When is the best time to start exit planning for a UK business?

The ideal window is 12 to 36 months before your target exit date. This timeframe allows us to optimize your EBITDA, clean up your balance sheet, and remove founder-dependency, ensuring you don't face 'price chips' during the due diligence process.

How does Consult EFC improve a company's valuation before an exit?

We focus on 'Investor-Grade' readiness. This includes implementing robust SaaS metrics (MRR, ARR, Churn), tightening cash flow management, and ensuring your financial reporting meets Big Four audit standards, which significantly reduces perceived risk for buyers.

What is the difference between a Trade Sale and a Management Buyout (MBO)?

A trade sale involves selling 100% of the business to a strategic buyer (often a competitor), typically yielding the highest price. An MBO involves selling the company to your existing management team, often supported by private equity, allowing for a phased exit and continuity of culture.

Do you provide business valuations for the 2026 market?

Yes. Our valuations are based on current 2026 market multiples and sector-specific benchmarks. We provide a 'proof pack' that justifies your valuation to potential acquirers, covering everything from normalized EBITDA to recurring revenue quality.

How do recent UK tax changes affect my business exit?

Exit timing and structure are heavily influenced by Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR). We work alongside your tax team to ensure the deal is structured to maximize your net-of-tax proceeds.

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Exit Planning Adviser for UK Business Owners

Prepare your business for sale with clear financial reporting, reliable forecasts, and structured preparation led by an ICAEW Chartered Accountant and Corporate Finance Adviser.

Sell Your Business with a Corporate Finance Adviser

If you are planning to sell your business, you need two things: strong preparation and a disciplined sale process. Consult EFC provides exit planning and corporate finance advisory services for UK business owners, from readiness to completion.

Led by an ICAEW Chartered Accountant with Big Four and investment banking experience, we prepare your financials, build the valuation case, approach buyers, manage negotiations, and support due diligence through to completion.

ICAEW Chartered Accountant Corporate finance and M&A Deal and diligence experience UK wide support

Book a Confidential Call See the Workstreams

Common reasons sales underperform

Deals often slow down or get repriced because buyers find uncertainty in the numbers, weak evidence behind performance, or risk that was not surfaced early. We fix this before you go to market and then run a structured sale process.

Numbers do not stand up

We tighten reporting, normalise EBITDA, and make sure financials are consistent and defensible.

Valuation feels unclear

We build the valuation case based on performance drivers and comparable market evidence.

Buyers lose confidence

We prepare diligence materials early and manage buyer questions quickly and clearly.

The process drifts

We run a structured timetable, control communications, and keep momentum through negotiations.

Exit Planning and Corporate Finance Workstreams

Workstream	What We Deliver	Why It Matters
Exit Readiness Review	Review of financials, reporting, controls, and buyer focused risk areas.	A clear plan to fix gaps before you go to market.
Valuation and Value Drivers	Valuation range, value drivers, risk adjustments, and buyer positioning.	Sets expectations and improves your negotiating position.
Information Memorandum Support	Financial story, performance analysis, KPIs, and supporting schedules.	Gives buyers a clear reason to engage and progress.
Buyer Targeting and Outreach	Target list, outreach approach, qualification, and first stage discussions.	Increases buyer interest and improves competitive tension.
Data Room and Due Diligence	Data room checklist, document pack, Q&A management, and analysis support.	Reduces delays, prevents deal fatigue, and protects value.
Negotiation and Deal Support	Offer comparison, term review, negotiation preparation, and completion support.	Helps you choose the right offer and reduces execution risk.

How We Run the Sale Process

Step 1

Confidential call. We confirm your objectives, timeline, and likely buyer types.

Step 2

Preparation. Reporting, valuation work, and a clear story backed by evidence.

Step 3

Go to market. Target list, outreach, buyer conversations, and first round offers.

Step 4

Due diligence and completion. We manage Q&A, maintain momentum, and support completion.

What buyers usually ask for

Consistent monthly reporting and clear revenue recognition.
Normalised EBITDA and explanation of any adjustments.
Customer concentration, contract terms, and pipeline quality.
Working capital trends and cash conversion.
Forecast assumptions with evidence.
Tax filings and key legal documentation.

A good process reduces surprises and protects value. Preparation creates confidence.

Why Consult EFC

You get one adviser who can prepare the business and run the transaction. That reduces handovers, improves speed, and keeps the story consistent from first buyer call through to completion.

Corporate finance capability

We can run your sale process, not just advise on preparation.

Financial discipline

Chartered Accountancy standards for reporting, analysis, and diligence readiness.

Clear communication

Direct advice, clear priorities, and professional buyer communication.

Partner led

Your work is led by a senior professional from start to finish.

Selling Your Business FAQs

Can you run the sale process as the corporate finance adviser?

Yes. Consult EFC can prepare the business for sale and run the corporate finance process, including buyer outreach, offer management, negotiation support, and due diligence through to completion.

When should I start preparing to sell?

Ideally 12 to 24 months before a sale. If your timeline is shorter, we prioritise the areas buyers will test first and focus on what protects value.

Will you help with valuation and pricing expectations?

Yes. We provide a valuation range and explain how buyers may price risk, growth, and profitability based on evidence and market benchmarks.

Do you work with businesses across the UK?

Yes. We support clients across the UK. Delivery can be onsite, remote, or hybrid depending on what you need.

Exit Readiness Checklist

By Kishen Patel, ICAEW Chartered Accountant

Financial readiness

Normalised EBITDA: personal expenses and one off costs identified and documented.

Reliable reporting: monthly management accounts prepared consistently.

Supporting schedules: financial balances supported with clear explanations.

Operational readiness

Reduced founder dependency: operations can run without daily founder involvement.

Documented processes: key business processes are documented and repeatable.

Management visibility: KPIs and performance reviewed regularly.

Commercial readiness

Customer diversification: no excessive reliance on one customer.

Contract clarity: customer contracts and terms properly documented.

Revenue visibility: clear understanding of revenue drivers and sustainability.

Planning to sell your business?

Book a confidential call to review your exit readiness, identify risks, and understand how to maximise valuation before going to market.

Book Your Exit Planning Call

Confidential discussion. No obligation.

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Exit Planning Adviser for UK Business Owners

Sell Your Business with a Corporate Finance Adviser