Business assets due diligence when buying a business

As part of the due diligence process when you're investigating a business to buy, you should thoroughly review the business's fixed and intangible assets. Knowing exactly what's for sale will help you accurately value the business. It is a good idea to consult a professional adviser to help answer the following questions.

Assets

• Do you know exactly what you are buying and not buying? Are there lists of assets and have you checked them?
• If the business is a limited company, are you buying the shares or the assets? Legal advice is probably necessary if you're buying a company.
• What is the book value, the market value and replacement value of the fixed assets? Which will you pay?
• If you're going to buy inventory or work-in-progress, has a value been agreed on? Have you agreed on how it will be adjusted at the time of settlement, and within what limits?
• Have you decided what intangibles you want such as mailing lists, business name, exclusive rights, or leases? Can they be transferred?

Stock

• Are you sure that the rate of stock turnover is in line with industry practice?
• Are you sure that the existing stock does not include slowly moving items from another business?
• Has inventory been correctly valued in cost of goods sold statements?
• Has an item of inventory been sold but not shipped?

Equipment

• Is the equipment in good repair? Is it efficient? Is it in danger of becoming obsolete or difficult to service? Are parts available? Could it be sold easily?
• Is depreciation claimed for the equipment and, if so, is it reasonable (particularly for the price you'll be paying)? Is it based on an accounting or tax viewpoint?
• Is any equipment leased? Do you know the terms and the cost of all equipment leases?
• Will you get ownership when equipment leases expire? What are residual values?

Also consider...

• Learn more about buying a business.
• Find out if you need to pay transfer duty on the transfer of business assets.