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Transaction Advisory Insights: Tips for Dealmaking

Cheryl Aschenbrener

Feb 1 2023

3 min read

Did someone say free insights? Our Tips for Dealmaking page is updated frequently with tangible dealmaking tips on everything from pre-close to post-close and beyond. Bookmark this page now. Thank us later!

Embrace Your Skeletons

We’ll say it loud for the people in the back: no one in M&A is trying to kill a deal or get you with a “gotcha” moment! As experienced M&A professionals, it is our duty to ask the tough questions and pull any skeletons out of the closet before they become the 12-foot skeletons outside of your house for Halloween. Invite the skeletons to the transaction table, dust off the cobwebs and work with your transaction advisors to mitigate any negative impacts.

Together, we can create a plan to address the skeletons (and we don’t mean giving them funny nicknames).

Assemble Your Deal Team Before It’s Too Late

When selling is on the table, most business owners file those conversations away as Classified. However, we are here to say: assemble your deal team as soon as a decision has been made.

According to Sikich’s Manufacturing Industry Pulse, only 4% of manufacturing and distribution executives know what providers are needed to make up their deal team. No matter your industry, start with your key internal squad members, including your CFO/Controller, COO and Head of Sales. The other half of your dream team – the investment bank, QofE providers and potential buyers – will require a load of information to begin the process, so it’s valuable to have them lined up ASAP.

Remove the Classified stamp from your selling plans and make sure your team is prepared for what’s ahead. And when you’re ready for the QofE process, you know who to call.

A Seller’s Dream: Options

If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a hundred times: sell when you don’t have to. Equally as important: know your options. Whether that be a full sale of the business to a strategic buyer or private equity group or a partial sale to family members or management, do your research to determine what path is best for you. In fact, early conversations can save big dollars as a seller.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a crystal ball that will tell you what your best option will be. Fortunately, the next best thing is to work with a trusted advisor to explore your possibilities. Our transaction advisors are here to help you explore your options.

Click here to get in touch!

This publication contains general information only and Sikich is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or any other professional advice or services. This publication is not a substitute for such professional advice or services, nor should you use it as a basis for any decision, action or omission that may affect you or your business. Before making any decision, taking any action or omitting an action that may affect you or your business, you should consult a qualified professional advisor. In addition, this publication may contain certain content generated by an artificial intelligence (AI) language model. You acknowledge that Sikich shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by you or any person who relies on this publication.

About the Author

Cheryl Aschenbrener

Cheryl Aschenbrener, CPA, is a Principal of Transaction Advisory Services, with over 20 years of experience in strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, business advisory, and assurance services. Cheryl’s clients rely on her for deep industry expertise and a hands-on approach in structuring and due diligence work for portfolio company acquisitions, strategic buyers, and private equity funds. She delivers a fresh perspective and the right team when performing quality of earnings reports and value-added planning for private equity funds.