Planning to sell your business? Start by organizing business assets, including both financial records and personal wealth. Without clear documentation, value is lost. Deals slow down. And taxes take a bigger cut.
That’s why we use a custom exit readiness checklist to guide each client. It brings order to the process. More importantly, it unlocks hidden value.
At Approach Advisors, we specialize in financial structuring that ensures every move contributes to long-term wealth, not short-term convenience.
Business Financials: Create a Clear Picture for Buyers
Buyers don’t just look at numbers. They look at how you present them.
Your checklist should include:
- Clean financials, including profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash flow
- Reconciled books that are audit-ready
- Systems that match business scale and revenue complexity
Our role? Guide you on how to present your business in its best financial light—before due diligence begins.
Personal Financial Positioning: Plan for the Aftermath
Many business owners forget this part. But what happens after the sale matters just as much as the deal itself.
Prepare now by:
- Separating business and personal accounts
- Reviewing all retirement accounts and contribution opportunities
- Planning debt payoff or refinancing of personally guaranteed loans
With smart structuring, your sale proceeds can fund a long-term wealth strategy so you can plan tax-efficiently.
Legal Tools: Trusts, Entities, and Ownership
To protect your gains, use the right legal and tax tools. These help you align the sale with your financial future.
Your checklist should include:
- Review of entity structure (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp)
- Trust arrangements for estate planning and liability protection
- Updated ownership and beneficiary documentation
While we don’t replace your attorney, we work closely with them to ensure your exit plan is watertight and tax-smart.
Timing Income for Tax Efficiency
The year you sell may be the biggest income year of your life. That’s why timing matters.
Use this phase to:
- Delay income or bonuses into lower-income years if possible
- Accelerate deductible business expenses pre-sale
- Maximize contributions to 401(k), SEP IRA, or defined benefit plans
When planned early, these strategies can lower your effective tax rate significantly. We help you align them with your readiness timeline.