Update your subscriptions for Grant Thornton publications and events.
Services
Our progressive thinkers offer services to help create, protect and transform value today, so you have opportunity to thrive tomorrow.
-
Business Risk Services
Our Business Risk Services team deliver practical and pragmatic solutions that support clients in growing and protecting the inherent value of their businesses.
-
Corporate Finance and Deal Advisory
We offer a dedicated team of experienced individuals with a focus on successfully executing transactions for corporates and financial institutions. We offer an integrated approach, with our corporate finance specialists working seamlessly with tax and other specialists to ensure that every angle is covered.
-
Economic Advisory
Our all-island Economics Advisory team combines expertise in economics and business with a wealth of experience across the public and private sectors.
-
Forensic Accounting
We have a different way of doing business by delivering real insight through a combination of technical rigour, commercial experience and intuitive judgment. We take pride in delivering responsive and tailored solutions to all our clients, capitalising on the wealth of experience housed within our Belfast and wider Forensics team
-
People and Change Consulting
The Grant Thornton People & Change Consulting practice works with clients on these issues as well as on all aspects of how they attract, retain, engage develop, deploy and lead their people.
-
Restructuring
We work with a wide variety of clients and stakeholders such as high street banks, private equity funds, directors, government agencies and creditors to implement solutions which provide the best possible outcomes.
-
Technology Consulting
Motivating and assisting our clients to pursue, maintain and secure the benefits of digital solutions is at the core of our Digital Transformation teams' agenda and goals. We work with business leaders to deliver efficient digital strategies and operating models that provide new or enhanced capabilities.
Our audit services can strengthen your business and stakeholders' confidence. You'll receive professionally verified results and insights that help you grow.
Our tax services help you gain trust and stay ahead, enabling you to manage your tax transparently and ethically.
-
Corporate and International Tax
Northern Ireland businesses face further challenges as they operate in the only part of the UK that has a land border with a country offering a lower tax rate.
-
Employer Solutions
Our team specialises in remuneration and incentive planning and works closely with employers, shareholders and employees to ensure that business strategies are aligned and goals achieved in the most tax efficient, cost-effective manner.
-
Entrepreneur and Private Client Taxes
Our team of experienced advisors are on hand to guide you through any decision or transaction ranging from the establishment of new business ventures, to realising value on exit, to succession planning and providing for loved ones.
-
Global Mobility Services
Grant Thornton Ireland offer a different approach to managing global mobility. We have brought together specialists from our tax, global payroll, people and change and financial accounting teams across Ireland and Northern Ireland, while drawing on the knowledge and insights of our global network of over 143 offices of mobility professionals to provide you with a holistic approach to managing global mobility.
-
Outsourced Payroll
Our outsourced service provides valued service to over 150 separate PAYE schemes. These ranging from 1 to 1000 employees, working for micro, SME and global employers. The service is supported by the integrated network of tax and global mobility teams and the wider Grant Thornton network delivering a seamless service. Experienced staff deliver a personal service built around your business needs.
-
Tax Disputes and Investigations
Our Tax Disputes and Investigation team is made up of tax experts and former HMRC investigators who have years of experience in dealing with a variety of tax investigations. Our expertise and insight can guide you through all interactions, keeping your cost at a minimum while allowing you to continue with the day to day running of your business.
-
VAT and Indirect Taxes
At Grant Thornton (NI) LLP, our team helps Northern Ireland businesses manage their UK and global indirect tax risks which, as transactional taxes, can quickly become big liabilities.
Connect
Grant Thornton Ireland is rapidly approaching 3,000 people, in 9 offices across Ireland, Isle of Man, Gibraltar and Bermuda. With a presence in over 149...
Meet our people
Subscriptions
View our past webinars and register for upcoming events.
Business owners should always have an eye on an exit strategy, even if it is not a short-term consideration.
Contents
Subscribe to our mailing list
Circumstances can change quickly, which lead to a disposal becoming necessary or in the owners’ best interests. Preference is always to sell when you want to, rather than when you have to.
Selling your business can be a time-consuming, stressful, and often emotional journey, particularly when an owner has invested many years and much effort in making the company a success.
Even when exploring the sale process, it is important to maintain focus on core operations in order to protect the value of the business.
Selling requires forward-planning and a structured process to maximise returns. Preparation is critical to ensure your business is optimised for sale prior to commencing a disposal process.
Selecting a time to sell which suits you, when numbers are hitting their targets and cash position is maximised, will be beneficial in achieving a higher price for the business.
Owners should look to build the business value prior to commencing a sale process. Take a step back and view the business through the eyes of a buyer – what would you look for when acquiring a business in your industry? What can be done to reduce risk for the buyer? Certain attributes will make a business appear more attractive, such as recurring revenue streams, and long-term relationships with customers and suppliers. Ensuring that agreements are in place during the normal course of business can reduce any unnecessary complications. Having an effective, incentivised management team in place will also allay concerns for a buyer.
Any potential buyer will spend time reviewing the history of your business both from a financial and operational perspective. Financial information will need to be provided, often going back three-years or more. Well prepared and ‘clean’ financial information, requiring fewer adjustments will lessen the confusion for a potential buyer, and add credibility that information is free from error. This will protect against deal failure or ‘price chipping’.
Owners can often have unrealistic price expectations, which can derail a process when buyers and sellers have differing opinions about the value of the business. A third-party valuation is the best way to provide an objective estimate of what a business may be worth, add creditability to the negotiating process, and help the chances of a successful sale.
An expert team should have experience of recent deals to underpin and defend the value of the business. They will also be able to handle the sale process, allowing you to focus on maintaining business performance.
An adviser will help guide you through the process, presenting the business in the best possible light, sourcing potential buyers, structuring the deal, and leading negotiations to achieve the best result for you.
Authors
-
Richard Gillan Richard has extensive corporate finance and commercial experience and leads the firm’s advisory function in Belfast.View Profile