Business Exit Planning
Prepare your business for a sale, succession or step back, with a clear view of what it is worth today and what would make it worth more.
Buying & Selling a Business
Buying or Selling a Business in Melbourne
Most business sales are won or lost on the numbers. Whether you are preparing to sell or about to buy, we give you an independent view of what the business really earns, what it is worth, and what could change the price.
- Selling: know your value and fix what buyers will question
- Buying: check the numbers before you sign
- Independent figures for both sides of the deal
What we do
For sellers: exit planning that starts two to three years out, an exit readiness review that shows how a buyer will see your business today, and a valuation before you go to market. Fix the issues that cut the price before a buyer finds them.
For buyers: financial due diligence that tests the seller's profit, add-backs, wages, debts and working capital against the records, with a price check and the questions to put to the seller before you sign.
We have sat on both sides of the table, building and exiting businesses as well as valuing and investigating them, so our advice reflects how deals actually play out.
Common situations
Exit readiness review
An exit readiness review shows how a buyer is likely to see your business today and which changes would improve its value and transferability.
Due diligence for buyers
Before you sign, find out whether the profit you are paying for is real, whether it will continue under your ownership, and what liabilities come with it. Independent, fixed-fee financial due diligence for buyers of small and medium businesses in Melbourne.
Where deals go wrong
The price gap
Sellers price on what the business could earn, buyers on what it has earned. An independent figure narrows the gap early.
Add-backs that don't hold up
Adjusted profit often includes owner expenses and one-offs that the records can't support. Buyers discount what they can't verify.
The business depends on the owner
When the key relationships and know-how sit with one person, buyers pay less or ask for earn-outs.
Hidden liabilities
Unpaid super, wage underpayments, tax debts and finance commitments can follow the business or the staff to a new owner.
Records a buyer can't rely on
Mixed personal spending, late accounts and figures that don't match BAS slow due diligence and weaken the price.
Our approach
- Start with the question that matters to you, whether that is "what is it worth?" or "should I buy it?"
- Test the numbers against the records, not just the summary financials.
- Give you a clear report with the effect on price and the next steps.
- Work alongside your broker, accountant and lawyer through to completion.
Principal
Principal & Director
Erin Huang, CPA
Principal & Director, Maxwind
Erin is the principal of Maxwind Analytics. Her background combines corporate finance, building and running businesses, and specialist valuation and forensic work.
Maxwind Analytics has advised Melbourne businesses and their advisers since 2020.
About ErinHow the engagement works
- EnquiryTell us about the matter by phone or through the enquiry form.
- Conflict and scope checkWe confirm we can act independently and agree what needs to be answered.
- RecordsYou provide the records we need through a secure link.
- Analysis and deliverableWe complete the work and explain the findings before finalising.
Fees and timing
Most engagements have a clear scope and a fixed fee agreed before work starts, from a short initial review to full due diligence or an exit plan.
Questions we are often asked
Do you act for buyers or sellers?
Both, but never both sides of the same deal. We check for conflicts before every engagement.
Can you help if a broker is already involved?
Yes. Brokers market the business; we give the independent financial view. Most brokers welcome a buyer or seller who understands the numbers.
Talk about your sale or purchase
A short conversation is usually enough to tell whether we can help and what the work would involve.
