Business owners considering a sale of their business often ask us, “When is the best time to sell my company?” It is a fundamental and age-old question.

Sellers always want to “time” the sale of their businesses to maximize their return, either through a higher price, lower taxes, or, hopefully as we have seen in the last eight years, a combination of both.

Since President Bush lowered the Federal tax on long-term capital gains to 15%, there has never been a better time to sell a business, at least in terms of tax implications. Combine low tax rates with a very strong economy, and you know why M&A deals were so predominant from 2004 through the first part of 2007.

Will taxes go up in 2009? Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton have both promised, if elected, to raise taxes on long-term capital gains to 28% or 25%, respectively. However, this is a promise, not a guarantee. Read more »

Most owners of privately-held businesses are the epitome of entrepreneurship. Most entrepreneurs are successful because of their “can-do” attitudes as well as their willingness to do whatever is necessary to make their businesses successful.

When it comes time to sell their businesses, their “hands-on” attitude leads many business owners to the belief they are the best salesman for their companies. “Who knows my company better than I,” many business owners say to us, “How can you do a better job describing my company than I,” they ask.

We, as M&A professionals, never purport to know more about our clients’ businesses than our clients. Neither would anyone at CFA espouse to know each and every buyer who could ever be interested in our clients’ businesses. Read more »

Case Study

Vayden Anderson decided at 78, it was time to sell his business and retire. With no heirs interested in acquiring Overland Sand & Gravel, on the recommendation of his attorney, Anderson turned to CFA. He retained CFA to sell his business, the fourth largest ready mix concrete producer in Nebraska, to a buyer he pre-approved, a buyer who would retain all of Overland’s employees and operations. CFA quickly identified the right prospects and received several offers. Ultimately, CFA negotiated a transaction favorable for both parties (and significantly exceeding the seller’s value expectations). The transaction closed in less than 6 months from when CFA was hired and helped and achieved all of the seller’s goals.