Review the business before the deal moves on
Due diligence is how a buyer checks what they are buying. SellAnyBiz gives both sides a shared place to organise documents, questions and findings. Formal reviews by accountants or lawyers are arranged separately.
- Organised review
- Professional review is separate
- For buyers
- Check the numbers
- Review operations and risk
- Track open questions
- For sellers
- Prepare documents early
- Answer questions in one place
- Release files after the NDA
SellAnyBiz provides tools to organise the due diligence process. It is not a formal audit, legal opinion or financial advice. Buyers should use qualified accountants and lawyers for those checks.
Due diligence for business deals
Due diligence is the review a buyer, and the buyer's advisers, carry out before committing to a purchase. It checks that the business is what the seller says it is: the numbers, the contracts, the customers, the people and the risks.
On SellAnyBiz the review happens inside the deal. The seller keeps documents in the Data Room and releases them to the buyer as the deal progresses after the NDA. The buyer tracks requests, questions and findings in the deal. SellAnyBiz provides tools to organise the process. It does not carry out an audit or give legal or financial opinions.
A review works best alongside a clear view of value and organised records. If you are still looking, you can start to buy a business on the marketplace, or read about business valuation first.
Review the business before you commit
A structured review helps you see the opportunity more clearly.
Check the numbers
Compare reported revenue and profit with statements, returns and records.
Follow the trends
Look at revenue and profit over time, not only the latest year.
Operations and customers
Review contracts, customers, suppliers and how much depends on the owner.
Risks and concerns
Record findings and open questions, then decide what to raise before you commit.
How preparation helps sellers
Preparation saves time once a serious buyer starts to review.
Prepare your documents
Gather financial, legal and operating documents in the Data Room before buyers ask.
Fewer delays
Answers and files are ready, so the review does not stall on missing papers.
Clear and organised
Show reviewers a business that is easy to understand and well documented.
What a buyer's review usually covers
Have these ready before a serious review begins.
- Financial statements and tax records
- Revenue and profit trends
- Operations and key processes
- Customer and supplier information
- Legal and compliance documents
- Assets, liabilities and obligations
- Ownership and transfer details
- Known risks and open concerns
Due diligence sits alongside valuation and the escrow and legal steps of the same deal.
How due diligence works
From serious interest to an informed decision.
Start after serious interest
The review begins once the buyer has signed the NDA and both sides are serious about the deal.
Organise the information
The seller gathers financials, documents and operating details in the Data Room.
Review and ask
The buyer reads what is released, asks questions and records findings. Accountants and lawyers do their own checks separately.
Resolve the findings
Both sides settle open questions and decide how findings affect price or terms.
Decide the next step
The buyer proceeds, renegotiates or walks away with a clear record of what was checked.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is due diligence?
It is the review a buyer, and the buyer's advisers, carry out to understand a business before committing to a purchase.
When should due diligence happen?
After serious buyer interest and an NDA, and before the final transaction steps.
Does SellAnyBiz carry out due diligence?
No. SellAnyBiz gives both sides a place to organise documents, questions and findings. The checks themselves are done by the buyer and by the accountants, lawyers or other advisers the buyer appoints.
How can a seller prepare?
Gather financial, legal and operating documents early, keep them in the Data Room, and be ready to answer questions in one place instead of by scattered email.
Who can see the documents?
Buyers see documents only after the NDA step, and only the ones the seller releases for their deal.
Ready to review a business before moving forward?
See the tools SellAnyBiz provides to organise the review inside a deal, and where your own advisers fit in.