For many entrepreneurs, selling their business is seen as the ultimate reward—a payoff for years of hard work. But here’s the hard truth: the majority of businesses never sell. In fact, studies suggest that 70% to 80% of businesses put on the market do not successfully exit.
Why? Because they’re not actually
saleable. That’s where a CFO becomes indispensable. If you're thinking about succession planning or preparing for a future exit, a
Fractional CFO can help ensure your business is ready, valuable, and positioned for long-term success—even after you step away.
Is Your Business Even Saleable?
It’s easy to assume your business will sell when you're ready to move on. But unless it’s been built to operate without you, has strong financial performance, and presents well to investors or buyers, the odds of a successful sale are low.
A CFO’s role is to assess sale readiness from every angle:
- Operational independence
- Revenue consistency
- Scalable systems
- Clean financial records
- Sustainable profit margins
They’ll help identify red flags before a buyer does—and help you correct them early.
Maximizing the Value of Your Exit
A CFO does more than prepare your business for sale. They optimize the value of the sale. That means:
- Analyzing current business valuation
- Identifying strategic improvements to increase EBITDA
- Ensuring your financials tell a compelling growth story
- Structuring operations and reporting for due diligence
At Gauvreau, our CFOs work closely with our
Business Valuation team to align your growth strategy with a strong exit plan—so you’re not just selling, you’re
selling at your maximum value.
It's Not Just About the Sale—It's About Your Legacy
Your exit isn’t just a transaction. It’s the hand-off of something you’ve built, something that has provided value to your clients, income to your team, and meaning to your journey. A CFO supports not just the financial outcome, but the continuity of that legacy.
They’ll ensure systems are in place, leadership is empowered, and the next owner has a clear roadmap—so your business thrives long after you're gone.
Start With a Fractional CFO
You don’t need to hire a full-time CFO to begin exit planning. A Fractional CFO can help you start small—working on the key drivers of value and saleability—long before you’re ready to sell.
Whether you're 2 years away from a sale or just starting to think about what your business is worth, the right CFO partner can make all the difference.
Explore our Fractional CFO Services and start planning your future today.
Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory : May 29, 2024
Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory