Buying a Business
Independent due diligence and acquisition advice – so you know
exactly what you’re buying.
Look Beyond The Numbers
The information memorandum looked good. The financials look reasonable. But are they telling the full story?
Most buyers rely on the seller’s accountant to understand the numbers. That’s not independent advice. That’s the other side’s perspective dressed up as facts.
We work for you – the buyer. Our job is to find the things that aren’t obvious, challenge the valuation, and make sure you’re making a decision based on real information. Full guide: how to buy a business in Australia.
What we do for buyers
You’re considering an acquisition. The information memorandum looks good. But good-looking numbers and real numbers aren’t always the same thing.
We protect you from buying someone else’s problem. We dig into the financials, identify the risks, and tell you what the business is actually worth — before you commit.
- Financial due diligence - independent review of the books
- Valuation assessment - what the business is worth vs what they're asking
- Acquisition structure - how to own the business, tax-efficiently
- Red flag identification - key person risk, client concentration, hidden liabilities
- Post-acquisition planning - first 90 days financial priorities
Independent financial
due diligence
This is the most important thing we do for business buyers. We review the financials independently – not through the lens of the vendor or their broker.
We look at three years of financial statements, BAS records, payroll, debtors, creditors, and key contracts. We identify discrepancies, normalise the earnings, and tell you what the business actually earns under normal conditions. See our financial due diligence services.
- Revenue concentration - one or two clients representing 30%+ of income
- Key person dependence - revenue tied to the owner, not the business
- Normalisation gaps - owner wages well below market rate inflating EBITDA
- GST and superannuation arrears - liabilities not disclosed upfront
- Debtors in bad shape - old debt propping up the accounts receivable balance
- Related-party transactions - expenses and income that won't exist after settlement
Valuation assessment
The asking price is what the seller wants. The value is what the business is worth to you, as the buyer, under your ownership.

We build an independent valuation and compare it to the asking price – giving you a clear view of whether you’re getting a fair deal and what leverage you have to negotiate.
Acquisition structure
How you buy a business matters as much as what you pay for it.
- Asset purchase vs share purchase - liability, tax, and practical implications
- Which entity to use - company, trust, or individual
- Stamp duty considerations - varies by state and transaction type
-
GST on the sale of a going concern - and how to structure
to avoid it
Due diligence support
- sell side
Most acquisitions involve some level of finance. We work with you on the funding structure – bank debt, vendor finance, earn-out arrangements – and make sure the repayment schedule is viable given the actual earnings of the business.
Post-acquisition planning
Settlement day is the beginning, not the end. We help you plan the first 90 days: integrating into your structure, understanding the working capital cycle, reviewing pricing and service agreements, and setting up the financial reporting you need.
The question to ask yourself before you buy: if everything in the information memorandum is accurate, is this still a good investment? Our job is to verify that it is - or tell you when it isn't.
The acquisition process — what to expect
Discovery call
we understand what you’re buying and where you’re at in the process
Preliminary review
quick assessment of the IM to identify the key questions to answer
Negotiation support
we give you the numbers and the rationale to negotiate effectively
Structure advice
how to own the business and structure the transaction for tax efficiency
Settlement
we review the final completion accounts and adjustments
Post-purchase setup
financial reporting, budgeting, and first 90-day priorities
The acquisition process — what to expect
Frequently Asked Questions.
The seller’s accountant is protecting the seller’s interests. They prepared the financials, they know where the skeletons are, and their job is to present the business in the best possible light. You need an independent advisor who is looking out for you — not the other side of the transaction.
Before you sign a Heads of Agreement. Ideally before you make a formal offer. The earlier we’re involved, the more leverage you have. Once you’ve committed to a price in writing, your negotiating position weakens significantly.
It depends on the size and complexity of the business. We work on fixed fees agreed upfront. On any meaningful acquisition, the cost of due diligence is the best investment you’ll make — far cheaper than discovering problems after settlement.
See: creditte.com.au/how-we-help/financial-due-diligence-services/
Yes. We work with sellers across Australia. Everything is done remotely. Location is not a limitation.
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