1. Income Statement:
An income statement is a financial statement that summarizes a company's revenue and expenses for a specific period of time, typically one fiscal year or one calendar year. It provides an overview of the performance of the business in terms of generating and managing profits over the specified period. To get a thorough understanding of how profitable a business is, it is important to review both the income statement and balance sheet.
2. Balance Sheet:
A balance sheet is a financial statement that summarizes a company's assets, liabilities, and equity as of a given date. The purpose of the balance sheet is to provide an accurate picture of the business' financial position at any given point in time. It includes items such as cash on hand, accounts receivable, total debt outstanding, inventory levels, fixed assets (e.g., equipment), intangible assets (e.g., patents or trademarks), capitalization structure (equity vs debt financing) etc.
3. Accounts Receivable and Payable:
Accounts receivable refers to monies owed to the business by customers or other entities. Accounts payable refers to monies owed by the business to vendors, suppliers and other creditors. It is important to review these accounts in order to understand any potential liabilities that may be associated with the sale of the business.
4. Goods and Services Tax (Gst):
GST is a tax imposed on goods and services in Australia. It is important for buyers to understand how much GST they will need to pay when purchasing a business and how this will impact their cash flow.
5. Tax Returns:
It is important for buyers to understand what taxes are due from the seller of the business, including income, capital gains, fringe benefits, payroll taxes etc., as well as any applicable tax incentives or deductions available. This information will help buyers to accurately assess the net value of the business and understand any potential liabilities associated with its sale.
6. Profit and Loss Statement:
A profit and loss statement provides an overview of a company's revenues, cost of goods sold, gross profits, operating expenses, income taxes, and net incomes over a specific period of time. It is important for buyers to review this statement in order to understand how profitable the business has been in the past and how it may be expected to perform in the future.
7. Bank Loans, Lines of Credit, Overdrafts, Debtor Finance Facilities:
It is important for buyers to determine if there are any existing loans or other financing arrangements that need to be addressed during the sale of the business. This information should include details about any interest rates, repayment terms, and other relevant considerations in order to accurately assess the impact of these arrangements on the overall sale.
8. Copy of the Company’s Constitution and Shareholder Agreements:
It is important for buyers to review a copy of the company's constitution and shareholder agreements in order to understand any restrictions or limitations that may apply when buying or selling the business. These documents will also provide detailed information regarding ownership rights and obligations, as well as how profits are distributed among shareholders.
9. Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights:
Patents, trademarks, and copyrights can be valuable assets of the business and should be reviewed by buyers in order to accurately assess their value. It is important to understand what protections are in place for these items, as well as any associated costs that may be incurred in maintaining them over time.
10. Contracts With Suppliers and Customers:
In order to fully understand a business's operations, it is important for buyers to review any existing contracts with suppliers and customers. This information will help buyers assess the stability of the business and identify any potential liabilities associated with these arrangements.