecessary expenses to make your business more attractive to buyers.
  3. Maintain Confidentiality – Avoid publicly disclosing the sale too early to protect employee morale, customer relationships, and business stability.
  4. Prepare a Strong Exit Strategy – Have a transition plan in place to help the new owner take over smoothly.
  5. Work with Experts – Partnering with professionals like AcquiTrust ensures you receive expert guidance, proper valuation, and access to serious buyers.

At AcquiTrust Advisors, we handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on running your business while we find the right buyer at the best price. Contact us today to get started!

“It’s a fair question. In a world of ‘automated’ brokerages, many firms use AI as a replacement for experience. At AcquiTrust, we use it as an enhancer.

Think of our AI integration like a high-powered X-ray for your financials. While most brokers are still manually squinting at spreadsheets, our tech deep-dives into your P&L data to instantly identify every hidden ‘Add-back’ and operational efficiency that a human might miss after their fourth cup of coffee.

However, we know that AI can’t look a buyer in the eye, it can’t navigate a tense landlord negotiation, and it certainly doesn’t know what it’s like to have the ‘owner-operator’ grit required to run a business day-to-day. We’ve sat in your seat, signed the front of the checks, and managed the staff.

The AcquiTrust difference is that we use high-speed data science to find the value, and our ‘boots-on-the-ground’ experience to close the deal. We give you the precision of an algorithm with the soul of a business owner. High tech, higher trust.“

When selling or acquiring a business, the right advisor makes all the difference. So why choose acquisition experts over traditional business brokers? While business brokers primarily focus on listing and selling businesses, acquisition experts take a strategic, results-driven approach designed to maximize value and ensure a seamless transaction. They don’t just wait for buyers to show interest—they proactively seek qualified buyers, leverage market data and financial analysis, and use advanced negotiation tactics to secure the best possible terms. Unlike brokers who often target individual buyers, acquisition experts have access to private equity firms, strategic investors, and high-net-worth buyers willing to pay a premium. They also provide full-service support, handling pre-sale preparation, due diligence, and post-sale transitions to streamline the process. Most importantly, acquisition experts execute faster, more efficient closings, eliminating delays that could cost you opportunities. At AcquiTrust Advisors, we go beyond the traditional broker model with real-world business ownership experience and a data-driven, strategic process that ensures our clients get the highest value with the best possible terms—quickly and efficiently.

Determining the value of a business is crucial for buyers and sellers alike. The most commonly used valuation methods include:

  1. Market Approach – Compares the business to similar companies that have recently been sold, using industry multiples and market trends.
  2. Income Approach – Focuses on the company’s ability to generate future earnings, often using Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis or Capitalization of Earnings.
  3. Asset-Based Approach – Calculates the company’s net worth based on its tangible and intangible assets, minus liabilities.
  4. Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE) – Often used for small businesses, this method adjusts net profit by adding back owner benefits and discretionary expenses to reflect true earnings potential.
  5. EBITDA Multiple Method – Common for mid-to-large businesses, this method values a company based on a multiple of its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA), considering industry benchmarks and financial performance.

Each method has its advantages, and the best approach depends on the nature of the business, industry standards, and financial health. At M.O.X. Advisors, we use a strategic combination of these methods to ensure an accurate and competitive valuation for our clients.

The time it takes to sell a business varies based on several factors, including the industry, business size, financial health, and market demand. On average, most businesses sell within 6 to 12 months, but the timeline can range from a few months to over a year.

Key factors that influence the selling timeline include:

  • Business Valuation & Pricing – A well-priced business attracts more buyers, while overpricing can extend the process.
  • Market Conditions – A strong economy and high buyer demand can speed up sales, whereas market downturns may slow them down.
  • Buyer Financing – Deals close faster when buyers have access to capital or financing is pre-arranged.
  • Due Diligence & Negotiations – The more organized and transparent a seller is, the smoother this process will be.
  • Business Type & Size – Larger, more complex businesses often take longer to sell compared to smaller businesses.

At AcquiTrust Advisors, we streamline the process by proactively managing timelines, preparing all necessary documentation in advance, and connecting sellers with qualified buyers to close deals as efficiently as possible.

 

 

 

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Engaging an acquisition strategist early maximizes valuation, minimizes risks, streamlines the process, and strengthens your negotiation position, leading to a more successful sale.

For optimal results, AcquiTrust Advisors recommends an exclusive partnership. This allows us to fully dedicate our resources and expertise to your transaction. We’ll work in close collaboration with your existing team of attorneys, CPAs, and advisors, ensuring a streamlined and successful process.

AcquiTrust Advisors understands that sellers often have their own buyer prospects, but deals frequently fail due to process unfamiliarity. Our ‘Facilitation’ service addresses this by providing expert guidance for a reduced fee. We navigate the complex closing process, ensuring a successful transaction even when you’ve found the buyer. While finding a buyer is only a small part of the sale, our expertise makes closing the deal a reality.

Selling for all cash often means leaving significant money on the table. Studies show sellers accepting terms average 86% of their asking price, compared to just 70% for all-cash offers—a 16% difference. Offering reasonable terms dramatically increases your chances of a faster, more profitable sale. Plus, seller financing can generate substantial interest income and signal confidence in your business’s future. AcquiTrust also provides SBA financing in which we can prequalify your company.

AcquiTrust Advisors represents business owners in East Coast to the West Coast of United States; however, we market and sell to regional, national, and international buyers.

  • We utilize the Double Lehman Scale to structure our fees, which are calculated as follows:
  • 10% on the first $1 million of the transaction value
  • 8% on the second $1 million
  • 6% on the third $1 million
  • 4% on the fourth $1 million
  • 2% on the remaining balance

This tiered structure aligns our incentives with maximizing your business’s sale value while ensuring a fair and transparent fee arrangement.

Understanding that your business doesn’t adhere to traditional hours, AcquiTrust Advisors offers personalized  support. A dedicated principal will guide you through the business transfer, ensuring you have immediate access to expert advice, day or night.

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