Financials
Whether a buyer can trust your numbers and see where profit comes from.
How would you describe your financial statements?
Why it matters: Buyers and lenders start with statements they can rely on.
A first step: Ask your accountant what a buyer would expect, and get several years of clean statements ready.
Are personal and one-time expenses separated from the business?
Why it matters: Buyers will question any adjustment to profit that you can't support.
A first step: Stop running personal costs through the business, and keep a documented list of one-time items.
Can you show profit by service, customer type or location?
Why it matters: Knowing where you make money strengthens your growth story and any negotiation.
A first step: Set up reporting that shows margin by service line or customer type every month.