Tips for Buying a Business in Brisbane

You may be looking at buying a business for the first time, or acquiring an existing business as an investment or addition to your current operations:

  • What will you look for to ensure success?
  • How will you know if you are being ‘sold’ an idea or a hardworking asset?

Tips for buying a business in Brisbane SMEs

The following checklist will help you with your search and research process.

Is the industry / market is growing 

Definitely at a good rate

At a steady rate

Slowly

Marginally / not really

No – it’s contracting

Degree of concern

(H, M, L)

How many years profitable trading does the business have? 

>10

6 to 10

3 to 5

1 to 2

<1

Degree of concern

(H, M, L)

What opportunities for business growth exist (existing markets, new markets, new products / services and geographical locations)? 

Excellent

Good

Fairly good

Ok

Poor

Degree of concern

(H, M, L)

Ability of the business to control its operating costs 

Excellent

Good

Fairly good

Ok

Poor

Degree of concern

(H, M, L)

 The market can sustain the current level of competition 

Definitely

Probably

Possibly

Unlikely

No – competitors are reducing and / or merging

Degree of concern

(H, M, L)

Top 10 customers % of total income 

<10%

10-20%

21-30%

31to40%

>40%

Degree of concern

(H, M, L)

 Last five years number of legal claims 

0

1

2 or 3

4 or 5

>5

Degree of concern

(H, M, L)

How many times in the last 12 months has poor supply negatively affected the business? 

0

1

2 or 3

4 or 5

>5

Degree of concern

(H, M, L)

 Existence and use of best practice operating systems 

Yes

Moderately

In between

To a small degree

Not at all

Degree of concern

(H, M, L)

 Degree of principal / owner reliance

None

Low

Medium

High

Very high

Degree of concern

(H, M, L)

 Key staff experience and knowledge 

Excellent

Good

Fairly good

Ok

Poor

Degree of concern

(H, M, L)

Source: Extract from Archer Gowland’s Risk and Value Driver Assessment. Full analysis includes 50 questions and recommendations based on findings.

You will also want to look at the business’s track record of profit margin and growth and how costs are controlled.

More information

For a thorough due diligence on your prospective business, please contact Ian Walker from Archer Gowland on 07 3002 2699. We will analyse your new venture and identify any areas for concern and growth opportunities to give you all the information you need to make an informed and wise decision.

Tips for Selling Your Business in Brisbane  

Ian Walker

Written by Ian Walker

As Executive Chairman, Ian is a trusted Professional Services practitioner with over 25 years’ experience within the Accounting industry. Working closely with his clients to form long-term partnership, Ian provides high-level strategic advice across all areas of Accounting, Business Advisory, Superannuation, and Taxation. Ian is proud to partner with many SME & Family-owned businesses to provide comprehensive and bespoke strategies to help address the challenges and complexities they encounter through day-to-day operations & management.