Buy a Business

One of the best entry strategies into the world of business ownership is to purchase an existing business. The main advantage to buying an existing business is that the business concept is already proven since there are already customers purchasing the products/services. However, before deciding to buy a business there are two key pieces of information that must be determined. First, the business must be valued, and secondly the adjusted profitability after the transition must be determined.

Business Valuation

In order to place a value on a business you will need the following information:

1. List of all fixed assets (buildings, equipment, office furniture, computers, vehicles, etc.)

2. List of all inventory (items held for resale to customers)

3. Three years tax returns (schedule of profits and losses as reported to the IRS)

4. List of all loans currently outstanding (original balance, payoff amount, rate, term, etc.)

5. Schedule of accounts payable and accounts receivable

By obtaining the above information from the current owner of your targeted business acquisition, you will be able to provide the SBDC with all of the information necessary to approximate the market value of the business.

Adjusted Profitability

Determining the adjusted profitability of a business requires you to first identify the current profitability from the most recent fiscal year profit and loss statement and then add/subtract the costs associated with the change in ownership. These costs can include owners salary, interest payments, rents, taxes, and fringe benefits. The SBDC has counselors who are trained to analyze these types of business transactions and can provide you with FREE and confidential assistance. Contact us today using the numbers or e-mail on the right of this page.

Business Related Links:

Small Business Administration
Business Law
Internal Revenue Service
Minnesota Department of Revenue

Online Resources:

Write a Business Plan
Business Statistics
Learn About SBA Lending
Learn About Business Management
Business Tax Forms

Competent business planning assistance is just a phone call away.

Contact us today
(507) 285-7536
Fax: (507) 280-5502
E-mail: rick.indrelie@roch.edu