Transaction Advisory
Purchase Agreement Essentials: Key Components and Common Pitfalls for Business Transactions
A purchase agreement is the cornerstone of any business transaction. It defines what is being bought or sold, outlines the obligations of each party, and sets the terms for closing. Even minor ambiguities can create friction after the close, extend timelines, or reduce realized value for buyers or sellers. While legal counsel drafts the formal […]
Stock Sale Essentials: Key Steps for Private Company Owners
How Can Private Company Owners Prepare for a Successful Stock Sale? When a private company is sold, every contract, employee relationship, and financial detail faces close examination. In a stock sale, ownership, along with the company’s legacy, obligations, and opportunities, transfers to the buyer. While the process can be complex and demanding, thorough preparation by […]
Due Diligence Preparation That Supports Stronger M&A Outcomes
Due diligence serves as the buyer’s primary tool for validating financial, operational, and compliance assumptions in a transaction. When documentation is incomplete, inconsistent, or poorly explained, diligence shifts from confirmation to investigation. This change increases scrutiny, extends timelines, and may place transaction value at risk. For sellers, the greatest exposure often stems not from complex […]
IRS Updates Guidance on Business Interest Deductions
Key takeaways: The Internal Revenue Service recently clarified its Section 163(j) FAQs following changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. These updates do not create new law but provide practical guidance for companies evaluating financing, merger and acquisitions activity, or capital investments. For businesses with significant depreciation or amortization, the revised framework helps align […]
Why Tax Planning Should Begin Well Before a Multistate or International Business Sale
When preparing a business for sale, one of the first areas buyers examine is tax compliance. Where a company files state income, sales, and payroll taxes—and whether those filings are complete—can become a central focus of due diligence. Gaps in compliance, or even unintentional oversights, can lead to buyer holdbacks, unexpected liabilities, delays in closing, […]
New Leadership Expands Business Transaction Advisory Support for Clients
AAFCPAs, a U.S. top 100 CPA and advisory firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ronald C. Lipof as Partner and Emily Feeley, CPA, as Director in the firm’s growing Transaction Advisory practice. Their arrival expands the firm’s already robust capabilities, adding depth and specialized experience to guide clients through complex transactions. Ron and […]
How Early Planning Maximizes the Value of a Business Sale
Financial outcomes from a business sale reflect the planning and decisions made long before the deal closes. Thoughtful preparation allows you to structure the transaction and manage proceeds deliberately. Starting early—think years ahead—creates space to protect what you’ve built, optimize your tax strategy, and plan the next chapter. A measured approach ensures that funds are […]
Understanding Asset Sales in Private Company Deals
Article Highlights When a company changes hands, the deal can be structured in several ways. In some cases, the entire business transfers via a stock sale. In others, the buyer selects specific assets and liabilities, leaving the rest behind. Valuation of the deal includes intangible assets not necessarily on the balance sheet, such as customer […]
Are you prepared for the financial and operational scrutiny of a business sale?
In every transaction, there comes a moment when optimism meets scrutiny. The buyer has signaled interest, perhaps even hinted at terms, but now the conversation shifts to proof. They will want to see the numbers behind the story, the contracts that bind relationships, and the systems that keep the business running. They may also review […]