The seller has an opportunity to correct discrepancies, develop explanations and analyses, and get an honest look at their business from an outsider’s perspective. Knowing the in’s and out’s of your financial results is critical to a successful outcome. Time kills deals – is a legitimate cause and effect as delays compound themselves. A buyer’s job is to identify, evaluate and minimize ALL risks. The last thing you need are snags and issues giving the buyer ammunition to delay, reconsider, renegotiate and possibly walk away. Performing a QofE and the necessary preparation increases certainty to close on time with fewer bumps along the way.

Identify, evaluate and address potential tax risks, remediate any exposures and confirm historical tax compliance, thus reducing pitfalls in the sale process. Issues that aren’t addressed before talking to buyers will rear their ugly heads during due diligence causing delays and potentially killing the deal. Tax planning will also help a seller anticipate the after-tax proceeds by giving you a leg up in negotiating the deal.

Your QofE will weed out buyers looking for an easy deal. Opportunists will have a more difficult time competing against serious bidders attracted to a serious, prepared seller. By deciding to complete a QofE, the seller’s commitment to close the deal is unmistakable. With more offers on the table, it will be easier to pick out the best offers with the best buyers.

There is power in knowing you’re surrounded by a team of certified valuation professionals who have performed the due diligence and can defend the numbers. When the buyer’s due diligence team looks for discrepancies, they’ll have a difficult time disproving the figures provided by your QofE. You are now in a stronger position to answer any questions. The expected valuation, backed by a QEof, will be justified and lead to a smoother exit with less strings attached.